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31 October 2023 | Story EDZANI NEPHALELA | Photo JOLANDI GRIESEL
Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Buti Manamela
Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Buti Manamela delivers the keynote address at the launch of the Advanced Diploma in Technical Vocational Training.

Thanks to a collaborative effort between the University of the Free State (UFS), the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the South African Institute for Distance Education (SAIDE), Open Learning, and the European Union (EU), an Advanced Diploma in Technical Vocational Training was launched at the UFS Bloemfontein Campus earlier this month.

This innovative programme, which is offered at NQF level 7, includes resources such as Mathematics Method, Method of Teaching Automotive Repair and Maintenance, Collage-based Work-integrated Learning, and Method of Teaching Electrical Engineering, and is designed to meet the evolving demands of the modern workforce by combining cutting-edge technical education with a strong vocational focus. The diploma aims to equip South African students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in a rapidly changing job market. The programme has also been enriched by expertise and resources from the EU, enhancing its international appeal and quality.

Dr Engela van Staden, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at the UFS, expressed the primary goal of this collaboration as providing access to higher education for those in need, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the skills and abilities of lecturers in TVET (technical and vocational education and training) colleges. "The UFS is optimistic that these open education resource materials will be valuable to all universities and TVET colleges willing to offer this diploma,” she said.

Possibilities for sharing of open educational resources

Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Buti Manamela said that education and training stand at the forefront of transformation in our fast-evolving world. “We are witnessing a paradigm shift from traditional learning methods to a more inclusive, accessible, and collaborative approach,” he said. Open learning emphasises accessibility of available educational resources and the free exchange of knowledge by offering two open licenses, the National Open Learning System (NOLS) and Learning Management System (LMS).

“Open Educational Resources, or OER, embody the spirit of open learning,” he said. “We all know that these freely accessible, openly licensed materials hold the power to revolutionise the way we educate our students. Imagine a South Africa where educational resources are not confined to the walls of an institution but are adopted and adapted by multiple institutions, giving students access to the highest-quality materials developed by a team of experts. Any student, regardless of their institution, geographic location, or socio-economic background, has equal access to high-quality educational opportunities. This is the promise OER brings to our education and training landscape.” 

The power of partnerships

This collaboration focused on developing open learning materials that will be freely accessible and adaptable to the unique needs of South African universities offering programmes for TVET college lecturer development. It is believed that six universities, including the University of the Witwatersrand and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, have already adopted these resources.

Nolwazi Gasa, Deputy Director-General: Planning, Policy and Strategy at the DHET, said this collaboration is a testament to the power of international partnerships in addressing the challenges facing education today. “The collaborative efforts of the EU aimed to enhance teacher development in South Africa and integrate the Fourth Industrial Revolution into the DHET. Partnerships are pivotal in addressing critical issues within our nation, particularly in education and learning. We are dedicated to forging a path toward a more promising future for our educators, students, and the overall prosperity of our esteemed nation.”

Jennie Glennie, SAIDE Founding Director, reflected on the processes to ensure the launch of this diploma. “Our collaborative effort involved academics from 13 universities, five TVET college lecturers, and a South College Principal's Organization representative,” she said. Additionally, three learning design experts, including a subject developer, critical reviewer, and learning design specialist contributed to bringing this vision to fruition. As we launch these modules, let us remember the transformative power of education and continue our journey towards a brighter, more skilled, and more prosperous South Africa.” 

News Archive

Community of Qwaqwa gives Prof Petersen a warm Basotho welcome
2017-05-16

 

 Description: Prof Petersen with Basotho hat and blanket Tags: Prof Petersen with Basotho hat and blanket

 Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State
Photo: Ian van Straaten

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Various stakeholders pledged their support to the newly-appointed Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State (UFS), Prof Francis Petersen, during the first in a series of welcoming events that was held at the Qwaqwa Campus on Thursday 11 May 2017.

A message of support and welcome from the Paramount Queen of the Bakoena Royal Council, Mofumahadi Mathokoana Mopeli, took everybody in attendance back three decades to the time when the campus was first established.

“The Qwaqwa Campus of the then University of the North was created to swell this area and the broader Eastern Free State with intellectual capacity,” she said.

“It is with this in mind that we encourage you, Prof Petersen, to continue upholding the best of your predecessors. Search for what they could not achieve and learn from that. Traditional leadership in this area will always be a friend to the university,” she added.

Description: Community of Qwaqwa gives Prof Petersen a warm Basotho welcome Tags: Community of Qwaqwa gives Prof Petersen a warm Basotho welcome

Prof Petersen received a warm Basotho
welcome from Morena Thokoana Mopeli and
Paramount Queen Mofumahadi Mathokoana Mopeli of
the Bakoena Royal Council. With them is
Mrs Cheslyn Petersen.
Photo: Thabo Kessah

The Thabo Mofutsanyana Education District was represented by the Acting District Director, Lindiwe Mabaso, who expressed the district’s pride in being associated with the university.

“Our district is excelling in Mathematics and Science, and this can be attributed to the educators that we get from the Qwaqwa Campus. We are proud to say that we are number one nationally when it comes to Mathematics and Science, and this is through the support we get from the campus. Our schools will continue to be centres of excellence under the new leadership of Prof Petersen,” she said.

Staff and students weigh in

Both Nehawu and Uvpersu expressed their optimism in working with Prof Petersen.

Branch chairperson of Nehawu, Teboho Pitso, said the union appreciated the fact that Prof Petersen was taking over the leadership of the institution at a very difficult time, both institutionally and nationally.

“As workers, we are faced with a lot of challenges and we hope that none of us will be retrenched under your leadership,” he said to an appreciative audience consisting of various internal and external stakeholders.

Acting Chairperson of UVPERSU, Khethiwe Biyo, said the workers’ union was happy that Prof Petersen believed in teamwork.

“Your commitment in working with us is appreciated. We look forward to learning from you about institutional innovation,” she said.

Students were represented by the Qwaqwa Campus SRC President, Njabulo Mwali, who expressed the need for a deeper and detailed transformation process.

“Your expertise and skills have set you above all other aspirant applicants for this position, and we hope that we will learn a lot on this journey,” he said.

“We at the UFS are actively, intentionally,
and continuously engaged in promoting
diversity.”

"Ensure fairness" 

In his response, Prof Petersen emphasised the importance of inclusivity and innovativeness. He said, “Staff and students at the three sites of learning must do all they can to ensure that the UFS realises its goal of being an inclusive institution, one that provides equal access and opportunities to everyone, makes a conscious effort to prevent discrimination, and ensure fairness.”

“Being committed to inclusivity means that we at the UFS are actively, intentionally, and continuously engaged in promoting diversity. This diversity is expressed through our people and through the curriculum, and in the way we work with our communities to promote awareness, empathy, and understanding of the complex ways individuals interact. As you know, our ultimate goal as a university is not only to educate young people up to the point that they graduate. What they learn during their time with us should help shape them into people who can think innovatively in order to address the challenges that face us in the 21st century,” he said.

The Qwaqwa Campus Chorale and the award-winning choir from The Beacon Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba provided the entertainment.

Similar events will respectively be hosted on the South and Bloemfontein Campuses on 18 and 19 May 2017.

 

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