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.”