HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Bridging the gap between school and higher education

Tue, 13 Mar 2012

To address the high drop-out rates of new students, tactics must be put in place to aid a successful transition into higher education and schools should offer more support to matriculants. These are the sentiments of education specialist Dr Felicity Coughlan.

TERTIARY EDUCATION

Govt looking into tertiary education - Motlanthe

Fri, 09 Mar 2012

The proposed standardisation of application fees for all universities is one way government aims to boost tertiary education and assist poor students in extending their opportunities and choice.

More women scientists needed - Pandor

Fri, 09 Mar 2012

Incentives that support and recognise women in research is needed to attract more females to the sciences industries according to Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor.

Government must provide training to law graduates, similar to private law firms

Tue, 06 Mar 2012

During a historic meeting the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande and the leadership of the Law Society of South Africa agreed that steps needed to be taken to expand the professional training component for attorneys beyond private law firms.

Nzimande condemns students ‘blocking the university system’

Thu, 01 Mar 2012

Students who fail their degree countless times and take up space in already overcrowded universities will no longer be tolerated. Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande recently expressed his dissatisfaction on this issue.

Public to stand against phoney professionals

Wed, 29 Feb 2012

How do you know for sure that your doctor is qualified? It seems that so called ‘professionals’ are making a mockery of the academic process by obtaining an online degree at the cost of a few thousand Rands. Henk du Plessis investigates.

Winners impress finance minister in budget speech competition

Tue, 28 Feb 2012

University students from around the country have been encouraged to use the annual budget speech competition to engage in economic and political debate. Winners Pierre Vercuiel and Salma Kagee received recognition from the country's top money man, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

Private vs public tertiary education: sorting fact from fiction

Wed, 22 Feb 2012

Is the quality of higher education better in public or private institutions? Dr Felicity Coughlan, Director of the Independent Institute of Education, debunks some of the myths surrounding private higher education.

NSFAS earmarks R3.6bn to varsities

Thu, 16 Feb 2012

R3.6 billion is expected to be allocated to universities this year by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The money is strictly to be used for student funding and not for the operations of the institutions according to NSFAS’s new chief executive Nkosinathi Khena.

Enrolments in sciences, engineering on the rise

Thu, 16 Feb 2012

The science and engineering fields have regained its appeal according to the university enrolments for 2012 which show that more first year students are pursuing careers in these sectors.

Students in debt should graduate - HESA

Thu, 16 Feb 2012

Students who have yet to pay back outstanding university fees should be allowed to graduate despite their debts. According to Higher Education South Africa (HESA) universities have agreed to provide proof of graduation in exchange for signed contracts committing students to square their debts.

New research chairs for varsities

Tue, 14 Feb 2012

A total of 60 new Research Chairs will be awarded to various institutions of higher learning with the goal of attracting and retaining excellence in research and innovation in the South African science field.

Nzimande addresses higher education landscape

Fri, 10 Feb 2012

The state of higher education and training in South Africa formed the basis of the address delivered by Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande at the Lekgotla held by the African National Congress Youth League.