The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is calling for public comments on a bill that could change the way universities and private colleges are classified. It could also lead to universities being downgraded and forced to change their status.
The Policy for the recognition of South African Higher Education Institutional Types differentiate and classifies what are university colleges which will differ from full universities and higher education colleges.
Universities South Africa's Linda Meyer explains that the policy derives from those governing higher education in the United Kingdom and Canada which allows for differentiated classification of education institutions.
Meyer says they do not anticipate that any of the public universities will be downgraded. This as they have very strong research agendas and between 90% and 95% of their academic programmes are registered on the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQSF).
Currently, private colleges in South Africa cannot be classified as universities or use the term “university” or “university college” in their names. Should this policy be adopted, private colleges could be classified as universities in South Africa.
The policy also sets out that any new institution would have to be classified as a full university college. They will be required to offer a range of qualifications with at least 85% of their programmes targeted on the HEQSF. These institutions would then have a five-year framing period in which they would be able to migrate to become a university.
This would require for 95% of their qualifications to be on the HEQSF and they must research and produce knowledge contributing to the national development needs. They will also need to engage in activity within its locality contributing to the wider development of its community.
Higher Education Colleges will either specialise in a specific area like business or nursing with at least 60% of their qualifications registered on the HEQSF.
Members of the public can make submissions to parliament and have their say on the proposed bill.
