The Finnish-HEQCs Quality Systems Restructuring Project: Outcomes Impact & UNIVEN University of Zululand Workshop Dr. M. Makhafola Director: Quality Assurance & Promotion University of Venda October 2008

OUTLINE 1. Background 2. SAQI Diagnostic Analysis Report 3. Project Focus Areas 4. Output and Impact 5. Challenges 6. Acknowledgements

3 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct Introduction The University of Venda is one of the four universities in the Limpopo Province, located in Thohoyandou. Most recent university to be established in South Africa (1982). Re-designing size and shape which is guided by both the internal (new vision and mission) and external imperatives (NPHE, HE Act, SEPHE) Current students head-count = Schools; Agriculture, Rural Development & Forestry, Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Management Sciences, Mathematics & Natural Sciences, Integrated Studies & Humanities

4 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct Vision and Mission The Vision To be at the centre of tertiary education for rural and regional development in Southern Africa The Mission As a Comprehensive institution, the University of Venda offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in fields of study that are responsive to the development needs of the Southern African region, using appropriate learning methodologies and research

5 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct Current University Projects Recovery Plan: Major re-innovation of buildings, upgrading of ICT infrastructure and introduction of management systems Increasing carrying capacity of the campus: To increase the current carrying capacity from 5500 to Right sizing and converting to Comprehensive University: All programmes offered at UNIVEN will be subjected to a review in-order to develop an academic plan (including size and shape and programme qualification mix, PQM) that reflects the new vision and mission.

6 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct Converting to a Comprehensive From a policy directive Comprehensive University seem to be: Diversity Diversity Accessibility Accessibility Student mobility Student mobility Responsiveness Responsiveness Flexibility Flexibility

2. SAQI Diagnostic Analysis Report Project proposal was informed by the SAQI (11-14 April 2005) diagnostic analysis of the Quality Management System. They use the ISO 9001:2000 and CHE audit criteria models as a basis for analysis. The Universitys compliance to the ISO 9001:2000 standard was 68% CHE Audit criteria was not aggregated The QMS diagnostic analysis identified 35 areas that needed to be addressed in order for the University to comply with ISO 9001:2000 and CHE audit criteria. 7 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct. 2008

3. Project Focus Areas Refine Records and Document Management Programme Review and Programme Development Institutionalization of Quality Assurance and Promotion Refine Academic Policies Benchmarking 8 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct. 2008

3.1Refine Records and Document Management A workshop was conducted in 2006 on record management and archiving of documents. The workshop was attended mainly by school officers and academic administration. Training on Records Management (11-12 October 2007 Policy was developed in 2006 then revised in March Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct. 2008

3.2 Programme Review and Annual Departmental Reviews Policy development Capacity Development workshops 3.2.3Teacher Education Improvement Plans Programme Portfolio Review 10 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct. 2008

3.2.4 Programme Portfolio Review All programmes offered at UNIVEN were subjected to a review (July – November 2008) in-order to: Develop an academic plan (including size and shape and programme qualification mix, PQM) that reflects the new vision and mission. Develop an academic plan (including size and shape and programme qualification mix, PQM) that reflects the new vision and mission. Bring the size and shape of UNIVEN within the framework set by the Minister for 2010 (from current to head count) Bring the size and shape of UNIVEN within the framework set by the Minister for 2010 (from current to head count) Develop the new PQM within the framework of the Higher Education Qualification Framework (HEQF, 2007) Develop the new PQM within the framework of the Higher Education Qualification Framework (HEQF, 2007) UNIVEN engaged a consultant Mr. J. File 11 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct. 2008

12 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct Programme Portfolio Review key Criteria Relevance, to what extent is each UNIVEN programme relevant in terms of: New mission and vision New mission and vision Desired size and shape for 2010 Desired size and shape for 2010 Labour market demand for graduates Labour market demand for graduates Viability, to what extent is each programme viable in terms of: Government subsidy Government subsidy The tuition it brings The tuition it brings Compared to the costs involved in offering it Compared to the costs involved in offering it While Relevancy and Viability are proposed as the key criteria, other factors should play a role like: Competition (others offering the programme Competition (others offering the programme Unique or distinct programmes (like Tshivenda) Unique or distinct programmes (like Tshivenda) Quality of the department offering the programme in other fields like research Quality of the department offering the programme in other fields like research The opportunity to enhance the programmes relevance or viability The opportunity to enhance the programmes relevance or viability The programme not fitting in the new HEQF The programme not fitting in the new HEQF

3.3 Institutionalization of Quality Assurance and Promotion Awareness campaigns School/Administration Committees Student Quality Literacy Quality Assurance & Promotion Board Quality Assurance a standing item in all School Boards meetings HEQC Institutional Audits Criteria Workshop 13 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct. 2008

3.4 Refine Academic Policies Develop Policy template (Policy on Policy) Develop Policy template (Policy on Policy) 2 Workshops (March & April 2007) 2 Workshops (March & April 2007) Assessment Policy Assessment Policy Learning & Teaching Policy Learning & Teaching Policy Guidelines (Curriculum review, Programme development, QA committees etc) Guidelines (Curriculum review, Programme development, QA committees etc) Records Management Policy Records Management Policy Policy Data Bank Policy Data Bank Questionnaire for policy rollout Questionnaire for policy rollout 14 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct. 2008

3.5 Benchmarking Student administration Examination process Teaching and learning Research output and training Community engagement Student support services Policy formulation & implementation 15 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct. 2008

4. Project Output and Impact QMS icon on all the desktops Successful Programme Evaluation Capacity development workshops Uniformity in policy formulation Institutional Audit preparation 2010 Buy-in Three evaluation tools (Programme, departmental & SEQ) 16 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct. 2008

5. Challenges Everything dumped at QAPD Policy rollout and implementation Staffing Resource availability Flooded with education policies (NSC, HEQF, Mergers etc) QM of community engagement Territorial 17 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct. 2008

18 Dr M Makhafola, Finnish HEQC Project Workshop, Oct Acknowledgements HEQC, Herman & Judith HEQC, Herman & Judith Finnish Funders UNIVEN Community Fellow QA Managers/Directors THANK YOU KE A LEBOGA ENKOSI