Abstract
The combined forces of globalisation, demands for economic reconstruction,
social transformation, demographics and information technology ushered in a
paradigm shift in the transformation and restructuring of Higher Education
(HE). However, these forces have been vigorously debated as having
influence at the present and coming decade, and are shaping the new
academic landscape in South Africa. In response to changes and challenges
in HE, the government’s National Plan on Higher Education (NPHE) requires
the Institutions of Higher Learning to translate and transform their institutional
strategies and programmes into new conceptions of educational markets by
producing graduates needed for social and economic development, achieving
equity and diversity, building and sustaining research capacity, and creating
new organizational forms.
The study critically examines the out-structured Technikons in South Africa,
and the new academic landscape using the case of the Durban University of
Technology (DUT). The focus of this investigation is on the progress made by
DUT while operationalising the strategic objectives and targets of the
government’s NPHE. The South African policy agenda for democratizing and
restructuring HE can be placed within the context of policy development and
the substantial changes in the reconfiguration of Higher Education and
Universities.
The study has established that the environmental factors and other challenges
are impacting on higher education and the Technikon sector in South Africa.
The Durban University of Technology operationalised the NPHE to the extent
of applying diversity and equity targets, the restructuring of academic services
and programmes, the research targets, the harmonization of human resources
and the replacement of old systems with new systems and the establishment
of new forms of governance at the institution. The study revealed some
implication of the New Academic landscape and the vulnerability of DUT in as
far as organizational resources, leadership and governance, accountability
and quality assurance are concerned.
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