Cabinet meets Higher Education in the Western Cape

1. 1 February 2011 Cabinet meets Higher Education in the Western Cape

2. Partnership between PGWC & CHEC Objectives are to: • draw on the research and teaching resources of the universities to support the development goals of the Province • promote the W. Cape as a ”Learning Region” • facilitate information sharing on plans of HEIs and PGWC • develop and implement mutually agreed strategic initiatives

3. Higher education as a partner in regional development • Vibrant and strong higher education institutions critical to supporting development and social reconstruction • High skills, research and innovation capacity necessary for economic growth • Contributes to place making

4. Building on higher education strengths and synergies • World class research strengths • Nationally recognised niche areas • Niche programme offerings • Better than national average cohort success rates • Established units for providing continuing education opportunities for adults • International partnerships, exchanges, conferences and students

5. Key information on higher education in the Western Cape (2009) • Undergraduate students: 73 049 • Master’s students: 10 230 • PhD students: 2 558 • Academic staff: 3 037 • International students: 9 858

6. Research indicators for Western Cape HEIs

7. Contribution to high skills:graduates Graduates in 2009 Business and Management: 6 315 (19%) SET: 9 308 (23%) Education: 2 276 (6%) Humanities: 5 811 (17%)

8. Provincial Strategic Plan

9. Increasing opportunities for growth and jobs Achievements: promoting biotechnology, East City Design Initiative, bursary initiative, study on role of universities in innovation, graduate attributes initiative, contribution to the development of the RISS Examples of HE strengths: • InnovUS (SU’s Technology Transfer • Company) • ICT in e-Business, e-Government (CPUT) • Development Policy Research Unit (UCT) • Free software innovation unit (UWC)

10. Improving educational outcomes Achievements: Teacher Supply & Demand Study, articulation arrangements between FET & HE, seminar series Examples of HE strengths: • School support initiatives at all universities • Research niche areas include language, mathematics, foundation phase, science, teacher development, further education

11. Developing integrated and sustainable human settlements Achievements: Framework for Cape Town Central City Provincial Govt Regeneration initiative, Disaster Risk Management partnership, policy engagements Examples of HE strengths: • African Centre for Cities (UCT) • Sustainability Institute (US) • Development Studies (UWC) • SA Built Environment Research Centre (CPUT)

12. Mainstreaming sustainability and resource use efficiency Achievements: Partnership focus for the future to complement individual university initiatives Examples of HE strengths: • Energy Institute (CPUT) • SANERI Chair (US) • African Climate Development Initiative (UCT) • UNESCO Chair in Hydrogeology (UWC)

13. Promoting social cohesion Achievements: supply & demand study, new programmes to produce professional for combatting substance abuse, seminars Examples of HE strengths • Crime and violence initiative (UCT) • Community Law Centre (UWC) • HOPE Project (US) • Multigrade initiative in rural communities (CPUT)

14. Assessment • Partnership has strengthened over the past year • Sometimes difficult to sustain the interest of both academics and government officials • Champions have been identified in a number of areas • Implementation of some projects has been slow • In early days resources too widely spread and lack of focus identified as a key constraint • Joint Task Team continues to play an important role in leading and managing

15. Assessment (cont) • Absence of representation from all Provincial Departments limits possibilities • Collaboration between Provincial Departments and individual universities and academics continues and brings own strengths • Explore synergies with CHEC partnership with the City of Cape Town

16. Programme of Action Innovation • Establish the Regional Innovation Forum • Input into the development of the Regional Innovation System Strategy (RISS), drawing on findings of the CHEC research study • Consolidate Biotechnology partnership  • Identify workplace opportunities (internships, research units etc) for students

17. Programme of Action (cont) Education and Skills • Analyse research reports on skills needs to identify gaps in programme provisioning (formal programmes and CPD) • Sharing best practice in the implementation of bursary programmes • Graduate attributes study • Identification of key sectors / strategic priority areas in the Western Cape for skills development partnerships • Engage with Provincial Training Academy • Establish engagements with FET Colleges and SETAs.

18. Programme of Action (cont) Planning, policy and public engagements • Seminars, think-labs, publications etc Strategic initiatives • Substance abuse • Public schooling: Individual HEIs and CHEC • Disaster risk management • Support to Cape Town CBD property project

19. Programme of Action (cont) Areas to explore: • Green economy • Port of Cape Town • ICT (in partnership with City of Cape Town)