The Business of Higher Education

The Business of Higher Education

A study of public-private partnerships in the provision of higher education in South Africa The phenomenon of partnerships between public higher education institutions and private providers of higher education in South Africa began in the early 1990s. While partnerships emerged in the distance education sub-sector, they soon became a feature of the broader higher education landscape as many residential institutions began to venture into distance education. Private institutions, for their part, realised the opportunity to mediate distance education with face-to-face support. However, the phenomenon has since spread to include other types of partnerships. This monograph, based on an empirical study of the public-private partnerships that existed between 2002 and early 2003, offers the first compelling account of a hitherto under-researched phenomenon in higher education provision in South Africa.

Education and skills development Open Access

  • Product Information
  • Format: 210mm x 280mm
  • Pages: 112
  • ISBN 13: 978-07969-2092-8
  • Rights: World Rights

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A study of public-private partnerships in the provision of higher education in South Africa The phenomenon of partnerships between public higher education institutions and private providers of higher education in South Africa began in the early 1990s. While partnerships emerged in the distance education sub-sector, they soon became a feature of the broader higher education landscape as many residential institutions began to venture into distance education. Private institutions, for their part, realised the opportunity to mediate distance education with face-to-face support. However, the phenomenon has since spread to include other types of partnerships. This monograph, based on an empirical study of the public-private partnerships that existed between 2002 and early 2003, offers the first compelling account of a hitherto under-researched phenomenon in higher education provision in South Africa.

List of tables and figures

Acknowledgements

Executive Summary

Acronyms

List of tables and figures
Acknowledgements
Executive Summary
Acronyms

1. Introduction
The growth of public-private partnerships
The research problem
Research methodology
Overview of chapters

2. A Typology of Public-Private Partnerships in South Africa
Introduction
Typologies in a changing higher education landscape
A new typology of public-private partnerships
Applying the typology of partnerships

3. Technikon Sector Partnerships
Introduction
The technikons
Student enrolments, 1999-2002
Face-to-face technikons venturing into distance education
Provision of off-campus face-to-face tuition
Private institutions in partnership with technikonsPartnership learning programmes
Partnership patterns

4. University Sector Partnerships
Introduction
Student enrolments, 1999-2002
Provision of distance education by face-to-face universities
Provision of off-campus face-to-face tuition
Local private institutions in partnership with the universities
University sector partnership learning programmes
Observations

5. Partnership Student Enrolments
Introduction
Partnership enrolments per public institution
Overview

6. Partner Roles and Responsibilities
Introduction
Criteria used to select partner institutions
Roles and responsibilities
Conclusion

7. Motivations for Entering Partnerships
Introduction
Making higher education accessible
Cutting costs of developing new infrastructure
Improving the image and credibility of private partner institutions
Were partnerships perceived to be effective?
Conclusion

8. Which Way for Public-Private Partnerships?
Introduction
Why have partnerships developed in the provision of higher education in South Africa?
Do public-private partnerships address the demand for more accessible higher education?
Does partnership provision of higher education influence the role of education in social development?
How do partnerships impact on human resources development?
Which way for public-private partnerships in the provision of higher education?

Appendices
1 Questionnaire
2 A typology of public-private partnerships in the provision of higher education in South Africa
3 Technikons in partnership with local private institutions
4 Universities in partnership with local private institutions
5 SAQA fields
6 National Qualifications Framework levels
7 Conversion from SAQA fields to the Department of Education’s second order CESMs

References

Mahlubi Mabizela is a research specialist in the Education, Sciences and Skills Development Research Programme (ESSD) of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). He was previously the Chief Education Specialist for the Directorate of Private Higher Education in the National Department of Education. His research experience includes working as a researcher with the Education Policy Unit and Academic Development Centre at the University of the Western Cape and research for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

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