CURRICULUM VITAE
SURNAME
:
WALTERS (nee Ferris)
FIRST NAMES
:
SHIRLEY CAROL
DATE/
PLACE OF BIRTH
:
01.07.1949 in Durban, South Africa
NATIONALITY
:
South African
CIVIL STATUS
:
Married, no children
EDUCATION
1966
Matriculation Exemption
Wynberg Girls' High School, Cape Town
1970
B.A. (English and Comparative African Govt) University of Cape
Town
1971
Teachers Diploma University of Cape Town
1975
Certificate ESL International House, London, England
1981
M.Ed. (Industrial Education and Training) Dept.of Adult and
Higher Education University of Manchester, England
1986
2001
Ph.D. (Community Adult Education) University of Cape Town
D.Phil (HC) University of Linkoping, Sweden
SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS
Represented South African Universities Women's Hockey from 1967 - 1970.
Captain of Western Province and Natal Women's Hockey Teams.
Captain of the South African Women's National Hockey Team '76, '77
Completed 23 annual Argus Cycle Tours : 1982 - 2010
AWARDS
In 2001 received an honorary doctorate from University of Linkoping, Sweden
In 2005 inducted into the Adult and Continuing Education, HALL OF FAME, University of
Georgia, USA
National Research Foundation B Rated Researcher 2008
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE RECORD
2008
Appointed to national Ministerial Task Team to develop Adult Education and
Training Green paper
2004
Appointed Chair of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) (and
reappointed for 3 years in 2007)
2001
And continuing, founding Director, Division for Lifelong Learning (DLL) and
Professor of Adult and Continuing Education, University of Western Cape. Invited
by University of Toronto to be a visiting professor and by University of Victoria,
Canada, in 2004.
2000
Director of Centre for Adult and Continuing Education (CACE) and implementing
head of the DLL, UWC
1998
Seconded to the Rector’s Office to direct the University Mission Initiative into
Lifelong Learning (UMILL)
Invited as a Noted Scholar to teach at the Summer School of the University of
British Columbia, Canada.
1996
Promoted to Senior Professor (First woman to have achieved this at UWC)
1985
to October 2001 Director of the Centre for Adult and Continuing Education
(CACE) and Professor of Adult and Continuing Education at the University of the
Western Cape (UWC)
Appointed as the founding director of CACE. Since 1985, it has grown into a
vibrant centre of teaching, research and service to the community of adult
learners and educators. It has an international and national reputation.
1983 - 1984
Ph.D Student at U.C.T. and teaching assistant at the Department of Extramural Studies, UCT. The doctorate was awarded in 1986 for the thesis entitled:
EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION: AN ANALYSIS OF
SELF-EDUCATION STRATEGIES WITHIN COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS IN
CAPE TOWN DURING THE 1980's
1982
Researcher, Institute for Social Development, UWC. A research report was
published after the six months research project was completed. It was entitled:
THE ROLE OF ADULT EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE
WESTERN CAPE. It proposed the establishment of a department or centre for
adult education at UWC. This was accepted by UWC Council.
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1981
Student, University of Manchester Master's Degree programme in Industrial
Education and Training. During the year, I was elected as the student
representative onto the Staff-Student Consultative Committee and was the top
student.
1977 - 1980
Founding Director, Careers Research and Information Centre (CRIC) I was the
first director of CRIC, having undertaken a needs assessment for careers
education particularly amongst black youth. CRIC was the first community
careers centre of its kind in South Africa and has provided a model for a
network of similar organisations around the country. The innovative approach to
grassroots careers education has drawn international interest and recognition.
1976 - 1979
Co-director and Researcher, Foundation for Social Development. FSD was a
community work agency. During the 1970's there were 10 community workers
implementing a range of innovative projects serving the poor, working class
communities. The research which led to the establishment of CRIC was done
under the auspices of FSD.
1975
Teacher, Sittingbourne Secondary Modern, Kent, England
1974
Training Officer, Consolidated Diamond Mines, Namibia .CDM is a diamond
mine which is a subsidiary of Anglo-American Corporation. I was appointed
initially to research the educational and language needs of the workforce. I
helped to establish a major adult education programme for the 4 000 migrant
workers. Within a year there were 40 part-time teachers and 2 000 learners
participating in the programme. I received the CDM Personnel Achievement
Award in recognition for the work done.
1972 - 1973
Teacher, Russell High School, Pietermaritzburg. Teacher of English to standards
6 and 7. School Hockey coach.
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES
Adult Educators and Trainers Association of South Africa (AETASA)
Association for Adult Continuing Education (AACE)
Association for Tertiary-based Adult Educators
Kenton Education Association
UWC Academic Staff Union (UWCASU)
Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE)
CONSULTANCIES
I have been invited to fulfil consultancy roles for a range of organisations nationally and
internationally:

Specific experience, besides South Africa, has been gained in Namibia, Zambia, Chile,
India, Ecuador, Senegal, England, Canada, the Netherlands, where I have undertaken
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short term education and training assignments.

Commissioned to prepare the South African Country Report for the UNESCO
Conference,Brazil,2009

Commissioned to write a national report for the UK commission into Lifelong Learning,
NIACE,England,2008

I was a member of the External Review and Advisory Mission for Namibian
Government's adult basic education directorate (5 years 1995 - 1999)

I undertook organisational development work for South Africa’s Office of President (Mr
Nelson Mandela, first president of democratic South Africa) in 1994 and 1995.

There was a formal partnership between CACE, SIDA and the Ministry of Education
Northern Cape Province from 1995 in relation to adult basic education, part of which was
to be a consultant to the Ministry and Department.
INVOLVEMENT IN LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
Over the last 35 years in Cape Town, I have been a member of the Boards/Committees for the
following organisations:
Nyanga Arts Project, Zakhe, Molo Songololo, Foundation for Social Development, Careers
Research and Information Centre, Grassroots Community Newsletter, Kwela Self-tax Club,
Association For Guidance and Assistance to Parents (AGAP), UWC Staff Association, Western
Cape Teachers Union (UWC Branch), Community Arts Project, World University Service, United
Women's Organisation (later became United Women's Congress), National Women’s Coalition
(Western Cape), Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AACE), NGO Coalition-Interim
Committee, Western Cape Provincial Education and Training Forum (elected chairperson 1995,
1996). Chairperson, Women’s Hope Education and Training (WHEAT) Trust (1998 to 2004)
which supports education of grassroots women; Councillor of Sivuyile Technical College;
Ministerial appointee to Council of University of Free State; Chairperson of the Learning Cape
Festival Steering Committee 2002 to 2005, a Western Cape Province structure of civil society,
government, labour, higher education, and business; member of the Feminist Forum.
INVOLVEMENT IN NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Elected universities representative on the National Stakeholders Forum for Adult Basic
Education and Training 1995 - 1997
Representing providers and the CUP on the Working Committee 10 of the National Training
Board 1995 - 1998
Founding member of the DEAL Trust which was a consortium of departments of adult education
involved in research and development
INVOLVEMENT IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
4
Member of the Advisory Committee for the Woman's Program of the International Council for
Adult Education (ICAE), Toronto, Canada 1988 - 1992
Woman's Programme, African Association for Literacy and Adult Education 1989 - 1992
International Council member for Association for World Education (AWE) 1996 - 2006
Editorial / Advisory Committee member for the International Journal for Lifelong Education,
United Kingdom; Studies in Continuing Education, UK; Canadian Journal for the Study of
Adult Education; Journal for Transformative Education, SAGE Publications USA; Centre for
Research in Lifelong Learning, University of Glasgow, Scotland; Zed Book Series, Global
Perspectives on Adult Education and Training, United Kingdom (until 1999); Studies in
Education of Adults, Niace, UK
Appointed Convenor of International Conference on Researching Work and Learning 2007;
International Advisory Committee RWL 2007Member of Advisory Committee, for International Hall of Fame for Adult and Continuing
Education, USA 2008, 2009, 2010
MEMBER OF UWC COMMITTEES
As a professor and director of CACE I have been an ex- officio member of Senate, Senate
Academic Planning (1985 - 1995), CACE Advisory Council, member of the Faculty of Education
Board and its committees, member of CACE committees. I have been elected to serve terms
on the Senate International Relations Committee, Gender Policy Action Committee, Workers
College Board, Senate representative on UWC Council (1996 – 2000 and again from 2003),
faculty rep on Senate Academic Planning, Senate Appointments Committee, Planning
Committee of Council. I chaired the Faculty's Planning Committee (1996-7); Senate rep on the
Council Appointments Committee (2000 - ); as director of DLL member of Senate Executive
Committee and various of above committees, including Senate Lifelong Learning Committee,
and Senate Teaching and Learning Committee.
I was chair of the Senate Academic Planning Committee's Gender Action Task Team which
initiated the foundation of the Gender Equity Office and raised the first R200,000 for its
operation. Initiated with GEU and facilitated annual UWC Women’s Breakfasts to bring
academic and administrative women together from 1999; Convenor of the Celebrating 50 Years
of UWC Women’s Contributions working group 2010.
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EXTERNAL EXAMINER
I have been external examiner for the Departments of Adult Education at the Universities of
Transkei, Witwatersrand, Natal and Zimbabwe. Amongst others, I have been external
examiner for theses for Universities of Natal (now Kwa-Zulu Natal), Cape Town, UWC,
Witwatersrand , Stellenbosch and universities in India. I have acted as referee for the promotion
of colleagues to full professor in South Africa, USA and Canada.
FUNDRAISING FOR UWC
Over R24 000 000 (twenty million rands) has been raised for CACE's operations, the University
Mission Initiative on Lifelong Learning and DLL.
3.
PUBLICATIONS
see list of selected publications (2004-2010)
4.
RESEARCH LEADERSHIP AND SUPERVISION
I have initiated, raised the funds and supervised the following Research Programmes
since 1985. (I have not repeated the titles of publications and reports which can be found
either in my publications list). I am an NRF `B2 Rated Scientist`:
4.1
Community Organisation Research and Education
This was a research programme that monitored developments within organisations in
civil society. It ran from 1985 to 1993. Several conference papers and publications were
produced. Researchers and research assistants were employed to assist with the
execution of the research. Zelda Groener coordinated aspects of the research. Several
workshops, seminars, conferences were linked to the programme. Funding was raised
from the AAC Chairman's Fund for the research.
4.2
Second Chance to Learn: A preliminary survey of compensatory adult education in
greater Cape Town.
This was undertaken with Jean Benjamin as researcher. A report was published in 1986.
4.3
People's Education Research Programme.
This was undertaken at the height of the `people's education movement' and provided
important information and analyses for students and activists alike. It was funded by the
HSRC which at the time was considered by colleagues in the Faculty as a major
breakthrough. Several academic and popular publications and articles were produced,
workshops were organised. Glenda Kruss was the main researcher.
4.4
Professional Training for Adult Educators
Research was done into provision of a distance education course for community adult
educators in 1986 and 1987. This led to the development of the certificate and advanced
diploma courses offered by CACE. Hester van der Walt and Trish Flederman were two of
the initial researchers. This was funded by the Carnegie Corporation.
4.5
University Extension Work Policy
6
This was undertaken with Joe Samuels as researcher. He completed an M.Phil in the
process.
4.6
International Perspectives on Gender and Popular Education
This was a joint research programme with the Women's Program of the International
Council for Adult Education. It led to various publications, workshops, conferences and
an edited collection of articles published by Zed Books, London, 1996.
Funding for aspects of the programme came from Partnership Africa Canada (PAC),
Canadian Embassy, Global Fund for Women, Interfund, MATCH, Rockerfeller Brothers
Fund, South African Education Trust Fund.
4.7
Gender and Popular Education Research and Training Programme
This overlapped with the international programme but focused more specifically on the
research and development of appropriate gender-sensitive and anti-racist approaches
for adult educators and trainers in the South African context. Researchers who formed
part of the programme at different times were - Pethu Serote, Joe Samuels, Liz
Mackenzie, Zelda Groener, Tony Sardien. Popular materials, academic publications,
workshops and conferences formed part of the programme. Funding was raised, in
addition to those mentioned in number 6, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund.
4.8
Adult Education Policy Research
This had various aspects to it. The one focused on "Women and nonformal adult
education needs". This was funded by the IDRC and the researcher was AnnMarie
Wolpe. A research report was produced in 1994.
Another aspect was undertaken as part of the DEAL Trust. A research programme was
coordinated by Professor Clive Millar of University of Cape Town and myself and this
focused on a national approach to university-based professional training of adult
educators. A report was published and the project was funded by USAID through the
DEAL Trust in 1994. A series of provincial and national consultative meetings formed
part of the research process.
Other aspects involved participation in the National Education Policy Investigation (NEPI)
working group on Adult Education. This led to the NEPI Report on Adult Education. I also
participated in various provincial task groups on adult education policy including that of
the ANC and the Western Cape Education Department.
In 1995 CACE ran an international conference in cooperation with the University of
Linkoping, Sweden, on Adult Education and Training in Reconstruction and
Development, and a report and book have been produced. The book has been published
by Zed Books in London and it was launched at UNESCO's Conference on Adult
Education, which is held every 10 years, in Hamburg, Germany, in 1997. The book
Globalization, Adult Education and Training: Impacts and Issues focuses on the impact
of globalisation on adult education and training and it has some of the leading
international adult educators as contributors. (Nominated for an international
Grawemeyer Award in Education, University of Louisville, USA )
In 2000 ran an international conference with the UNESCO Institute for Education and the
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Adult Education Research Group, Danish University of Education in Cape Town on
“Higher education, lifelong learning and active citizenship”. A booklet from the
conference has been translated into Spanish, French, Chinese and Arabic for
international distribution. I convened the international conference on Researching Work
and Learning, with co-convenor of UCT, SAQA and HSRC in 2008. The book produced
from this is one of the most popular sellers from HSRC Publications.
4.9
Social Uses of Literacy
This was a joint research programme with the Department of Adult Education at UCT.
Funds were raised from the Joint Education Trust. The main researchers were Mignonne
Breier and Mastin Prinsloo. Several conference papers, workshops and a book have
been produced as part of the programme. The research has impacted on the debates in
the field of literacy and ABET. The book by Prinsloo and Breier is entitled The Social
Uses of Literay. Theory and Practice in Contemporary South Africa and is published by
Sached Books and John Benjamins Publishing Company 1996.
4.10
Participatory Action Research
The research which led to my doctoral thesis used a participatory research approach.
This was controversial and unusual at that time. The work has contributed to PRA
becoming a more academically acceptable research approach in adult education.
I have undertaken participatory community research projects as a member of various
organisations. I was involved in a people's history project as part of the United Women's
Organisation and this led to a popular publication on the history of Claremont in 1984. As
part of the Women's National Coalition research was done into a cross section of Cape
Town women's needs and a popular booklet produced in 1994.
4.11 Higher Education in Lifelong Learning
This has involved international action research which has led to a series of
publications. It has also included institutional research on campus, plus commissioned
research for national and provincial government. (see publications list) A colloquium
was convened on Lifelong Learners in Higher Education in 2011 with international
guest speakers and the report from this has been distributed locally and internationally.
A research award has been made by SAQA for the next 4 years to research Lifelong
Learning, Integration and NQFs.
4.12
Learning Region Development
The provincial government development policy to develop the Western Cape as a
learning region. Research has been undertaken for government develop this. (See
publications list)
4.13
Research Students
6 doctoral and 14 masters students have been supervised through to completion.
4.14
Conference Presentations
I am regularly invited to give keynote addresses in various parts of the world (see
attached for most recent)
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5.
TEACHING LEADERSHIP
I have been centrally involved in the conceptualisation, curriculum development, design
of delivery, of the Certificate and Advanced Diploma for Educators of Adults, both twoyear part-time courses which started in 1988 and 1989 respectively and have run
successfully since then. I have been involved in development of the Masters course.
The certificate was the first course of its kind in South Africa to use distance educational
methodology. It was the first course at UWC to accredit non-matriculated entrants. It is a
materials based course with strong tutor support. It has been used as the model for
various other universities. The advanced diploma has been run as a distance education
course and has been delivered to the Northern Cape Province.
CACE had an agreement with the Ministry of Education and Culture in the Northern
Cape to train the adult educators. Funds have been raised from a range of sources, but
substantially from SIDA and DFID, for this work.
I have been intimately involved in the construction and implementation of the
intercontinental masters programme with three other universities i.e. Linkoping
(Sweden), British Columbia (Canada), Technology (Australia). This is a unique design as
it is delivered jointly through the four campuses and gives South Africans the opportunity
to interact with world class teachers and students in three other countries. It also gives
us collectively the opportunity to learn about the use of various forms of technologies for
teaching and learning. It is an innovative response to globalisation as the programme is
collaborative rather than competitive in design. It has been awarded the Curriculum
Innovation Award by Committee of Professors of Adult Education, USA, 2007
I have played an active role in the development of gender-sensitive and feminist popular
educational methodologies in South Africa and internationally.
I am leading an action research project on Flexible Provision at UWC.
6.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LIFE OF THE UNIVERSITY
I have spearheaded the University Mission Initiative on Lifelong Learning, which was a
major transformative strategy under the auspices of the Executive. It was concerned with
re-orientating UWC to become a more flexible and responsive university through shifting
the paradigm of teaching from contact to resource-based learning; by recognising the
importance of `non-traditional learners` as an important constituency and improving the
quality of part-time programmes to them; by developing closer relationships with
workplaces; by opening access through the recognition of prior learning; by recognising
the continuing education programmes of the university; by developing improved staff
development strategies. The research done has lead to a Senate decision to set up a
cross faculty structure, the Division for Lifelong Learning. I have been appointed to direct
this.
Through DLL UWC is giving leadership in the country to understanding lifelong learning,
including Recognition of Prior Learning, in higher education.
CACE has been a vibrant and innovative centre for educational programmes which have
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brought the university in touch with local organisations of civil society and national and
international adult educators and organisations. CACE has been instrumental in the
founding of networks and associations of NGOs and adult educators and trainers. It has
a strong reputation for its supportive networking role. CACE staff has played leadership
roles in the adult education community nationally and internationally. Prof Zelda Groener,
a staff member of CACE since 1989, is leading CACE from 2001.
The work of the Division for Lifelong Learning has developed continuing education, parttime studies and RPL in the university both in theory and practice.
Regularly, national conferences have been held to bring together and stimulate
discussions, debates and the organising of the field. International relations have been
built with people and organisations in many countries of the world. CACE worked with the
African Association for Literacy and Adult Education (AALAE) to coordinate the first
meeting of South African adult educators from inside the country and South Africans in
exile, plus the meeting with the international community of adult educators in Harare in
January 1989. CACE was asked by the UNESCO Institute for Education to coordinate a
satellite link-up between South Africa and the international UNESCO Conference in
Hamburg, Germany, in July 1997, and staff were very actively involved in the World
Conference on Adult Learning and the conferences leading up to the world conference.
In 2000 a conference was co-convened on `Lifelong Learning, Higher Education and
Active Citizenship` and this led to an organisational tool being developed which has been
translated into 5 languages and distributed worldwide. I represented the international
network at the World Conference on Higher Education in Paris in 2003 and co-convened
the theme group on Higher Education at the mid term review of the World Conference in
Thailand in 2003. DLL co-convened a conference with the Glasgow Caledonian
University on Quality Assurance in Higher Education in 2003. DLL was awarded the
International Conference on Researching Work and Learning, which was held in
December 2007. A book has been published with Linda Cooper, Learning/Work: Turning
Work and Lifelong Learning inside out, HSRC Press 2009. A colloquium on Lifelong
Learners in Higher Education was held with students, scholars and workplaces in
September 2011. An annual Vice Chancellor’s Julius Nyerere Lecture on Lifelong
Learning is held to engage different communities in the debates about lifelong learning.
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