S.A. Vice-Chancellors establish ties with Australian Universities of
Technology
The Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, Prof Anthony Staak, was part
of a delegation of vice-chancellors of the six Universities of Technology that
visited Australia to establish closer links with the Australian University of
Technology sector and the Australian Technology Network (ATN).
Discussions started in 2004 between the Committee of Technikon Principles
(CTP) and the Committee on Tutorial Matters (CTM) around the formation of a
South Africa Technology Network (SATN). The formation of such a network is
similar to that in Australia. The purpose of the network is to provide support to
the newly created universities of technology.
Prof Staak and Mark Hay of the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC)
visited Australia at the end of 2005 to meet with representatives of the ATN in
preparation for the visit of the South African delegation. The delegation was
also invited to attend the ATN Conference.
The South African vice-chancellors visited various universities of technology
in Australia. The aim of the visits was to look at the operation of Australian
universities of technology, the programmes offered, how they developed
curricula, their relationship with industry, the relationship with local
government and the local community. They also looked how the universities
distinguished themselves from traditional universities.
Prof Roy du Pré, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Vaal University of Technology
made a presentation on behalf of the South African delegation at the
conference. The vice-chancellors met representatives from the Malaysian
universities of technology at the conference. The Malaysians showed a keen
interest in collaborating with the South African universities of technology.
Caption:
Forging links down under: From left are Prof Bruce King (Director Flexible
Learning Centre, Univ. South Australia), Prof Anthony Staak (CPUT Interim
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic), Ms Vicki Thompson (Director ATN), Prof
Shirley Alexander (Dean of Education, University of Technology, Sydney), Dr
Mark Hay (Manager, Higher Education Quality Committee) and Prof Bruce
Shortland-Jones (Director, Learning Support Network, Curtin University).