This article analyses doctoral education programmes in South Africa with a particular focus on student mobility. It investigates pull and push factors as a conceptual framework, arguing that the patterns of student mobility in doctoral education programmes in South Africa follow the patterns of international student mobility elsewhere, which are driven mainly by the quest for better opportunities. Contrary to previous studies, which do not focus on the role of the state, this article sees the state as playing a key role in facilitating such mobility. This article uses comparative education methods to compare the patterns of enrolment of doctoral education students in South Africa during 2005 and 2009. Statistical data from the Department of Higher Education and Training were used to analyse the enrolment patterns of doctoral students in South African universities. Secondary sources in the form of government documents, a literature review and internet sources were employed in contextualising the study.
The landscape of international higher education has been changing since the turn of the 21st century. The globalisation of our societies and economies implies a changing role of the higher education institutions. Accompanying the challenges associated with development, especially in developing countries, are initiatives championing regionalisation as a locus of development. This article positions the debate on the relationships among globalisation, regionalisation, and internationalisation in the context of Africa and its sub-continent, showing that, although these concepts have emerged at different times and contexts, they are still related. Using case studies of two regional political and economic organisations and their higher education counterparts, this article shows that regionalisation is not a new phenomenon but has been part of and has been used in the post-colonial era to serve new social, economic, political, and development purposes in the current period. Le monde de l'enseignement supérieur n'a cessé de changer depuis le début du XXIème siècle. La mondialisation de nos sociétés et de nos économies a pour conséquence une modification du rôle joué par les établissements d'enseignement supérieur. Les défis posés par cette évolution sont, en particulier dans les pays en voie de développement, associés à des initiatives soutenant la régionalisation comme locus de développement. Cet article centre le débat sur la relation entre la mondialisation, la régionalisation et l'internationalisation dans le contexte de l'Afrique et de son sous-continent, et démontre que, bien que ces concepts soient apparus à différentes époques et dans des contextes variés, ils sont encore liés. Cet article s'appuie sur une étude de cas de deux organisations régionales politiques et économiques et de leurs équivalents dans le domaine de l'enseignement supérieur pour montrer que le concept de régionalisation n'est pas un phénomène nouveau, mais qu'il a fait partie de et a été utilisé pendant l'époque postcoloniale pour satisfaire ...
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the pedagogical and gender issues embedded in distance and cyberspace education. Pedagogical issues to be addressed relate to access, teaching and learning, quality, and research within distance and cyberspace education. The paper will further analyse the gender dimension in cyberspace education in South Africa. Our paper limits itself to cyberspace teaching and learning as a process that takes place using the Internet or the World Wide Web, or uses some digital information and communications technology (ICT). We understand ICT to be a broad concept that includes all forms of electronic communications in both digital and analogue forms. Pedagogical issues in this paper are covered in a broader context, but our analyses of gender issues is limited to cyberspace education. (...) (AAS/DÜI)
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to analyse the pedagogical and gender issues embedded in distance and cyberspace education. Pedagogical issues to be addressed relate to access, teaching and learning, quality, and research within distance and cyberspace education. The paper will further analyse the gender dimension in cyberspace education in South Africa. Our paper limits itself to cyberspace teaching and learning as a process that takes place using the Internet or the World Wide Web, or uses some digital information and communications technology (ICT). We understand ICT to be a broad concept that includes all forms of electronic communications in both digital and analogue forms. Pedagogical issues in this paper are covered in a broader context, but our analyses of gender issues is limited to cyberspace education. Some literature refers to latter modes of learning as "e-learning" (Bates 2001). Different people have defined the concept, and the more common definition is that cyberspace is the total interconnectedness of human beings through computers and telecommunications without regard to physical geography. William Gibson is credited with inventing or popularising the concept in his novel.
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on how two rural‐based universities in South Africa can contribute towards sustainable development especially in their immediate rural communities. It addresses the following questions: what conditions or policy frameworks exist that can engender a sustainable development trajectory? How can rural‐based universities reconstitute themselves so they can become effective agents for sustainable rural development? Historically, because of apartheid policies, these and other black universities were on the margins of the knowledge production process and have not effectively engaged in real development activities that would meaningfully improve the livelihoods of rural dwellers. The research identified policy and legislative instruments and strategies that can promote a dynamic interaction with other institutions thus empowering and promoting sustainability. The aim of the paper is to raise awareness about existing possibilities at the disposal of these institutions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is the outcome of two research initiatives: one was a doctoral study by one of the authors, and the other was a study conducted at both universities. Both studies involved extensive interviews with a wide spectrum of stakeholders (local and provincial authorities, members of the business and university communities). Both also involved document analyses.FindingsThat rural‐based universities are advantageously situated and possess a variety of characteristics that can enable them to effectively contribute to sustainable development. These include their strategic location within the rural communities; reinventing their mission orientation so as to enhance their research capacity; expanding their intellectual/entrepreneurial/social capital; and the establishment of strong collaborative relationships.Practical implicationsThe first aim of the paper is to raise the awareness of policy makers and other stakeholders about the strategic value of these institutions. The awareness should lead to a series of engagements with appropriate individuals with the view to develop appropriate strategies for application.Originality/valueThe contribution of rural‐based universities to sustainable development has not been sufficiently researched in South Africa and, therefore, the study fills the gap by adding valuable knowledge, new perspectives, and presents possibilities for consideration.
