The Central University of Technology hosted the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) on a monitoring site visit at the Bloemfontein Campus on 8 November 2022.

The University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP) is a national strategic programme implemented by the DHET and universities that seeks to support student, staff, curriculum transformation and programme development with the purpose of transforming teaching, learning, researching and leading towards enhanced quality, success and equity in universities.

Discussions focused on monitoring the progression of the implementation of UCDP project activities and utilisation of allocated funds for the programme, identifying and addressing implementation challenges and to provide clarity on any other UCDP issues that the university would like to address.

“We are very excited to host our colleagues from DHET because they serve as a lever for our work in staff and student development. It is through DHET’s support that most of our colleagues that are here and learning some of the work, are able to be retained because of the funding from DHET,” said Dr Ntsoaki Malebo, Senior Director: Innovation in Learning and Teaching.

Ms Mandisa Cakwe, acting Chief Director: Teaching/Learning and Research Development, pointed out that the visit was in support of the implementation of the UCDP in the institution. “Through this, engagements will be held in terms of the standard operating procedure review, preparations of the new planning cycle and the rectification of delayed final tranche release of the University Capacity Development Grant (UCDG) in terms of the change requests that have been submitted by universities in line with the recommendations for next Generation Academics Programme (nGAP),” said Cakwe.

Caption

From left: Mrs Sonnika Lundt, DHET Deputy Director: University Capacity Development Programme, Prof. Alfred Ngowi, acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Ms Mandisa Cakwe, DHET acting Chief Director: Teaching/Learning & Research Development, Prof. David Ngidi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Dr Ntsoaki Malebo, Senior Director: Innovation in Learning and Teaching.