Thursday, 30 May 2002. Pretoria.

Yesterday Cabinet approved the Government’s groundbreaking proposals for the transformation and reconstruction of higher education. This marks an exciting turning point for higher education in our country, away from our shameful apartheid past to a confident future. The long awaited proposals are a product of extensive research and consultation, which have spanned the past decade. [ 南非故事 Cooltang.com ]

The proposals for the transformation and restructuring of higher education herald the way for a system that is equitable in its distribution of resources and opportunities, academically and financially sustainable and productive so that it can more effectively meet the teaching, skills development and research needs of our country. The far-reaching changes will contribute to the development of new institutional cultures able to nurture the future generations of black intellectuals and leaders.

The vision of a transformed higher education system is contained in our policy: A Programme for the Transformation of Higher Education (1997). The role of higher education in a knowledge driven world is identified as being three-fold;

• "Human resource development: the mobilisation of human talent and potential through lifelong learning to contribute to the social, economic, cultural and intellectual life of a rapidly changing society. [ 南非故事 Cooltang.com ]
• "High-level skills training: the training and provision of person power to strengthen this country's enterprises, services and infrastructure. This requires the development of professionals and knowledge workers with globally equivalent skills, but who are socially responsible and conscious of their role in contributing to the national development effort and social transformation.
• "Production, acquisition and application of new knowledge: national growth and competitiveness is dependent on continuous technological improvement and innovation, driven by a well-organised, vibrant research and development system which integrates the research and training capacity of higher education with the needs of industry and of social reconstruction".

Although there are clear strengths in the current system, the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the system are such that, in its current form, it cannot meet the demands that are being placed on it. Regrettably, the overall quantity and quality of graduate and research outputs; the quality of teaching; management leadership and governance failures; lack of representative staff profiles; institutional cultures that have not transcended the racial divides of the past; and the increased competition between institutions all threaten to further fragment the higher education system.

It is clear to Government that the status quo could not be maintained and that radical steps would be needed if the system were to play its pivotal role in responding to the many challenges that our country faces. [ 南非故事 Cooltang.com ]

The Government's response has been decisive. A blue print for the transformation of the system has been developed. In particular, the strategies and mechanisms for the achievement of our goals are set out in the National Plan for Higher Education, which was adopted by Cabinet in 2001. Implementation of the National Plan is well underway. For example, the merger of ML Sultan and Natal Technikons to form the Durban Institute of Technology took place in April, marking the establishment of a truly South African institution, bringing together different traditions and strengths. We are also at the final stages of the development of new funding arrangements for the system. [ 南非故事 Cooltang.com ]

As part of the process of implementing the National Plan, I appointed a National Working Group, led by Saki Macozoma, to advise me on the restructuring of the institutional landscape of the higher education system. The National Working Group reported to me in January of this year. I have given careful consideration to their Report. In addition, I have met with all the key constituencies both in higher education and beyond to discuss the recommendations of the National Working Group. These deliberations have all contributed to the development of our proposals for the total transformation of higher education. The actual process will involve, amongst other measures, mergers and academic programme rationalisation and collaboration. No institution will be left untouched.

The new system will comprise of 21 higher education institutions, consisting of 11 universities, 6 technikons and 4 comprehensive institutions. The details are provided in the attachment entitled "A New Institutional Landscape for Higher Education in South Africa". This is not a technical exercise to rearrange existing institutions into different configurations. Rather it is an exercise that will allow for the expansion of the system and turn it around to face the challenges of the African century. Indeed, we propose to increase the participation rate, that is, the percentage of 20-24 year old enrolled in higher education, from 15% to 20% over the next ten years. This will require that an additional 200 000 students be recruited into the system. The achievement of this level of participation will, amongst others, require continued commitment to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which is undoubtedly one of our most successful mechanisms to promote equity and redress in higher education. [ 南非故事 Cooltang.com ]

The proposed institutional landscape establishes a new institutional and organisational form, namely, comprehensive institutions through merging universities and technikons. This will strengthen the provision of technikon programmes through ensuring that technikon programmes are available throughout the country, in particular, in rural areas, which are currently inadequately serviced in terms of technikon provision. [ 南非故事 Cooltang.com ]

In addition to the 21 higher education institutions, the system will also include two new bodies, National Institutes for Higher Education - one in the Northern Cape and the other in Mpumalanga. This is an exciting innovation which will, in significant ways, bring new higher education opportunities to the people of these two Provinces which currently do not have higher education institutions. I must thank the MECs for Education and Premiers of these two Provinces for their unstinting support for this development that will undoubtedly impact on the future economic and social development of these regions.

The proposed consolidation of the provision of higher education is informed by our view, which was supported by the Council on Higher Education, that South Africa does not have the financial and human resources, in particular, senior and middle-level leadership, management and administrative capacities, to maintain the present institutional structure of higher education.

However, in arriving at the new institutional landscape, we are not closing any current site of learning. [ 南非故事 Cooltang.com ]

We are also very clear that institutional restructuring is in itself not sufficient to achieve the broader goals and objectives for the transformation and reconstruction of the system. The National Plan identifies these as follows:

• Increasing access and producing the graduates with the skills and competencies necessary to meet the human resource needs of the country, including facilitating access of workers, mature learners, in particular, women, and the disabled.
• Promoting equity of access and outcomes and to redress past inequalities through ensuring that students and staff profiles reflect the demographic composition of South African society.
• Promoting institutional diversity to meet national and regional skills and knowledge needs.
• Building research capacity, including maintaining existing research strengths and ensuring that research contributes to national development needs. [ 南非故事 Cooltang.com ]

Yesterday's decision of Cabinet reiterates our commitment to the speedy implementation of all aspects of the National Plan.

Returning to our proposals for institutional restructuring, you will see that no institution is left untouched. Our change agenda has no sacred cows. All institutions will be expected to make its contributions to the achievement of national goals and objectives. Particularly those institutions not directly involved in merger processes will be required to pay urgent attention to meeting equity targets for both staff and students and to the development of more inclusive institutional cultures. Proposals are also made for the consolidation and rationalisation of academic programmes in areas such as engineering, in particular mining engineering; health sciences; languages and literary studies; and the visual and performing arts. [ 南非故事 Cooltang.com ]

The road ahead will not be easy. I will, in the course of the coming weeks, be meeting with the major constituencies in higher education to discuss the next steps. I am hopeful that narrow self and institutional interests will be set aside for the good of the country and future generations of staff and students to whom we owe a vibrant future.

You will also see that our proposals offer opportunities for major growth and development in different parts of South Africa. They also allow for rejuvenation. Let me use two examples by way of illustration. [ 南非故事 Cooltang.com ]

The University of Fort Hare, which has come to symbolise our history of struggle will be retained. Its base in Alice will be strengthened through its continued focus on rural development and skills development for the public service and future growth will be made possible through the development of a satellite campus in East London. This will provide the necessary linkages and partnerships with industry and business.

In the Limpopo Province, the coming together of the University of the North, the University of Venda and the Medical University of Southern Africa will form the basis of a new institution which will not only serve the needs of the Province but will look north to the role it must play in the southern African region more broadly. [ 南非故事 Cooltang.com ]

This new institution will be developed as one of the flagships of the reconstructed system.

By early next week I will formally be announcing my intentions with regard to the proposed mergers. By law, a three-month period is allowed for comments before the finalisation of each of the proposed mergers. This three-month period is an important opportunity for further engagement. I hope that it will be used constructively. [ 南非故事 Cooltang.com ]

The attached document entitled, "The Transformation and Reconstruction of the Higher Education System", provides more detail of our broader agenda. However, I want to use this opportunity to highlight some of the key proposals and innovations:

• Institutions will have to develop regional strategies to promote the access of disabled students. In the first instance, we will identify three institutions that will become the focal point for the development of infrastructure and resources to cater for the needs of disabled students. [ 南非故事 Cooltang.com ]
• A 5% target will be set for the admission of mature students and other ‘non-traditional’ students.
• Special attention will be paid to ensure that the fee structures and admission requirements of the restructured institutions, especially those resulting from the merger of historically black and white institution, do not adversely impact on access.
• Language will not be allowed to act as a barrier to access or success. In this regard, historically Afrikaans-medium institutions will be required to provide dual or parallel medium instruction in strategic and high-cost programmes such as medicine and engineering.

My Ministry and Department are committed to play our part to making the system work. However, to succeed we will need the support and energy of the key players in higher education and from the nation at large. I am confident that together we can succeed. [ 南非故事 Cooltang.com ]

All inquiries: Mola Likhethe, Minister’s Media Liaison Officer, +27 82 573 0397