University Of Swaziland accreditation
University Strategic Plan Strategic Issue
The University of Swaziland aims to be a leader in providing Effective teaching and learning in its current programmes and access to life-long learning through distance education and seeks to address this issue through the following objectives:
- Quality assurance/control
Any academic institution that aims to offer cutting-edge programmes needs to ensure that it provides quality programmes. In this regard, the University will use up-to-date methods of teaching that are complemented by adequate infrastructure such as laboratories and equipment. The students will be encouraged to develop a method of inquiry that enables them to be independent thinkers.
Academic staff will explore best practice in the delivery of subject matter to students. The University will facilitate in-service workshops and seminars for staff on methods of effective subject delivery to students and also encourage colleagues to conduct peer review of materials for teaching and examinations administered. Students, as recipients of courses offered, will be given the opportunity to make positive contributions to the content and the manner in which courses are delivered.
- Semesterisation of programmes
Improving efficiency in the delivery of programmes calls for, among other things, their timely completion. The practice of examining all courses at the end of the year could be a burden to students in the sense that the courses that are completed at the end of semester one are examined at the end of the second semester. The University will introduce semesterisation in all programmes in order to address this challenge.
- Accreditation of programmes
Human capital is a commodity that may be exported to other countries as well as utilised within the country. It is therefore, imperative that the quality of education offered is up-to-standard and comparable with similar programmes in the region and beyond. The University will seek to participate in the creation of the National Qualifications Framework and the National Qualifications Authority (NQA) to regulate admissions requirements and to facilitate the parity of the programmes offered by institutions that are affiliated to the University.
- Efficiency in affiliated institutions programmes
There is a need to increase efficiency in the affiliated institutions programmes. The University will start with the review of the affiliation instrument and also study the programme content to identify areas that could be improved. It will also seek to make an input in the hiring of staff to teach the college programmes.
- Internal efficiencies (offering of programmes)
Utilisation of teaching and office space and facilities in support of teaching activities is a way to ensure internal efficiency. Utilisation of classroom/laboratory and office space will be monitored with a view to ensuring that there is maximum scheduling of classes in all the University’s facilities. The University will also offer some late afternoon/early evening/weekend programmes to cater for the non-traditional students. In addition, the latest methods of teaching will be applied in order to expose students to modern ways of learning.
- External efficiencies (relevance of programmes)
The University has a mandate to offer programmes that are demand-driven. In order to fulfil this requirement, it will conduct stakeholder consultations on the programmes that prospective employers want with a view to aligning its teaching with the job market. Alumni will also be regularly consulted to ensure relevance of the programmes to the individual and employers’ needs.
- Utilisation of ICT
The University acknowledges the advancement of knowledge through the use of the latest technology in the presentation of lessons, analysis of data, dissemination and preservation of knowledge. The efficiency of subject delivery through Information Communication Technology (ICT) is unparalleled; therefore, all staff will be encouraged to effectively use ICT in the preparation of lessons and delivery of the same. In addition, staff will be encouraged to disseminate knowledge through the ICT and submit same to the Institutional Repository for preservation. ICT will generally be a preferred means of communication at the University and reduce use of paper.
- Development of national policy on open and distance learning
Swazilandhas embraced open and distance learning as methods of reaching out to non-traditional students. The limitations imposed by employment and lack of resources to embark on full-time studies necessitate alternative methods of delivery of training and learning on those students. Although institutions have been established to reach out to non-traditional students and have received some support from the Government, there is no national policy regulating this endeavour. Therefore, the University will spearhead and facilitate the enactment of national policies on open and distance education.
- Expansion of distance education learning mode
Since its establishment, the Institute of Distance Education (IDE), has served students in those Faculties where practical lessons were not required. The Institute is, with the help of the Faculties, now resourced and developed enough to expand its activities to start offering short courses and lessons to students in some of the Applied Science disciplines. The University will launch short courses to meet emerging needs in the workplace. Furthermore, it will expand its distance education programmes to cover other disciplines that were not covered before.