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The effect of the higher education qualifications Sub-Framework Act on the academic organisational structure of a university of technology
(Stellenbosch University, 2025-05) Kapp, Karel; Du Plessis, Andre
Phasing out existing qualifications and phasing in new ones on a large scale is a costly exercise in any institution of higher education. This research aimed to determine how the implementation of the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQSF) Act would affect the academic organisational structure at a university of technology and to develop an instrument to manage the phasing in and phasing out of qualifications on a large scale in a sustainable way. The pragmatic paradigm underpinned this mixed method study and the National Implementation Research Network Framework (NIRN) and Complexity Theory framed this research.
The primary aim of this study was to develop a framework that predicts how the phasing in/phasing out of programmes of a faculty will affect the workload of academic staff and subsequently the academic organisational structure of the institution. Such a tool will enable each faculty at the selected university to accurately predict the quantity of additional human resources needed during this process of phasing in and phasing out of new and old programmes while ensuring financial sustainability at the institution. This will enable the university to determine human resource requirements and student enrolments and to align them with the university’s targeted budget allocation.
Longitudinal career construction counselling for a black female student experiencing career indecision
(Stellenbosch University, 2025-04) Maree, J.G. (Kobus)
This article reports on the longitudinal effect of career construction counselling on a black female student experiencing career indecision. Purposive sampling was used to select an adolescent experiencing career indecision. An integrative, QUALITATIVE-quantitative methodology was employed as the research lens, and a longitudinal, seven-year, explanatory, single-participant study design was adopted. The Career Construction Interview (CCI), the Career Interest Profile (CIP), and the Maree Career Matrix (MCM) were used to elicit the participant’s many micro-life stories and key life themes and to co-construct her future career-life story narrative. Adapted thematic data analysis incorporating the analytic style proposed by Savickas was carried out to analyse the data reflexively. In the short term, the participant's psychological self as a social actor was enhanced by confirming her career choice, and her psychological self as a motivated agent was promoted by bolstering her goal-setting capacity and sense of self. Longitudinally, her self- and career identity was clarified and her sense of hope rekindled (the self as an autobiographical author was strengthened). Future research should examine the short- and longer-term effects of the approach described here in diverse career counselling contexts. More information is needed on when drawing on the CCI as a standalone assessment intervention may suffice.
Geospatial data quality training for the South African spatial data infrastructure - lessons learnt from training geospatial data custodians
(CONSAS Conference, 2025-02) Cooper, Antony Kyle; Fourie, Nicolene; Coetzee, Serena Martha; Blom, Marinet; Chauke, Maroale; Ndlovu, Vutomi
Standards play an important role in achieving the objectives of a spatial data infrastructure. However, standards can be difficult to understand and implement for those with limited exposure to them. The South African Spatial Data Infrastructure (SASDI) aims to facilitate the capture, management, maintenance, integration, distribution and use of spatial information. To decide whether a SASDI data set is fit for a specific purpose, users need information about its quality. SANS 19157:2014, Geographic information – Data quality, specifies how the quality of geospatial data can be described and assessed. The Committee for Spatial Information (CSI), responsible for implementing SASDI, identified the need to train geospatial data custodians in implementing SANS 19157. While custodians were eager to learn, several barriers prohibited presentation of training in a ‘traditional’ classroom setting. These barriers included the costs and time to travel from remote areas of the country to a training venue and challenges with scheduling the training at a time suitable to all participants. Online training was therefore delivered − however, structured in a way to overcome general ‘online fatigue’ after the pandemic. In this paper we present our experiences in presenting training on SANS 19157 to professionals responsible for geospatial data sets. We also share the lessons learnt from the novel structure for online training.
Self-perception and clinical presentation of eating and swallowing difficulties within elderly care
(AOSIS, 2025-03) Bell, Caitlin Shauna; Kruger, Esedra; Vermeulen, Rouxjeanne; Masenge, Andries; Pillay, Bhavani S.; bhavani.pillay@up.ac.za
BACKGROUND : The growing ageing population requires effective management of complex medical diagnoses and healthy ageing support within residential care facilities. However, limited access to guidelines on monitoring residents’ eating and swallowing abilities has been reported. Recent research is critical for future policy development.
OBJECTIVES : This study aimed to compare self-perceived and clinical presentation of eating and swallowing abilities among a portion of elderly residents to enhance management of the residential care population within the South African context.
METHOD : This comparative, within-subject research study assessed 44 participants using an oropharyngeal dysphagia protocol including a medical history review, the Eating Assessment Tool – 10 (EAT-10), the Mann Assessment of Swallowing Abilities (MASA), and the three-ounce water test of the Yale Swallow Protocol (YSP). A brief cognitive screener was used when cognitive impairment was unknown.
RESULTS : Of the participants, 21 out of 44 (48%) self-reported concerns for oropharyngeal dysphagia. Evidence of compensatory eating behaviours, without therapeutic intervention, was found. A negative, low correlation was present between the EAT-10 and the MASA (r = -0.306, p < 0.05) scores.
CONCLUSION : Individuals who self-reported eating and swallowing difficulties demonstrated fewer clinical symptoms, potentially due to compensatory techniques. The disparity between patient-reported outcome measures and clinical assessment tools highlights the need for robust screening and assessment policies within this context.
CONTRIBUTION : This study highlights the importance of holistic assessment practices by integrating self-perception with clinical findings to address oropharyngeal dysphagia incidence within this complex population.
How I experienced tele-intervention : qualitative insights from persons who stutter
(AOSIS, 2025-01) Hoosain, Raadhiyah; Abdoola, Shabnam Salim; Kruger, Esedra; Pillay, Bhavani S.
BACKFROUND : Tele-intervention gained popularity, during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, prompting healthcare providers to adapt to remote service delivery. Research about stuttering treatment via tele-intervention in South Africa is limited. Speech-language therapists (SLTs) require further insights to deliver a well-supported approach for treatment of stuttering using tele-intervention, despite limitations such as technological disruptions, including loadshedding, that impact service reliability.
OBJECTIVES : The study aims to explore clients’ experiences with tele-intervention for stuttering therapy, and to provide recommendations to improve service delivery.
METHOD : Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 persons who stutter (PWS) recruited through purposive sampling. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants with experience in both tele-intervention and in-person treatment. Inductive thematic analysis supplemented by descriptive statistics was used to identify patterns and trends.
RESULTS : Four main themes emerged: (1) User experiences and factors shaping perceptions of tele-intervention; (2) technical infrastructure: barriers and facilitators; (3) financial and access considerations and (4) in-person treatment experience compared to tele-intervention user experience. Likert scale ratings indicated no considerable difference in preferences between tele-intervention and in-person treatment.
CONCLUSION : Participants’ diverse experiences highlighted tele-intervention’s benefits and challenges for stuttering therapy. While limitations exist, findings inform service enhancement in South Africa, emphasising the importance of users’ perspectives in tele-intervention design.
CONTRIBUTION : Insights from PWS can be used in informing clinical practice, aiding SLTs in meeting the needs of PWS and guiding best practice. Tele-intervention should be integrated into a hybrid intervention model that PWS prefer.