Skills development programme: The UNISA/CSIR model

Abstract

Science and technology have advanced to such an extent, that completely new mind sets and areas of investigation and applications, that were once considered fictitious, are now achievable. Techniques are now available for imaging and manipulating materials at the molecular and atomic level. The barriers between disciplines such as Biology, Physics and Engineering are, for all intense and purposes, non-existent. Whole new industries are being created based on these developments. Thus new skills and skills diversities are required to exploit these opportunities. Many of these advances have originated from Europe and the USA and have been emerging over the past 10 – 20 years. Thus their educational, research and industrial infrastructure has grown concomitantly with these new demands. Africa is on the brink of a renaissance not only politically but also in science and technology and can assimilate best practice from the global experience and adapt these to the needs of Africa. The CSIR and UNISA are collaborating to address these issues. A unique partnership is developing between these two institutes with the biologically based sciences piloting the initiative. The core of this involves acquiring and maintaining cutting edge equipment, student skills development programmes and industry. A key component will be the use of Information Learning Technology. The skills development programmes are vocational and centred on research and industrial requirements. This programme is modelled on vocational qualifications from the UK and is being adapted to meet South African current and future needs.