Establishment of the Free State Higher and Further Education and Training Trust

Kalie Strydom writes about the formation of the Free State Higher and Further Education and Training Trust, of which the motto is "to serve the interests and needs of the learners, the region, and the nation".

INTRODUCTION

In 1987, the Free State began a Regional Education and Training Forum. One of the recognized groups in this Forum has always been the Higher and Further Education and Training Group. Out of this group, in 1990, a consortium of higher and further education institutions was formed to support the transformation of higher and further education and training in the Free State.

Within the context of the 1994 election, it was felt that this Consortium should be broadened and restructured into a Trust, with representation from all higher and further education and training institutions in the Free State together with other stakeholders, such as the provincial government, business, industry, the community, the Youth Commission, and others.

This was deemed a necessary and important step, as it was widely recognized that the existing system of higher and further education and training in South Africa was in need of fundamental restructuring.

After long and difficult negotiations in a dispensation requiring an open and democratic process, the Trust was formally established on 4 September, 1997, with a Statement of Intent, a Memorandum of Agreement, house rules, and a basic action plan to which all stakeholders and role-players had agreed.

Twenty-eight higher and further education institutions - including universities, technical colleges, a technikon, nursing colleges, and colleges of education - as well as the Free State Education Department are members of the Trust. This is the only educational trust in South Africa in which higher and further education institutions, provincial government, and business, industry, and community interests are joined together to plan, coordinate, and implement programmes on a regional basis.

The establishment of the Trust enables participation by all of the mentioned institutions, without unnecessary duplication of programmes, facilities, and other resources. This will enable students to enter further studies at any member institution with recognition of qualifications obtained through Trust programmes.

PURPOSE OF THE TRUST

The purpose of the Trust is to work towards the creation of a new regional dispensation of higher and further education in the Free State, with a view to coordinate strategic regional further and higher education projects. This will be achieved by furthering the following aims:

To create a strong, comprehensive, and well-articulated higher and further education and training sector in the region, which can turn out quality diplomates and graduates who will be able to respond to the needs of a society in transition.

To facilitate capacity-building, redress, and equity in relation to issues of institutional inequality, limitations on access, academic development programmes, etc.

To increase the involvement of relevant communities and constituencies in the shaping of a new education and training system.

To optimize the use of existing resources and available finances through rationalization and the elimination of unnecessary duplication and wastefulness.

To facilitate a coherent education and training approach to the specific human resource and development needs of the region within the framework of a national strategy.

To develop joint ventures as well as areas of specialization within a regional framework.

To foster a cooperative rather than a competitive approach to the provision of education and training and other development and support services

To encourage interaction and cooperation with other national and regional initiatives concerned with educational and economic reconstruction and development.

Despite our different histories and experiences, we, as participating institutions, have committed ourselves to a process of regional cooperation that will allow for both bilateral and multilateral interaction. In these interactions, agreement has already been reached that this must be an inclusive process, involving both internal institutional constituencies and major external stakeholders in business, industry, and the broader community.

The motto of the Trust is to serve the interests and needs of the learners, the region, and the nation.

Professor A. H. Strydom is Chief Director: Strategic Services at the University of the Free State