Interventions to consider for improving throughput rates at higher education institutions

PORT ELIZABETH

NMMU

NMMU …Cont NMMU is one of the six Comprehensive Universities Approximately 25000 students across six campuses School of Accounting consist of two departments: Applied Accounting Diplomas and B Tech’s: CMA (Diploma, B Tech and M Tech) Accounting (Diploma) Internal Auditing (Diploma, B Tech and Postgraduate Diploma) Accounting Sciences B Com Accounting B Com Honours Accounting Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting M Com Accounting M Com Taxation

Presentation layout SAQA requirements NMMU accreditations NMMU teaching model Research paper on Accounting assignments NMMU/TUT collaborative research project Way forward Closing

SAQA requirements Qualifications must conform to SAQA critical outcomes requirements: Generic competencies are the foundation for: lifelong learning; personal growth; honest business acumen; critical, creative thinking; and aesthetic appreciation. Inclusion/integration in curriculum is mandatory.

SAQA requirements (continued) Examples of critical outcomes: Application of fundamental and specialist knowledge; Scientific assignments; Lifelong learning; Case studies; and Professional ethics and practice. These must be integrated in the curriculum of all HE qualifications.

NMMU Teaching Model What is a teaching model? Process through which specific steps and procedures are prescribed with the objective to achieve desired outcomes (Virginia Tech, 2011) What is the purpose of the NMMU teaching model? To improve throughput rates

NMMU Teaching Model (continued) Instructor-directed. Important components are lecturing and support staff. Predominantly classroom lecture based, consisting of: Classroom lectures; Tutorial sessions; Assignments (homework questions); Discussion groups Supplemental instruction (SI); and Assessment (formative and summative assessment).

NMMU accreditation with Professional Bodies SAICA B Com Accounting; B Com Honours Accounting SAICA regards NMMU’s teaching model as one to be benchmarked against More than 90% pass rate on latest CA (SA) Board exam ACCA B Com Accounting B Com Honours Accounting Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting SAIPA Postgraduate Diploma Accounting Diploma and B Tech Accounting, CMA and Internal Auditing B Com Accounting and B Com Honours Accounting CIMA

Some TUT Critical outcomes registered at SAQA Critical outcomes as registered with SAQA for TUT’s B Tech Internal Auditing:   The qualification is designed and should be presented and assessed in such a way that the following skills of the learner are promoted and developed The ability to: take decisions and accept responsibility identify and solve basic problems communicate effectively by way of mathematical and written presentations work with other as a member of a team collect, analyse and evaluate information organise and manage oneself and other people View full details at: http://regqs.saqa.org.za/viewQualification.php?id=72418

Some TUT critical outcomes registered at SAQA (continued) Critical outcomes for the B Tech Local Government Finance:   The qualification is designed and should be presented and assessed in such a way that the following skills of the learner are promoted and developed The ability to:   take decisions and accept responsibility identify and solve basic problems communicate effectively by way of mathematical and written presentations work with other as a member of a team collect, analyse and evaluate information organise and manage oneself and other people View full details at: http://regqs.saqa.org.za/viewQualification.php?id=72426

School of Accounting research paper Research aims: Students’ perception of the importance of accounting assignments; and Students’ perception of the importance of academic honesty in respect of accounting assignments.

NMMU’s Accounting Throughput rates NMMU B Com Accounting financial accounting modules 2012 throughput rates:

NMMU/TUT collaborative research Why the research with NMMU? Pool of students is similar. Nationally less than 20% of Gr 12s have/pass Mathematics. Government requires higher throughput rates… What can NMMU offer? More than 7 years’ experience with the Teaching model; Assessment/evaluation of TUT teaching model; Monitoring role; Resources; Assistance with curriculum design and development Partner with FASSET accredited work-readiness and employer satisfaction research organisations; etcetera.

NMMU/TUT collaborative research (continued) Potential benefits of collaborative research project: Research outputs in accredited journals; Possible National benchmark student-based teaching model; Continuous collaborative research – MoU… Improved through-put rates! Staff satisfaction (increase in morale) based on higher success

NMMU/TUT collaborative research (continued) Points to ponder: NMMU teaching model is very expensive (tutors, SI- leaders, extra remuneration for lecturers, administrative staff per subject discipline, etc.) Results will show in a few years’ time. Staff needs to be committed and rewarded (team effort). Workloads of staff need to be closely monitored (equal distribution of work). Discipline of students must be improved and closely monitored. Buy-in from TUT senior management. “Big bang” or “baby steps” approach for implementation?

NMMU/TUT collaborative research (continued) Discussion/questions