1 February 2011

Partnership between PGWC & CHEC Objectives are to:  draw on the research and teaching resources of the universities to support the development goals of the Province  promote the W. Cape as a ”Learning Region”  facilitate information sharing on plans of HEIs and PGWC  develop and implement mutually agreed strategic initiatives

Higher education as a partner in regional development  Vibrant and strong higher education institutions critical to supporting development and social reconstruction  High skills, research and innovation capacity necessary for economic growth  Contributes to place making

Building on higher education strengths and synergies  World class research strengths  Nationally recognised niche areas  Niche programme offerings  Better than national average cohort success rates  Established units for providing continuing education opportunities for adults  International partnerships, exchanges, conferences and students

Key information on higher education in the Western Cape (2009)  Undergraduate students:  Master’s students:  PhD students:  Academic staff:  International students: 9 858

Research indicators for Western Cape HEIs Institution National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated researchers NRF South African Research Chairs % of permanent academic staff with PhD CPUT19011% SU % UCT % UWC75343% Western % Estimated % of national total31%53%31%

Contribution to high skills:graduates Graduates in 2009 Business and Management: (19%) SET: (23%) Education: (6%) Humanities: (17%)

Provincial Strategic Plan STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 1.Increasing opportunities for growth and jobs 2.Improving education outcomes 3.Increasing access to safe and efficient transport 4.Increasing wellness 5.Increasing safety 6.Developing integrated and sustainable human settlements 7.Mainstreaming sustainability and optimizing resource-use efficiency 8.Increasing social cohesion 9.Reducing and alleviating poverty 10.Integrating service delivery for maximum impact 11.Creating opportunities for growth and development in rural areas 12.Building the best-run provincial government in the world

Increasing opportunities for growth and jobs Achievements: promoting biotechnology, East City Design Initiative, bursary initiative, study on role of universities in innovation, graduate attributes initiative, contribution to the development of the RISS Examples of HE strengths:  InnovUS (SU’s Technology Transfer  Company)  ICT in e-Business, e-Government (CPUT)  Development Policy Research Unit (UCT)  Free software innovation unit (UWC)

Improving educational outcomes Achievements: Teacher Supply & Demand Study, articulation arrangements between FET & HE, seminar series Examples of HE strengths:  School support initiatives at all universities  Research niche areas include language, mathematics, foundation phase, science, teacher development, further education

Developing integrated and sustainable human settlements Achievements: Framework for Cape Town Central City Provincial Govt Regeneration initiative, Disaster Risk Management partnership, policy engagements Examples of HE strengths:  African Centre for Cities (UCT)  Sustainability Institute (US)  Development Studies (UWC)  SA Built Environment Research Centre (CPUT)

Mainstreaming sustainability and resource use efficiency Achievements: Partnership focus for the future to complement individual university initiatives Examples of HE strengths:  Energy Institute (CPUT)  SANERI Chair (US)  African Climate Development Initiative (UCT)  UNESCO Chair in Hydrogeology (UWC)

Promoting social cohesion Achievements: supply & demand study, new programmes to produce professional for combatting substance abuse, seminars Examples of HE strengths  Crime and violence initiative (UCT)  Community Law Centre (UWC)  HOPE Project (US)  Multigrade initiative in rural communities (CPUT)

Assessment  Partnership has strengthened over the past year  Sometimes difficult to sustain the interest of both academics and government officials  Champions have been identified in a number of areas  Implementation of some projects has been slow  In early days resources too widely spread and lack of focus identified as a key constraint  Joint Task Team continues to play an important role in leading and managing

Assessment (cont)  Absence of representation from all Provincial Departments limits possibilities  Collaboration between Provincial Departments and individual universities and academics continues and brings own strengths  Explore synergies with CHEC partnership with the City of Cape Town

Programme of Action Innovation  Establish the Regional Innovation Forum  Input into the development of the Regional Innovation System Strategy (RISS), drawing on findings of the CHEC research study  Consolidate Biotechnology partnership  Identify workplace opportunities (internships, research units etc) for students

Programme of Action (cont) Education and Skills  Analyse research reports on skills needs to identify gaps in programme provisioning (formal programmes and CPD)  Sharing best practice in the implementation of bursary programmes  Graduate attributes study  Identification of key sectors / strategic priority areas in the Western Cape for skills development partnerships  Engage with Provincial Training Academy  Establish engagements with FET Colleges and SETAs.

Programme of Action (cont) Planning, policy and public engagements  Seminars, think-labs, publications etc Strategic initiatives  Substance abuse  Public schooling: Individual HEIs and CHEC  Disaster risk management  Support to Cape Town CBD property project

Programme of Action (cont) Areas to explore:  Green economy  Port of Cape Town  ICT (in partnership with City of Cape Town)