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Free higher education could undermine excellence at SA universities
Author: Alec Basson
Published: 01/11/2016

The contribution of South African universities to global knowledge production could diminish if free higher education is made available to all at this point in time.

This was one of the viewpoints of Dr Phil Mjwara, Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), on Monday (31 October 2016).

He was the guest speaker on the first day of an international research conference on Scientometrics, Science and Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy and Science Communication being held at Stellenbosch University (SU) from 31 October-3 November. Mjwara's address was based on a prepared speech by the original keynote speaker Minister Naledi Pandor who was unable to attend Monday's event.

Mjwara referred to the outputs of research chairs and centres of excellence at and said some our universities are considered very cable research universities. He pointed to six universities ranked among the top 500 in the world. 

"We believe we have relatively good institutions. The contribution of South African universities to knowledge production in key areas such as the health sciences is globally recognised." 

Mjwara warned, however, that the good work of research chairs and centres of excellence at universities could amount to little if we give in to the current call for free higher education now and for all.

"That call undermines the very foundation of our model for the funding of higher education, which is premised on cost sharing between government and students. If we sacrifice this principle, it would threaten the very sustainability of a quality university system, especially its capacity for scholarship and research."

"Our policies (as reflected in Education White Paper 3) have always stressed that the 'direct cost to students should be proportionate to their ability to pay' and that a 'realistic fee structure must therefore go hand-in-hand with a sustainable programme of student financial assistance."

Mjwara said funding for science has been increased significantly and investment in future knowledge production has been expanded by increasing research grants for masters, doctoral and postdoctoral students, and also establishing research chairs and centres of excellence.

Mjwara added that research chairs have been helping to keep South African scientists in the country and also to attract scientists from the rest of the world and to strengthen our science system.

Internasionale delegasie-56.jpg

Referring to SciSTIP, he said "this centre of excellence builds on our existing capabilities in scientometrics and innovation policy and affords us additional capacity and takes our ability to understand and fine-tune our innovation policy and environment to a new level."

In closing, Mjwara challenged researchers to present case studies to politicians about the important role of science, technology and innovation in the economy.

Prof Wim de Villiers, SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor, welcomed the guests and said it is a privilege for the university to host the conference.

"The issues to be discussed at this international conference will allow us to measure and analyse science, technology and innovation because this is where we get our data from and we need data to know where we are going."

De Villiers said policy in science, technology and innovation provides the foundation for building the future we want to get to in higher education.

"We need research excellence to provide us with answers to the challenges facing higher education," he added.

  • Photo 1: Dr Phil Mjwara delivers the keynote address.
  • Photo 2: Prof Wim de Villiers welcomes the guest.
  • Photographer: Anton Jordaan