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What we do

Over the past few years, CHEC has been developing a stronger focus on the role of higher education in regional development and an interest in triple helix relationships (academia, government and business). It has also started to explore how universities have addressed knowledge transfer and innovation in a regional and national context.

CHEC has signed formal Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with both the City of Cape Town and the Provincial Government of the Western Cape and has partnerships about various more specific matters, such as Education within those contexts.

The purpose of the MOUs is to establish a structured framework for engagement and to build integrated and sustainable partnerships with one another in which expertise, research and best practices are shared to good effect within the reality of differing priorities and capacities.

These partnerships advance social and economic development and promote the Western Cape as a “learning region”.

A partnership with business is emerging through existing networks and will be developed further.

Following a very successful summit with the cabinet and Premier of the PGWC held on 16 October 2006, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed. The key objectives of the MOU are to

• establish structures that enable the Western Cape institutions and the Provincial Government to develop and implement shared strategies for advancing social and economic development;
• promote the Western Cape as a “Learning Region”, which can be used to attract people to the region to study and contribute to growth and development in the Western Cape province;
• facilitate the regular sharing of information on the plans of higher education institutions and the Provincial Government;
• develop a three year plan to address the mutually agreed strategic initiatives; and
• strengthen the contribution of higher education to the provincial economy.

Since then, several working groups have been established, with particular emphasis placed on meeting the scarce skills needs of the Province. In March 2009, the Vice Chancellors of the CHEC member institutions met with the Premier and Provincial Cabinet to assess the partnership. While recognizing the challenges inherent in undertaking an ambitious project, the principals reaffirmed the partnership and identified the need to strengthen it through greater focus in a number of key areas, including enhanced support from higher education for quality education at all levels in the Province.

Members of the PGWC joined CHEC representatives on the Barcelona leg of a very useful study tour to the North-west and North-east of England and Barcelona in October 2009. The tour enabled the group to study best practice with regard to higher education partnerships with government, business and civil society. Relevant reports and documents:

1. Memorandum of Understanding between CHEC and the PGWC
2. Report on CHEC – Provincial Government Summit, Sharman Wickham, 2006
3. Report on the CHEC / PGWC Joint Regional Seminar on Student Performance, 2009, CHEC
4. Report to the CHEC Board: Preliminary visit to Barcelona, 2009, CHEC

Joint Task Team

The partnership is co-ordinated by a Joint Task Team, co-chaired by Ms Judy Favish of UCT on behalf of CHEC and Ms Jo-Anne Johnstone from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism of the PGWC. The Joint Task Team consists of the CHEC CEO and each Institutional Planner from CHEC and appropriate HoDs of PGWC departments where there are common interests.

Western Cape Education Department (WCED) and CHEC

Contact between the WCED and CHEC predated the MOU with PGWC. The Deans and Head of School of Education have met regularly with officials of the WCED over the years and this has led to various specific initiatives as required. Click here to view the report on the WCED / CHEC Seminar on partnerships, 2010.

A major initiative, which was concluded in February 2009, was a research project, overseen by the Deans, into teacher supply and demand in the Western Cape. View report.

Other joint concerns with the WCED include the following:

• Workshops and discussion about research priorities in the WCED and how higher education might support these;
• A regular seminar programme to which any interested party is invited;
• Exploration of matters of concern to the Further Education and Training (FET) sector, support to the FET Colleges and development of admissions criteria to university for students with the National Certificate (Vocational). View workshop report

Other areas of interest with the PGWC

These have varied over time, but current issues include the following:

• Exploration of how CHEC institutions can support the PGWC initiatives to fight substance abuse;
• Collaboration around the 2010 World Cup Soccer event, including research on the long term economic impact of the tournament and the establishment of training academies for local sport
administrators. (view report) The World Cup has also been the catalyst for the production of a joint marketing brochure for the four universities in the Western Cape;
• A scoping of teaching and research in the area of heritage to inform possible collaboration in this area;
• Collaboration in the area of disaster risk management;
• Biotechnology
• Masahk’iSiswe Bursary Scheme
• Graduate tracer study

CHEC'S ACTIVITIES WITH THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF THE WESTERN CAPE IN 2010

The partnership between CHEC and the Provincial Government of the Western Cape provides a platform for:

• drawing on research and teaching resources of the universities to support the development goals of the Province;
• promoting the Western Cape as a "Learning Region";
• facilitating information sharing on plans of the higher education institutions and the Provincial Government;
• developing and implementing mutually agreed strategic initiatives.

ACTIVITIES IN 2010

Framework for the Cape Town Central City Provincial Government Regeneration Initiative.

In May 2010, CHEC provided the MEC for Transport and Public Works with a Framework for the Cape Town Central City Provincial Government Regeneration Initiative. The Framework was developed under the direction of a Steering Committee of leading urban planning experts from Stellenbosch University, UCT and UWC. CHEC has subsequently been involved in the development and implementation of the second phase of the project through the provision of technical, policy and research support.

Building the partnership between the FET colleges and higher education.

This is an ongoing area of engagement and has included work on the articulation from FET colleges into higher education with an initial focus on engineering.

Substance Abuse Project

Following discussions with the Premier, the universities developed a proposal for the offering of specialised courses and programmes in the field of substance abuse treatment and intervention. The Premier subsequently awarded generous grants to the three universities currently active in this area (UCT, Stellenbosch University and UWC) for the development and delivery of courses/programmes, as well as bursary support. CPUT is exploring possible interventions in the teacher education area.

Disaster Risk Management

An active partnership exists between the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the universities. Post-graduate students have undertaken a range of research projects that address some of the priorities of the region. The student projects were presented to local and provincial government stakeholders at a workshop held at the University of the Western Cape in August 2010. RADAR Western Cape 2010, the Risk and Development Annual Review, was also launched at the workshop.

Developing a best practice framework for student bursary support

Following a seminar on student performance and a breakfast hosted by the NBI, a workshop was held in October 2010 with representatives from the financial aid offices of the four universities, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, the Western Cape SETA cluster, the NBI and Provincial Government to share information on their approaches to bursary support, as a basis for the development of best practice guidelines for bursary support.

The universities are also represented on the Advisory Board of Masakh'iSizwe and the CHEC Board awaits decisions on the future governance and organisational arrangements for Masakh'iSizwe.

Cape Biotechnology Academic Forum.

This Forum has been established to facilitate interaction between the leading biotechnology researchers and Cape Biotech (now incorporated into the Western Cape office of the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). The Forum has convened annual conferences and now plans to extend its membership to representatives from industry and envisages playing an important role in promoting biotechnology as a regional area of strength.

East City Design Initiative

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology is the lead university partner in this Initiative given its location in the East City and particular strengths in the area of design. It is anticipated that the other universities in the region will also become involved in the Initiative in the coming period.

Study on role of universities in driving innovation in the Western Cape, including science parks.

This study, which was funded by the Department of Science and Technology, has been completed and the report, once adopted by the research Deputy Vice-Chancellors, will be presented to the Joint Task Team.

Contribution to the development of the Regional Innovation Strategy

The universities continue to work with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism to assist in the establishment of the Regional Innovation Forum and Regional Innovation Strategy.

2010 Soccer World Cup

A CHEC coordinating committee, which was convened by UWC, worked closely with the Province and City of Cape Town on a number of areas, including logistics, accommodation, student volunteers, and research on the impact of the World Cup. The World Cup was also the impetus for the development of a brochure to jointly market the four universities in the Province.

Seminars

Various seminars have been hosted by the partnership, including a number with prominent international visitors to the Western Cape, such as Manuel Castells and John Goddard.

Following a successful colloquium with the City of Cape Town in November 2007, a joint task team was constituted to take this partnership forward through the identification of strategic projects between CHEC and the City of Cape Town. Proposals for projects were developed in the fields of human resources, ICT and the physical environment. These areas were endorsed at a follow-up meeting with the leadership of the City and the universities on 20 October 2008 (view report), at which a Collaboration Protocol was signed. (View the Collaboration Protocol.)

The purpose of the Collaboration Protocol is to:

• Achieve growth and development related to social, economic and environmental goals within the city’s boundaries and to realise the full potential of the city;
• Build a more skilled and skilful citizenry, equipped to contribute effectively to the development of our democracy and the growth of the economy;
• Consolidate Cape Town’s status as a “rising urban star” and the prime centre for higher education in Africa.

Two CHEC representatives joined a City of Cape Town and business delegation to Barcelona in June 2009 as part of the ongoing collaboration between the two cities. Higher Education was identified as one of the areas of common interest. This visit was also used as a preparation for a second visit later in the year, focusing more directly on higher education issues.

The partnership is co-ordinated by a Core Task Team which is jointly chaired by the CEO of CHEC, Ms Nasima Badsha, and Dr Martin van der Merwe, Director, City of Cape Town. In the first phase of the partnership support for three project areas was identified – human resource development, including internships, ICT and the physical environment. A researcher identified priorities for the partnership in the ICT area and these proposals are being developed further. (View Research to Support the Planning Work of the ICT Working Group of the City of Cape Town and the Cape Higher Education Consortium, 2009, by Oswald Jumira)

CHEC'S ACTIVITIES WITH THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN IN 2010

The Collaboration Protocol signed by CHEC and the City of Cape Town on 20 October 2008 provides a platform for:

• growth and development related to social, economic and environmental goals within the city's boundaries and the realization of the full potential of the city;
• a more skilled and skilful citizenry, equipped to contribute effectively to the development of our democracy and the growth of the economy;
• consolidation of Cape Town's status as a "rising urban star" and the prime centre for higher education in Africa.

ACTIVITIES IN 2010*

The 2010 Soccer World Cup

CHEC and the City of Cape Town collaborated around two sets of activities related to the Soccer World Cup.

• The first was research into the impact of the Soccer World Cup. See the full report for the details on base camps, accommodation, transportation and park and ride facilities, joint marketing and research.
• The second set of activities related to community-based sports training academies.

Directorate of Economic and Human Development

CHEC – City of Cape Town activities in the Directorate of Economic Development are listed below:

• The first of a seminar series was held in December 2010. These seminars provide opportunities for City officials to engage with researchers and other specialists around their key programmes. The first seminar was framed by an input from Professor Mark Swilling who drew on the newly released book that he has edited "Sustaining Cape Town – Imagining a Livable City". Further inputs were provided by Alison Goldstuck and City officials. The seminar, which was well-attended, included post-graduate students. Plans are underway for the next seminar.
• Coordinated by Zimlo Lalendle, the Directorate has identified key training priorities for staff. These have been "matched" with existing courses in the four higher education institutions. Where necessary, additional tailor-made courses will be designed for delivery.
• The issues of internships and graduate placements have also been discussed by members of the Directorate and representatives from the universities. A meeting is being arranged to brief stakeholders and facilitate "matches" of people and areas.

Showcasing ICT activities

Close to 80 delegates from the City of Cape Town and the four universities in the region attended an event to showcase ICT activities in December 2010.

Cape Town Activa

Modelled on Barcelona Activa, Cape Town Activa aims to promote entrepreneurship in the mother city. CHEC attended and supported a number of workshops held in 2010.

The City Development Strategy

Experts from the four universities were invited to attend a meeting with City councilors late in 2010 to provide input on the City Development Strategy. This will be used in further developing this document.

Various ad hoc activities

In addition to the above areas, a number of ad hoc engagements arose during the year. For example, through David Gretton's approach to CHEC, the Institute of Urban Management at the University of Rotterdam will be providing a Summer School course on local economic development to delegates from South Africa, Argentina and Brazil.

The City is often invited to participate in a number of CHEC initiatives such as the workshop held at the University of the Western Cape regarding the role of universities in innovation and another, also held at the University of the Western Cape, on Disaster Risk Management. The East City Design project is led by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Further collaborative activities are initiated by the City. For example, a workshop on food security convened by the City of Cape Town was attended by university colleagues, and the universities are supporting the City's bid to be the World Design Capital in 2014.

Additional relationships between the City of Cape Town and the universities

In addition to the CHEC-based activities, the City of Cape Town has also set up formal and informal relationships with the universities, e.g. the African Centre for Cities at UCT.

* Please refer to Reports for further details of these activities.