WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING IN ELECTRICAL …

1 work INTEGRATED LEARNING IN ELECTRICAL engineering AT UNISA 1 Abstract The new University of South Africa (UNISA) was the first comprehensive university in South Africa that could offer both academic and vocational qualifications. Tuition is offered by means of open and distance LEARNING . All diplomas and BTech degrees offered by the School of engineering at UNISA contain a compulsory period of work INTEGRATED LEARNING . A minimum period of 1 year approved training is required. The student participates in work INTEGRATED LEARNING while in employment at an approved company and monitoring takes place by means of a logbook, a mentor system and visits to industry by a UNISA academic. In the School of engineering we are in the process of re-curriculating our engineering courses to meet the requirements as set out in the new Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF) as well as the standards set by the engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

2 The engineering Council of South Africa is the accrediting body for all engineering courses in South Africa. This paper will address how we got to the proposed new Programme Qualifications Mix (PQM) for ELECTRICAL engineering , the work INTEGRATED LEARNING requirements and how we monitor and evaluate the work INTEGRATED LEARNING . work INTEGRATED LEARNING IN ELECTRICAL engineering AT UNISA 2 Introduction UNISA offers the National diploma (NDip) and Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree in engineering through open and distance LEARNING according to the same guidelines (ECSA, 2002, SAPSI 150, 1997 & HEQF 2007) set for any other University of Technology or Comprehensive University. work INTEGRATED LEARNING forms an essential component, contributing 33% towards the qualifications and takes place in addition to the required practicals and projects forming part of theoretical training.

3 In what follows, work INTEGRATED LEARNING in engineering at UNISA is discussed in view of the requirements as set out by the statutory bodies (ECSA, 2002). National diploma and BTech Degree in ELECTRICAL engineering To obtain a National diploma in ELECTRICAL engineering a student must obtain 3 credits. Two of these credits are obtained by passing 20 subjects, each consisting of a theoretical and practical component, while the third credit is obtained for 1 year s suitable work experience, work INTEGRATED LEARNING . The BTech degree requires an additional credit which comprises 7 subjects, each consisting of a theoretical and practical component, and an Industrial project which counts 30% towards the degree. Students unable to complete work INTEGRATED LEARNING will not be awarded the qualification, even though they might have passed all the required academic subjects.

4 The purpose of the National diploma and BTech engineering qualifications is to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills required for learners further LEARNING towards becoming competent practicing engineering technicians and technologists. It is intended to subsequently empower candidate engineering technicians and technologists to demonstrate that they are capable of applying their acquired knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values in their working environment in South Africa.( ECSA, 2002) work INTEGRATED LEARNING IN ELECTRICAL engineering AT UNISA 3 engineering Council of South Africa ECSA is a statutory body established in terms of the engineering Profession Act, 2000 (Act No. 46 of 2000). Apart from administrative provisions, the principal focus of the Act is aimed at promoting the safety, health and interests of the public in relation to the engineering work and professional conduct of persons registered with ECSA.

5 In order to achieve the Act s main focus, ECSA is empowered to perform a variety of functions. A function greatly impacting on UNISA s School of engineering is their setting and auditing of academic standards for purposes of registration through a process of accreditation of engineering programmes at universities and universities of technology. In terms of Section 13 of the engineering Profession of South Africa Act (No. 46 of 2000), ( ECSA, 2002) ECSA must conduct accreditation visits to any educational institution at least once during its term of Council (four years). ECSA must either conditionally or unconditionally grant, refuse or withdraw accreditation with regard to all educational institutions and their educational programmes with regard to engineering .

6 This duty is performed in consultation with the Council on Higher Education (CHE). ECSA carries out accreditation of programmes offered by universities of technology and comprehensive universities in order (ECSA, 2002): To establish whether the qualifications awarded from the programmes meet the educational requirements leading towards registration as Professional engineering Technologists, Professional Certificated Engineers, Professional engineering Technicians. To establish whether the diplomates or graduates from the respective programmes are ready for employment and are equipped to continue LEARNING throughout their careers. work INTEGRATED LEARNING IN ELECTRICAL engineering AT UNISA 4 To establish international comparability of the programmes. To assure the public of the quality of the programmes.

7 To encourage improvement and innovation in engineering education in response to national and global needs. Currently ECSA accredits only the National diploma : engineering and B Tech Degree engineering qualifications that are offered by universities of technology and comprehensive universities. All disciplines in UNISA s School of engineering have been fully accredited to offer the National diploma and BTech degree. The next accreditation visit will take place in 2012. Re-Curriculation As the HEQF document has only recently been promulgated (HEQF 2007) not many engineering faculties/colleges at HEI s have considered the implications thereof as it only becomes evident once attempting to unpack the curricula Higher Certificate (HC) This qualification will primarily be vocational or industry orientated providing basic introductory knowledge for further studies with the emphasis on general principles and applications.

8 Typically, the Higher Certificate includes a WIL component. Completion of the Higher Certificate meets the minimum entry requirement (EDU 2005) to an appropriate Advanced Certificate (AC). Credits accumulated may also be presented for admission to a cognate diploma only (HEQF 2007). Discussion: As the qualification is vocational or industry oriented part of the 10 modules will need to be workshop based. This will imply that the WIL components will in turn need to be structured into 12 credit modules and approved by SAQA. Currently WIL is not accredited by SAQA. This aspect alone poses a huge challenge on HEI s. Although progression to the diploma is permissible, the minimum admission requirement may be problematic as institutions may allow scholars to register for this qualification having a rating work INTEGRATED LEARNING IN ELECTRICAL engineering AT UNISA 5 lower than 3.

9 The HEQF document indicates that a Higher Certificate may be presented for admission to the second year level of a diploma . However, an interim measure prohibits such progression in that only 50% of a completed qualification may be transferred to another qualification, provided that no more than 50% of the credits required for the other qualification are credits that have been used for a completed qualification (HEQF 2007). diploma The diploma could be professional, vocational or industry orientated and will be characterised by the curriculum. This qualification is to develop graduates with focused knowledge who can demonstrate the necessary skills as required of a technician. Accreditation of the programme is conducted by the engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

10 The curriculum for the diploma is designed in conjunction with Vocational and Industry developed programmes and will include WIL components. The completion of a diploma meets the minimum entry requirement for admission to an Advanced diploma or to a Bachelor s Degree. Accumulated credits may be presented for admission into a cognate Bachelor s Degree. No qualification may be awarded for early exit from the diploma programme (HEQF 2007). Discussion: Somewhat confusing is that the minimum admission requirement for a BEng Tech degree is either a diploma or a NSC having a rating of 4. The question is, does the candidate meet the minimum requirement for a BEng Tech degree because initially the candidate with a rating of 3 only qualifies for entry to a diploma . Although the diploma is a 360 credit qualification it is not equivalent to a 3 year qualification, hence it is felt that students would be undertaking the same work as for a BEng Tech degree but will not be receiving the same recognition.