Browsing by Subject "Development"
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- ItemOpen AccessAn activity theory analysis of how management of a private higher education institution interpret and engage with re-accreditation(2021) Reid, Rhiannon Sara; Cliff, AlanThe aim of this study was to provide an in-depth understanding of how a single private provider conducted an application for re-accreditation in line with the recently revised accreditation framework set out by the Council on Higher Education. This framework aims to promote an integrated approach to accreditation and increased autonomy for higher education institutions with regard to the reaccreditation of programmes. The research unpacked how accreditation was understood and applied within the context of the institution, placing emphasis on understanding the elements that promoted or inhibited quality as well as the tensions and contradictions that arose within this process. The driving question addressed by this research was: How does management within a South African private higher education institution engage with the re-accreditation process? Literature revealed that there is limited research on understanding quality assurance in private higher education in South Africa, and specifically on accreditation. Cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) was considered the most effective lens to interpret the findings of this study, as research indicates that it is for teasing out the historical and cultural contradictions within as well as between people, tools and the environment within complex educational systems. Multiple data-gathering techniques, including semi-structured in-depth interviews, participant observations and documentation reviews, were conducted. The findings of this study illuminate the critical role of management and their respective interpretations of quality in the shaping of the application for re-accreditation, that balanced quality development and accountability requirements. The study highlighted contradictions and issues that inhibited meaningful engagement with accreditation as well as the enhancement of programme and institutional quality.
- ItemOpen AccessBiomedical research, a tool to address the health issues that affect African populations(BioMed Central Ltd, 2013) Peprah, Emmanuel; Wonkam, AmbroiseTraditionally, biomedical research endeavors in low to middle resources countries have focused on communicable diseases. However, data collected over the past 20years by the World Health Organization (WHO) show a significant increase in the number of people suffering from non-communicable diseases (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, cancer and pulmonary diseases). Within the coming years, WHO predicts significant decreases in communicable diseases while non-communicable diseases are expected to double in low and middle income countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The predicted increase in the non-communicable diseases population could be economically burdensome for the basic healthcare infrastructure of countries that lack resources to address this emerging disease burden. Biomedical research could stimulate development of healthcare and biomedical infrastructure. If this development is sustainable, it provides an opportunity to alleviate the burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases through diagnosis, prevention and treatment. In this paper, we discuss how research using biomedical technology, especially genomics, has produced data that enhances the understanding and treatment of both communicable and non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. We further discuss how scientific development can provide opportunities to pursue research areas responsive to the African populations. We limit our discussion to biomedical research in the areas of genomics due to its substantial impact on the scientific community in recent years however, we also recognize that targeted investments in other scientific disciplines could also foster further development in African countries.
- ItemMetadata onlyEnhancing rural road policy: The case for the incorporation of the capabilities approach into rural road appraisal in Africa(CSSR and SALDRU, 2015-05-28) Porter, Stephen
- ItemMetadata onlyMilitary Expenditure, Economic Growth and HeterogeneityDunne, John Paul; Tian, Nan
- ItemOpen AccessOptimal pricing for national park entrance fees in Zambia(2013) Chikumbi, Lydia Mwelwa; Muchapondwa, EdwinThis study seek to investigate whether the optimal entrance fees for Zambia’s national parks with particular focus on the four most popular parks namely South Luangwa, Mosi-oa-tunya, Lower Zambia, and Kafue are optimal. This study collects data from tourists which it then uses to estimate the parks visitation demand functions, the price and income elasticities. Using price elasticity estimates, optimal conservation fees are estimated. The study employs the contingent behaviour approach to elicit park visitors’ behaviour in response to changes in entrance fees. This is done for both actual and hypothetical scenarios. The study reveals that demand elasticities estimated at the four parks are fairly different, demonstrating the heterogeneity characterizing both tourist behavior and park attraction and amenities. The cross price elasticity that was estimated showed that substitutability in visitation demand existed in all the four parks. This entails that increasing price at one park can effectively influence tourists to move from that park to another.
- ItemOpen AccessProduction upgrading and skills development in the Western Cape clothing sector: are industry requirements being met by institutional policy implications?(2016) Christie, Zara Danielle; Morris, MichaelThis research paper presents an overview and analysis of skills development in the Western Cape clothing sector in the context of production upgrading. The analysis touches on the broader South African skills development framework and industrial policy towards the clothing sector, notably the shift from mass production towards the adoption of Lean Production and the Quick Response retail model. As clothing firms based in the Western Cape evolved their production strategies and moved up the value-chain and towards Lean Production methods and Quick Response capabilities, skills requirements also evolved. As such, suitable skills development initiatives are required to support this evolution and industry innovation. Skills development institutions such as SETAs are unable to provide the necessary training required by these firms to successfully transition to the new production methods and retail supply model, with skills gaps and shortages occurring both at a technical and managerial level. Due to publicly funded institutions not providing the required associated training, a number of manufacturing firms are privately funding training programmes for their workers in an attempt to resolve this problem, but many cannot afford this intervention. While privately provided skills training may be a short-term transitional solution, it is not sustainable to ensure overall industry development, growth and success as firms undertake the implementation of evolved production methodologies and implement the Quick Response retail model.
- ItemOpen AccessSetting priorities for mental health care in Nepal: a formative study(BioMed Central Ltd, 2013) Jordans, Mark; Luitel, Nagendra; Tomlinson, Mark; Komproe, IvanBACKGROUND:There is an urgent need to address the massive treatment gap for mental health problems, especially in low income settings. Packages of care integrated in routine primary health care are posited as a strategy to scale-up mental health care, yet more needs to be known about the most feasible and effective way to go about this. METHODS: The study follows a combined methods design that includes engaging an expert panel in a priority setting exercise, running workshops to develop a Theory of Change and conducting in-depth qualitative interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders. The results of each research step were taken forward to inform the subsequent one. RESULTS: There was strong endorsement for a system of care that encompasses both the perspectives of health facility and the community. Issues related to increasing access and demand, guaranteeing a sustainable supply of psychotropic medicine, adequate human resourcing, and ensuring positive family involvement came up as priority areas of attention. CONCLUSION: The study underlines many of the known barriers in developing mental health services. At the same time it provides a distinct pathway and concrete recommendations for overcoming these challenges in Nepal.
- ItemMetadata onlySouth Africa’s evolving political settlement in comparative perspective(2015-05-28) Levy, Brian; Hirsch, Alan; Woolard, Ingrid
- ItemOpen AccessThe Cape Triage Score - a triage system for South Africa(2006) Wallis, L A; Gottschalk, S B; Wood, D; Bruijns, S; De Vries, S; Balfour, C HThe Cape Triage Score (CTS) has been derived by the Cape Triage Group (CTG) for use in emergency units throughout South Africa. It can also be used in the pre-hospital setting, although it is not designed for mass casualty situations. The CTS comprises a physiologically based scoring system and a list of discriminators, designed to triage patients into one of five priority groups for medical attention. Three versions have been developed, for adults, children and infants. As part of the ongoing assessment process the CTG would value feedback from the readers of this Journal.
- ItemRestrictedThe development and climate nexus: The case of sub-Saharan Africa(2003) Davidson, Ogunlade; Halsnaes, Kirsten; Huq, Saleemul; Kok, Marcel; Metz, Bert; Sokona, Youba; Verhagen, JanThis paper explores an alternative approach to future climate policies in developing countries. Although climate change seems marginal compared to the pressing issues of poverty alleviation and economic development, it is becoming clear that the realisation of development goals may be hampered by climate change. However, development can be shaped in such a way as to achieve its goals and at the same time reduce vulnerability to climate change, thereby facilitating sustainable development that realises economic, social, local and global environmental goals. This approach has been coined the 'development first approach', in which a future climate regime should focus on development strategies with ancillary climate benefits and increase the capability of developing countries to implement these. This is anticipated to offer· a possible positive way out of the current deadlock between North and South in the climate negotiations. First, elements are presented for an integrated approach to development ahd climate; second, the approach is elaborated for food and energy security in sub-Saharan Africa; and third, possibilities are outlined for international mechanisms to support such integrated development and climate strategies.