Institutional research in higher education in South Africa : Looking Ahead
Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SUN PRESS
Abstract
The fact that the Southern African Association (SAAIR) is nearing its 25th year, is evidence
that Institutional Research (IR) has built a strong presence in South African higher education.
Unfortunately, this is not yet evident in other countries in the region. The professional
practice that has become known as “institutional research” is, of course, much older than
the Association that was established by IR practitioners. Similarly, IR encompasses much
more in South and Southern Africa than the activities of the Association.
IR continues to widen its areas of influence and support, and IR practitioners are called
upon to assist in a myriad of decision-support tasks that will help to make higher education
in South Africa and the region only stronger. IR practitioners are valued for their analytic
and technical skills and their higher education practices and processes. They are also valued
because of their ability to place the issues within the context of the specific institution,
cognisant of unique student, staff, or historical and cultural issues that must be considered.
As we reflect on the formation and current status of IR in South Africa as evidenced in
this book, it is notable that the SAAIR was established in 1994, the year in which the first
democratic elections in the country took place. South African society, including the higher
education system, changed significantly in the first two decades of democracy. Despite
these changes, the student protests in South Africa that erupted in 2015 and that continue
in 2016, can be attributed to the students’ experience and their belief that much more
remains to be done: huge inequalities remain in the system and in institutions, the demand
for study opportunities outpaces the available opportunities, student fees have become
unaffordable for most students, and at a deeper level, the curriculum and the ethos of higher
education institutions still predominantly reflect Western values, traditions and practices.
The transformation agenda that was inaugurated in 1994 remains unfinished. The story of
IR in South Africa is closely intertwined with the transformation agenda, both in terms of the
gains of the past twenty years, and also of the many changes that lie ahead.
Description
CITATION: Webber, K., Muller, N. & Botha, J. 2016. Institutional Research in Higher Education in South Africa: Looking Ahead, in J. Botha & N. J. Muller (eds.). Institutional Research in South African Higher Education: Intersecting Contexts and Practices. Stellenboach: SUN PRESS. 361-367. doi:10.18820/9781928357186/18.
The original publication is available from AFRICAN SUNMeDIA.
The original publication is available from AFRICAN SUNMeDIA.
Keywords
South Africa -- Higher education, Scholarly publishing, Open access -- Publishing, Libraries and electronic publishing, Libraries and publishing
Citation
Webber, K., Muller, N. & Botha, J. 2016. Institutional Research in Higher Education in South Africa: Looking Ahead, in J. Botha & N. J. Muller (eds.). Institutional Research in South African Higher Education: Intersecting Contexts and Practices. Stellenbosch: SUN PRESS. 361-367. doi:10.18820/9781928357186/18.