Higher Education News South Africa

Services SETA collaborates with Finland's HAMK University

As part of Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SSETA) plans to support the delivery of entrepreneurship development and developing lecturers in the early part of 2013, SSETA has initiated a relationship of co-operation and collaboration with HAMK University of Applied Sciences in Finland.

HAMK is a multidisciplinary higher education institution that, in addition to degree-awarding education, offers continuing education and consulting services tailored to meet the needs of individuals, organisations and businesses. HAMK partner network includes over 100 higher education institutions globally. The focus of this relationship is Entrepreneurship Development, e-learning and lecturer development.

Readiness for e-learning

In line with the relationship that was initiated, three representatives from HAMK University arrived in South Africa on 28 October for a week long visit. During this visit, HAMK delegates will be determining South African FET College readiness for e-learning and establish areas that need customisation in entrepreneurship development and lecturer development programmes. Assessing the readiness of South African FET colleges is critical in informing the customisation of entrepreneurship development and lecturer development programmes to ensure efficient roll out and execution.

Praised as having an education system that provides a model for the rest of the world, the Finns also enjoy economic welfare, a stable political environment, functioning healthcare and a high- quality of life, despite its small size. This makes Finland globally competitive. This partnership will promote the growth of a public FET college system that is responsive to sector, local, regional and national skills needs and priorities. This is in line with the National Skills Development Strategy 3 that aims to deepen the understanding of the role of SETA and ensure that the supply of skills is consistent with the needs of the economy and support growth.

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