The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is evaluating the Khampepe report of the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of Racism at Stellenbosch University and its findings.
They state that the report will have a significant impact on the University as well as offer lessons to other South African universities regarding issues of racism.
A member of the national Assembly Sanele Zondo questioned whether the Khampepe report will result in the department putting plans in place to convert some of the specified recommendations into best practice guidelines for all universities in the country.
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande stated that the department does not put in place specific strategies for all universities as the institutions put their own guidelines in place, but they are held accountable by the DHET.
Nzimande said that universities should study the Commission's report and its findings and recommendations and consider lessons to learn for effective changes at their institutions.
"The circumstances and environments of our institutions of higher learning are unique to each individual institution. Therefore, there is no one solution to a problem that could be applied across the sector in this regard." said the Minister.
The Department believes the individual histories, cultures and circumstances at each university should be considered when making changes to guidelines.
The University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP) is implemented by the Department to focus on advancing the transformation in the university education system in areas such as student development/success, staff development and programme/curriculum development.
Universities are given an annual UCDP grant and are required to use the grant to implement three-year project plans from 2021 to 2023 approved by the DHET and addresses the transformation goals of the UCDP.
Each university uses this grant to develop projects that are specific to their individual transformation needs and student support initiatives that include psychosocial supoort, academic support and life skills.
