ENGAGE 19 – Higher Education Professionalisation

Higher education professionalisation refers to the systematic efforts to develop and enhance the skills, knowledge, and competencies of all staff in higher education, from academic staff involved in teaching and learning (T&L), to senior and executive leadership, as well as support, management and professionals in student affairs and services (SAS) and allied domains. The professionalisation of these roles is critical for ensuring that universities and other higher education institutions meet the demands of an increasingly complex and globalised educational landscape.

The concept of professionalisation in higher education is not limited to South Africa but extends across the African continent and beyond. This ENGAGE discussed the challenges and achievements of various efforts and diverse programmes aimed at professionalising HE leadership, T&L and SAS staff, focusing on enhancing their capabilities to better impact the context to promote student and institutional success.

The goals of professionalisation programmes in higher education are multi-faceted. They aim to improve the quality of education by equipping staff with pedagogical competencies, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring that staff are well-prepared to engage with the complexities of advancing student and institutional success. However, the professionalisation of higher education staff is not without its challenges. There are often ambiguities and confusion about what professionalisation entails, particularly given the diverse roles and responsibilities within the sector. Indeed, the key question is: how does one, even should one, professionalise a domain that is as diverse, textured and varied as HE staff, indeed, which profession are we even talking about?

Prof Kasturi Behari-Leak from the University of Cape Town leads DHET-funded efforts to support the professional development of T&L staff. She will be joined by Prof Birgit Schreiber (University of the Western Cape) who has led and researched a number of professionalisation programmes in higher education.