South African universities: 'devastating' program cuts

More 'devastating' tertiary cuts

 

Gert: Is it possible to view a copy of this latest Ministry of Education document, or to get a complete list of programmes affected?

 

In my part of the world, provincial governments have basically three functions in regards to universities.

One is to pass legislation authorizing them.

Two is to appoint a board to operate them, usually by ability rather than strictly political considerations.

Three is to write a cheque every year.

At what point does political interference and political expediency render South African degrees suspect in the eyes of the world?

 

In response to uncle janko: I have not seen the document myself. If I find it I will post again.

In response to Dennis Ruhl: I believe that the cuts reported will improve quality by eliminating subsidies for graduate programs for which the faculty are inadequately qualiified (or for which the faculty at other nearby institutions are better qualified).

Incidentally, I think the South African government has a way to go before they get to the level of control over the distribution of university subsidies that prevails in the U.K. (for example).