University of the Western Cape

With respect to comments that pre-Mandela South African degrees are not accepted, this is certainly not true in the USA, at least for science and engineering degrees.

As far as engineering degrees are concerned, most states use the NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying), which has granted "substantial equivalency" status (relative to ABET accreditation in US) to many South African programs.

 

Furthermore, it is widely known that, within the theological disciplines, there was a significant exodus of South African scholars to other countries during apartheid. Some sources suggest that, during this period, South Africa had difficulty holding onto many of its most bright and promising theological scholars. Many took off for places like the Netherlands, the UK, the USA, etc. So, at least where theology is concerned, not only were South African degrees widely accepted during apartheid, but South African theologians were also widely accepted during this same period. This is not surprising, because South Africa has a long, rich tradition of excellence in theology. It also is not surprising because many of South Africa's theological faculties actually dissented against injustices of apartheid. So, there was a recognition that one's being from SA didn't necessarily make him a bigot, and one's having been educated in SA didn't necessarily mean that that education was permeated with the apartheid worldview.

 

Very interesting. I appreciate your posting that. It also goes back to what I said about painting with a broad brush. One can no more make an assertion that because someone graduated from a school during that era that they were racist than you could assume anyone who graduated from a Southern US school during segregation was a racist. In fact within South Africa probably less of a case could be made due to the fact that the country as a whole was under the same law. If those individuals Peter mentions are indeed suffering from discrimination by the Australian HR departments then I would say that those HR people certainly lack discernment and the ability to make logical inferences.

North

 

Nothing to do with NOOSR - but I will check. The statements were simply that '...our degrees are not recognised outside of South Africa...' and clearly illustrated in their salaries. I used to be their GM, and will endeavour to get further information.

Peter French