INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES OFFICE (IAPO)

EXECUTIVE REPORT OF ACTIVITIES AND HIGHLIGHTS 2004

IAPO’s vision is to make UCT sought after as Africa’s “international” university

To be a “world class” university UCT must interact in the global arena. This interaction is required in all facets of the university’s activities: teaching, curricula, research, administration, student recruitment, staff development, service provision, fund-raising, marketing, etc. This multifaceted global connectedness is what is meant by internationalisation. It is the function of IAPO to facilitate and develop internationalisation at UCT.

Internationalisation will provide:

  • the benchmark against which UCT can be measured,

and

  • the opportunities for improving its position as a world-class African university(grow UCT’s global profile)
  • enhance UCT’s research identity
  • create a rich student experience
  • create opportunities for UCT to share its expertise
  • assist to secure financial security

This report considers 2004 activities under the following headings:

  1. International Students
  2. Student Mobility: Semester Study Abroad Student Exchanges
  3. USHEPiA and Other Initiatives in Africa
  4. Interaction with UCT
  5. Interaction with Outside Organisations
  6. International Agreements & Outward Exchanges
  7. Staff
  8. Financial Summary
  9. Areas of Concern

1.International Students

  • 3,908 (2003 = 3462) international students from 97 (2003 = 92) different countries studied at UCT in 2004 comprising 19% of the student body.
  • 2,353 of these were from SADC countries (60%).
  • 1,400 were studying for postgraduate degrees (36%).
  • IAPO arranged a full degree international student orientation programme and on request from faculties, continue to give orientation talks to new international postgraduate students during faculty/departmental orientation programmes throughout the year.
  • IAPO participated in the university-wide training of orientation leaders, house committees and sub-wardens.
  • IAPO pre-registered (check study visas, health insurance and fees status) over 3,500 full degree and short stay international students during orientation week. IAPO continues to pre-register research students throughout the academic year.
  • 2 members of the international full degree student support section presented papers at the 8th Annual IEASA Conference held in Cape Town in September 2004.
  • 2 members of the international full degree student support section attended the National Association of Student Development Practitioners(NASDEV) Conference in Durban in September.
  • IAPO facilitated meetings between students and various industries from Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia and Uganda with the specific objective of job placement for graduates.
  • IAPO contributed to the IEASA information guide by providing up to date information on key UCT masters courses.
  • IAPO developed linkages with USAID and the Kellogg Foundation to facilitate placement of postgraduate students funded by those organizations.Continued to maintain relationships with various country embassies.
  • IAPO co-ordinated and hosted UCT’s International Day celebrations during orientation in February, the World at UCT Festival in August and Africa University Day celebrations in November.
  • IAPO conducted an International Student survey to determine the level of international student satisfaction about services rendered to them by IAPO and other related centres of assistance at UCT(Report available).
  • IAPO continues to improve the documentation sent to returning and new international students. In 2004, the full degree student support section mailed out over 3000 letters to returning and new international students.
  • UCT’s international stature has grown considerably and more and more prospective students have constantly made email, telephonic, office visits and postal enquiries.
  • The IAPO webpage was updated periodically to respond to the queries of both current and prospective applicants.
  • IAPO continues to provide advice and counselling to students throughout the academic year.
  • IAPO continued to work with all the campus student organizations and societies focused on international students
  • IAPO participated in UCT’s Parent Information Day and UCT Open Day

2Student Mobility: Semester Study Abroad and Student Exchanges

  • 579(2003 = 449) Semester Study Abroad (SSA) students spent time at UCT (the majority of these were from the USA, but increasingly we are receiving Scandinavian students on the programme – a total of 63 in 2004).
  • A full, 6-day orientation programme was provided at the start of each semester.
  • Academic advisors were appointed specifically for SSA students.
  • IAPO provided ongoing counseling and advice to SSA students.
  • Close contact was maintained with the contracted Personal Support Service that is used by some of our partner universities.
  • All SSA students were assisted with finding private accommodation (35 students were accommodated in Forest Hill Residence). However the shortage of accommodation for SSA students continues to be a major problem for IAPO, and a critical limiting factor on the size of the programme.
  • IAPO developed linkages with SHAWCO and 213 SSA and exchange students received certificates for working on SHAWCO community projects.
  • Details of all SSA were recorded with their Consulates in SA.
  • The Council for International Education Exchange has a Resident Director and Assistant based within IAPO. Council provided 125 students during 2004.
  • IAPO also works with Interstudy who brought 59 SSA students to UCT in 2004.
  • One member of the IAPO SSA team attended the annual NAFSA (American Association of International Educators) conference in Baltimore.
  • The Head: IAPO attended a Swedish international recruitment fair in Stockholm.
  • UCT hosted 50exchange students.
  • IAPO sent 3 academic, 1 PASS staff members, 16 undergraduate and 6 post graduate exchange students to partner universities in North America and Europe.

3USHEPiA and Other Initiatives in Africa

  • Three PhD degrees and one Masters degree were awarded. This brings the total to nineteen PhD and six Masters degrees awarded since the Programme inception in 1996.
  • Three theses have been submitted for external examination.
  • Seven high ranking academic visitors were hosted by IAPO’s Africa Office.
  • Seven annual reports were submitted to the three major donor organizations.
  • Two funding proposals are currently with donor organizations.
  • Six USHEPiA home supervisors visited UCT.
  • Ten UCT USHEPiA supervisors visited home universities.
  • A USHEPiA Vice Chancellors meeting was held in Cape Town to discuss the external evaluation report on the Programme.
  • A USHEPiA International Steering Committee meeting was held in Kampala.
  • The USHEPiA Office held briefing meetings with representatives from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Rockefeller Foundation in Nairobi.
  • The Africa Links Administrator presented a paper on USHEPiA at the IEASA (International Education Association of South Africa) meeting in Cape Town.
  • The Africa Links Administrator attended the Internationalization in Higher Education conference in Port Elizabeth.
  • The USHEPiA Project Leader visited the Vice Chancellor, University of Dar es Salaam in November 2003.
  • Several local meetings were organized, including the annual Management Committee meeting, Supervisors meetings, and Fellows meetings.
  • An initiative for the development of understanding of Intellectual Property at USHEPiA partner universities is under way.
  • Initiation of the Humanities & Social Sciences 2004 Cohort of 5 PhD students.
  • A Small Grants scheme has been developed in order to support further research by successful USHEPiA Fellows who have returned home.
  • A pilot initiative was launched to develop thesis structure and writing skills among USHEPiA Fellows.
  • Funding has been received to explore the possibilities of benchmarking in postgraduate research and teaching among USHEPiA partner universities.
  • USHEPiA information monitoring and dissemination requires more proactive attention.
  • Daily and exhaustive support given to the Fellows and the Programme.
  • Regular contact is kept with the majority of the USHEPiA Fellows, past and present.
  • The Director, Internationalization is Chair of the Board of All Africa House and the Africa Links Administrator has been acting as Servicing Officer for meetings of this Board.
  • Meetings have been held with African academic visitors to UCT and assistance provided in setting up contacts with UCT counterparts.
  • A number of concept documents on possible collaboration with other universities across the Africa continent have been prepared.
  • IAPO has proposed a Strategic Initiative that will take UCT students into Africa on an Exchange Opportunity, this pilot project can be funding from prior year reserves.

4Interaction with UCT

  • The Director, Internationalization served on the Organizing Committee for the AAU Conference to be held in February 2005 in Cape Town.
  • The Director, Internationalization convened the UCTPASS Forum on a monthly basis.
  • The Director, Internationalization served on the International Postgraduate Scholarship Committee.
  • IAPO staff served on the Board of All Africa House, the Board of the Centre for Marine Studies, a number of University employment selection committees, and regularly attend Faculty Officers meetings and SCC (previously called HUC).
  • IAPO staff served on the Centre for Open Learning Implementation Committee, the Recognition of Prior Learning Working Group and the Continuing Education / HEQC criterion 5 working group. In addition, IAPO served on the selection committees for the Student Leadership Awards, the IAPO Outward Exchanges Committee and the Mellon-Mayes Undergraduate Fellowship Award.
  • IAPO staff members have actively participated with the ISIS team around implementation of PeopleSoft

5Interaction with Outside Organisations

  • IAPO staff met with over 80 delegations/individuals from other institutions.
  • IAPO is a member of the Association of International Educators (NAFSA), the European Association of International Education (EAIE) and the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA).
  • IAPO organized and hosted the IEASA Conference of 2004 for about 200 people from all over South Africa and the rest of the world.
  • All IAPO staff attended the 8th IEASA annual meeting in Cape Town. IAPO staff presented 3 papers and convened3 workshops.
  • IAPO prepared the conference proceedings (ISBN 0-620-33231-X) (Available on request).
  • One IAPO staff member serves on the Executive of IEASA, as Vice President.
  • Two IAPO staff members attended the Annual National Association of Student Development Practitioners Conference (NASDEV).
  • Two IAPO staff members (1 senior, 1 junior) attended the 56th Annual Conference of the Association of International Educators (NAFSA). (Reports available).
  • Two IAPO staff members attended the 16th Annual Conference of the European Association for International Education (EAIE). One session given. (Reports available).
  • IAPO maintains a resources centre on universities worldwide.
  • IAPO continues to provide input from the Tertiary Education sector on the regulations for the new Immigration Act.
  • There is a continuing relationship with the School for International Training who pay to utilise UCT facilities.
  • IAPO welcomed free-standing academic programmes (visiting faculty and students making use of UCT’s facilities but not enrolling for UCT courses) from the University of California at Davis, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Howard University, Hunter College (along with Creative Writing and English Departments) and Stanford University.
  • Through meetings organised by IEASA Western Cape, IAPO maintains contact with the Western Cape Provincial Government.

6International Agreements & Outward Exchanges

  • More than 30 inter-institutional Memoranda of Understanding were on file.
  • 42 Departmental / Faculty agreements were on file in IAPO (this is recognised only to be a subset of the agreements that actually exist).
  • Formal agreements provide opportunities for UCT students and staff to participate in exchanges.
  • 17 Study Abroad agreements are on record.
  • The Head: IAPO visited partner universities in Austria and Sweden to develop or renew agreements. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Internationalisation) participated in the trip to Austria.
  • The Outward Exchanges Selection Committee met three times in 2004 to award exchange opportunities for UCT students and staff.
  • During 2004, we awarded 20 undergraduate exchanges (including the Student Leadership award), 9 postgraduate exchanges and 7 staff exchanges. Some awards will be taken up in 2005.
  • IAPO sent 3 academic, 1 PASS staff members, 16 undergraduate and 6 post graduate exchange students to partner universities in North America and Europe. IAPO usually paid 50% of the airfare costs and a subsistence stipend was offered to the staff/ student in terms of the exchange agreements.
  • 4 visiting academics and exchange partner staff were been hosted by IAPO in 2004.
  • IAPO participated in the UCT Postgraduate Open Day by giving a presentation on the exchange opportunities and providing an information stand. We also participated in a UCT radio talk show about exchange opportunities for UCT students.

7Staff

By the end of 2004 IAPO comprised 19 Staff Members, with 1 T1 Contract post vacant.

  • Head
/
  • Finance Clerk

  • Director Internationalisation (part-time)
/
  • Front Office Liaison Officer

  • Manager: Finance and Administration
/
  • Receptionist

  • Manager: International Students & Linkages
/
  • Africa Links Assistant

  • Study Abroad Coordinator
/
  • Study Abroad Assistant

  • International Student Officer
/
  • Study Abroad Assistant

  • Africa Links Administrator
/
  • Exchange Coordinator (part-time)

  • Postgraduate Programmes Coordinator
/
  • International student Assistant

  • Study Abroad Housing Coordinator – T2
/
  • Finance Clerk – T1

  • Travel and Finance Administrator
/
  • Vacant – Personal Assistant – T1

Equity profile

  • African:4White: 7Coloured: 8
  • Female: 16Male: 3

8Financial summary 2004

  • IAPO’s ROT for 2004 is a deficit of R 1,454,213 (2003 = deficit of R 1,955,343), this represents anR 501,130 improvement from 2003.
  • Planned ROT for 2004 was a deficit of R 3,368,328 meaning IAPO exceeded its target by R 1,914,114 (57% improvement)
  • Primary reasons for the R 1,914,114 better than forecast ROT were:

1)The higher number of international fee paying students (295 increase), resulting in greater retainer income (R 685,473 increase).

2)Higher income from management fees from USHEPiA (R691,142 increase)

3)Increased income from other sources such as Island Programmes, re-imbursements from partner universities for unused opportunities.

4)Rentals and rental deposits for SSA students also increased, though expenses also show an increase due to these amounts being paid out to landlords

5)Costs were contained andonly increased by R374,924 over budget despite the higher student numbers. These higher numbers has however resulted in excessive pressure on some staff members.

6)Savings were made within our Exchanges budget due to the non re-admittance of the final FAWE student that IAPO had budgeted to sponsor (R 65,000).

7)Only R 77,830 additional costs were incurred on SSA Orientation, despite the huge increase in numbers. This was due to economies of scale, plus some cut-backs made in what was offered.

8)R 85,000 was saved in IAPO travel due in part to the weaker US Dollar, and the fact that some trips were paid for by various partners and sponsors.

9)Reduced staffing costs in part due to maternity credits received in 2004 and vacant posts.

10) Savings on Conference Fees, S&T, Overseas Accommodation etc due to the weak Dollar.

  • The costs of running the IAPO office (including running the Study Abroad Programme each semester) was R 4,408,137 (2003 = 4,104,835). This amount includes staffing and office operating costs from all areas within IAPO, but excludes costs relating to sending outward exchanges (i.e. non IAPO travel airfares etc) and ‘in-out’ costs associated with international students (such as rentals received and paid out etc).
  • Permanent and Contract (T1+) Staff costs totaled R 2,657,347
  • IAPO spent R 244,991 in sending non-IAPO staff and students overseas in terms of UCT’s international agreements. As a rule we pay 50% of the airfare for outward exchange students (100% if on Financial Aid).
  • IAPOaccumulated some 23 Exchange Opportunities for UCT Students and Staff from overseas agreements (resources provided to our staff and students when in the foreign country).
  • IAPO contributed R 37,500 to SHAWCO (for SSA Student participation) and R 72,000 to the UCT library (for Island Programme Groups access).

(Refer to Annex 1 for international fee summary per faculty)

  • During 2004 IAPO collected international fees totaling $ 3,235,750 (2003 = $ 2,052,146), which converted into R 29,817,436 (2003 = R 24,379,494) after Rand Hedging.
  • In terms of billing this represents a $ 1,183,604 increase year on year.
  • The Rand Hedge rate for 2004 was $ 1: R 9.22 (2003 = $ 1 : R 11.88)
  • International fee profits totaled R 19,691,351, which is R 5,023,593 greater than budget
  • Increased growth in FDS numbers can mainly be attributed to the charging of international fees to Masters and PhD students for the first time in 2004

9Areas of Concern going forward into 2005

  • The conflicting pressures of programme / income growth versus Faculty capacity being experienced by SSA needs to be resolved.
  • SSA Growth can only occur with increased accommodation being sourced (either from Student Housing or from private landlords).
  • Service duplication e.g. IAPO finds itself compelled to assist full degree international students to find accommodation.
  • The lack of a clear identification of UCT Departments with a capacity and willingness to take on more postgraduate research students. This makes it difficult for IAPO to recruit top international research students into UCT’s Centres of Excellence and postgraduate studies in general.
  • The lack of a clear UCT strategy with respect to new Africa initiatives and approaches from China.
  • Lack of Faculty buy-in to the outward mobility of UCT students facilitated by IAPO in terms of signed institutional agreements.
  • Lack of credible academic profile of IAPO and subsequent deterioration of ties with Deans and Faculty.
  • Recent neglect of Consular relations and relations with regional Home Affairs offices.

4 February 2005

Report compiled by:

R. F. CANNING

Acting Head of IAPO

L. HOFFENBERG

Manager: International Students & Linkages

N. WARNER

Africa Links Administrator

C. OJWANG

Postgraduate Programmes Officer

L. Y. SHACKLETON

Director: Internationalisation

C:\Documents and Settings\rcanning\My Documents\Excel\IAPOFINANCE\2004Budget\rept2004.doc

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Annex 1

International Fee Summary

Full Degree Students
Faculty / Budgeted No's / Actual No's / No's Variance / Actual Revenue $ / Revenue @ R 9.22 / Budgeted Profit / Actual Hedging Profit / Profit Variance / IAPO Retainer ZAR
COMM / 34 / 45 / 11 / $240,600 / 2,217,129 / 1,156,154 / 1,403,329 / 247,175 / 111,250
EBE / 27 / 46 / 19 / $263,000 / 2,423,545 / 962,538 / 1,512,910 / 550,372 / 112,500
LAW / 8 / 61 / 53 / $173,800 / 1,601,567 / 254,420 / 623,607 / 369,187 / 127,500
HSF / 5 / 14 / 9 / $73,400 / 676,381 / 159,292 / 544,676 / 385,384 / 32,500
SCI / 14 / 30 / 16 / $152,250 / 1,402,984 / 523,666 / 922,059 / 398,393 / 72,500
HUM / 72 / 111 / 39 / $554,550 / 5,110,178 / 2,663,640 / 3,335,548 / 671,908 / 260,000
Sub-Total / 160 / 307 / 147 / $1,457,600 / 13,431,784 / 5,719,710 / 8,342,129 / 2,622,419 / 716,250
Semester Study Abroad
(2 Semesters)
Faculty / Budgeted No's / Actual No's / No's Variance / Actual Revenue $ / Revenue @ R 9.22 / Budgeted Profit / Actual Hedging Profit / Profit Variance / IAPO Retainer ZAR
COMM / 29 / 60 / 31 / 212,400 / 1,957,266 / 720,537 / 1,371,082 / 650,544 / 150,000
EBE / 14 / 9 / -5 / 30,550 / 281,518 / 348,535 / 195,596 / -152,939 / 22,500
LAW / 18 / 11 / -7 / 39,600 / 364,914 / 447,403 / 427,402 / -189,743 / 27,500
HSF / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0
SCI / 29 / 31 / 2 / 106,050 / 977,251 / 720,537 / 684,761 / -35,776 / 77,500
HUM / 270 / 397 / 127 / 1,389,550 / 12,804,703 / 6,711,036 / 8,840,125 / 2,129,089 / 991,723
Sub-Total / 360 / 508 / 148 / 1,778,150 / 16,385,652 / 8,948,048 / 11,349,222 / 2,401,174 / 1,269,223
TOTAL / 520 / 815 / 295 / $ 3,235,750 / R 29,817,436 / R 14,667,758 / R 19,691,351 / R 5,023,593 / R 1,985,473

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