Middle managers are a valued and essential resource in higher education. To meet the challenges of the complex and changing HE environment in South Africa, these managers need continuing professional development. Many staff development needs are generic, and regional collaboration in the provision of training events to meet such generic needs will form the foundation for the development of a strong HE region in a transforming national system.
The Creating the Leading-Edge Programme (CLE) has been developed by and for the universities in the Western Cape and is presented under the auspices of the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC). The programme is designed to meet the capacity development needs of academic and administrative middle managers and to create effective networks of key managers in the Western Cape. The programme is designed for academic Heads of Departments, Research Group Heads, and Support/Professional staff managers. (Guideline: Graduate or graduate equivalent, over 5 years work experience, new managers or experienced managers).
This is the eighteenth year of this very successful regional development programme for middle managers working in higher education.
The programme is presented in modular form. The core courses constitute a comprehensive management development programme based on the essential competencies that all leaders and managers need. A CHEC certificate, recognised by all the universities in the region, is presented to those who successfully complete all the core courses. However, managers not wishing to attend all the core courses, may enrol for one or any number of courses subject to their development needs. In addition to the core courses, participants may choose from two elective courses.
It is highly recommended that participants register for the course on the Higher Education Context, as this course provides an essential understanding of the South African higher education environment that all higher education leaders and managers should possess.
Note: The CHEC Board has approved a process for the re-design of the Creating the Leading-Edge Programme, leading to the introduction of a revised programme from 2021 onwards. This means that 2020 is the last year in which the programme will be presented in its current format. Staff who wish to complete courses that are outstanding from previous years, are advised to do so during 2020. As far as possible, staff who enrol in the programme for the first time in 2020, will be advised on equivalent courses that they should take in the revised programme in order to complete the CLE programme.