Dear Colleagues,

As the SARS-CoV-2 virus keeps us all at arm’s length and universities globally turn to e-learning to save the day, the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences is launching its first fully online programme, the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management, as part of the UPOnline project.

As flexibility matters, the fully online modality of this academic programme allows line managers in public service to further their studies, and ultimately their careers, whilst working full-time. As all the modules are offered fully online, students do not have to take leave from their work or travel to attend class. All they need is a computing device and a stable internet connection.

With six start dates per year, students in the online Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management will have the flexibility to start their studies whenever they choose to do so. They register, pay for, and complete one module at a time, which means they can focus all their attention on the module that they are busy with, without having to deal with competing academic assignments, tests and deadlines.

This online qualification is aimed at equipping line managers with the knowledge and skills required to fulfil their management role within the public sector. The curriculum for the programme has been developed in partnership with the National School of Government, and as such is aimed at preparing graduates for a successful management career in government.

Applications for the fully online Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management were officially opened on Wednesday (29 June 2020), with the first module officially kicking off on 29 June 2020. Students who miss the first offering of this exciting new programme will not have to wait long as, going forward, there will be a new intake of students every eight weeks.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management is the first fully online offering by the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, but the second by the University of Pretoria. The other fully online programme is the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Both programmes are fully accredited and form part of the UPOnline project, an independent initiative which aims to broaden access to a select number of high-demand programmes at the University of Pretoria.

Remember, flexibility matters.

Yours sincerely,

Prof Norman Duncan

Vice-Principal: Academic