On Friday 28 October 2022, The Department of Enrolment and Student Administration (DESA) hosted a seminar on International Student Enrolment. 

The main focus of the seminar was to encourage discussion on the International Student Enrolment processes, regulations and practices. The morning session focused on undergraduate enrolment, and in the afternoon the seminar delved deeper into postgraduate enrolment. The seminar delegation represented all of the University’s faculties, including the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).

In his opening remarks, Dr Abbey Mathekga (Director: Department of Enrolment and Student Administration) highlighted the importance of these processes in support of the University of Pretoria’s vision: to be a leading research‐intensive university in Africa, recognised internationally for its quality, relevance and impact, and for developing people, creating knowledge and making a difference locally and globally.

“We cannot achieve our objectives of being internationally recognised without the support of faculties, institutional stakeholders and external partners.” – Dr Abbey Mathekga

Dr Abbey Mathekga (Director: Department of Enrolment and Student Administration)

In line with this view, Dr Mxolisi Masango (Deputy Director: Department of Institutional Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation; Institutional Research & Analytics) provided context to the value of these discussions by outlining the importance of attracting international students and how this aligns with the University’s Strategic Plan (UP Strategic Plan 2022-2026). “International students are very important for UP to realise its vision and strategic goals.” – Dr Mxolisi Masango

Dr Mxolisi Masango (Deputy Director: Department of Institutional Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation; Institutional Research & Analytics)

Phindile Mthimunye (Manager: Admissions, Systems & Projects) and Ansu Vorster (Snr Assistant Director: Enrolment) of the Department of Enrolment and Student Administration explained the undergraduate admission processes; covering required documentation, the new UP Percentage Conversion Table, as well as other resources that can be used to understand international results such as Cambridge and International Baccalaureate (IB).

DESA’s intention is to build sustainable stakeholder relations with external role players within the international post-school environment. Discussions focused on foreign qualifications evaluations, covering USAf Exemption and Cambridge Assessment, as well as risks and challenges of international enrolments and admissions.

Clayton Lesufi from Universities South Africa (USAf) and Joleen Rugg from Cambridge Assessment: International Education, provided an overview of their respective organisations’ role, responsibility and curriculum requirements for school-leaving qualifications. The information shared by USAf and Cambridge Assessment proved valuable in assisting the University to review undergraduate enrolment for applicants who do not follow the National Senior Certificate (NSC) curriculum. “One of the questions that often arise from the prospective foreign student community is the interface between Universities South Africa (USAf) and other foreign qualification bodies.” – Clayton Lesufi

From left: Joleen Rugg (Cambridge Assessment); Clayton Lesufi (USAf); Ansu Vorster (Department of Enrolment and Student Administration) and Phindile Mthimunye (Department of Enrolment and Student Administration)

One of the highlights of the day was an enthralling panel discussion, moderated by Ms Batabile Msengana. The panel consisted of various University of Pretoria inter-departmental representatives. They discussed the University’s standing on international enrolment, in relation to the Higher Education Sector as well as the Policy Framework on Internationalisation of Higher Education (The South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) 2017 Policy Framework on internalisation of higher education). The panel deliberated on

1. UP’s ability to attract international students through its recruitment methods,
2. how UP’s international student landscape compares to that of other institutions of Higher Education, and
3. what the University can do to improve international enrolment.

Trends regarding international prospective students were also discussed, e.g. trends by region, programme-specific requirement, etc.

Wallace Isaacs (Deputy Director: Enrolment and Student Administration) outlined DESA’s primary objective, which is to play a pivotal role in coordinating institutional international enrolment for the University of Pretoria. This includes recruitment, applications systems and admissions support for both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.

Setsipane Mokoduwe (Head: International Cooperation Division) then guided the delegates through the importance of not only focusing on enrolment processes and procedures, but also applying a broader understanding of “Internationalisation at home”, inclusive of exchange partnership programs that may attract prospective international students and those designed to support currently registered students.

From left: Batabile Msengana (Panel Discuss Moderator); Sylvester Siboto (Institutional Recruitment); Cathy Sandis (Faculty of Theology); Setsipane Mokoduwe (International Cooperation Division); Dr Mxolisi Masango (Department of Institutional Planning); Pat April (GIBS); Wallace Isaacs (Department of Enrolment and Student Administration) and Elma Carelsen (Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences)

The seminar on International Student Enrolment also highlighted the need to pay more attention to postgraduate recruitment, enrolment and research support. Dr Carol Nonkwelo (Director: Department of Research and Innovation) detailed the University’s focus to align postgraduate support to the Higher Education internationalisation transformation.  The University should focus more on postgraduate education; more specifically doctoral education.

Dr Carol Nonkwelo (Department of Research and Innovation)

The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) was invited to present its organisational responsibility, the National Qualifications Framework, as well as the procedures followed in the evaluation and recognition of foreign qualifications. Kim Snyders and Caroline Eva from SAQA outlined the processes they follow in the recognition of foreign qualifications, as well as issuing the SAQA Certificate of Evaluation (SCoE). “SAQA follows a two-step process in the recognition of foreign qualifications. First, we verify the accreditation of the foreign institution in the country of origin. Second, we compare the qualification to the South African NQF.” – Caroline Eva

Top:Caroline Eva and Kim Snyders (South African Qualifications Authority)

DESA then charted some of its initiatives which were implemented during the 2022 academic year. These initiatives played a critical role in assisting faculties and internal stakeholders to process and evaluate international applications.

Verona Demas (Manager: Applications, Contracts & Electronic Documents Management) outlined the verification process of postgraduate applications the delegates.

Bronwynne Swarts (Functional System Postgraduate Coordinator) then summarised the newly launched Evaluation Workflow Management System and how this system assists in streamlining the evaluation of postgraduate applications.

In closing, Batabile Msengana (International Enrolment Specialist) explained the new Foreign Qualification Review process, which has played an important role in assisting faculties to consider international applicants who are still awaiting their SAQA Certificates of Evaluation.

The success of this year’s seminar (co-facilitated by Lucky Masehla and Batabile Msengana) has highlighted the importance of creating platforms of engagement to discuss international enrolment processes, challenges and risks; placing emphasis on aligning enrolment with the University’s Vision and Strategic Plan of 2022-2026.

“There is a great need for more such seminars, inclusive of other external role players within the internationalisation landscape, such as the Department of Home Affairs.” – Dr Abbey Mathekga