16 February 2001
Deputy President Jacob Zuma has launched the first-ever Postgraduate Diploma in the Management of HIV/AIDS in the World of Work (PDM -HIV/AIDS), in Pretoria this evening (Friday, 16 February 2001).
The unique course is jointly offered by the Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA) and the University of Stellenbosch. The PDM (HIV/AIDS) represents one of the major initiatives that the government will be driving vigorously during 2001 as part of an integrated cross-sectoral campaign against HIV/AIDS.
Deputy President Zuma approached the two institutions last year and requested them to put together a multi-disciplinary programme of learning to empower people in management situations to achieve effective containment and management of HIV/AIDS.
Addressing the launch, the Deputy President said combatting HIV/AIDS in the workplace was critical. "Regardless of what we do in the community, if we do not extend our prevention and care work to the workplace, we will not make a dent into this epidemic." He called for an intensification of the partnership against Aids and for all South Africans to join hands and develop programmes at work and in the community that will reduce the spread of HIV, provide care for those infected and mitigate the impact of this scourge. The programme is directed at business and organisational strategic leaders, senior management, human resources managers, operations and production managers and other leaders and managers in other categories. It would also be valuable to other professionals and practitioners who manage people or who encounter the challenge of HIV/AIDS in their occupations.
Participants already enrolled on the programme and others who show interest come from business, government, non-governmental organisations, healthcare and faith-based organisations.
The duration of the Diploma is one-year full-time, utilising distance learning technologies and methods. The PDM (HIV/AIDS) is approved and accredited by the Interim Commission on Higher Education.
The two universities have developed a joint curriculum that will form the basis of their teaching.
Shortly before the official launch by the Deputy President, Professor Ramaranka Mogotlane, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of MEDUNSA, and Professor Andreas van Wyk, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stellenbosch signed an agreement committing themselves to make available their respective expertise, experience, resources and infrastructure to provide higher education of outstanding quality through the PDM (HIV/AIDS).
Inquiries: Lakela Kaunda, spokesperson on 082 782 2575.
Issued by: The Presidency Pretoria 16 February 2001