Chapter 1 

Purpose and Scope of the New Academic Policy 

The purpose of the proposed NAP on higher education programmes and qualifications is to give effect to the policy guidelines set out in this regard in the White Paper, in the Higher Education Act, and in the National Plan. 

In particular the NAP is intended to achieve the following: 

•  To provide a detailed framework for the development and provision of higher education programmes and qualifications within a single, coordinated higher education sector which gives effect to the goals for higher education as set out in the White Paper and in the National Plan. 
• To provide a coherent and comprehensive policy framework for the provision of higher education programmes and qualifications which will shape and supplement the policies and practices of SAQA and the CHE’s HEQC with respect to the registration of qualifications, and the accreditation and evaluation of programmes. · To provide guidance to higher education institutions as they develop appropriate programme mixes in accordance with their institutional missions and three-year rolling plans. 
• To provide for the effective and efficient utilisation of public resources expended on higher education by minimising wasteful overlap and duplication of programmes and qualifications. 

This policy applies to all programmes offered by public and private institutions falling within the ambit of the Higher Education Act and which lead to the award of qualifications registered on Levels 5 to 8 on SAQA’s NQF.   
The framework and guidelines set out in the proposed NAP take into account the existing processes of registration, accreditation and funding of higher education programmes and qualifications. In this sense the New Academic Policy involves: 

• The SAQA as responsible for developing the NQF through the registration of qualifications on the framework (standards generation) and for the quality assurance of these standards; 
•  The HEQC as responsible for the accreditation of providers to offer NQF-registered qualifications and for the accreditation and evaluation of higher education programmes, within SAQA's quality assurance framework; 
•  The DoE as the state funder of public higher education programmes, for which registration of qualifications on the NQF and accreditation of providers to offer particular programmes by the HEQC are pre-conditions for earning teaching subsidies. 

Until now the processes of registration, accreditation and funding have been handled by the Interim Joint Committee (IJC) which is convened by the CHE and includes representatives from the HEQC, the DoE and SAQA. The policies on which the Interim Joint Committee relies to determine the accreditation and approval of programmes and qualifications – namely NATED 02–116 (89/01) (for universities) and NATED 02–150 (97/01) (for technikons)- are out-dated and out of step with the transformation agendas of the White Paper, the National Plan and with SAQA’s regulations for the registration of qualifications[1]. Once finalised and approved, the proposed New Academic Policy will replace both NATED policy documents and will provide the basis for the registration, accreditation and funding of all higher education qualifications and programmes – it will apply to universities, technikons and colleges in both the public and private sectors. 

[1] The IJC has thus sought to apply the old policies in a flexible and facilitatory manner in the interim.