By Oyisa George
Student leaders at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) have raised concerns over what they describe as a sudden change to the admission criteria for the Honours in Management and Leadership programme, alleging that dozens of qualifying students have been excluded from the application process.
The CPUT Students’ Representative Council (SRC) claims that a new requirement for applicants to have five years of teaching experience has been introduced, despite not appearing in the published admission criteria.
SRC President Liyabulela Gela told VOC News that more than 50 students have contacted the SRC after being unable to apply for the programme.
“It seems to have just been added to the criteria, and I’ve come across more than 50 students who have been affected during this application process,” Gela said.
He questioned why recent graduates would be required to gain years of work experience before pursuing an Honours qualification in Management and Leadership.
“I don’t understand why you have to have previous experience to do an Honours in Management and Leadership. Surely this would be a good qualification to have when you start your career,” he said.
Gela further alleged that the requirement was introduced without following the university’s normal approval processes and said students should not be disadvantaged by what he described as an administrative failure.
VOC News approached CPUT for comment. University spokesperson Lauren Kansley said she was unable to respond immediately, as she had not yet been briefed on the matter.
“I currently have no information on this matter and would first need to be briefed to determine whether there is any merit to the concerns,” Kansley said, adding that the university is currently in recess.
The SRC says it has formally raised the matter with the relevant university structures and is awaiting a response.
Photo: Screenshot/Google maps
VOC
