Research at Technikons : the journey from apprenticeship training to technological degrees

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis presents the findings and conclusions of the function of research in thetechnikons' journey from apprenticeship training to technological degrees.The analysis and interpretation of primary sources on the development of technicalhigher education and research revealed that research developments at technikonsevolved in a pattern so closely resembling and reflecting an evolving technicaleducation mission that it is difficult if not impossible to pinpoint cause and effect.The evolving technical education mission was characterised by diversity entrenchedin the provision of technical education, a continuing problematic process ofdifferentiation between vocational and technical education, the development offormal centrally-controlled technical higher education and continuous differencesbetween the Education Department and the sector officials on the nature of thetechnical higher qualifications and the role of research in these qualifications.As a result of the factors characterising the development of technical highereducation, gaps were created between the technikon officials' vision of research attechnikons, the strategies and plans to establish a research culture and thetechnikons' research performance. In addition, an evaluation of technikon researchperformance in terms of the nature, scope, content and volume of research reflects alimited understanding of the relation between the input factors and the processfactors utilised to lead to a system capable of sustaining a research culture,especially in view of maintaining the newly-assigned University status.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University