The status of computing manpower and training in tertiary education in Southern African universities 1995

Abstract

The survey of staff and student numbers done in 1992 provided the first country-wide picture of computing departments in South Africa. This report presents the picture three years later, from data collected in 1995. It categorises the 25 departments at universities into computer science and information systems and presents the figures comparatively with the 1992 survey. Full tables of all the data are given in the appendices and a novel feature of the 1995 survey is the inclusion of some technikons and universities from neighbouring states. The following factors are discussed: number of staff and posts; vacancies; secretarial and technical support; degree production at third year, honours, MSc and PhD levels; student performance in terms of first class passes and highest marks; qualifications of staff; and ratings by the Foundation for Research Development. The report ends with a look at a typical department. It concludes that not much has changed over the past few years. While there has been improvement in some critical factors, most departments remain too small and underqualified to be undertaking four year degrees and supervising postgraduates.