Dr Rambharose, alongside Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Mimi Gondwe. Image: Supplied

The University of the Western Cape’s Dr Rekha Rambharose has been recognised nationally for her work in “building an inclusive and sustainable National Qualifications Framework (NQF)”.

Known affectionately as “Dr Rose” across campus, she is a staunch advocate for educational equity. Her passion lies in the belief that education can significantly alter the economic and social path for individuals, their families and their communities, thereby promoting justice.

At a gala for the inaugural NQF Awards this week, Dr Rambharose was handed the NQF Champion Award for her leadership in promoting articulation, transparency and lifelong learning pathways.

“Winning this award and the experience that day was the highlight of my career. I felt very blessed to do this work and very honoured for the recognition,” said Dr Rambharose.

For the past seven years, Dr Rambharose has been spearheading UWC’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, with her first cohort of applicants in 2019. Since then, she and her team at UWC’s RPL Department have celebrated countless success stories through a robust system of support, ensuring that those who were successful in applying to the University were also successful in their studies.

L-R are SAQA CEO-Mrs Nadida Starr, NQF Champion award recipient Prof Darren Lortan, Deputy Minister Higher Education - Dr Mimmy Gondwe and NQF Champion award recipient - UWC's Dr Rekha Rambharose. Image: Supplied

Dr Rambharose is affiliated with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), under whose auspices the NQF Awards are presented. She also advises the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), and contributes to the development of RPL policy for UWC as a member of the Admissions Policy Task Team.

Last year, Dr Rambharose played a pivotal role in establishing the Unfurling Post-School Education and Training (UPSET) Initiative at UWC. This initiative aims to enhance academic links between Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, the broader college sector, and UWC.

She said the first thing she did when she took over the RPL Unit was to go completely paperless, investing in technology for all processes - from RPL advising to applications and portfolios.

“Nobody liked it; it was something different, it was something new, and people just felt like I’m changing the system,” said Dr Rambharose.

Her scientific background, she added, was instrumental in developing meaningful and impactful innovations for students.

“I didn’t want to do RPL from a policy perspective where it's just a tick-box exercise, because these are human beings. They’re coming from very disadvantaged backgrounds, where it’s so marginalised that their conversations around the dinner table aren’t ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’,” she said.

Dr Rambharose said the reality is that not everyone who finishes matric ends up at university. Many of those who pass go on to vocational colleges or progress through the workforce, gaining experience and eventually entering management.

“What about those who want to access a university? This is about creating a different view of RPL,” she explained.

Her approach examines not only the candidates’ prior learning but also the institutional support they receive after admission.

“We’re the only university in the country that offers the portfolio development hybrid programme. Other universities do RPL where the student has to come, submit a portfolio, and the portfolio will be assessed,” said Dr Rambharose.

UWC is the only university offering a portfolio development hybrid academic programme that integrates portfolio preparation with academic development and university readiness.
“I’m doing RPL from a teaching and learning perspective where the student is at the core of it. My focus here is: yes, we’re doing RPL, yes, you meet the minimum criteria - but let's equip you now with the skills you need to hit the ground running,” said Dr Rambharose.

Recognising her ongoing contribution, SAQA commended Dr Rambharose for her leadership in strengthening the NQF and advancing inclusive practices for RPL within higher education nationally.

“I received this recognition with immense gratitude and humility. It is an honour to be in partnership with SAQA in shaping inclusive learning pathways that change lives,” she said.

Dr Rambharose added that being recognised by SAQA for her contribution to the strengthening of the NQF is both a personal and professional milestone.

“Being named an Ambassador of SAQA and the NQF is not just a personal honour - it also opens doors for new collaborative and research opportunities for UWC and for advancing lifelong learning across the country.”