The launch of the Unfurling Post-School Education and Training (UPSET) Initiative will now strengthen the academic connections between Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, the college sector at large, and the University of the Western Cape (UWC). This national initiative was founded by Prof Darren Lortan and Dr Heidi Bolton in 2016 when the first UPSET Hub was established at DUT.

As part of the UPSET Initiative, articulation hubs are set up at universities, including one now launched at UWC. An articulation hub is a collaborative network of educational institutions designed to facilitate smooth transitions for students moving between different types of educational institutions, and to support flexible learning pathways - particularly TVET students looking to move to ‘traditional’ universities, thereby promoting collaboration within UPSET and facilitating lifelong learning.

The hub at UWC will facilitate the recognition of prior learning, enabling nontraditional learners and working professionals to gain access to university programmes based on their college-level qualifications, skills and experience.

Dr Bolton provided insights into the policy and framework supporting the initiative, and Prof Lortan presented an overview of the progress made by other UPSET hubs nationwide.

On 13 February 2025, DVC: Academic, Prof Monwabisi Ralarala officially opened the UWC UPSET Articulation Hub and welcomed national delegates to the launch event. He said widening access, equity and inclusion are key priorities for the University. He also spoke about the disparities between the number of applications versus the capacity that universities have to provide spaces, and he envisions UPSET as a national solution downstream to mitigate the impact of these disparities.

UWC Director: Directorate of Learning, Teaching, and Student Success, Prof Lorraine Hassan, said that universities have been ‘ivory towers’ for too long and that equity and redress must be prioritised.

She said: “Equity is more than just a concept - it is a commitment. A commitment to ensuring that financial constraints, historical disadvantages or systemic exclusions do not dictate a person's future. Inclusion is more than a policy - it is a practice; a practice that ensures every learner, regardless of their starting point, has a fair chance to achieve their full potential. This articulation programme is the manifestation of both equity and inclusion in action.”

Dr Rekha Rambharose, UWC’s UPSET Project Leader, outlined the University’s role in the national initiative and highlighted the transformative potential of the articulation Hub and national collaborations. She said: “UWC’s Articulation Hub will serve as a beacon of hope for promoting articulation pathways between TVET colleges, South African college sectors broadly, and the University, strengthening regional collaborations and developing institutional Articulation Implementation Plans (AIPs). A key component of UWC’s strategy is developing articulation maps that can guide career pathways, developing assessment strategies, building capacity and articulation champions and later tracking student transitions, and providing targeted support to ensure their academic success.”

Dr Rambharose detailed the strategic plan for UWC’s hub, emphasising its role in coordinating stakeholder engagement, hosting workshops and facilitating partnerships.

The launch event featured a presentation by UWC’s School of Nursing, which showcased how articulation mechanisms can enhance access to healthcare education.

A keynote address by Nadia Starr, CEO of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), emphasised the urgent need for articulation between TVET colleges and universities in South Africa. Starr said: “The ability to transition seamlessly from vocational education to higher education is a critical step towards educational equity and workforce readiness.”

UWC Deputy Registrar, Dr Ahmed Shaikjee, outlined the challenges and opportunities presented by this initiative, and said: “The UWC Articulation and RPL Hub under the UPSET initiative represents a significant step towards creating inclusive education pathways. By promoting our recognition of prior learning, UWC can enhance access, promote equity, and empower vulnerable populations, while also addressing the challenges and leveraging enablers for successful implementation.”

After implementing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for 24 years, launching an articulation hub is a huge opportunity for UWC to strengthen its contributions to equity, educational transformation and access.

The project is already active across the country, and there are Articulation Hubs at Durban University of Technology (DUT), Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), and the University of Limpopo (UL). Further expansions are planned for Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and Sol Plaatje University (SPU).