By: Puleng Maphisa- 14 February 2023

On Thursday, 09 February 2023, VUT’s Nursing Department within the Faculty of Applied & Computer Sciences, hosted a delegation from the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) Provincial Office: Nursing Education and Training.

The primary purpose of the visit was for the Department to provide guidance and support to the nursing program offered at the institution. In addition, this is part of the GDoH’s ongoing monitoring and evaluation of Nursing Education and Training Institutions in the province to ensure compliance with legislation and the agreed standards of teaching. As the custodian of clinical placement in the province as set out by South African Nursing Council, the GDoH has a responsibility to ensure that VUT follows the correct channels to be an accredited nursing institution.

The visit was led by Ms M.J Phale and Ms KM Rasepae, Director and Deputy Director of Nursing Education and Training, respectively.

Ms  Phale presented an overview of the purpose of the visiting the institutions, which she says entails providing oversight, guidance and strategic direction to all NEIs in the province (Public and Private NEIs) and to coordinate the nursing education and training services within the province to promote and maintain a high standard as well as quality of nursing, midwifery, education and training. According to her, if VUT does not comply with the set Nursing Education and Training Standards, it will risk the chances of being accredited, and it is within their duty to help VUT have a proper accredited Nursing qualification.

Speaking on behalf of VUT, Ms Dikeledi Selepe, the Acting HOD: Health Science Department, confidently reported that the department is compliant with the Nursing Education and Training standard set by the South African Nursing Council. She also said that they have a high quality of teaching to achieve excellence in teaching and learning in partnership with Gauteng Province, Sedibeng District Health Services, Local Municipality Private Health Providers and Non-Profit Organisation.

She further alluded that it is within their vision to be a Nursing Education Institution that leads in quality teaching and learning, informed by evidence-based research and driven by innovation and technology.

Ms Selepe, said that they will do anything within their power to adhere to any rule that the department requires for their students to be recognised, emphasising that they have relationships with public and private sector in order to place their students for training – however, adding that the only challenge they sometimes face is transport.

In closing, Professor Crista Grobler, Acting Executive Dean, Faculty of Applied & Computer Sciences, said that they will do anything in power and continue to comply with the department’s expectations, in order to retain the Nursing accreditation. “We appreciate the visit and relationship that we have with the department. You have brought light in so many things, and your capability of steering us into the right direction really helps us to sharpen the future of our VUT students,” said Prof Grobler.