The changing dynamics of the education sector, prompted by the demands of the
knowledge economy for the delivery of just in time learning to a new generation
of life long learners, and the enhancement of the traditional teaching models
with multi modal learning experiences, has enforced a paradigm shift at most South
African Universities, Technikons and Colleges. New thinking and revised strategies
are the order of the day as these institutions face the challenge of becoming
competitive enterprises in a rapidly changing environment.
It's a challenge of stupendous proportions. South Africa's Universities, Technikons
and Colleges are formulating financial performance objectives and implementing
business-related systems and controls in addition to the delivery of technologically
enhanced learner centric education. This calls for new levels of integration
between the delivery of educational content and the administration and management
of the institutions. It also calls for appropriate business tools, of which
IT is a prime example.
Readying itself to live up to these challenges the Rand Afrikaans University
(RAU), internationally renowned for its excellence in teaching as well as being
one of the most efficient higher education institutes in South Africa, awarded
the contract to redevelop the University's IT strategy to the Business Unusual
Group (BUG), the financial and business analysis software group. It is anticipated
that the new strategy will underpin a business model capable of driving the
university's future success.
Positioned as a specialist in delivering software and services that provide
powerful IT solutions for delivering business advantage, Business Unusual Group
will commence work on the three-month-long, four-phased RAU project this month.
Says Business Unusual Group's Managing Director, Dion Retief, "In the
past, tertiary education institutions generally did not take an integrated approach
to information technology. Rather, computers were viewed as tools for administrative
tasks only, such as student registration and elementary education modelling.
"By contrast, our approach is to provide clients with tools and solutions
that will deliver critical, up-to-date business-related information that will
drive their business' strategic advantage," Retief continues. "In
the case of RAU, we will start by reviewing the business environment as the
business model adopted will dictate much of the university's IT strategy. We
will then develop a comprehensive strategy along with guidelines for its medium-term
implementation, including the replacement of certain IT components."
RAU Vice Rector Professor Desiré Vorster is confident of the Business
Unusual Group's ability to develop an IT strategy that will equip the University
to ensure competitive advantage by delivering enhanced learner support through
the deployment of a multi modal learning environment and customer centric administrative
services. She says "Our ambition is to operate the University in accordance
with sound business practices and we recognise the value that IT offers as an
enabling tool. Judging by the work done in the Higher Education Sector, Business
Unusual Group has the know-how and experience to live up to our expectations."
Concludes Retief, "The fundamental premise of Business Unusual Group is
that decision-makers need access to up-to-the minute business information if
they are to run their businesses optimally, especially in a highly competitive
environment. Achieving this requires software solutions and IT tools that are
appropriate for the business in question. Drawing on the collective 25 years'
experience of our consultants, we're confident that we can put RAU on the right
strategic track. We intend to use our extensive expertise in both business and
technology to afford RAU the competitive edge."
