Postgraduate Diploma in HIV/AIDS Management

Purpose

About 4,2 million South Africans are at present living with HIV/AIDS which places this country among those with the highest HIV prevalence in the whole world. The truth is that while the rate of infections is rising, the resources to fight the disease through workplace programmes have declined. We are failing to expend the resources needed to curb this preventable epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa and other economically distressed countries of the world.

In view of the fact that managers in the workplace setting have to deal with workers infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, this course aims to train workplace managers how to address issues of:

• Lower productivity, attending funerals, absenteeism, loss of experienced personnel, low productivity of new recruits, increased labour turnover, absenteeism related to health problems, discrimination, social isolation and stigma.
• Increased recruitment and training cost.
• Maintaining sustainable economic growth, high insurance costs and death benefits, disability and pension payouts.

Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification

• Yes.

First degree; Any B degree

General Outcome

• A good grasp of the theoretical background in the core aspects of the relevant subject matter.
• The ability to apply this knowledge to address new theoretical and practical problems.
• The ability to read and interpret relevant literature.

Specific Outcomes

Based on research, the student will after the completion of the course have the knowledge, competencies and managerial skills to be able to:

• To influence and facilitate: strategic planning, business planning, manage productivity, do performance evaluation and strategic re-thinking within the HIV/AIDS context.
• Analyse, understand and communicate the potential impact of HIV/AIDS on the work environment.
• Formulate evidence based policy that takes into account the legal, ethical, social, economic and health issues.
• Develop an effective HIV/AIDS workplace policy and programme that is also cost effective.
• Developand maintain an HIV/AIDS competent workplace that is HIV/AIDS friendly.
• Develop skills for policy advocacy for an effective HIV/AIDS campaign.
• Develop a comprehensive HIV/AIDS continuum of care programme.
• Develop social responsibility skills and policies.
• Develop and nurture a corporate culture that understands and appreciates HIV/AIDS in its fullest context and uniqueness.
• Monitor and evaluate HIV/AIDS programmes.
• Play a role in facilitating community support and actions.
• Be aware of the implications of legislation.
• To conduct labour future planning as affected by HIV/AIDS.
• To effectively manage the HIV+ employee's career.
• Be able to conduct a research project on HIV/Aids in the workplace.

Generic/Critical Cross Field Outcome

• Demonstrable skills in problem conceptualisation, identification, definition and problem solution.
• Demonstrate skills in self-organisation and self-management in the successful planning and implementation of a research project.
• Demonstrate skills in information management in the independent analysis and presentation of research findings and the critical evaluation of existing and obtained data.
• Demonstrate skills in effective oral, written and electronic communication.
• Contribution to self-development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for General Outcomes

• A range of assessment methods will be used to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved, such as oral and electronic presentations, written examinations and assignments.
• Assessment is carried out by means of structured evaluation forms as far as possible to ensure reliability and validity.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Specific Outcomes

• A range of assessment methods will be used to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved, such as oral and electronic presentations, written examinations and assignments.
• Assessment is carried out by means of structured evaluation forms as far as possible to ensure reliability and validity.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Generic Outcomes

• A range of assessment methods will be used to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved, such as oral and electronic presentations, written examinations and assignments.
• Assessment is carried out by means of structured evaluation forms as far as possible to ensure reliability and validity.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment of the programme contains formative as well as summative assessment, both on a continuing basis throughout the course of study. Summative assessment includes several assignments and written examinations. A final examination is set at the end of the study period and the content of the program is assessed as an integrated whole during the evaluation.