Postgraduate Diploma in Information and Communication Technology

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Information and Communication Technology is to directly address the emergent needs of information technology (IT) professionals to adequately prepare for the challenges of contemporary times. The qualification is also intended to provide a pathway for further academic progression to the research-based postgraduate studies at the Masters level, and also enable learners of relevant disciplines in the fields of science and engineering to undertake skill conversion into the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field.

The new qualification is designed to be academically rigorous, with a strong industrial orientation to serve the immediate and future needs of information and technology professionals in the industry. Qualifying learners will be able to:

• Apply advanced knowledge in specific areas of the field of ICT such as Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Web Technology, Applications Development, Computer Networks, and Information Systems to solve practical problems in the industry.
• Proactively engage relevant information tools and techniques to fetch information from various sources and analyses it for a better understanding of organisational performance.
• Develop relevant ICT-based tools and procedures that can automate certain processes within the organisation for improved outcomes as it pertains to past, present and the future.
• Engender intelligent decision-making within an organisation by applying complex algorithms and concepts that can lead to valuable solutions.
• Undertake strategic planning for the organisation based on deep knowledge of ICT as informed by their understanding of the organisation.
• Provide leadership at the managerial level to drive the ICT strategic plan of an organisation.
• Engage relevant soft skills and technical skills for individual excellent performance and motivate others for excellence within their organisation.

Rationale

One of the key goals of the qualification is to promote relevant research and innovation through training and academic services which are aligned to the needs of the nation, the continent of Africa, and the world at large. ICT is recognised globally as a key catalyst for the attainment of rapid national development and facilitation of a knowledge economy. The institution is committed to the advancement of innovative training qualifications for the acquisition of vocational and professional skills desires to make a significant contribution towards addressing the current critical shortage in the area of ICT skills nationally.

At present, there is a paucity of professional expertise in many emergent areas of ICT such as Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Web Technology, Applications Development, Cloud Computing and Computer Networks, Cyber Security, Internet of Things and many more all over the world. This has made an increasing number of institutions in the developed countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Europe) establish relevant academic qualifications in these areas. There is a need for more interventions by way of innovative training programme initiatives that will help to address the shortage in the availability of advanced skills in the emergent areas of ICT.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of an applicant against the admission requirements of the qualification and/or credits against or part thereof. The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal and/ or formal learning. The RPL process is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual, aimed at the individual needs of applicants and is handled in accordance with an institutional RPL policy by a unit dedicated to this activity.

RPL in this qualification will relate to gaining access to the qualification and/or credits or advanced standing as described in the institutional guidelines. The qualification may in part be achieved through recognition of prior learning by means of a portfolio of evidence (POE) of relevant work experience.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.
• Advanced standing may be granted.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted for modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Advanced Diploma in Information and Communications Technology at NQF Level 7, granting access to postgraduate studies.

Or

• A relevant qualification in the related field at NQF level 7, granting access to postgraduate studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8,90 Credits

• Research Methods, 15 Credits.
• Capstone Project, 20 Credits.
• Software Engineering, 10 Credits.
• Information Systems Theories, 15 Credits.
• Database Management Systems, 10 Credits.
• Computational Mathematics and Statistics, 20 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8, 30 Credits (Select 2 Modules)

• Application Development and Software Project Management, 15 Credits.
• Programming Paradigms, 15 Credits.
• Distributed Systems and Software Defined Networks, 15 Credits.
• Operating Systems, 15 Credits.
• Artificial intelligence, 15 Credits.
• Data Science, 15 Credits.
• Digital Design, 15 Credits.
• Human-Digital Interaction, 15 Credits.
• Business Informatics, 15 Credits.
• IT Applications and Business Processes, 15 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of research in their relevant specialisation e.g. communication networks.
2. Provide a research report, artefact or portfolio of evidence that documents the ethical and professional execution of all the phases of a research-based project, including the overview of the relevant literature perspectives, critical account of the research design skills and techniques employed in gathering and analysing the data and conclusions that are supported by the data and literature perspectives.
3. Respond, act and make decisions in ways that demonstrate independent ethical and professional awareness and aptitude.
4. Develop and apply current and advanced technical concepts and practices of ICT to tackle industry-relevant problems.
5. Demonstrate the ability for expert-level judgement in the selection, adoption, and application of ICT tools and strategies in support of organisational processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Plan, manage, execute and integrate, a technology-based research project in an area of specialisation, under the supervision and according to stipulated timelines, culminating in a research report or artefact or portfolio of evidence.
• Apply standard aspects of research design and research process.
• Evaluate and select information from a range of current and relevant sources to compile a brief literature perspective relating to the core and specialised knowledge of the qualification.
• Contextualise and describe the research problem or topic that informs the decisions regarding the research design skills and techniques.
• Identify a problem and formulate a clear and concise research problem relevant to the topic and field of the specialisation.
• Generate research question(s), aims and objectives based on the relevant field of study.
• Propose appropriate research methods and techniques for the integrated research project.
• Present an integrated research project relevant to the topic and field of specialisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Draw selectively and critically on the published work of various scholars and professional practitioners in their area of specialisation to analyse complex ideas and apply them creatively to the research problem or topic.
• Evaluate and apply the key current research theories and debate related topics/problems through argument and insight.
• Apply and use the relevant referencing techniques according to the institutional guidelines.
• Use research skills to defend the appropriateness of the selected data collection, analysis methods for investigating the complexities of the research problem or topic.
• Integrate results from different data collection methods.
• Develop coherent arguments based on the research results.
• Present the research findings, conclusions and recommendations, in a verbal, written and/or visual form, and /or as designed artefacts, to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Adhere to institutional policies and requirements in terms of ethical considerations and plagiarism by submitting a departmental ethical form.
• Identify ethical related data collection and analysis and suggest ways to adhere to these with approval from the relevant parties.
• Demonstrate independent learning ability for continuous professional development through stakeholder's responsiveness.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Analyse and apply current technical concepts in critical areas such as application development, communication networks, artificial intelligence, data science, web technology, and information systems to solve problems relevant to the industry.
• Apply technical practices, and advanced ICT skills, and tools in critical areas such as application development, communication networks, artificial intelligence, data science, web technology, and information systems to solve problems relevant to the industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify and apply state-of-the-art ICT technologies to support organizational processes.
• Apply and critically evaluate these technologies to make sound management-level decisions.