5.2.1. Institutional profile

5.2.1. Institutional profile

The institutional profile is a statistical overview of the information, compiled with reference to information available from data the institution itself generates and maintains, as well as from HEMIS or HEQCIS, the CHE, SAQA, and the DHET, as well as other reputable sources. Narrative, self-reflective and graphic summaries of the institutional profile may form the first part of the SER, with the bulk of the data available electronically through hyperlinks or screen-prints. The following data, where relevant, must be supplied:

1. Most recent registered student headcount, presented with reference to: a. faculty/college b. race (African, Coloured, White, Indian) c. gender (male, female, other) d. home language(s) e. nationality f. quintile school background2 g. student accommodation (residence; institutional oversight; private); 2. Name and number of faculties/colleges, schools, departments, units, academic support structures; 3. Staff headcount (managerial, academic, academic support, service support), as well as the employment equity profile; 4. Student throughput and completion rates per year of first registration and per programme; 5. Academic staff/student weighted ratio; 6. Infrastructure capacity; 7. Research performance and impact; and 8. Community engagement projects and reach. The CHE supplements the profile information provided by the institution in support of a comprehensive audit, if required.

Quantitative information, where provided, must be accompanied by an institutional interpretation of such information, with reference to such indicators as context, validity/reliability, manner of compilation and completeness and quality of the data. Explanations of trends and patterns as well as the way in which the data is used to improve quality is also required.

2 Department of Education 2004 National Norms and Standards for School Funding. Pretoria: Republic of South Africa.

Manual for Institutional Audits 33