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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Information and Communications Technology in Communication Networks 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101178  Advanced Diploma in Information and Communications Technology in Communication Networks 
ORIGINATOR
Walter Sisulu University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Advanced Diploma  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
80139  Bachelor of Technology: Information Technology  Level 7  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7  480  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to provide a professional and vocational qualification for the ICT industry, and to enable a qualified learner to apply advanced design, development, implementation and maintenance strategies and techniques in the development and deployment of communications network systems, by integrating current network topologies and protocols to create an appropriate and adequate environment of communication and information sharing environment to meet specified industry needs and effectively manage and administer them in a reliable and cost-effective manner.

Rationale:
Nearly every business organisation depends on the smooth running of its communication networks. There is a need for professionals who know how to design, implement, secure and manage communication networks. This qualification will provide the learner with advanced knowledge and skills to pursue a rewarding career in communication networks. The qualification provides a network certification path for learners to be more equipped for the next generation of skilled technopreneurs. The qualification also seeks to satisfy the South African demands for both public and private sectors in ICT specialised in Communication Networks. Information Technologists are required locally, nationally, and internationally in the scientific, business and manufacturing industries. This qualification also naturally leads to a research Postgraduate qualification. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL may be used to demonstrate competence for admission to this programme. This qualification is achieved in part through Recognition of Prior Learning processes. Learners who already work in the ICT industry who believe they possess competencies to enable them to meet some or all of the ELOs listed in the qualification will be able to present themselves for assessment against those of their choice.

The provision that the qualification may be obtained through the Recognition of Prior Learning facilitates access to an education, training and career path in ICT enabled fields and thus accelerates the redress of past unfair discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities. Evidence of prior learning must be assessed through formal RPL processes through Institutions' approved methods. Any other evidence of prior learning should be assessed through formal RPL processes to recognise achievement thereof. Learners submitting themselves for RPL should be thoroughly briefed before the assessment and will be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) in the prescribed format to be assessed for formal recognition. The structure of this non-unit standard based qualification makes RPL possible if the learner can demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this first stage ICT qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Diploma in Information Technology, NQF Level 6.
  • Bachelor, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at NQF Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 7, 120 Credits:
  • Research Methodology IV, 12 Credits.
  • Projects IV, 24 Credits.
  • Computer Security IV, 12 Credits.
  • Functional Management IV, 12 Credits.
  • Communication Networks IV, 12 Credits.
  • Operating Systems IV, 12 Credits.
  • Advanced Communication Networks IV, 12 Credits.
  • Network Project Management IV, 12 Credits.
  • Information Technology Management IV, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply research using appropriate research methodologies in the ICT environment.
    2. Demonstrate competencies to manage ICT to provide organisations with strategically increasing productivity and quality of service.
    3. Apply project management techniques to communication network environments.
    4. Demonstrate competency in network engineering and maintenance.
    5. Demonstrate competencies in computer and network security.
    6. Demonstrate knowledge of advanced Operating System Principles.
    7. Demonstrate competencies to manage ICT to provide organisations with strategically increasing productivity and quality of service. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1:
  • Formulate a researchable problem.
  • Produce a research proposal that demonstrates competencies in conducting academic research.
  • Come up with questionnaire/s, collect and analyse data.
  • Analyse the application of research methodology to conduct academic research.
  • Write a dissertation that includes an introduction, literature review, research methodology, data analysis and result, and conclusion chapters.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:
  • Manage functions such as planning, organising, leading and controlling.
  • Manage competitive advantage, diversity, globalisation, information and communication technology, ethical standards and self-management and happiness.
  • Understand information infrastructure and architecture, benefits and issues of integrating functional information systems.
  • Manage y information technology competently to provide organisations with strategic advantage by facilitating problem-solving, increasing productivity and quality, increasing speed, improving customer service, enhancing communication and collaboration, and enabling business process restructuring.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3:
  • Investigate network-based problems and opportunities within a business environment.
  • Professionally articulate, participate, create and respond to Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Request for Quotations (RFQs).
  • Use advanced tools and techniques in planning, managing and maintaining ICT projects and to lead and manage projects and project teams.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4:
  • Critically analyse network require Exit Level Outcomes ments and implementing enterprise routing.
  • Critically analyse network requirements and implementing enterprise switching.
  • Troubleshoot complex networks.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5:
  • Describe the security threats facing modern network infrastructures.
  • Secure information services through the use of cryptographic tools.
  • Implement Authentication, Authorisation and Accounting on network devices.
  • Mitigate threats to networks using packet filtering techniques.
  • Implement secure network management and reporting.
  • Use intrusion detection tools and implement firewalls.
  • Administer effective security policies.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6:
  • Describe the trade-offs made between the performance and functionality during the design and implementation of the operating system.
  • Discuss process management, memory management, file systems and operating system support for distributed systems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 7:
  • Investigate network-based problems and opportunities within a business environment.
  • Professionally articulate, participate, create and respond to Request For Proposals (RFPs) and Request For Quotations (RFPs).
  • Use advanced tool and techniques in planning, managing and maintaining ICT projects and to lead and manage projects and project teams.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessments are designed to evaluate knowledge, competencies and skills from an academic perspective and the applied competencies (practical, foundational and reflexive competencies) required by this programme. Assessments take a variety of forms including assignments/projects (individual and team), quizzes, written and practical tests and final examinations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    International comparability of this ICT programme is ensured by following the current standards followed by similar programmes internationally, such as the ACM and IEEE curriculum. Standards are comparable with those of ICT qualifications in countries having comparable ICT education systems to South Africa. On completion of the programme, students will not only have improved their knowledge of and skills in this field of studies, but they will also be confident that they will fit in easily with the graduates elsewhere around the world. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both vertical and horizontal articulation:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Information and Communications Technology in Applications Development, Level 7.
  • Bachelor in Information Technology, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Information Technology, Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Walter Sisulu University 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.