SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Advanced Diploma in Horticulture

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
101971	Advanced Diploma in Horticulture
ORIGINATOR
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
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 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation		Horticulture
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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The Advanced Diploma in Horticulture has the purpose to produce graduates that are equipped with advanced horticultural science and technology skills to build on cognitive proficiency in fields of specialization and research in the field of horticulture.

The Advanced Diploma will enable graduates to be equipped with advanced horticultural science and technology skills to build on cognitive proficiency in fields of specialisation.

The qualification will train specialists with managerial skills in the fields of horticulture, such as production technology, specialized cultivation, advanced management, amenity horticulture and research.

The Advanced Diploma has benefits of providing opportunities for professional development and personal enrichment, equipping candidates to become change agents that transform and redress inequality. The qualification also has the purpose for candidates to pursue an advanced level of scientific study with a possibility of future work in scientific research.

Rationale:
The Advanced Diploma in Horticulture (Faculty of Applied Sciences) is aligned with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Vision 2020 and strategic plan which address cross-cutting themes based on innovation; partnerships; quality; sustainability and meet the transformation agenda of equity, diversity and widening of access needs of the institution. Horticulture worldwide is a declining profession, with many international universities showing a decline in student numbers and a lack of adequate qualified graduates. The Advanced Diploma in Horticulture is designed to meet international and national requirements, the needs of industry, students and other stakeholders. The qualification is designed coherently to develop South African indigenous plants species to benefit the medicinal, food and ornamental needs of national and international markets.

The Advanced Diploma in Horticulture addresses a broader spectrum of specialisation at municipal and industry levels. The Green Industries is a large and varied sector, which continuously advances new business opportunities and job opportunities in growing the economy of South Africa. The qualification will equip the horticulturist with skills for managerial level where local industry stakeholders such as government departments, municipalities, wholesale nurseries and garden centres revealed a lack in managerial skills in horticulture. Landscape companies also require horticulturists with advanced skills to work as maintenance managers, site managers or as grounds superintendents.

The plant and cut flower production industries revealed a lack of skills in new trends and specialisation. The South African Green Industry is comparable internationally but lacks specialisation in education to enhance the quality and effectiveness of new knowledge production. The qualification is designed to support Postgraduate studies in Horticultural Sciences in advancing horticulture techniques that are necessary to those seeking a career in the research field as researchers (developing new cultivars, product development or solving challenges facing the industry) and in the academic world of teaching, learning and education. They will also be able to apply skills in the plant and cut flower production industries who revealed a lack of skills in new trends and specialisation.

The South African Council for the Landscape Architectural Profession (SACLAP) showed that professional horticultural managerial training is necessary to fulfil in their core maintenance competencies. SACLAP is mandated to accredit all tertiary academic qualifications in the Landscape Architecture, Landscape Construction Management and Horticultural streams nationally. Many horticulturists are employed in the landscaping sector as contract managers.

The Advanced Diploma in Horticulture seeks to address the need of a large number of applicants to progress to an advanced level of specialization and managerial skills suitably required in the horticultural industry. Also graduates will be able to progress to a Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Horticultural Sciences. Overall, the theoretical, practical and managerial skills for the horticultural industry attained on completion of the Advanced Diploma will be useful to students who wish to establish their own horticultural businesses as well as to those who choose to work in middle management such as the public and or private sectors.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Applications for RPL will follow the institutional RPL policy process. The RPL is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of an applicant against the admission requirements of a qualification and/or for credits against a 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 in nature, aimed at the individual needs of applicants and is handled in accordance with an institutional RPL policy by a unit dedicated to this activity. The RPL process includes guidance and counselling, as well as the preparation of a body of evidence to be presented by the RPL candidate to meet institutional requirements. The applicant's documentation and portfolio or learning outcomes for the past 10 years will be evaluated by the department to determine whether the applicant is competent for the requested level of study. A recommendation will be made and submitted for further engagement to further assessments in showing proof of research skills and proficiency to be enrolled for the desired qualification. An appeal procedure is also in place to accommodate queries. RPL in this qualification will relate to gaining access to the qualification and/or credits/advanced standing as described in institutional guidelines.

Entry Requirements:
Applicants should have obtained:

A Diploma in Horticulture, Level 6.
Or

A National Diploma Horticulture, Level 6.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, Credits:

Horticulture Production, 30 Credits.

Technology, 30 Credits.

Advanced Management in Horticulture, 30 Credits.

Conservation Cultivation, 30 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply appropriate skills in propagation, cultivation, and conservation of indigenous plants as required to develop knowledge for sustainable production and maintenance of specific medicinal, cut-flower and indigenous species of South Africa.
2. Solve complex problems of advanced horticultural systems through a deep understanding of advanced horticultural systems for plant cultivation in using appropriate methods, skills and tools, including hydroponic plant cultivation, greenhouse production technologies, advanced irrigation techniques, use of plant growth regulators and information technology are necessary to understand their efficiency and solve complex problems.
3. Use knowledge and skills of advanced management relevant to the horticultural industry, including concepts of environmental management, financial management, and project management to function effectively in a managerial environment.
4. Collect, analyse and interpret research data through their understanding of research methods and systems, instruments, and equipment relevant to the horticultural industry.
5. Apply fundamental concepts of applied horticultural chemistry and science as well as fundamental research principles and practices which form the basis for academic and career progression in horticultural science.
6. Apply management and maintenance skills to solve challenges in the field of amenity horticulture for managing City Parks, Urban crematoria and cemeteries.
7. Perform professional standards of conduct and acceptable levels of workmanship in an ethical manner, thus adhering to the requirements of registered and approved horticultural bodies, and therefore promoting safe working practices in the use of equipment.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Apply appropriate skills in propagation, cultivation and conservation of indigenous plants to develop knowledge for sustainable production and maintenance of specific medicinal, cut-flower and indigenous species of South Africa.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Understand advanced horticultural systems for plant cultivation by using appropriate methods, skills and tools, including hydroponic plant cultivation, greenhouse production technologies, advanced irrigation techniques, using plant growth regulators and information technology to understand their efficiency and solve complex problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Understand advanced management skills relevant to the horticultural industry, including concepts of environmental management, financial management and project management is necessary to function in a managerial environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Understand systems, instruments and equipment to collect both production and research data relevant to the horticultural industry to be assessed with scientific practical parameters, data collection and statistical analysis.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Apply fundamental concepts of applied horticultural chemistry and research principles which are necessary for future Postgraduate studies in horticulture.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Assess appropriate managerial and maintenance skills and competencies to solve challenges in the field of amenity horticulture for managing City Parks, Urban crematoria and cemeteries.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of research and work ethics according to professional standards of conduct and acceptable levels of workmanship as in line with registered and approved horticultural bodies, thus promoting safe working practices in the use of equipment and writing research proposals.

Integrated Assessment:
A system of integrated assessment is used for the Advanced Diploma in Horticulture whereby the formal evaluation of the candidate academic progress and performance comprises regular integrated assessment, both formative and summative assessments.

Assessments for this qualification are designed to encourage students to understand and apply knowledge, analyse data; evaluate procedures/procedure/principles through checking/critiquing; create systems/procedures by putting elements together in a coherent or functional manner and also to predict future trends. Formative assessment could include Tutorials, practical reports, oral presentations, research proposals and research reports.

A variety of formative assessments (written assessments, small assignments, practical assessments, open-book tests, plant identification tests, poster and oral presentations) will be used to enhance the teaching and learning process and to provide for sufficient opportunity to fully explore the curriculum.

Some of the subjects for this qualification have an integrated assessment component in the form of an integrated research project linked to a presentation. The design/emphasis of these projects are placed on a students' ability to demonstrate the application of critical thinking skills, presentation of data and solving of problems within the specific field of study. These assessments/projects are holistic assessments that address all the expected outcomes/student attributes that students must complete/demonstrate successfully for that specific subject. The assessment policy and procedures followed in the qualification are aligned with accredited institutional assessment policies at Level 7.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Historically education in ornamental horticulture in South Africa has been aligned with American horticultural principles for over 35 years. Comparatively horticultural techniques and skills are also based on similar Mediterranean climates such as California and Australia. Internationally universities that were compared, University of Connecticut, Washington State University, North Carolina State University, Cornell University, Michigan state university, University of Arkansas, Auburn University in the United States of America (USA), Charles Sturt University in Australia and Corvinus University of Budapest in Europe offer similar qualifications in Horticulture Sciences. Most of these universities focus on specialisation at an advanced level and in preparation of candidates for post graduate research studies. Similar advanced skills focus on Nursery management and Plant production, Parks planning, development, Management and maintenance, Urban nature conservation and Biodiversity management, Landscape development and maintenance, Urban greening/forestry), Arboriculture, Sports turf management, Cemeteries and Crematoria management, Recreation and Environmental education and awareness.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

In keeping with the requirements of the Higher Education Qualification Sub-framework (2014) as well as other relevant national policies pertaining to articulation as well as credit accumulation and transfer, the following institutional articulation requirements will be applicable to this qualification:
Vertical articulation within the HEQSF:
Students who have successfully completed an Advanced Diploma in Horticulture at NQF level 7 may gain admission to a Postgraduate Diploma in Horticulture at NQF level 8 and upon completion of the Postgraduate Diploma may progress towards a Master's degree in Horticulture and upon completion of the Master's degree may progress towards a Doctoral degree in Horticulture.

Horizontal articulation within the HEQSF:
Students who have successfully completed an Advanced Diploma in Horticulture at NQF level 7 or who have completed modules/subjects towards the completion of this qualification may transfer credits towards a qualification in this field of study or related field of study at NQF level 7 (e.g. Advanced Diploma).

Diagonal articulation within the HEQSF:
Students who have successfully completed the Advanced Diploma in Horticulture or students who have completed modules/subjects towards the completion of this qualification may transfer credits towards a qualification in this field of study or a related field of study across pathways within the HEQSF (e.g. credits towards a Bachelor Honours degree).

Inter- and intra-institutional articulation agreements based on national requirements will apply.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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.

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