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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
118421  Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management 
ORIGINATOR
Cape Peninsula University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Environmental Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-11-18  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 purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management is to extend the learners' knowledge and skills by providing them with a deeper and systemic understanding of the current thinking, practice, theory and methodology within the field of environmental management both in the South African and international contexts. The qualification will produce professionals with the requisite vocational knowledge and skills in environmental management and the ability to apply these in a range of environmental management perspectives in aiding the transformation of the socio-economic landscape of South Africa.

The qualification will expose learners to a set of core competencies such as critical thinking, problem-solving, scientific and quantitative reasoning, ethical decision making, communication skills, creativity, innovation, teamwork and technological awareness. Thus, the objective is to extend the learners depth of understanding of current and developing environmental issues.
Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to integrate knowledge and understanding of the approach, practice, theory and methodology within inter-related fields of environmental management. Qualifying learners would enter society to solve and mitigate environmental issues using the scientific method, whilst applying a systematic understanding of advanced aspects of research methodology including research design, data collection and analysis. In a professional context, learners would correctly and ethically apply environmental legislation to support evidence-based environmental decision-making processes.

Qualifying learners will be able to interpret and write relevant reports such as environmental impact assessment and feasibility reports, to ensure that the learners have a working knowledge of all aspects of national and international environmental law.

Rationale:
Environmental sustainability is high on the South African government agenda. The importance of protecting the environment for future generations is embedded in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996: Chapter 2. In addition, the principles of sustainable development are also entrenched in the legislation which further emphasises the South African government's commitment towards sustainable development. To achieve the goals set in the National Strategy for Sustainable Development and Action Plan (NSSD1) the country needs trained environmental professionals who can provide leadership within the field.

The qualification has been designed to address this need by ensuring that the curriculum is relevant to the needs of industry, South Africa and future global developments. According to the NSSD1 approved by the South African Cabinet on 23 November 2011, "South Africa aspires to be a sustainable, economically prosperous and self-reliant nation-state that safeguards its democracy by meeting the fundamental human needs of its people, by managing its limited ecological resources responsibly for current and future generations, and by advancing efficient and effective integrated planning and governance through national, regional and global collaboration".

Most environmental management decisions that are made require moral, social, political, legal, scientific, technological and economic expertise from a wide range of disciplines (Strydom et al. 2018). The focus of the qualification is on the management of the environment as an integrated system and for this reason, the qualification integrates a wide range of supporting disciplines such as occupational health and safety, geographic information systems, economics, water quality, environmental professionals should have advanced knowledge of both the biophysical and human aspect of environmental systems to be able to participate actively in environmental decision making.

Stakeholders that were consulted include, current learners, staff alumni, advisory board, the Department of Agricultural and Rural Development, Rural Development and Land Reform, Water and Environmental Science and Technology; different municipalities namely, City of Cape Town and City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. Companies that were consulted include Engen, Eskom, CA mining, Gecko (Namibia), Shell (Brazil) and consultancy companies such as Avifauna, Chand Environmental Consultants, Eco-SA Environmental Consultants, Terraworks and SRK Consulting.

According to the feedback from stakeholders the field of environmental management is shifting from management to environmental compliance, due to the increasing corpus of legislation in South Africa and the government's commitment to sustainable development. The majority of the stakeholders have emphasised the importance of knowledge about environmental law in South Africa today.

Environmental Management does not have a statutory professional body, but relevant non-statutory professional bodies were consulted. The South African Council For Natural Scientific Professionals (SACNASP) is essentially for Natural and Environmental Scientists such as Hydrologists and Geohydrologists. It is not specifically for Environmental practitioners. However, SACNASP requirements were used as a guideline in the development of the Environmental Geohydrology subject content. Therefore, the curriculum addresses the needs of industry and is relevant to what is required of an environmental management professional in the job market.

Employment opportunities for the qualifying learners exist in government departments such as the Department of Environmental Affairs and Planning, Water Affairs and Forestry, City of Cape Town, private sector Industries and consulting companies. Graduates will be able to find employment as Environmental Officers, Senior Environmental Officers, Environmental Consultants, GIS Technicians and Risk Administrators.
The has been designed to provide advanced knowledge in the practice of Integrated Environmental Management and scientific skills for those who aim to progress in their professional careers within the broader environmental management industry.

The National List of Occupations in High Demand released by DHET in 2018 echoes The National Scarce Skills List of 2014 indicates that Environmental Managers (80), Water Quality Analysts (86), SHEQ Practitioners (37) and Health and Safety Managers(86) are occupations that are considered in short supply within South Africa. As the curriculum was designed taking into account the occupational needs of the country graduates will have the knowledge and skills to contribute to the sustainable development of South Africa. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL will be conducted according to the institution's RPL policy. Learners who submit a body of evidence of non-formal and formal learning will be considered for admission to this qualification. RPL applications will be dealt with on an individual basis. Admission to this qualification may in part be achieved through recognition of prior learning and proven prior work experience in the field of environmental management.

RPL for access:
  • RPL for access is applied to earners 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.
  • Advanced standing may be granted.


    RPL for exemption from module:
  • 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 and 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 credits:
  • 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.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Management, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Environmental Management, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    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 Project V, 30 Credits.
  • Environmental Law V, 15 Credits.
  • Environmental and Waste Management V, 15 Credits.
  • Environmental Resources Management V, 15 Credits.
  • Research Techniques for Environmental Management V, 15 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 8,30 Credits (Select two modules):
  • Environmental Chemistry V, 15 Credits.
  • Geographic Information Systems V, 15Credits.
  • Water Resources Management V, 15 Credits.
  • Safety and Health Management V, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Integrate knowledge and understanding of the approach, practice, theory and methodology within inter-related fields of Environmental Management.
    2. Solve and mitigate environmental issues using the scientific method.
    3. Apply systematic understanding of advanced aspects of research methodology including research design, data collection and analysis.
    4. Apply environmental legislation correctly and ethically to support evidence-based environmental decision-making processes.
    5. Communicate and appropriately report environmental management issues to professionals and laypersons. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply methods of integrated environmental management within a variety of geographical, social and economic contexts; and
  • Solve practical environmental management problems by reporting according to the current Environmental Management Act.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Manage and document water quality with respect to water quality standards (World Health Organization and International Standards Organization).
  • Compare and contrast determinants of environmental factors in relation to hydrological charts.
  • Conduct water sampling for further laboratory analysis.
  • Compile an appropriate remediation plan for a contaminated and disturbed site.


    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Construct an acceptable research proposal that includes the relevant sections and is accepted by the departmental research committee.
  • Conduct research in a relevant environmental management field that addresses the research questions identified.
  • Write a research report that analyses and discusses the research undertaken according to the departmental template.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Apply environmental legislation to current environmental problems.
  • Provide appropriate environmental legislation advice on proposed activities that fall under the regulations of the relevant legislation (such as NEMA Act 107 of 1998).

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Demonstrate effective communication by written means as required in the environmental law and management context.
  • Interact successfully with colleagues, other role players and members of other professions and disciplines during the processing of environmental management matters; through meeting organisation and attendance. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management was compared against the following international institutions:

    Country: United States of America (USA)
    Institution: The Ohio State University
    Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science
    1. The environmental science graduate program cuts across traditional academic disciplines and colleges to provide sound and effective graduate education and research on these important environmental issues. The qualification emphasises basic research on ecological processes and effects and applied research and teaching that will contribute to solving the world's pressing environmental problems.
    Comparative analysis: This qualification focuses on the research component but offers more research niches and specialisations. This qualification has similar outcomes.

    Country: New Zealand
    Institution: The University of Auckland
    Qualification Title: Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Management
    2. The qualification includes original research that must meet internationally recognised standards in that field.
    Comparative analysis: Similar in most regards, with the exception being a national focus.

    Country: United States of America USA)
    Institution: The University of Maryland
    Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management
    3. The institution offers a coursework-based online qualification with various areas of specialisation.
    Comparative analysis: The curriculum and mode of delivery align with the blended learning approach of this qualification.

    Country: India
    Institution: Savitribai Phule Pune University
    Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Managing
    This qualification is offered by courses work (2 semesters, with 7 subjects).
    Comparative analysis: The subject content and mode of delivery is comparable to this qualification.

    Conclusion: The new qualification has similarities to those offered by the international institutions mentioned above. The content and scope of the qualification, in the broader sense, compare well with the international offerings and will prepare learners to acquire the intrinsic knowledge and skills to deal with the environmental challenges facing the country and Africa (in addition to globally) as a whole. The new qualification, therefore, compares favourably with the international qualifications on offer. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Environmental Analysis and Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Environmental Management, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Environmental Management, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.