SAQA

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.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Postgraduate Diploma: Mechanical Wood Processing

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
19541	Postgraduate Diploma: Mechanical Wood Processing
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch 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
Postgraduate Diploma	Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation		Forestry and Wood Technology
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Level 7	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 091/21	2021-07-01	2023-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30		2027-06-30

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

The purpose of the qualification is

1 to equip learners with the theoretical, practical and intellectual knowledge and skills relating to mechanical processing and optimal utilisation of timber, using as basis the learners previously attained knowledge;

2 to provide qualifiers with the necessary knowledge, specific skills, applied competence and professional attitude in the field of mechanical wood processing to utilise the opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society;

3 to provide South Africa with graduates able to fill managerial, consultancy and entrepreneurial positions and to undertake independent research in the field of mechanical wood processing in order to ensure the broadening of the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge based economic and scholarly activity;

4 to stimulate and prepare learners for research by the provision of the required knowledge skills and insight to develop as mechanical wood processing researchers ; and

5 to provide South Africa with well equipped professional wood processing scientists an practitioners who will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress of mechanical wood processing and of their responsibilities to provide solid wood and wood based products in an economically viable and sustainable and environmentally friendly way.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification.

First degree: BSc, BEng, BSc For, BSc Agric or B Tech. In all cases additional study may be required

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Critical cross-field outcomes:

The PGD Mech WP diplomate:

a) Can identify and solve problems in which responses indicate that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking in the chosen area of specialisation have been made:

b) Understands the principles and concepts underpinning the field of study and of its boundaries and limitations.

c) Possesses knowledge of specialised investigative methods.

d) Has an overview of recent and relevant research in the chosen field.

e) Is familiar with the opportunities, challenges, demands and code of conduct of the profession associated with the field of specialisation.

f) Can work effectively with others as a member of a group, organisation and community.

g) Can organise and manage him/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively.

h) Can collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

i) Can communicate effectively using visual, numerical/mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and written persuasion.

j) Can use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and public health.

k) Has an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

l) Can contribute to his/her personal development and the social and economic development of the society at large.

m) Can explore education and career opportunities.

n) Can develop entrepreneurial opportunities.

General outcomes:

The PGD Mech WP graduate will have demonstrated the following general outcomes:

a) An understanding of the theoretical background in core aspects of the mechanical wood processing sciences by being able to analyse, re-arrange, synthesise and evaluate a wide range of information.
b) The ability to operate a range of equipment and use appropriate techniques and experimental approaches and plan and conduct applied research.
c) The ability to apply the acquired knowledge to solve new theoretical and practical problems by arguing critically and convincingly.
d) The ability to read and interpret literature including the ability to teach themselves from source material.
e) Show a understanding of the importance of using sound experimental controls and statistical methods.
f) An appreciation of the role of scientific modelling in the assembly and understanding of scientific observations.
g) Advanced skills, indicating sound theoretical judgement and evaluations in the presentation of scientific reports (both written and verbal), including use of information technology as an aid to effective communication skills.

Specific outcomes:

In addition to the outcomes listed and the specific outcomes leading to this qualification which the PGD Mech WP graduate will have, are as follows:

a) Possess the managerial and entrepreneurial skills to identify and explore the commercial potential, including knowledge of opportunities available in the commercial wood-processing environment.
b) The capacity for the independent advanced study in a specialised field (mechanical wood processing).
c) Be able to establish professional working relationships within the discipline.
d) Have an understanding of the interdisciplinary relationships within the mechanical wood processing sciences.
e) Be aware of the social responsibility towards the environment.

In summary, diplomats will be equipped with the theoretical, practical and intellectual skills needed to understand and make decisions about the growing and optimal utilisation of timber, and associated natural resources, and the integration of this into the prevailing socio-economic framework.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The assessment used for these outcomes ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

a) A range of formative and summative assessment methods such as simulations, work-place assessments, and written and oral examinations is used.
b) The required range of modalities is used integratedly to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved.
c) The assessment of parts generalising to a domain takes place in a judicious and planned systematic way in order to ensure reliability.

The assessments used meet the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 7.

The criterion used to assess outcomes

a) a And b) is largely whether the information and conceptual content of the work the student submits for marking is accurate and valid.
b) Competence in outcomes will be demonstrated if the student shows an ability to correlate and integrate information and concepts learned in a range of modules and propose valid solutions for a range of theoretical and practical problems.
c) To demonstrate competence in outcomes a student must be able to write logical and coherent reports and essays using computer software, and satisfactorily answer test and examination questions.
d) The student's written and oral presentations must be of an acceptable standard in terms of use of Afrikaans or English language and the structural organisation of presentations.

The assessment used for the PGD Mech WP ensures that the purpose at the qualification is achieved.

Integrated assessment:

Integrated assessment takes place by way of assignments, oral and written presentations, work-place assessment, written and oral examinations. Oral examinations are used to determine the student's ability to integrate the work done in the various modules and disciplines of this programme.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification serves as an entry point to the related qualification(s).

MScFor

Vertical articulation into a MSc For is common at the University of Stellenbosch. Supplementary work may be required. Students can also proceed to such masters programmes at some universities overseas.

MODERATION OPTIONS

The University of Stellenbosch has a system of external peer review and evaluation of departments. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the departments.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The academic staff of the University of Stellenbosch will be used in a manner which conforms to the quality assurance system of the University.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.

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.

1.	Stellenbosch University