Higher Education

We provide comprehensive, end-to-end support to universities, universities oftechnology, private higher education institutions, and TVET colleges. addresschallenges such as enrolment management, research and innovation strategy,curriculum modernization, governance reform, and student success initiatives.
Our approach integrates rigorous research, stakeholder engagement, and contextualinsight, to ensure that every solution we design is both strategic and implementable.Prof Phakeng’s deep experience as a vice-chancellor, deputy vice-chancellor andexecutive dean are important in that regard, and informs our work.

Institutional Strategy and Policy Development

We assist higher education institutions in crafting strategies and governanceframeworks that are future-focused, compliant, and aligned with national and globalagendas.
Scope of Work:Institutional Strategic Planning and Visioning: Facilitation of institution-widestrategic planning processes that align governance, academic, and financialgoals with sector priorities such as the DHET framework, NDP 2030, AU Agenda2063, and the SDGs.
Governance Frameworks: Review and redesign of governance structures(Council, Senate, Faculty Boards, and committees) to strengthen accountability,effectiveness, and regulatory compliance.
Policy Development and Oversight Systems: Drafting and revision of policy suitesthat cover core academic and administrative areas including Teaching andLearning, Research and Innovation, Assessment, AI and Data Use, StudentSupport, and Institutional Risk.
Regulatory Alignment: Ensuring all institutional and academic policies are fullycompliant with the Higher Education Act, the HEQSF, CHE quality standards, andDHET regulatory requirements.
Performance and Oversight Systems: Development of mechanisms linkinginstitutional performance indicators to strategic objectives, risk registers, andaccountability reporting.
Internal Policy Audits: Conducting gap analyses to identify policy overlaps,inconsistencies, or outdated provisions, followed by targeted improvement plans.
Policy Implementation: Designing rollout plans, training materials, and monitoringsystems to ensure institutional stakeholders understand, apply, and periodicallyreview adopted policies.

Academic Portfolio Expansion and Accreditation

We support institutions in designing and accrediting new programmes, establishingnew schools or faculties, and pursuing academic diversification aligned with marketdemand.
Scope of Work:Registration of Private Institutions: Providing support to private higher educationinstitutions seeking DHET registration or re-registration. We provide guidancethrough the Council on Higher Education (CHE) accreditation process and DHETregistration requirements, including self-evaluation reports and site-visitreadiness preparation.
Programme and Faculty Expansion: Advising on the establishment of newschools, faculties, and departments, supported by detailed feasibility studies,market demand analyses, and academic business models.
Assistance in developing new qualifications aligned with the Higher EducationQualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) and South African QualificationsAuthority (SAQA) requirements.
Accreditation and Registration Support (private universities): Guidance throughthe Council on Higher Education (CHE) accreditation process and DHETregistration requirements, including self-evaluation reports and site-visitreadiness preparation.
Advisory on articulation agreements, joint degrees, and transnational educationpartnerships.

Employment Equity, Workforce Planning, and Recruitment

We help institutions build inclusive, equitable, and strategically aligned workforcesthat support academic and operational excellence.
Scope of Work:Strategic workforce planning aligned with institutional growth priorities.Employment equity diagnostics, target setting, and compliance reporting in linewith South African labour law.Design of transparent, merit-based recruitment frameworks for senior academicand administrative roles.Leadership succession and academic pipeline development programmes.

Teaching, Learning, and Innovation

We help institutions modernise pedagogical practices and integrate digital and AI-driven innovation responsibly and effectively.
Scope of Work:Teaching and Learning Strategies: Development of institutional strategies thatimprove teaching quality, curriculum relevance, and student success acrossdifferent modes of delivery.
Curriculum Renewal and Modernisation: Assisting in the review and re-design ofcurricula to integrate blended, online, and flexible learning pathways that respondto technological and societal change.
Academic Integrity and Assessment Frameworks: Formulating policies andsystems to uphold academic honesty, quality assessment, and transparentmoderation.
AI and Educational Technology Integration: Advising institutions on theresponsible adoption of AI and educational technologies, including governance,ethical use, and risk mitigation frameworks.
Academic Staff Development: Designing and facilitating professionaldevelopment programmes focused on pedagogy, assessment literacy, digitalskills, and student engagement.

Research, Innovation, and Fundraising

We guide institutions in strengthening research performance, enhancing innovationecosystems, and growing financial sustainability through strategic fundraising.
Scope of Work:Research and Innovation Strategy: Formulation of institutional frameworks toenhance research excellence, postgraduate supervision, and knowledgecommercialisation.
Research Governance and Ethics: Review of ethics policies, intellectual propertymanagement, and data governance systems to ensure compliance andcredibility.
Technology Transfer and Industry Partnerships: Support for the establishment ofinnovation hubs, start-ups, and collaborative ventures that connect academicresearch to real-world application.
Fundraising and Advancement: Strategic advisory on donor engagement, alumnimobilisation, and proposal development to attract sustainable funding forresearch and institutional priorities.
Grant and Resource Management: Development of systems for tracking,reporting, and auditing external grants to ensure transparency and impactmeasurement.

Financial Sustainability and Revenue Diversification

Institutional Financial Modelling: Analysis of financial structures and forecastingto support long-term stability and sustainability.
Diversification of Revenue Streams: Development of alternative income modelssuch as short learning programmes, executive education, and online schools,particularly for universities seeking to supplement tuition-based funding.
Operational Efficiency: Identification of cost-saving opportunities and processimprovements to enhance financial and operational agility.
Partnership Development: Facilitation of partnerships with private sector, donoragencies, and international collaborators to unlock new funding opportunities andresources.

Our Approach

Perspicuity Consulting applies a method that is collaborative, data-driven, andcontextually grounded. We combine strategic insight with operational precision,ensuring every intervention strengthens institutional capability and creates lastingvalue. Our advisory is tailored to each client’s vision, guided by our belief in insightyou trust, precision you see, and impact you feel.