Bank concentration and the interest rate pass-through in Sub-Saharan African countries

This study investigates the link between bank concentration and interest rate pass-through (IRPT) in four sub-Saharan countries. It also analyses whether there is asymmetry in IRPT and whether such asymmetry is related to changes in bank concentration. By applying a number of econometric methods including Asymmetric Error Correction Models, Mean Adjustment Lag (MAL) models and Autoregressive Distributed Lag models on monthly data for the period 1994-2007, the study found some evidence of a relationship between bank concentration and IRPT in all four countries. However, the results reveal that bank concentration has a stronger influence on the magnitude of its adjustment rather than its speed. Of particular note in this investigation is the fact that the findings support both the Structure-Conduct-Performance hypothesis and the competing Efficient-Structure hypothesis in the banking industries of the four countries. While there is some evidence supporting the view that bank lending and deposit rates adjust asymmetrically to changes in policy rates, there is very limited evidence that these asymmetries are a result of bank concentration. The key implication of the result for African countries is that increased bank concentration through bank consolidation programmes designed to strengthen banking industries should not be viewed with cynicism in so far as monetary policy transmission is concerned because concentration does not necessarily undermine the effectiveness of monetary policy.Bank Concentration Monetary Policy Interest Rate Pass-Through Asymmetric Adjustment Sub-Saharan Africa

World Rabies Day - a decade of raising awareness

World Rabies Day was set up in 2007 to raise global awareness about rabies, to provide information on how to prevent the disease in at-risk communities and support advocacy for increased efforts in rabies control. It is held annually on September 28th, with events, media outreach and other initiatives carried out by individuals, professionals, organisations and governments from the local to the international level. The Global Alliance for Rabies Control coordinates World Rabies Day, amplifying the campaign's reach through the provision of a central event platform and resources to support events across the world, the promotion of messages through key rabies stakeholders, and the implementation of specific activities to highlight particular issues. Over the last decade, more than 1,700 registered events have been held across the world and shared with others in the global rabies community. Events in canine rabies endemic countries, particularly in Africa and Asia, have increased over time. Beyond the individual events, World Rabies Day has gained the support of governments and international agencies that recognise its value in supporting existing rabies control initiatives and advocating for improvements. As the rabies landscape has changed, World Rabies Day remains a general day of awareness but has also become an integral part of national, regional and global rabies elimination strategies. The global adoption of 2030 as the goal for the elimination of rabies as a public health threat has led to even greater opportunities for World Rabies Day to make a sustainable impact on rabies, by bringing the attention of policy makers and donors to the ongoing situation and elimination efforts in rabies-endemic countries

Difficulties in estimating the human burden of canine rabies

Current passive surveillance data for canine rabies, particularly for the regions where the burden is highest, are inadequate for appropriate decision making on control efforts. Poor enforcement of existing legislation and poor implementation of international guidance reduce the effectiveness of surveillance systems, but another set of problems relates to the fact that canine rabies is an untreatable condition which affects very poor sectors of society. This results in an unknown, but potentially large proportion of rabies victims dying outside the health system, deaths that are unlikely to be recorded by surveillance systems based on health center records. This article critically evaluates the potential sources of information on the number of human deaths attributable to canine rabies, and how we might improve the estimates required to move towards the goal of global canine rabies elimination

The impact of teachers’ limited English proficiency on English second language learners in South African schools

The importance of the role of language in teacher education programmes and in children’s learning is crucial. This study focuses on the use of English as the language of learning and teaching and its impact on the language development of English second language (ESL) student teachers and ESL learners. Against the background of major theories in second language (L2) acquisition and learning, this topic is contextualized within the South African education system. An empirical inquiry was carried out in which portfolios (evidence of practical teaching including lesson plans and learners’ work) submitted by final year student teachers enrolled at a large distance teaching university for the Advanced Certificate in Education: Inclusive Education were scrutinised. A comparison of teacher and learner written errors was made. Based on the findings, a questionnaire was designed to determine the extent of the impact of teachers’ limited English proficiency on learners’ English proficiency. The findings of the questionnaire responses are presented. Recommendations are made on how student teachers can improve their teaching practice to ensure quality ESL teacher input and ESL learner performance.Keywords: English second language; input; learners; limited English proficiency; student teachers

Could industrial engineering techniques improve retention of engineering students in higher education?

Abstract: By increasing the retention of engineering students at training institutions in South Africa it may be possible to increase the number of engineers in the country. Because of the international demand for engineers, emphasis is placed on engineering in the "list of occupations in high demand" in the Government Gazette in Nov 2014. South African Universities are constrained in terms of funds, infrastructure and teaching staff. The university's resources such as fees are optimised when more students are retained in a course. Many factors affect retention and there are many industrial engineering techniques that could be applied. One of the industrial engineering techniques that has been applied to retention is six sigma. The use of six sigma in academia and the challenges encountered have been documented. Challenges identified in a case study were the definition of the product and customer, measuring performance as well as addressing factors that cannot be controlled. This study used six sigma to improve retention of first year students. Retention was improved and the cost benefit calculated. The purpose of this paper is to look at industrial engineering techniques such as systems engineering, operations research, 20 keys to workplace improvement and value engineering to name a few, and how these techniques could theoretically be applied to improve engineering student retention

EXTENDED CURRICULUM PROGRAMME EVOLUTION: A ROAD MAP TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS?

Published ArticleThe extended curriculum programme (ECP) in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Central University of Technology (CUT), Bloemfontein, South Africa, consists of six different instructional programmes. These programmes have been developed for Biomedical Technology, Clinical Technology, Emergency Medical Care, Environmental Health, Radiography and Somatology. This article provides an overview of the progress and development of the health sciences ECP at CUT as a proposed road map to academic success for a specific group of students. To obtain an objective picture of the health sciences ECP students’ success, the assessment results of all the students registered between 2007 and 2012 were retrieved and analysed retrospectively. An increase in articulation was noted from 2010 to 2012 (i.e., from 70% to 84.4%) and an average articulation percentage of 80 per cent was achieved from 2007 to 2012. These figures indicated a successful transition from the ECP to the mainstream programmes. Moreover, 58 per cent of ECP students who registered in 2007 successfully completed their national diplomas in the extended timeframe. This group also delivered three B-Tech candidates and one student registered for a master’s degree. The students’ emotional growth and personal development were also prominent, as observed by the mainstream lecturers. The support offered to students in the current ECP includes a mentorship programme with a qualified psychologist, supplemental instruction (SI) and the sponsorship of all textbooks and registration fees for the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and First Aid training

Reflective learning in engineering education : a case study of Shell Eco- Marathon

Abstract: Globally, universities are reinventing STEM education where traditional classroom methods are substituted or supplemented with practical learning methods such as problem-based learning and project-based learning. Another method, not often employed in STEM, is learning through reflection. This paper presents a case study where a group of engineering students participated in an international competition, the Shell Eco-Marathon, and partook in reflective learning before and after the event. The results indicate that students who learn through reflection value the inclusion of project-based learning in their curricula, which emphasizes the importance of this study for the future of engineering education

EXPECTATIONS IN POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION: PERSPECTIVES FROM SUPERVISORS AND DOCTORAL STUDENTS

Published ArticleThe relationship between the postgraduate supervisor and postgraduate student is commonly described in the literature because of the interesting and sometimes even complex dynamics involved in this process. However, the literature is not always very explicit about the specific expectations of those involved. The findings of a qualitative case study, completed at an American research intensive university (Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA) are communicated in the article. Despite the complexity of the research supervision process, the expectations associated with the supervision process remains a unique experience of collaborative learning. A commitment is required from each of the role players to communicate expectations initially and continuously. Furthermore it was noted that an environment should be created for students in which they are respected as colleagues

Meaningful assessment in health technology

Published ArticleThe implementation of the outcomes-based education and training (OBET) and learner-centred approaches specifically in the health technology programmes at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) exposed facilitators to new challenges in teaching and assessment. The current assessment environment in these programmes was established, using two questionnaires aimed at facilitators and students. The results of the study showed a trend towards innovation in assessment and the establishment of an assessment culture when compared with specific characteristics in literature on meaningful and scholarly assessment practices

Investigating the impact of poor utilisation of quality management system in a South African foundry

Background: In 2007 alone, twenty six foundries were closed down when the castings industries directory was released. A high scrap rate due to a lack of quality management is one of the root causes of low productivity and low profits, resulting in closures. Method: This research paper focusses on the impact of defects on productivity and monetary losses due to poor utilisation of the quality management system in sand casting. Data was gathered on defects and productivity and the company’s quality control records were used for monetary losses due to scrap. The study was conducted over a period of one year at a South African foundry. The standard multiple regression analysis method was used to assess the ability of five defects (cross jointed, bad mould, shrinkage, core fault, and gas porosity) to predict monetary and productivity losses. Results: Cross jointed and bad mould defects had a correlation coefficient of 0.727 and 0.716 respectively which indicated a strong positive correlation. The overall variance explained by the model was 61%, F = 16.263, p<.005. Thus the prevalence of these two types of defects can significantly predict monetary losses, while core fault predicted productivity. Conclusion: Foundry should concentrate on eliminating cross jointed and bad mould defects to avoid a high scrap rate, and core fault to improve productivity