New programmes and institute all about getting organised

In 2007, the Section of Organisational Psychology in the UCT School of Management Studies will launch two new postgraduate programmes dealing with monitoring and programme evaluation.

The honours-level Programme in Training Evaluation will focus on the systematic evaluation of organisational learning programmes. In turn, the master's Programme in Monitoring and Programme Evaluation deals with monitoring and evaluating public sector and human resources programmes.

"These courses are a response to a national need for the improvement of practice and theory of programme evaluation," said Prof Joha Louw-Potgieter, head of organisational psychology.

In addition to these formal programmes, the section will also launch the Institute of Monitoring and Evaluation (IME) early in 2007. This self-sustaining organisation will provide short courses and consulting services to external clients.

These will cover anything from to basics of programme evaluation to setting up monitoring and tracking systems, from needs assessment to impact evaluation. These short courses can be presented in-house or at the university.

In March 2007, the IME will present an annual learning event in Pretoria and Cape Town. A number of international monitoring and evaluation experts will visit Cape Town and Pretoria to present a weeklong workshop on the latest trends in monitoring and evaluation.

"We have had a tremendous response to our adverts in the press for the academic programmes and short courses," says Louw-Potgieter. "We envisage big classes with a diversity of students - exactly the mix one wants in a postgraduate programme."