1 online resource (vii, 138 leaves : ill.) / Following an awareness of an increased turn over of staff in the eating disorder unit as compared with other specialised units, in a psychiatric hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tara Hospital, the researcher was motivated to investigate the issue. An exploratory, descriptive based research was chosen to explore and gain information about the topic and its implications. A qualitative research approach was used to gain insight into the perceptions and needs of the team working on the unit. The case study method was used. A pilot study was undertaken to test the validity of the interview schedules. The sampling category was a non- probability one. Individuals were selected from the population of staff working on the unit. Participants were selected from two groups, those who were presently working on the unit and those who had previously worked on the unit and now working in other units. Interview procedure involved personal semi-structured interviews conducted by the researcher and analysed qualitatively and a structured interview questionnaire analysed quantitatively. The researchers assumption that many staff members move from working in an eating disorders unit was confirmed and is due to the following: Staff turnover is due to constant exposure to occupational stress and burnout. Feelings of helplessness, a sense of being unappreciated and excessive exposure to conflict from the patients. In addition, staff experience minimum rewards leading to lowered job satisfaction due to the patients slow recovery rates and a poor prognosis of the illness. Staff also experience a change in their eating patterns and an increased awareness around food and food issues. Recommendations to the staff include: * Psycho-education on eating disorders. * Implementation of strategies to provide supportive care for all staff members. * Education on stress management and strategies to prevent staff burnout and lowered job satisfaction. * A multidisciplinary teamwork approach by the staff, when working in the unit. / Social Work / M. A. (Social Science in Mental Health)

1 online resource (vii, 138 leaves : ill.) / Following an awareness of an increased turn over of staff in the eating disorder unit as compared with other specialised units, in a psychiatric hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tara Hospital, the researcher was motivated to investigate the issue. An exploratory, descriptive based research was chosen to explore and gain information about the topic and its implications. A qualitative research approach was used to gain insight into the perceptions and needs of the team working on the unit. The case study method was used. A pilot study was undertaken to test the validity of the interview schedules. The sampling category was a non- probability one. Individuals were selected from the population of staff working on the unit. Participants were selected from two groups, those who were presently working on the unit and those who had previously worked on the unit and now working in other units. Interview procedure involved personal semi-structured interviews conducted by the researcher and analysed qualitatively and a structured interview questionnaire analysed quantitatively. The researchers assumption that many staff members move from working in an eating disorders unit was confirmed and is due to the following: Staff turnover is due to constant exposure to occupational stress and burnout. Feelings of helplessness, a sense of being unappreciated and excessive exposure to conflict from the patients. In addition, staff experience minimum rewards leading to lowered job satisfaction due to the patients slow recovery rates and a poor prognosis of the illness. Staff also experience a change in their eating patterns and an increased awareness around food and food issues. Recommendations to the staff include: * Psycho-education on eating disorders. * Implementation of strategies to provide supportive care for all staff members. * Education on stress management and strategies to prevent staff burnout and lowered job satisfaction. * A multidisciplinary teamwork approach by the staff, when working in the unit. / Social Work / M. A. (Social Science in Mental Health)

Abstract Software engineering is advancing according to market needs. Consequently, software development methods that initially caused controversies such as Agile, and more recently Lean, are increasingly being adopted by the software industry. Particularly, Lean Software Development, which was initially regarded as one of the Agile methods, is acquiring an identity of its own as a means to scale Agile. However, Lean thinking is still open to interpretation in the domain of software development, which differs fundamentally from the manufacturing domain where Lean originally emerged. Specific issues such as the essence of Lean Software Development, the compatibility of Lean and Agile and the best combination of them are not properly understood. This dissertation addresses Lean thinking and its combination with Agile in the field of software development, by providing empirical evidence on how software-intensive organisations use them in practice. The research was performed in four phases. First, the relevant literature was analysed to identify research opportunities. Second, a survey strategy was used to investigate status and trends in the adoption of Agile and Lean. The third phase explored in detail how Agile and Lean are combined in practice, by conducting case studies on two large-scale, industry-leading companies that were transforming their processes from Agile Software Development into Lean Software Development. Finally, in the fourth phase, the results of the previous research phases were synthetized to draw conclusions and outline implications. The results of the study confirmed the interest of practitioners in using a combination of Agile and Lean. Unlike in manufacturing, the borders of Agile and Lean are not clearly defined in the software domain. The results provided evidence of numerous compatibilities between Agile and Lean in software development. Generally, the use of Agile methods at a prescriptive level is guided by Lean principles. However, Lean thinking also brings new practical elements to software development processes, such as Kanban, work-in-progress limits, a ‘pull’ and ‘less waste’-oriented culture and an extended emphasis on transparency and collaborative development. The results showed the fundamental importance of practices that enable quick feedback, fast learning and adaptation. / Tiivistelmä Ohjelmistotuotanto kehittyy markkinoiden tarpeiden mukaisesti. Aiemmin kiisteltyjä ketteriä menetelmiä, ja nykyään myös Lean-menetelmiä sovelletaan yhä useammin ohjelmistoteollisuudessa. Lean-menetelmiin perustuva Lean-ohjelmistokehitys erottuu selkeämmin välineenä laajentaa ketterien menetelmien käyttöä. Lean on yhä monitulkintainen ohjelmistotuotannossa, joka poikkeaa teollisuustuotannosta, josta Lean on peräisin. Lean-ohjelmistokehitystä, Lean- ja ketterien menetelmien yhteensopivuutta ja niiden parasta yhdistelmää ei vielä ymmärretä riittävän hyvin. Tämä väitöskirja käsittelee Lean-menetelmien yhdistämistä ketteriin menetelmiin ohjelmistotuotannossa. Tutkimus esittää kokemusperäistä tietoa, kuinka näitä menetelmiä käytetään ohjelmisto-alan organisaatioissa. Tutkimus oli nelivaiheinen. Aluksi tutkimusmahdollisuudet kartoitettiin tutkimalla aiheeseen liittyvää kirjallisuutta. Seuraavaksi tutkittiin kyselytutkimuksen avulla Lean- ja ketterien menetelmien käyttämisen nykytilaa ja kehitystä. Kolmannessa vaiheessa tapaustutkimuksilla selvitettiin Lean- ja ketterien menetelmien yhdistämistä käytännössä. Tapaustutkimuksia tehtiin kahdessa suuressa yrityksessä, jotka olivat muuttamassa prosessejaan ketteristä menetelmistä kohti Lean-ohjelmistokehitystä. Lopuksi aiemmat tutkimusvaiheet yhdistettiin johtopäätöksiä ja vaikutusten hahmottamista varten. Tutkimuksen tulokset vahvistavat Lean- ja ketterien menetelmien yhdistämisen kiinnostavan ohjelmistotuotannonharjoittajia. Lean- ja ketterien menetelmien rajat eivät ole selkeästi määriteltyjä ohjelmistotuotannossa. Tulokset tukevat käsitystä Lean- ja ketterien menetelmien yhteensopivuudesta. Lean ohjaa yleisellä tasolla ketterien menetelmien käyttöä. Lean tuo kuitenkin myös uusia elementtejä ohjelmistotuotantoon, kuten Kanban-menetelmän, keskeneräisen työn rajoittamisen, kysyntään perustuvan ’pull’-menetelmän ja turhan työn vähentämistä tavoittelevan ’less-waste’-työkulttuurin. Lean-ajattelu myös lisää painotusta läpinäkyvyyteen ja yhteistyöhön.

<div>This study explores the perceptions of critical stakeholders as to the viability of a fully remote apprenticeship delivery system (FRADS), as well as its ability to serve as a functionally equivalent path of inclusion for access-limited populations. One of the first recorded pedagogical models, apprenticeship was also one of the first to be regulated. The effectiveness of the method of training a novice to enter the adult world of work through apprenticeship is undisputed, when it is conducted in a manner approximate to that from which it derived: a process that occurs over time, with continuous interaction between novice and expert. Despite millennia of practice, and a few emerging programs called Virtual Apprenticeships, the critical real-time skills-based mentoring component (on the job instruction/training, or OJI/OJT) of the modern apprenticeship is still only carried out fully in face-to-face programs. With the move to work-from-home (WFH) resulting from the global COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, assessing the viability of a FRADS is timely. This qualitative exploratory study is a first step in the discussion. Bounded by the parameters of the U.S. Certified Apprenticeship Guidelines for Registered Apprenticeships and the constructs of viability and functional equivalence, participants of three critical stakeholder groups—policy makers, service managers, and front-line service workers—offer their pre-pandemic perceptions of the construct of a FRADS. Guided by the work of Jahoda, et al., (1957), Northrop (1949,1959), and Swedberg (2018), this qualitative exploratory methodology identified perceptual data points that are then compared against a framework of viability derived from IEG’s Service Delivery Evaluation Framework (Caceres, et al., 2016). And, because this represents a large systems change (LSC), I included aspects of Weiner’s (2009) Organizational Readiness for Change—valance and efficacy—as additional indicators of potential viability. Stakeholders examined key components of IEG’s evaluative criteria applied to a face-to-face apprenticeship as a functionally equivalent, technology-mediated apprenticeship delivery system. Additional stakeholder perceptions, mid-pandemic, along with a review of scholarly articles, media reports, and Department of Labor statistics concerning the impact of the WFH mandates foreground the gap a purposeful FRADS might fill. Analysis of some of the findings are represented in a preliminary process map. </div>

Cette recherche exploratoire sur l’équité socio-économique de confort pédagogique vise à comprendre la problématique du faible rendement du système scolaire des Seychelles. Elle met l’accent sur l’équité du système en se basant sur la performance scolaire des élèves au sein des écoles primaires et secondaires aux Seychelles. L’objectif est de faire un état de lieu de l’équité socio-économique de confort pédagogique aux Seychelles. Ainsi à partir d’un corpus de 74 textes constitués pour l’essentiel de rapports ministériels nous avons réalisé une analyse documentaire (Cellard, 1997 ; Gauthier, 2009 ; Poupart et al., 1997) qui a permis de dégager quelques caractéristiques de la situation de l’école Seychelloise par rapport à la mise en œuvre de l’équité. Une analyse de la quantité et la qualité des enseignants, des stratégies pédagogiques déployées en salle de classe et l’évaluation des apprentissages montre que le système éducatif Seychellois a encore du chemin à faire pour couvrir convenablement les attentes en matière d’équité socio-économique de confort pédagogique, envisagée sous l’angle de la conceptualisation de Sall et De Ketele (1997). Ce constat majeur d’une faiblesse plus générale du système éducatif Seychellois par rapport à cette forme d’équité nous a amenée à faire diverses recommandations, tant en ce qui concerne les directions d’établissement qui devraient réajuster les politiques en matière d’équité ; mais aussi en direction du personnel enseignant plus large, incluant leurs formateurs, appelés à traduire en actes concrets l’équité en classe et dans les relations avec les élèves. Celui-ci comme on le verra requiert à la fois un travail de différenciation pour soutenir et accompagner les élèves en fonction de leurs besoins d’apprentissage, mais aussi un travail de régulation et d’ajustement continue des stratégies d’enseignement et d’évaluation pour les aligner sur une norme de justice sociale. / This exploratory research on socio-economic equity of educational comfort aims to understand the problem related to the low performance of the Seychelles educational system. It emphasizes the fairness of the system based on the academic performance of students in primary and secondary schools in Seychelles. The aim is to assess the socio-economic equity of educational comfort in the Seychelles. Thus, from a corpus of 74 texts comprised mainly of ministerial reports, we carried out a documentary analysis (Cellard, 1997; Gauthier, 2009; Poupart et al., 1997) which made it possible to identify some characteristics of the situation regarding schools in Seychelles in relation to the implementation of equity. An analysis of the quantity and quality of teachers, of the pedagogical strategies deployed in the classroom and how students are being assessed shows that the Seychelles education system still has a few milestones to cover adequately the expectations in terms of socio-economic equity of pedagogical comfort, considered from the angle of the conceptualization of Sall and De Ketele (1997). This major finding in regards to the general weakness of the Seychelles education system in relation to this form of equity led us to make various recommendations both towards the school administrators who should readjust policies in place based on equity, also the teaching staff, including their education trainer, who are called upon to translate equity in their classrooms and the way they interact with their students. As we will see, this requires applying differentiation techniques to support and accompany the students according to their learning needs, and also it involves that teachers regulate and continuously adjust their teaching and evaluation strategies to align with a standard of social justice.

Biodiversity surveys conducted by consulting firms generate valuable biodiversity data. However, the full potential of this data remains untapped without proper structuring and integration into a collaborative network of shared data. This thesis addresses the lack of studies exploring data management in biodiversity surveys and the specific requirements for data structuring. The objective of this Bachelor’s thesis is to introduce the concepts of data management in biodiversity surveys and collaborative data sharing, which have gained scientific popularity due to advancements in data-driven technologies and growing public interest in environmental sustainability. Using a qualitative and exploratory approach based on the Design Science Research paradigm, this research draws general conclusions on data management practices in biodiversity surveys and identifies the requirements for new data standards. The findings of this thesis serve as a starting point for ongoing efforts toward establishing a standardised structure for biodiversity survey data. Such a structure would enable meaningful insights through data-driven technologies and facilitate integration into a collaborative network of shared data. By addressing the gap in understanding data management and data standards in biodiversity surveys, this research contributes to the effective utilization of biodiversity data, ultimately supporting the achievement of sustainability goals. / Naturvärdesinventeringar utförda av konsultfirmor i Sverige genererar en betydande mängd biodiversitetsdata. För att utnyttja värdet av denna data fullt ut är strukturerad hantering och öppen samverkan och delning av data inom öppna data-ekosystem avgörande. Genom att organisera och standardisera datan på ett enhetligt sätt blir den mer användbar och kan bidra till att uppnå globala och nationella hållbarhetsmål. Trots behovet finns det brist på studier som fokuserar på datahantering vid Naturvärdesinventeringar och specifikt specificerar kraven för strukturerad hantering av data. Detta kandidatarbete introducerar ämnet datahantering från Naturvärdesinventeringar samt delning av data inom öppna data-ekosystem. Dessa ämnen har blivit alltmer populära inom forskningen på grund av framstegen inom datadrivna teknologier och det ökande allmänna intresset för miljömässig hållbarhet. Med en kvalitativ och utforskande metod baserad på Design Science Research-paradigmet drar denna forskning generella slutsatser om god praxis för datahantering vid Naturvärdesinventeringar samt identifierar krav som behöver uppfyllas för att kunna dela datan inom öppna data-ekosystem. Resultaten av detta arbete utgör en grund för fortsatt arbete mot att etablera en standardiserad struktur för biodiversitetsdata från Naturvärdesinventeringar. En sådan struktur skulle möjliggöra djupare insikter genom datadrivna teknologier samt underlätta integreringen av data inom öppna data-ekosystem. Genom att belysa kunskapsbristen inom datahantering och datastandarder vid Naturvärdesinventeringar bidrar detta arbete till en effektivare användning av biodiversitetsdata och stödjer därmed arbetet med att uppnå hållbarhetsmålen.

This study explored the implementation of the recognition of prior learning (RPL) at Unisa by investigating the strengths and weaknesses of the RPL methodology, instruments and processes when taking students through the RPL process. The successes and challenges experienced by the RPL academic advisors and the academic assessors were determined and guidelines provided for the effective implementation of RPL at Unisa. The empirical research design was exploratory within a qualitative framework employing participant observation, focus group interviewing, individual interviewing and the distribution of questionnaires that consisted of open-ended questions. The research sample comprised 26 purposefully selected participants. With regard to the research findings, the challenges include a lack of administrative support, a lack of support from top management and the academic staff, and a lack of communication between management and the RPL department. The strength of the RPL department lay in its well-documented process manual. / Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Education Management)

A Internet veio para ficar nas universidades e bibliotecas. É objetivo desta tese de doutorado adrentar-se extensivamente nesse aspecto. Em duas vertentes, procura-se perscrutar o ambiente acadêmico paulista (UNESP, UNICAMP e USP) quanto às mudanças geradas pelo uso da Internet e, conseqüentemente, influindo em novos comportamentos e desempenhos de bibliotecários e docentes/pesquisadores e, ainda, identificar tipos de recursos utilizados na prática bibliotecária agora com o emprego de tecnologias emergentes. De outro lado, com interesse didático, busca-se reconstruir conhecimentos para cobrir matéria faltante a estudantes e iniciados no assunto, contemplando tópicos como Internet, Universidade/Serviços e Informação, Sociedade da Informação e Impactos. Como disciplinamento da matéria, o trabalho foi dividido em três grandes partes: Parte I – Plano metodológico de pesquisa, para visualização sintética dos estudos. Parte II – Sistematizações e referencial teórico, para fundamentação dos estudos e preparo de matéria para ensino e divulgação. Parte III – Pesquisa exploratória com descrição dos resultados do estudo de campo e determinação de indicadores de pesquisa, úteis como pressupostos para novas pesquisas. Finaliza-se com a validação da análise da pesquisa exploratória por meio de um estudo final, em que focaliza uma biblioteca universitária modelar, já inserida em ambiente digital: o Centro de Informação e Referência da Faculdade de Saúde Pública da USP. Quanto à caracterização da pesquisa, trata-se de estudo exploratório realizado, no período de 1999 a 2001, utilizando dois questionários estruturados, distribuídos por correio eletrônico, sendo um para 71 bibliotecas selecionadas das universidades oficiais paulistas e outro para 193 docentes/pesquisadores das mesmas universidades. Das bibliotecas obtiveram-se 23 respostas válidas ou 32,4%, enquanto dos docentes obteve-se o retorno de 42 respostas voluntárias ou 21,8%. Complementa-se a pesquisa com o estudo in loco de uma biblioteca modelar validando os resultados obtidos no estudo exploratório. Os resultados sinalizados nas considerações finais apontam o amplo uso da Internet pelos sujeitos avaliados, com destaque para os recursos de correio eletrônico e www. Nas bibliotecas, praticamente todos os setores/atividades fazem uso de algum recurso especifico da Internet, da mesma forma entre os docentes. Observa-se que o inicio do uso da Internet deu-se na década de 90. Com o advento da Internet surgem produtos e serviços adaptados ao ambiente digital (boletim bibliográfico e sumário de periódicos), e novos (biblioteca virtual, atendimento de usuários remotos e Intranet) verificados na Biblioteca da Faculdade de Saúde Pública da USP. Já, com os docentes, a finalidade de uso da Internet recai na troca de correspondência. O estudo analisa a questão dos equipamentos de informática (hardware e software) e os controles de uso e acessos adotados sobre os usuários pelas bibliotecas. Avalia-se o tipo de dificuldade e os benefícios do uso da Internet. Da relação do docente com a biblioteca, não se pode afirmar se a Internet afeta a freqüência, mas constata-se que a mesma se dá entre diária a 2 ou três vezes por semana (42,8%). Do estudo particularizado detectam-se os apoios e serviços oferecidos aos usuários (incluindo os remotos), com ênfase a programas de orientação e treinamento de usuários. Enfim, para os informantes consultados (bibliotecas e docentes) mudanças efetivamente ocorrem em relação aos serviços de informação em bibliotecas universitárias, exigindo revisão dos processos operacionais e necessidades de contínua formação de agentes e usuários de informação. Incluem-se considerações finais, recomendações e mensagem pessoal. / Internet came to stay at universities and libraries. The major objective of this dissertation elaborated to obtain the PhD Degree in Communications Sciences is to study this subject. The focus of this research is on the analysis of the academic environment to scrutinize the changes caused by the Internet use -- and its consequences which affected performance and generated new behavior among the faculty, researchers and librarians -- and to identify several types of resources used in the library routine, made available through the advent of cutting-edge-technologies. On the other hand, with a didactic interest, the researcher aims at building a knowledge body to cover missing aspects of this subject available to students and beginners of this field , including topics such as Internet, university , services and information, the Information Society and its impacts on the academic environment. The research is organized in three parts: Part I – Research Methodological Plan elaborated to give an overview of the study . Part II – Systematization and Theoretical Reference to give the fundamentals of the study and to prepare the subject for teaching practices and promotion. Part III – Exploratory Research with a description of the results obtained in the field study and determination of tools that may be useful for future researches. The conclusion validates the analysis of the exploratory research focused on an ideal university library which is already inserted in the digital environment: the School of Public Health Information Center of the University of São Paulo. In relation to the characterization of this research, it is an exploratory study carried out from 1999 to 2001. It used two structured questionnaires distributed via e-mail : the first one was sent to 71 selected official university libraries and the second was sent to 193 researchers and faculty members of the same universities. Concerning the libraries , 23 valid responses were obtained ( 32.4%) and 42 faculty members provided their feedbacks (21.8%). The research was complete through the “on site" study of a model library done to validate the results obtained in the exploratory study. The results show a wide use of internet , especially e-mail correspondence and the resources offered by Universal Research Locators (www).All library sections and academic activities use some Internet resource. It is remarkable to observe that Internet use started in the 1990’s .With the advent of Internet, several products were adapted to the digital environment (Bibliographic Bulletins, Periodicals Contents) and new services were created (Virtual Libraries, remote patron assistance , Intranet resources) identified in the library of the School of Public Health (USP). Regarding the faculty, Internet was used mainly to exchange e-mails. The study considers hardware and software conditions and the use control strategies implemented for library users. Types of difficulties and benefits of Internet use is assessed. Considering the relationship Faculty-Library, the study concluded that it is not possible to state that Internet affects library use, but it registered two professors visits per week on average ( 42.8%).The study revealed emphasis on training and orientation programs and on library services offered to patrons – for both in person and remote users – faculty members and libraries at large.

En aquest treball exploratori s'estudien les conductes de cercad'informació a la web d'un total de sis participants (quatre estudiants de traducció en el seu primer any d'estudis de postgrau i dos traductors professionals amb tres i 15 anysd'experiència, respectivament). Atès que la necessitat de cercar, recuperar, utilitzar i generar informació depèn, entre molts altres factors, del tipus d'usuari i recerques documentals, aquest estudise centra en les cerques d'informació en línia realitzades a partir de la traducció de l'espanyol a l'anglès de dos textos dedivulgació científica. Els comportaments de recerca d'informació en línia dels participants de l'estudi s'analitzen per tant en relació a una sèrie de característiques textuals (encàrrec de traducció i text d'origen) i qualitats personals (nivell de coneixement sobre la temàtica de traducció, i nivell de coneixement i experiència tanten el camp de la traducció com en la recerca d'informació en línia). Tot i que s'han recopilat dades de tots els participants de l'estudi pel que fa a la primera tasca de traducció, les dades relatives a la segona tasca de traducció corresponen només als estudiants de traducció. / En este trabajo exploratorio se estudian las conductas de búsqueda de información en la Web de un total de seis participantes (cuatro estudiantes de traducción en su primer año de estudios de postgrado y dos traductores profesionales con tres y 15 años de experiencia, respectivamente). Dado que la necesidad de buscar, recuperar, utilizar y generar información depende, entre otros muchos factores, del tipo de usuario y búsquedas documentales, este estudio se centra en las búsquedas de información en línea realizadas a partir de la traducción del español al inglés de dos textos de divulgación científica. Los comportamientos de búsqueda de información de los participantes del estudio se analizan por tanto en relación a una serie de características textuales (encargo de traducción y texto de origen) y cualidades personales (nivel de conocimiento sobre la temática de traducción, y nivel de conocimiento y experiencia tanto en el campo de la traducción como en la búsqueda de información en línea). Si bien todos los participantes del estudio realizaron la primera tarea de traducción, solo los estudiantes llevaron a cabo la segunda tarea de traducción. / This multiple-case study explores the Web search behaviors of a total of six participants. These include a naturally occurring sample of four postgraduate translation trainees (in their first year of studies) who enrolled in an introductory course on technical and scientific translation, and two additional subjects (a PhD student of translation with three years of casual professional translation experience and a translation teacher with over 15 years of experience in the discipline) who participated in a pilot study conducted prior to the main study. Given that the need to seek, retrieve, use, and generate translation information depends on the type of users and the translation tasks performed, the study focuses on two specific tasks dealing with the translation of two popular-science texts from Spanish into English. In particular, the study examines the online search behaviors of all participants in relation to a number of translation task attributes (text type and translation brief) as well as user attributes (translation expertise, Web search expertise, and domain knowledge). While for the first task data was obtained from all six research participants, the second task was only carried out by the four translation trainees.

This study explored the implementation of the recognition of prior learning (RPL) at Unisa by investigating the strengths and weaknesses of the RPL methodology, instruments and processes when taking students through the RPL process. The successes and challenges experienced by the RPL academic advisors and the academic assessors were determined and guidelines provided for the effective implementation of RPL at Unisa. The empirical research design was exploratory within a qualitative framework employing participant observation, focus group interviewing, individual interviewing and the distribution of questionnaires that consisted of open-ended questions. The research sample comprised 26 purposefully selected participants. With regard to the research findings, the challenges include a lack of administrative support, a lack of support from top management and the academic staff, and a lack of communication between management and the RPL department. The strength of the RPL department lay in its well-documented process manual. / Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Education Management)