M.Tech (Department of Accountancy, Faculty of Management Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / The provision of infrastructure delivery programmes in Limpopo province is an important agent in the reduction of poverty, unemployment and strengthening of social capital. The infrastructure development programmes create opportunities for job creation through approaches such as maintenance of existing infrastructure in order to retain resources in the local areas. However, the provision of basic infrastructure still faces serious challenges, notwithstanding the fact that the PFMA and Treasury Regulations (issued by the National Treasury in terms of Section 76 of the PFMA) provide for control measures government has put in place for effective and efficient service delivery in general. The objective of this study was to scrutinise management of finances in the planning, implementation and monitoring of infrastructure programmes and further seek to propose measures to strengthen financial management controls in the implementation of infrastructure programmes to bolster service delivery in the Limpopo province. The literature reviewed indicated that successful implementation of infrastructure development in the province depends on skills and knowledge of the players and financial resources. This study used qualitative research methodology in examining the management of finances in the planning, implementation and monitoring of infrastructure programmes in the Limpopo provincial government. An open-ended questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants. The researcher utilised purposive selection method to obtain information from relevant participants who are directly involved in infrastructure management. The study revealed that Limpopo government departments do not utilise capital budgeting models to appropriately plan and fund infrastructure projects. There are challenges, including procurement processes, lack of appropriate skills to monitor and implement infrastructure projects and lack of standard operating procedures to encourage a culture of uniformity, responsibility and accountability in the processing of payments.

With many countries in Black Africa immersed in external debts and yet others grappling with effects of civil wars and pandemics, social services such as basic education and primary health care pose challenges to them. To mitigate such shortcomings in the region, innovative ways to provide basic education are sought by the private sector. To meet the goals of education for all, national governments fall short of alternatives which gives rise to options like low fee private schools (LFPSs). But these innovative ways which are basically home-grown have got foreign competitors who provide the same basic education services. This thesis does not address the element of competition; rather it explores latest global changes that affect almost all aspects of social life – particularly basic education. This thesis looks at the public-private partnerships (PPPs) in education with low fee private schools (LFPSs) as one of the ‘innovative’ ways of providing basic education; this has had an effect of having entire basic education systems contracted out by national governments in the region. With weak public service systems, how can Black Africa implement PPPs with LFPSs? Using Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis – theory and method as well as operationalised space-times theory by Harvey (1990), this thesis probed PPPs with LFPSs in Liberia. The objectives were to understand the nature of educational reforms advocated in PPPs with LFPSs and to examine the kind of relationship between government and private sector service providers in PPPs with a view of locating the power within such relationships. Another objective was to probe how equitable and inclusive these basic education services provided by PPPs with LFPSs were. The study revealed that PPPs with LFPSs are implicated in denying access to the rural communities, limiting equitable and inclusive education to many social groups like the poor, girls and people with disabilities as well as seeming to undermine national and local governments due to power and ideology.

Denna studie ämnade att undersöka hur studie- och yrkesvägledare informerar och vägleder elever på högskoleförberedande gymnasieprogram inför val av eftergymnasiala studier på högskola/universitet och yrkeshögskola. Studien bottnade i en teoretisk ansats som tar sin grund i Careershipteorin, med särskild tyngdpunkt i handlingshorisont. Sammanlagt har åtta studie- och yrkesvägledare verksamma på högskoleförberedande gymnasieprogram i olika delar av Sverige intervjuats i denna kvalitativa studie. De empiriska data som insamlats genom dessa intervjuer har analyserats genom en abduktiv kodning. Studiens resultat visade på att såväl information som vägledning anges kunna bedrivas på ett flertal olika sätt, alla med olika påverkan på eleverna och deras handlingshorisonter inför val av framtida studier på högskola/universitet och yrkeshögskola. / This study intended to investigate how study and career counselors inform and guide students in college preparatory programmes in upper secondary school before choosing post-secondary studies at colleges/universities and higher vocational education. The study was based on a theoretical approach that is based on the Careership theory, with special emphasis on horizons for action. A total of eight study and career counselors active in college preparatory programmes in various parts of Sweden have been interviewed in this qualitative study. The empirical data collected through these interviews have been analyzed through abductive coding. The results of the study showed that both information and guidance are stated to be conducted in a number of different ways, all with different effects on students and their horizons for action before choosing future studies at colleges/universities and higher vocational education.

Thesis (Ph.D.(Curriculum Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Community education has driven change in societies for time immemorial. The successes of educational services in influencing socio-economic issues in societies across the globe are captured through empirical studies. There are community education services conducted in the Gravelotte community, but they seem not to address socio-economic needs. The level of illiteracy and joblessness is not abated. The purpose of the study was to investigate the extent to which community education services in the Gravelotte community influences socio-economic issues. Qualitative study approach was employed in the study to investigate the subject. The research paradigm engaged was Interpretive within a case study. I used three methods to collect data which were in-depth individual interviews, document analysis and participant observation. Ten participants were interviewed individually using open-ended interview guides. Minutes, journals and related documents were analysed for data triangulation. I participated and observed public meetings and stakeholders’ gatherings within the area under study. The study was conducted in the small semi-urban area of Gravelotte community in Ba-Phalaborwa municipality with a population of about 500 residents of mixed races. The sampling was done purposively as the participants were requested to respond to a matter relative within the community. The generated data was thematically analysed. I interpreted the data generated from informants to make conclusions on answering the main research question. The study brought forth the following findings. There is no secondary school in the Gravelotte community which is detrimental for socio economic development in the area. Community education programmes offered in Gravelotte have significant successes. Several graduates from the TVET college can find employment and some of them start their businesses. The ABET centre in Gravelotte Primary assists mine workers to earn better salaries. There is evidence of success in the education programmes provided in the Gravelotte community. However, the study discovered that the programmes were offered amidst challenges. Planning, participation and partnership were identified as obstacles to proper implementation of education programmes. The use of common planning to deal with educational goals is most required to enhance the success of educational programmes. There is an increased appreciation by the local community to participate in educational matters. Partnerships are being forged between the local community, the municipality and the mines to address the successful implementation of educational programmes. The study recommends that one primary school in the area be empowered to proceed to include a secondary school or provide education up to grade 9. Additionally, that more research is directed into the gap between provision and demand in the future such that the challenges can be extensively investigated. Likewise, that further researches be encouraged to investigate the ability of TVET colleges to collaborate with local communities with intent to find solutions on educational challenges. In conclusion, the study clearly outlines the effects that education has on the socio-economic issues within the Gravelotte community. There are diverse opinions that support each other in areas that are very important for socio-economic development

The Trends in Czech TV Travel Series Between the Years 2010-2020 diploma thesis outlines the typology and main trends in travel series that premiered on Czech public broadcast television channels between 2010 and 2020. The aim of this thesis is to introduce categories of Czech TV travel series and describe how the viewer is addressed. In the theoretical section, the terms such as TV travel journalism and the issue of celebritization and celebrification are defined. By introducing the concept of the Tourist Gaze, the problematic aspects of TV travel series are defined, be it the stereotypization of a displayed environment or the commercialization of its content. Following the methodology section, the thematical classification of Czech TV travel series is presented. In turn, the main part of the thesis focuses on establishing five typological categories of the travel series. After analysing several randomly selected episodes of the programmes, the thesis then sums up the most important peculiarities of Czech public broadcast production of travel series between the years 2010-2020 and identifies the most crucial development trends within the genre.

This thesis is concerned with the topic of research evaluation by bibliometric methods at European level. European level is defined in two perspectives: first as a set of countries grouped in EU (and its historic predecessors), second the Framework Programmes were appointed as a representative of pan-European research. It is investigated how bibliometric methods are used in a research development and evaluation on both political and academic level. The thesis maps the history of use of bibliometric methods and indicators in great detail and it analyzes the aim and impact of such use. The rationale of use of those methods as well as the enablers such as availability of data are investigated. An experiment of constructing and analyzing the set of relevant data is pursued to assess the relevancy and feasibility of such analysis. Based on the findings the thesis summarizes the options and opportunities of bibliometrics as a method for formation and evaluation of European research.

The thesis on the theme "Reading literacy of primary school children: educational programmes influence" is focused on reading literacy, its development and influence of the educational programmes. First chapter is devoted to theoretical analysis of reading literacy. Next chapter discusses about resources and options of reading literacy development and also about the role of parents, libraries and schools in this process. Third chapter deals with the topic of alternative education and methods of teaching reading. Fourth chapter describes the research of the educational programmes influence on reading literacy. Final chapter is focused on cooperation of library and schools in the town of Kladno, analyzes the shortcomings and brings in the possibilities of development.

The human body has been considered to be an active element and is a common starting point of fashion design processes. However, during these processes, understanding of the body and how it is used to design is often confined by the body’s standard spatial and structural characteristics. The research presented in this thesis aimed to examine body alternatives in fashion design processes in order to explore and open up for alternative body expressions for developing silhouettes for clothing.  Alternative aesthetic approaches and understandings of the body as a design tool were researched through experimental explorations, reflections, dialogue, and discussions. These created an embodied dialogue between thought and execution which was further developed and informed by the EDI (Embodied Design Ideation) framework for analysing and refining understandings of the interactions between the body, materials, and movement. These explorations and their outcomes bridge the theory of research for the art and research for art and design.   The explorations were based on the varied ways in which the body is perceived during body-material interactions, and were explored through movement, human-technology interfaces, and an exploratory workshop conducted at the Swedish School of Textiles. These explorations expanded our understanding of the body’s aesthetics in relation to material interactions and embodied experiences. The explorations questioned our preconceived conceptions of the body and facilitated a process of re-learning these through fashion design.  The results of the explorations were alternative methods and tools that use the body as a central variable in fashion design. The research culminated in the development of conceptions of the body in design processes that increase the design possibilities by introducing new concepts, tools, and methods. The body alternatives developed provide an openness in terms of design thinking and introduce conceptions of the body that can facilitate or improve design practice. The results have implications for design methods and contribute to methods in general and fashion design education programmes in terms of how they facilitate design processes.

In recent years, humanitarian organisations increasingly embraced biometric technologies to respond to refugee crises. Therefore, this thesis studied the features and effects of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) biometric cash transfer programme in Jordan. The method that has been used is an analysis of relevant academic literature, reports, policies, and news articles examining biometric tools and the varying uses of biometrics in humanitarian contexts. In particular, attention has been paid to the effects of biometrics on refugee management, as well as on UNHCR and its beneficiaries in Jordan. The analysis uses the concepts of accountability, humanitarian neophilia, and humanitarian technology governance to improve understanding of what the use of biometrics means for the humanitarian sector and those dependent on it. The analysis shows that UNHCR’s biometric cash transfer programme has improved downward accountability by speeding up registration processes, thereby ensuring quicker financial inclusion of refugees. Biometrics also improve upward accountability by providing instant metrics regarding beneficiaries, distributions, and other audit trails. Yet, the analysis also reveals serious concerns about experimentation with new technologies in humanitarian settings, a lack of informed consent and data safeguards for refugees, and UNHCR’s increasing dependence on the private sector. UNHCR’s use of biometrics also improves the reputation of these technologies, generates new protection challenges, and increases exclusion risks for non-registered refugees.

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