Page 41 - CAO 25th Ann Coffee Table Book

2003-2007
Discussions in 2003 centred around the incorporation of the CAO into the National Higher Education Information and Applications Service (NHEIAS). It was proposed that an interim Steering Committee be set up by the Minister in September 2003. The first phase of the NHEIAS would be for the existing CAO/esATI member institutions for the 2005 cycle. The second phase would incorporate the next group of institutions to join and by 2007 all institutions would fall under NHEIAS. Institutions had until end March 2003 to submit their views on the National Plan.
In 2004, with the appointment of a new Minister of Education, uncertainty had increased around the timing of the proposed NHEIAS national applications project.
Terms of Reference of the CAO Steering Committee would be drawn up. The CAO had successfully eliminated its deficit and was moving away from its threat of closure.
It is at this time that discussions regarding the continued existence of esATI was also high on the agenda of the esATI Board. The Futures Working Group presented a report that had three scenarios and their implications.
Scenario 1: Bring esATI to an end and close the Secretariat by July
2004 to counter the contracts that existed with staff
and similar matters.
Scenario 2: To maintain the Association but close the Secretariat.
This was seen as a non-option because it meant effectively that the Organisation and its programmes would grind to a halt without the Secretariat.
PRETORIA CAREERS AND TRAINING EXHIBITION – 21-23 APRIL 2004
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