PARI is recognized as a UCT entity

A new, formalised collaboration with the University of Cape Town (UCT) sees us making a major contribution in the field of institutional studies.

Until now, PARI has operated as a Wits University institute, without forming part of the Wits administration. This has entailed access to Wits facilities and a cross-over of staff. From 2018, we will offer the Wits Organisational and Institutional studies degree programme – the first of its kind in the country. This founding relationship has given PARI its strong academic positioning.

Recently, we have been working with UCT’s Graduate School of Development Policy and Practice (GSDPP), contributing content to the school’s vocationally focused master’s degree in governance. This niche programme trains government officials and development-agency staff from across the continent each year, equipping them with skills for strategic leadership in the public sector, civil society and international organisations.

UCT has signed a memorandum of understanding that formalizes the relationship between the GSDPP and PARI, recognising us as a UCT entity. PARI will provide staff members to coordinate and teach one block of the master’s in governance programme. The staff will help supervise master students and have the opportunity to become adjunct UCT faculty. The master’s degree will be branded as a GSDPP degree in partnership with PARI. PARI and GSDPP have also agreed to collaborate on research and develop projects of common interest, including seminars, events and joint publications.

By facilitating this collaborative bridge between UCT and Wits, PARI is rapidly positioning itself at the centre of institutional studies in South Africa. In the process, we are establishing a model for collaboration and affiliation with other prestigious universities, both locally and internationally.

Image by Adrian Frith (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons