Towerstone is no longer operating as a private higher education institution following a business decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a government gazette signed by Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, Director-General of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Towerstone’s registration as a private higher education institution was cancelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This follows Towerstone’s ceasing to provide higher education as contemplated in the Higher Education Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to BusinessTech, Towerstone said that the decision to cease operating as a higher education institution was made in alignment with its business strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The institute mainly focuses on leadership teachings, with a focus on theoretical, interpersonal and behavioural development of leaders in “support of organisational alignment and success.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Towerstone’s aim is to equip\u00a0delegates\u00a0with the knowledge, skills and confidence to \u201cinspire Brand Ambassadorship within their organisations.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It offered a Higher Certificate in Management Practice (NQF Level 5). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nevertheless, the company will continue to offer\u00a0a host of\u00a0learning programmes\u00a0and\u00a0short, non-credit-bearing\u00a0workshops\u00a0for the development of leaders, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite no longer offering accredited qualifications, the company said that it still follows a customised approach to learning material, assessments and facilitation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This ensures that its qualifications\u00a0have\u00a0an impact and\u00a0are\u00a0relevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to its website, its clients have included Pick n Pay, PEP, ArcelorMittal, Shoprite, Entersekt and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The news of Towerstone no longer operating as a higher education institution comes amidst a range of issues facing private educators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In March 2023, the Department of Higher Education slammed Educor for failing to provide the required audited financial results for 2021 and 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This means that City Varsity (Pty) Ltd, Damelin (Pty) Ltd, Icesa City Campus (Pty) Ltd and Lyceum College (Pty) Ltd were all deregistered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nevertheless, the Department said that qualifications from the four Educor-owned colleges that were deregistered are still valid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Educor was reregistered again in 2024, but reports show staff and students are still unsure about the institution’s future amid salaries being unpaid for months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a separate issue, the Independent Institute of Education (IIE) began a legal standoff with the Department over its multiple brand names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IIE operates Varsity College, Vega, Rosebank College and IIEMSA (formerly Monash South Africa).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, the department’s interpretation of regulations has thrown the future of these institutions into uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In September 2024, the department said that the IIE must eliminate all references to its various brand names across its campuses by 31 December 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It argued that Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Institutions mean that an institution can operate under a trade name, not trade names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The IIE strongly disagreed with this interpretation, stating that words in the singular can encompass the plural unless clearly stated otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Referencing the Interpretation Act, the IIE contends that words in the singular can encompass the plural unless clearly stated otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IIE thus approached the High Court in December to suspend the department\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As it stands, the businesses are still trading under their original names. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the problems, JSE-listed Stadio and AdvTech on opening new higher education institutions in the country in Durbanville Cape Town and Sandton, Johannesburg, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
AdvTech also hopes to get full University accreditation as only government-run higher education institutions can be called universities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Solidarity hopes to open a new Akademia campus in Pretoria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n