On 21 April 2010 SAQA hosted representatives from the professional body community for a consultative meeting at Kopanong Conference Estate. The purpose of the meeting was to inform the sector, and allow opportunity for input, about the proposed process that will be followed to develop policy and criteria for the recognition of professional bodies (for the purposes of the NQF Act) and registration of professional designations on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The meeting was attended by more than 250 people, representing more than 90 professional bodies, the Departments of Higher Education and Training, Science and Technology and Human Settlements, as well as HESA, QCTO, Umalusi, CHE, BUSA, Palama and 14 SETAs. The meeting included constructive debate on SAQA`s proposal based on presentations made by SAQA, a statutory professional body (ECSA) and a non-statutory professional body (SAICA). At the end of the event SAQA outlined the nomination process for representatives from professional bodies to serve on the proposed Reference Group (see the notice below for the TOR and reference form). It was also announced that the email address professionalbody@saqa.org.za can be used to submit comments to SAQA throughout the process.
Following a public meeting with professional bodies on 21 April the South African Qualifications Authority invites both statutory and non-statutory professional bodies to nominate representatives to serve on a Reference Group. The Reference Group will provide expertise and advice to SAQA on the draft policy and criteria for the recognition of professional bodies and the registration of professional
