Doctoral Study Assesses Risk Management in the TVET College Sector

BY: .

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges in South Africa are drivers of skills development and a mechanism to alleviate unemployment in the country. 

However, if risk management is neglected, this important national agenda will be compromised. Thus, a keen interest in the area of Risk Management saw Dr Amil Nundkumar embarking on a research journey which earned him a Doctor of Public Administration from UKZN in May 2023. 

Through a thesis: A Comparative Study of Risk Management in Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges in the eThekwini Municipal region supervised by UKZN’s Public Governance expert, Professor Mogie Subban, Nundkumar’s study focused on three TVET colleges in the eThekwini region. The crucial findings from the research revealed three different risk maturity levels where at the first college, risk management was well-implemented, having accomplishing clean and unqualified Auditor General outcomes. At the second college, the risk strategy was partially implemented, achieving unqualified audit results, while at the last college, risk management was barely executed, revealing negative audit outcomes.

Nundkumar’s study recommends that for the achievement of a dynamic and robust risk management system, the TVET college sector must effectively scan the risk environment which will include the generation of a risk policy and enabling risk management procedures. Further to this, the colleges must create a risk management structure where personnel are required to drive the process. ‘The college audit and risk committee must be established in order to provide an oversight governance compliance function. The risk unit must be enabled with applicable resources to undertake risk identification, risk assessment, risk control, risk monitoring and risk reporting. Successful application of these recommendations will enable positive operational audit outcomes,’ finds the study.

As the risk unit manager at Elangeni TVET College in Durban, the topic of risk management is close to Nundkumar’s heart as he is responsible for operational college compliance, specifically risk and quality management. He is a member of the College Audit and Risk Committee which oversees governance compliance, especially as the institution is audited by the Auditor General’s office. He is also a member of the Planning, Infrastructure and Resources Committee which ensure that the institution plans and delivers on its strategic intents by utilising current resources and infrastructure. 

‘The Doctor of Public Administration degree has equipped me with the necessary skills and knowledge and enabled me to apply myself in an insightful manner concerning my professional obligations assisting to ascertain that the college achieves its strategic mandate,’ he said.

Nundkumar recalls feeling disappointed as a young man when many of his relatives attended the former University of Durban-Westville and he was left behind. Fortunately, his dream of obtaining a university qualification has been achieved! He said: ‘I’m pleased that I have managed to obtain this premier academic accolade! I am proud to be a graduate of this amazing University that truly Inspires Greatness!’

He says he is indebted to his supervisor Professor Mogie Subban who motivated him to complete the doctoral research on time and kept him enthusiastic during the journey.

During his doctoral studies, Nundkumar attended the Annual Conference of the Association of Southern African Schools and Departments of Public Administration and Management where he co-presented papers with Subban. He has co-published three journal publications as well as a book chapter contribution in a public administration publication that is part of the compilation of the National School of Government through an EU-funded project. 

He plans to share and discuss the findings of his research with principals of three TVET colleges. ‘This will be an opportunity to formally thank the principals who have embraced and supported the research undertaking at their respective sites. Furthermore, I will propose my assistance in enabling each of the colleges to implement their risk management function,’ he added. 

Nundkumar admits that it was not always smooth sailing as the research progress was almost shattered when he contracted COVID-19 in 2021 and was hospitalised. Fortunately, with the encouragement from his family and supervisor, he made a recovery and completed his studies. 

Commenting on Nundkumar’s academic achievement, Subban said the graduate has been one of her very praiseworthy students who undertook his studies with such zeal and determination. She congratulated him, saying: ‘He has made a tremendous contribution to the vocational education sector, not only in the academic circle with co-participation in national and international conferences and publishing in several national and international journals and a book chapter, but also from a practical perspective in the TVET College sector wherein vocational education is currently deemed as one of the national imperatives of government.’ 

Words: Hazel Langa

Photograph: Rajesh Jantilal