Certificate in English and Communication

About the Certificate in English and Communication

Qualification Purpose

This qualification is designed introduce students to the study of English language and literature with the objective of assisting students in developing greater proficiency in the communicative language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, with a focus on reading and writing skills which will be required in their professional life after graduation. 

The curriculum is based on the belief that broad proficiency in English is essential to students’ success in their social, professional and academic lives, and to their ability to take their place in society as responsible and productive global citizens. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve these goals.

Outcomes for whole qualification

 On successful completion of this programme students will be able to:

• use English to communicate effectively in a variety of social settings;
  
• use English to achieve academically in all subject areas;
  
• take charge of their own learning, independently and in groups;
  
• select and use effective learning strategies;
  
• integrate confidently into higher level courses;
  
• use English effectively to advocate for themselves in all areas of their lives;
  
• make a successful transition to their chosen post-graduation destination;
  
• function effectively in a society increasingly committed to the use of information technology;

This statement is submitted in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) regulations for Namibia. This qualification has been developed in line with the NQF requirements while addressing the developmental need for Health Sciences Foundations for entry into higher education academic and professional programmes in the fields of health sciences and social services in both private and public higher education institutions in Namibia.

Health Science Foundations provides knowledge and skills students need for higher education studies and careers in health sciences. Students are introduced to the fundamental subjects and courses required for a successful enrolment in preparation for careers in health sciences and social services. It helps students acquire basic knowledge and skills in English and communication; mathematics and problems-solving skills; use of computers and information systems; fundamentals of environmental health foundations, anatomy and physiology foundations; physics and chemistry foundations; occupational health and safety foundations; microbiology and parasitology foundations; pharmacology and pharmaceutical calculations foundations; and nursing and midwifery foundations. 

Further, the primary aim of the qualification is to provide school leavers and or recent graduates who, by reason of their subject specialisation and or passes, would not be able to articulate vertically and horizontally into any of the preferred health sciences undergraduate programmes offered at WHTC and or other related institutions, with an opportunity for foundational studies required for easy articulation. The candidates of this qualification would be able to acquire a knowledge base, transferable skills, linguistic skills and general competence to allow them to progress successfully onto qualifications in Health Sciences and Social Services listed on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), including those offered by Welwitchia Health Training Centre. The course has been planned in such a way that it offers candidates specific training and support in those core areas where further assistance in required.

The certificate fulfills major pre-admission knowledge and requirements for Nursing, Environmental Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Social Work, Psychology, and most general education requirements for Health Sciences and Social Services undergraduate programmes. It also responds to changes in the National Curriculum for Basic Education (NCBE), particularly Grades 10 to 11 and Grades 12 by providing adequate preparation for learners under the new and revised Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) (Grade 11) in the Republic of Namibia and their equivalent counterparts in the SADC Region with foundational knowledge and skills that enable them to successfully compete and enroll in higher education programmes in Health Sciences and Social Services. Thus, alleviating redundancy, empty moments, and unemployment for socio and economic development of Namibia. 

Welwitchia Health Training Centre (WHTC), committed to socio and economic development of Namibia through the provision of quality higher education. The institution’s vision is to be the centre of excellence in health, technical, social, and management sciences in Namibia and beyond, which is supported by its mission to develop and equip professionally qualified people in the health, technical, social and management sciences through academic pursuit and practical on-the job training.

Welwitchia Health Training Centre (WHTC), is guided by six strategic outcomes between now and by 2030 as follows:

• Teaching and Learning
  
• Research and Development
  
• Innovation and Technology Solutions
  
• Industry and Community Service 
  
• Continuous Professional Development and
  
• Training and Capacity Development.
  

In its vision 2030, Welwitchia Health Training Centre (WHTC), is looking forward to realising the benefits of all strategic partnerships already executed and those in the pipeline as it satisfies its industry and community service strategic outcomes. This should also drive continuous professional development by designing and implementing programmes and action plans to advance and speak to in-service personnel to further develop their professional and academic careers through the introduction of bridging programmes, post-graduate studies, and continuous professional development.

Aims and Objectives

This qualification has been designed to produce independently competent pre-undergraduate candidates with a broad range of enrolment and career possibilities in health sciences and social services undergraduate programmes. Graduates will be able to pursue further studies Health sciences and Social Sciences as a recognised field of learning under the Namibian National Qualifications Framework (NQF) or opt to hang their own shingles and offer their services as semi-skilled health sciences and social services employees, practitioners and or consultants. 

This qualification is aimed at holders of an NQF Level 3 qualification in any discipline and it aims to: 

• To provide a knowledge base, transferable skills, linguistic skills, and general competence to allow leaners to progress successfully onto qualifications in Health Sciences and Social Services.
  
• To provide learners with the knowledge as well as the personal and inter-personal skills and organisational framework upon which to base their future undergraduate studies in health sciences and healthcare. 
  
• Offer an understanding of basic concepts in human anatomy, physiology and biochemistry, pharmacology and explain how these principles can be applied in Health Sciences.
  
• Conduct search for scientific literature related to evidence in health sciences foundations. 
  
• Develop the students’ academic attitudes as well as their interpersonal and intellectual curiosity towards careers in health sciences. 
  
• Produce globally competitive graduates who have a sense for how to proactively navigate and enrol in global health sciences undergraduate programmes and job market.
  

Articulation

Vertically, the Certificate in Health Sciences Foundations grants admission to undergraduate certificates, diploma and degrees ranging from NQF Level 5 to 8 and or related qualifications at international level. Students can apply for approval with the Deans of other Faculties for assessment to gain admission to any Welwitchia Health Training Centre undergraduate programmes. Horizontally, students may, where applicable, move into existing or new related certificate qualifications at NQF level 4.

Credit Transfer

Credit is the value assigned for the recognition of equivalence in content and learning outcomes between different types of learning and/or qualifications. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to achieve a qualification and may be through credit transfer, articulation, recognition of prior learning or advanced standing. 

To be awarded these credits, Welwitchia Health Training Centre (WHTC), will need to assess the courses or combination of courses as equivalent to WHTC courses.

The awarded credits are governed by the Welwitchia qualification rules and the rules covering credit. Courses awarded as credits need to have been studied within the past 5 years.

Generally, credit will be given if the courses were taken at an accredited institution of higher learning; the course was equivalent to courses offered at Welwitchia Health Training Centre, or compatible with Namibian Qualification Authority (NQA) requirements.

Coursework will be evaluated for its current relevance and may not transfer if the material is out-dated more than 5 years since the course was attended and examination sat and passed and/or the course was not passed at the first examination sitting.

Credits earned at an accredited higher education institution may not transfer unless the credit earned is equivalent to courses offered in Welwitchia Health Training Centre,  comparable qualification.

Credits earned at Welwitchia Health Training Centre,  are also transferable to other institutions of higher learning. Acceptance of credits earned at other institutions is limited to 50% of the total credits required for a WHTC qualification. No more than half the major area course requirements can be earned through transfer and/or exemption credit.

Welwitchia Health Training Centre , reserves the right to reject any or all credits from other institutions, regardless of their accreditation status, when it determines through investigation or otherwise that the quality of instruction at such institutions is for any reason deficient or unsatisfactory. The judgment of Welwitchia Health Training Centre, on this question shall be final.

Welwitchia Health Training Centre , reserves the right to disallow transfer credit for courses if the student’s subsequent grades in required courses in the same subject fall below average. Assessment

Duration and Mode.

The study period for the qualification is a minimum of one (1) Year and a maximum of 4 Years. Each year has two semesters. The programme is offered on face to face (contact mode). 

Entry Requirements 

The entry requirements to this qualification shall be:

• Have a least a minimum pass of 10 points in three best subjects at Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) at Grade Eleven (11), and or.
  
• Have a least a matriculation certificate or equivalent, with a maximum of six (6) qualifying subjects, which must yield a score of at least 15 points at Grade 12.
  
• A recognised pre-vocational qualification at NQF level 3 or equivalent.
  
• Mature age entry, provided that they:               
  
• Are 23 years old or over in the year in which admission to the programme is sought
  
• Have at least 2 years' relevant experience in various fields of health sciences or related fields.
  
• Have at least a pass of 20 points at grade 10
  

Meeting of these requirements will not automatically guarantee an acceptance into the programme. This can only be achieved after successful interview and/or aptitude placement tests. 

 As determined by the Welwitchia Health Training Centre, senate. 

Modules in the Qualification 

All modules for this qualification are compulsory as follows: