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All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Diploma: Company Direction

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
36050	Diploma: Company Direction
ORIGINATOR
Graduate Institute of Management and Technology (The)
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National Diploma	Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies		Generic Management
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	240	Level 7	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 0480/09	2009-07-01	2011-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2011-12-31		2011-12-31

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

It is often assumed that Directors know their fiduciary duties and responsibilities. In reality few Directors have had any form of training in terms of an Induction Programme to Board responsibilities. The course makes Directors or a potential Director aware of the latest management techniques, frameworks and concepts in order to contribute more fully to the increasingly complex modern organisation. The Institute of Directors (IoD) in Southern Africa established what became known as the King Committee on Corporate Governance. The King Report on Corporate Governance highlights the need for Director training. The Graduate Diploma in Company Direction assists board members and potential board members to be inducted into their roles effectively and by doing so, assists in ensuring improved corporate governance for all South African organisations. No other institutions present programmes of this nature. The GIMT programme is fully supported by the IoD and makes use of IoD members for facilitation. This make the GIMT programme unique in that it ensures full compliance to Corporate Governance recommendations by the King Report and other relevant bodies. All the facilitators on the programme are senior managers and experienced board members specialising in their particular area. The support from the IoD ensures that all material presented conforms to requirements set for Board Members and in line with the very latest recommendations made by the King Report. GIMT has extensive experience in running management development programmes, particularly at the senior management and postgraduate level. GIMT has successfully run Corporate Governance and Directorship programmes since 1996. All modules on the programme are developed and facilitated by leading experts in their respective fields and officially endorsed by the IoD. A total of 250 students have successfully completed Directorship and Corporate Governance programmes with GIMT in the past 5 years. There are currently 68 students registered for the programme. Rationale Tailor-made to suit the company`s needs, the Diploma in Company Direction (DCD) may be offered to GIMT`s clients as a strategic option to consolidate and quantify managers` experience and learnings. The course is customised to suit meet a company`s needs taking into consideration the corporate climate and extent of experience of management. The GIMT programme is fully supported by the Institute of Directors (IoD) and makes use of IoD members for facilitation. This make the GIMT programme unique in that it ensures full compliance to Corporate Governance recommendations by the King Report and other relevant bodies. GIMT has successfully run Corporate Governance and Directorship programmes since 1996. All modules on the programme are developed and facilitated by leading experts in their respective fields and officially endorsed by the IoD. A total of 310 students have successfully completed Directorship and Corporate Governance programmes with GIMT in the past 5 years. There are currently 54 students registered for the programme.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

All GIMT facilitation is offered in English only, this being the primary business language in South Africa. As GIMT is a Corporate Business School and our learners are all working professionals in mostly middle and senior management positions, our medium of instruction is English, being the generally accepted business language of South Africa. All facilitation, written material and assessments are done in English. Delegates have to submit all their assignments and written work in English. Guidance is provided on the programme in respect of Business writing and communication. Learners whose first language is not English must show GIMT that their level of English is high enough for study at postgraduate level. In cases where GIMT believes that learners will not have the language ability to complete the course successfully they are advised to attend an appropriate English language programme or are counselled to attend a more appropriate level programme. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Various forms of pre-assessment are done on learning programmes. These tests are designed to assess knowledge and skills relating to the modules to be presented on the GIMT programmes. Delegates are given recognition (credits) for training programmes attended/ qualifications obtained both internally and externally. At present GIMT does not have a formal policy pertaining to experiential learning as the majority of our learning takes place in-company and the vast majority of our learners are currently working in organisations. As a result students have the opportunity to apply the learning directly back in their own organisations. The DCD is aimed at assisting delegates to make positive changes within their own organisations, the application of which is assessed through practical work based assignments and projects. Both the assignments and the final project are aimed at practical implementation in the workplace. They both require learners to assess their current working environment, processes and procedures and use the knowledge gained on the DCD to suggest measures to improve such, and to devise new processes and procedures.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

Y

QUALIFICATION RULES

N/A

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Overall outcomes Be fully aware of the Duties and Responsibilities of being a Director. Be able to assess the effectiveness of a board and suggest and implement ways to improve that effectiveness. Understand why Corporate Governance has become so important to both South Africa as a nation and to its individual companies and organisations. Be updated on the latest developments and thinking on: Mastering Board Strategy, thinking, planning and implementation Financial Strategies and understanding Board-level Finance White-collar crime and fraud in South Africa, implications and solutions, intellectual capital and the age of information. Directorship and Leadership, People and Labour Strategies. Defining the Business Entity, the JSE and listing requirements. Be skilled in the functional areas of strategic and financial management - critical areas of competence for effective performance at board level. Agree and implement realistic short and long-term goals. Work in teams with their fellow directors at board meetings. Specific outcomes 1. Directorship and Leadership vs Management Understanding the function of Directors in organisations. Differentiate between the role of Directors and the role of operation managers Understand the various rights, duties, responsibilities, powers and liabilities of Directors Understanding the role of the board and the various members of the board Understand the varying roles of the chair, Directors, non executive and independent Directors in an organisation Understand the importance of shareholder and stakeholder communication with a board. Understand and apply the various director function in the organisation Understand and consolidate the requirements for equity and excellence Understand and implement the requirements for business ethics Manage differences in culture and diversity in the organisation Manage the various committees to the board, including audit and remuneration committees Understand and manage the on-going induction and education of Directors 2. Defining Business Entities Understand and critically differentiate between different types of business entities Identify and Understand listed companies Identify and Understand unlisted companies Identify and Understand parastatals Identify and Understand State Enterprises Identify and Understand NGO`s Identify and Understand trustees 3. Corporate Governance in South Africa and Globally Understanding corporate governance Understand corporate governance in context. Understand and critically analyse corporate governance from a local and international perspective Understanding and applying South African requirements for Directors Understanding the IoDSA initiative Understand and apply the required terms of reference Critically understand the various task groups involved in corporate governance Implement the recommendations of the King Report on corporate governance Understand and comply with the code of corporate practices and conduct Understand and implement the on-going committee and review process Understanding international trends Understand and critically apply international trends and developments in corporate governance 4. Legislation and the Board Understand and apply the various legislation that affects boards, locally and internationally Understand and apply relevant international legislation to the Board function Understand and Apply the requirements of Employment Equity legislation to the Board functions Understand and Apply the requirements of Labour Relations legislation to the Board functions Understand and Apply the requirements of Basic Conditions of Employment legislation the Board functions Understand and Apply Environmental legislation to the Board functions 5. The Effective Board Understanding the requirements for Building an effective board Understand and implement the requirements for building an effective board. Understanding the appraisal of the Board Understand and analyse the duties and responsibilities of Directors Appraise Board effectiveness Performance appraise individual Directors on the Board Determine future choice (Future Position) by analysing the following factors: Strategic objectives and guidelines in strategy formulation 6. Finance for Non-Financial Directors Understanding strategic financial trends. Understand and critically analyse the impact of information technology on business world-wide. Understand and implement the requirements for control and risk management. Apply the requirements for the protection of intellectual property rights. Implementing basic financial knowledge. Understand fundamental accounting concepts. Apply fundamental accounting concepts for capital investment analysis. Apply fundamental accounting concepts to making decisions. Analyse financial statements accurately. Apply financial forecasting to their functions. Understand and apply the concept of the effective leverage. Understand and apply targets and required rates of return. Understand and critically apply capital structure. Implement effective dividend policy. 7. Board Strategy Understanding Corporate Governance. Understand the corporate mission, vision and objectives. Analysing the environment for developing strategy. Analyse the macro environment that affects Board strategy. Analyse industry structures that affect Board strategy. Analyse portfolio and make a portfolio choice. Understanding external influences on Board strategy. Understand the logic of customers and markets. Develop effective strategies for these markets and customers. Understand the leaders role in shaping corporate culture. Develop an appropriate culture by making use of this understanding. 8. JSE Securities Exchange Understanding and implementing communication requirements. Communicate effectively with shareholders. Understand the general obligation of disclosure. Apply the requirements for Directors disclosure. Understanding and implementing listing requirements. Understand and apply the conditions for listing. Apply the requirements for shareholder spread. Apply the requirements for dealing in securities by Directors.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Delegates are required to submit two practical work based assignment. These assignments cover all the modules of the programme. Assignment questions focus on the integration of knowledge skills and application of the programme outcomes to the current work environment of the delegates. In addition, the facilitators involve all delegates in activities and group work during the facilitation. This group work and practical activities are observed by the facilitator to ensure that delegates are achieving the outcomes as defined. All the skills acquired are assessed through a final board audit that will cover all the outcomes of the programme. Delegates are required to submit two practical work based assignments which will examine their knowledge, skills and understanding of the modules and its application to the workplace. These formative assignments count for 30% of the final result of delegates. Delegates are also required to undertake a structured audit of their Board of directors and submit a report of such, for assessment. The results of the assessment of this audit counts for 70% of the final result of delegates. Delegates are required to be found competent in both assignments as well as the board audit to be deemed competent for the programme overall. The GIMT Marking Grid is used to assess the competence of delegates on all three assessments Integrated assessment During each programme learners complete three work-based assignments, demonstrating application of concepts learnt in a practical outcomes-based, measurable form. These assignments are evaluated and feedback is provided to each individual. The assignments act as self-measures and opportunities for improvement, as they do not affect the final assessment of competence. Recognition of individual competence for the total learning programme is based on the successful completion of a work-based research project. The projects are structured in order to enable learners to demonstrate an ability to transfer skills and knowledge in an integrated application, in a specific context, in order to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

All GIMT management programmes are internationally benchmarked through GIMT`s relationship with Henley. Expert faculty ensures that the GIMT programmes meet South African standards and the needs of the South African market. All GIMT courses are therefore globally competitive and locally relevant.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification has been developed for members of the Board of Directors of companies or for Senior Management within organizations earmarked for positions on the board. The qualification builds on the GIMT Corporate Governance programme (NQF 6) even though this programme is not a pre-requisite for attending the DCD programme. The DCD provides horizontal articulation for learners with the Diploma in Executive Management (DEM) programme and provides successful learners from the DEM programme with one exemption towards the DCD programme, and successful delegates from the DCD programme with two exemptions towards the DEM programme.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Recommendation of a moderating body External examiners requirements: Minimum Masters degree level qualified. Minimum ten years business and academic experience. Subject matter experts. Moderator requirements Minimum Masters degree level qualified. Minimum ten years academic and business experience. Assessors with a minimum of two years assessment experience. Briefing tutor for a minimum of two years. All student results are moderated by a qualified moderator. The final approval and awarding of all Diplomas rests with the GIMT Academic Board consisting of: Managing Director/ Senior Management Representative. Academic Head. Head of Tutor College. External examiner.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The Academic Director interviews prospective assessors who meet the minimum requirements as set by GIMT. Successful candidates then undergo a formal training programme enabling them to become part of the GIMT Assessor team. Assessors will only be allowed to assess once they have successfully undergone the interview and formal training stages of the process. The Academic Director and Head of Tutor College interviews prospective assessors who meet the minimum requirements as set by GIMT. All assessors on this programme must have the following minimum requirements: Academic qualifications equivalent to at least a Masters degree. Extensive business and academic experience of no less than 10 years. Must have undergone a formal training programme enabling them to become part of the GIMT Assessor team. Assessors will only be allowed to assess once they have successfully undergone the interview and formal training stages of the process. Assessors who have been assessing for a minimum of two years, who have been a briefing tutor for a minimum of two years and has the right academic qualifications, will qualify to become a moderator. They will apply to the Academic Director and will be interviewed and trained before being appointed as moderators. External examiners are appointed by the Academic Director based on their Academic Qualifications and extensive experience in the particular subject area. External examiners are made up of both local and international academics.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009.

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

1.	Graduate Institute of Management and Technology (The)

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All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.