4.6 | Professional Development

4.6.1 | Seminars, Conferences, Courses, and Non-Degree Training

Based on the Academic Unit’s approved staff development plans, and subject to budget availability, Lecturers may be granted full-pay staff development leave to attend various national and international conferences and/or courses or non-credit training. Lecturers should indicate their individual professional development needs in their annual Individual Performance Plan, to be approved with their Supervisor.

Subject to budget availability, Lecturers may apply for full-pay staff development leave for the above-said purposes using the prescribed forms, and submit all relevant documentation to support the application, including the official invitation letter to the event to the Dean or Head of the academic unit. Further to the endorsement of the Head of academic unit, the application must be submitted to the Rector for approval, a minimum of 30 days before the intended travel date. To be eligible, the full-time. Lecturer should be in service and may not have submitted his/her notice of resignation or non-acceptance of contract renewal.

The support scheme for professional development is a full support scheme funded by the University to enable Lecturers to upgrade their knowledge and/ or skills. Subject to budget availability, a qualified Lecturer may apply for financial support under this scheme.

The support scheme for professional development is separate from the support that may be granted to Lecturers who have submitted papers for conferences or publication which have been accepted for presentation – refer to Chapter 4: Research Output Dissemination.

4.6.2 | Professional Development and Business Travel Regulations

Subject to budget availability, Lecturers may be provided with financial assistance for professional development purposes up to the maximum amount decided by the University:

1. Round-trip Economy-Class air passage (purchased in accordance with the University’s financial guidelines and procedures issued by the Finance Department);
2. Inter-city/state land travel by public transport (where applicable);
3. Hotel accommodation;
4. Public transport from residence to the airport and vice versa, and from the airport to hotel and vice versa (where applicable);
5. Subsistence allowance; and
6. Registration/Course fee

Lecturers should coordinate with their Head of Study Program, Faculty Support, and Finance Department to prepare the financial and practical arrangements. The payment method may  be by cash advance or cost reimbursement in accordance with the University’s financial guidelines and procedures issued by the Finance Department, and also the procurement guidelines issued by the General Affairs Department.