The National School of Government (NSG) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to expedite the secondment of the university’s personnel during their sabbatical leave. 

The agreement will see UJ scholars pursue research that is in line with the NSG’s education, training and development initiatives. 

The NSG contends that the improvement of State capacity will be facilitated by resource support and the exchange of knowledge.

UJ Vice Chancellor and Principal Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi added that the collaboration would bolster academic excellence through knowledge sharing and greater innovation.

“I am delighted to announce the secondment of our esteemed academic personnel to the prestigious National School of Government during their sabbatical. This opportunity will not only enrich their own research and teaching expertise but also contribute to the advancement of public administration and governance practices in the country,” said Mpedi.

NSG Principal Professor Busani Ngcaweni has embraced the agreement, alluding to the greater benefit the public service would attain from this development. He added that the school would continue to explore similar agreements with higher education institutions.

“Academics will be able to share their expertise and gain practical experience of how the public service works, through being stationed in a government department for a period. Government departments will also gain a lot of research and expertise from the academic personnel,” said Ngcaweni.

The agreement was lauded by Minister of Public Service and Administration Noxolo Kiviet as a progressive partnership for a professionalised public service, “since the academics are expected to contribute to education, training and development programmes at the NSG”. 

“Building an ethical, capable developmental State is an apex priority of government. Such a partnership will go a long way towards the achievement of this goal,” she said.