This study develops a scenario for a polytechnic university, a consortium of conventional university and technikon, consonant with recent thinking about knowledge being for utilitarian purposes. The polytechnic university is envisaged as a community-based and socially responsible institution. A consideration of the polytechnic university's relationship to the demands of society with emphasis on its needs for skilled manpower and the provision of career-oriented programmes, is particularly important. The effectiveness and relevancy of the traditional university model has been seriously questioned as new social, economic and political demands of society remain unmet. As a problem-oriented institution, the polytechnic university should be in a position to adapt to new technological demands.
The first part of the study establishes a rationale for the establishment of a multi-directional career-oriented university. The second part evolves both the theoretical framework and practice of the polytechnic university as a people's university, aimed at the needs of both full-time and part-time students and society in general.
To develop the rationale, the study begins by analysing the skilled manpower shortage in South Africa and how problems of a similar nature have been addressed in the U.S.A., the U.K., Germany, Japan and China. There appears to have been an abandonment of the concept "learning or knowledge for its own sake". Next, the role of the non-traditional universities in these countries is examined in an attempt to discover a role for the polytechnic university which is consonant with empowering education. The role which emerges is one that enables people to develop skills and capabilities which increase their control over decisions, resources and structures affecting their lives. This role is achieved through relating theory to practice, making knowledge and research accessible to the community, letting the university play an active role in community affairs and render consultancy services to industry.
The concept and practice of the polytechnic university as a people's university, is developed through three functions: teaching, research and community service. The three basic functions are not carried out in isolation, but influence one another. Research influences the quality of teaching and research and teaching are made accessible to the community through community services and the application of research findings in community development projects.
In conclusion, the study discusses the applicability of polytechnic university principles in the South African higher education arena. It discusses the potential and limitations of this utilitarian approach to higher education and suggests guidelines for the creation of a community-based, multidirectional university model which would promote participation, accessibility and relevancy in higher education.
