The CSSA has adopted a points system for membership criteria that aligns with the National Qualification Framework (NQF) and also recognises active participation in the Society and professional activities within the industry, as well as professional individual development of an individual. A new membership grade, "Professional Member of the CSSA" has been introduced, as well as a new entry path for mature candidates who may lack formal academic qualifications. In addition, an Accreditation & Exemptions Committee has been formed to establish the relevance of specific qualifications and prior learning in the framework of the membership criteria for the Society.
The Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA) is the third longest running professional computer society in the world. For more than forty years the CSSA has promoted the interests of individual professionals and looked after their needs within the South African Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry.
In order to re-align its membership criteria with the requirements and realities of the new millennium, the Society has recently completed an in-depth review and re-structuring of membership criteria for admission into the Society, under the chairmanship of Christopher Guy, a past Vice-President of the Society.
A new grade of membership has been created, that of Professional Member of the CSSA. This recognises the achievements of members who have progressed significantly beyond the requirements for admission as a Full Member.
Membership criteria for Full Membership of the Society have always required candidates to present evidence of a combination of academic achievement and professional experience.
The revised membership criteria have been converted to a points system that requires a candidate to demonstrate both academic achievement and professional experience. Candidates with more than one academic qualification may now add the points together, which may significantly reduce the period of professional experience required. The adoption of a points system also fits in well with the creation of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), which is being created under the auspices of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
However, candidates who actively participate in Society activities may also gain additional membership. Such participation may include attending meetings and conferences organised by the Society, or playing an active role on Chapter or Special Interest Group Committees.
The new criteria also recognise a candidate`s participation in professional activities within the industry and individual professional development As such, points can be awarded for the presentation of a paper at a national or international conference, a published article, or for membership of another professional body. Likewise, the participation of an individual in activities that develop his or her professional abilities will also be recognised.
The Society recognises that there are people within the ICT industry that hold senior and responsible positions but may not qualify for membership in terms of their academic qualifications. In recognition of this, an entry path has been defined for mature candidates that take into account a candidate`s record of professional experience, together with his or her involvement in Society affairs and professional activities within the industry. The minimum age for mature entrants is 35 years.
At the other end of the spectrum, students attending full-time tertiary education or training are encouraged to become Student Members of the CSSA. These candidates will be awarded points for each year they have successfully completed.
In order to ensure that membership criteria recognise both existing and new qualifications and prior learning, the Society has created an Accreditation & Exemptions Committee that is tasked to review the relevance of qualifications and prior learning to the needs of entry to the Society, and to allocate points accordingly.
The Accreditation & Exemptions Committee will focus on qualifications and prior learning independently of actual membership applications, while the Membership Committee will consider to what extent a particular candidate`s qualifications and experience meet the requirements for entrance to the Society, taking into account the judgment of the Accreditation & Exemptions Committee.
The Society welcomes representations from Further and Higher Education Providers to rate their courses and qualifications for inclusion within the Membership Criteria Qualification matrix.
Further information about the new Membership Criteria may be obtained from the Society`s web site at www.cssa.org.za or from the CSSA Secretariat, P.O. Box 1784, Halfway House, 1685, phone (011) 315 1319, fax (011) 315 2276, e-mail secriat@cssa.org.za
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