In the high-stakes environment of higher education, universities roll out hundreds of student interventions every year. But how do we know which ones truly move the needle?
The University of Cape Town (UCT) recently took a lead role in answering that question, hosting a provincial workshop focused on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) for student success. The gathering marked the launch of a four-part series by the Siyaphumelela Western Cape Regional Network—a collaborative powerhouse including UCT, the University of the Western Cape (UWC), the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), and Stellenbosch University (SU).
Moving Beyond the “Curtain” of Magic
Dr. Riashna Sithaldeen, UCT’s Siyaphumelela lead, set a transformative tone for the workshop. She challenged the common perception of M&E as a rigid administrative burden, reframing it instead as a vital roadmap.
“We make magic happen; monitoring and evaluation allows others to see behind the curtain, to show people what you’re doing,” Sithaldeen remarked. By stripping away intimidating terminology, the workshop aimed to show how rigorous data collection can sustain and strengthen student initiatives.
Lessons from the Frontlines: Regional Best Practices
The workshop featured practical case studies from all four partner institutions, demonstrating how structured evaluation leads to real-time improvements:
- UCT: Explored the Sisonke Student Success Programme, using M&E to build resilience and connectivity among commerce students.
- UWC: The CIECT team showcased how monitoring digital academic literacy programs improves day-to-day operational decisions.
- CPUT: Dr. Nosisana Mkonto shared how the First-Year Experience project uses real-time monitoring to adapt to student needs instantly.
- Stellenbosch: Highlighted how academic advising and experiential learning data are used to refine program offerings and connect different layers of the student support ecosystem.
Agility Through Feedback
A recurring theme of the day was the shift from “assumed” needs to “actual” needs. By implementing continuous feedback loops, universities can become more agile.
“By constantly monitoring and actually using that as feedback, you are able to be more responsive… and actually give your students the best service that they actually need,” Sithaldeen noted. The goal is to ensure that the basics are right: that the data being monitored is actually capable of answering the most critical questions about student progress.
Building a Community of Practice
“Siyaphumelela”—which translates to “we succeed”—is more than just a name; it is a national mandate managed by Saide to broaden evidence-based strategies across South Africa.
With three more regional workshops on the horizon, the Western Cape network is successfully building a robust community of practice. By prioritizing evidence over anecdote, these institutions are ensuring that student success remains a data-driven reality rather than just a symbolic goal.
