FPD prides itself on being one of the few private higher educational institutions that fully engages in the three scholarships of higher education, namely: teaching and learning, research and community engagement. These areas of academic scholarship provide the three focus areas of our work:
FPD provides a comprehensive curriculum of courses in management and professional skills development that are customised to the needs of students in sectors, such as: management, health and education. Educational products are presented through formal qualifications, postgraduate qualifications, short courses, in-house courses and conferences.
FPD’s research priorities focus on promoting operational research and research on educational practice. FPD encourages and uses action research as a methodology for professional development and transformational practice.
FPD does not follow the narrower definition of community engagement that is solely focused on the role of students in the community. We believe that as an institution that attracts highly skilled social entrepreneurs, we are in a position to effect positive transformation in society. The work we do, in supporting NGOs, working with the public sector on health and education systems strengthening, gender-based violence and learnerships speaks to this commitment.