Dual-Mode Universities: A Possible Answer for South Africa’s Higher Education Crisis?

Violent student unrests over the escalating costs of and a scarcity of places in South African highereducation institutions necessitated research into the conversion of single-mode, face-to-face universities into dualmodeuniversities as a possible solution for the higher education crisis in South Africa. The objective of thisliterature study is to highlight issues that may impede or promote the expansion of dual-mode universities, such asthe perceived cost-effectiveness of dual-mode universities, the changing role of academic and administrative staffin dual-mode universities, the need for institutional support, and the role played by a specialised distance educationunit to facilitate the dual-mode provision of higher education. The study found that there is resistance amongacademics and administrative staff to embrace dual-mode universities. Recommendations are made.