Current trends and challenges in south african higher education and influencing the choice of agricultural studies

Abstract

The purpose of this study was therefore to identify factors influencing the choice of agriculture to study by undergraduate agriculture students at an Open and Distance Learning University in South Africa. An interlocked set of social, demographic, economic, technological, environmental and political change forces is bearing down on higher education’. This statement gives credence to the title of this introductory article that higher education in South Africa is facing challenges. The article gives some insight on some specific challenges currently being faced in higher education and some of the trends that are emerging. By nature, higher education teaching, learning and research is always on the cutting edge, meeting new challenges and taking knowledge development to unreached heights.