For a postgraduate study journey that’s as unique as you are, choose IIE MSA

By Alex Asakitikpi, School of Social Science Head at IIE MSA

 

There is a common misconception amongst students that there is only one post-graduate path they can follow to achieve their career goals and dreams. The truth, however, is that while the traditional ‘undergraduate – honours – masters – doctorate’ path is a tried and tested way, this is just one of the approaches to achieving high employability status. In fact, your postgraduate journey can, and should be as unique as you are. At IIE MSA a leading educational brand of The Independent Institution of Education the largest private higher education service provider in South Africa, we firmly believe in giving our students the opportunities they need to tailor their post-graduate studies to their exact needs, study preferences, and career aspirations.

 

That’s why we offer a range of world-class IIE postgraduate study options that are structured to allow you to comfortably fit learning into your busy life. The options are also designed to expand your theoretical knowledge and insight, deepen your global perspective, and set you up for the success you deserve.

 

An excellent example of this customised postgraduate knowledge expansion journey is the selection of IIE Postgraduate Diplomas. These in-depth postgraduate qualifications are specifically structured with the time constraints of busy professionals in mind, and allow you to study full or part-time, depending on your employment situation. They are highly specialised and fully accredited by the South African Council on Higher Education. The modules have been crafted to expand your theoretical knowledge as well as your practical skills in very specific, and highly sought-after fields, including water management, public health, finance, accounting, corporate governance, internal auditing and business leadership.

 

For example, the IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Water Management is a two-year qualification that’s designed to equip students to become highly effective managers with a full understanding of the world’s complex water challenges, and the insights to lead their organisations and government to develop and deliver practical solutions to most water and sanitation problems. In a water-stressed country like South Africa, this qualification is a career changer that can open opportunities in various water fields, from river basin management, groundwater management, water supply and sanitation to water resource planning, water resource economics and water treatment.

 

The IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health is another avenue that is open to IIE MSA students who want to unlock the door to rewarding and meaningful careers. It offers a contextualised and highly relevant platform to acquire or enhance knowledge and skills related to all-important public health service delivery systems.

 

While the IIE Postgraduate Diplomas are not intended to replace an honours degree, they offer a valuable alternative for anyone who wants to enhance their expertise, and employability, in a specific field. Many graduates holding these IIE Postgraduate Diploma qualifications have found themselves able to access promotion opportunities because of the qualifications they have acquired. They are also excellent postgraduate alternatives for students who want to balance their personal and work life with education. For those who wish to specialise in the finance and accounting fields, it is useful to consider completing the full-time programmes of IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting or the IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Finance and Accounting. For students who wish to specialise in the sought-after internal auditing field, study a part-time IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Internal Auditing offered at IIEMSA

In addition to the above, IIE MSA also offers various other IIE postgraduate options especially for those who want to build on their undergraduate studies with a formal IIE Honours degree. Most of these are full-time postgraduate degree courses with significant supervised research components. The five IIE Honours Degree courses offered at IIE MSA in Computer and Information Sciences, Social Science, Business Science, Public Health and Economics, are the ideal pathways for sound theoretical and practical knowledge that is recognised, and which give students a competitive advantage in local and global job markets.

 

For those who have already acquired their honour’s degree, IIE MSA also offers a selection of accredited IIE Master’s Degrees designed specifically to further hone their specialist skills and develop in-depth and advanced knowledge across a range of disciplines. The two IIE Master of Philosophy degrees, in Arts and in Integrated Water Management, have been crafted to educate and train IIE graduates to become accomplished researchers who can contribute to the advancement of knowledge in a specific field. These qualifications are also a proven way of gaining access to advanced, specialised, and professional employment opportunities. The IIE Master of Philosophy (MPhil) curricula are heavily biased towards research, and students are assigned to accomplished researchers who assist them throughout the intensive process of researching their chosen topic and guiding their thesis to completion.

 

The process not only results in a highly regarded IIE postgraduate qualification, but also serves to build skills like critical thinking, problem solving, statistics and data management, knowledge transfer and effective leadership – all of which significantly enhance the employability of IIE Master’s degree graduates.

 

Another two master’s degree options offered at IIE MSA are the IIE Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualification and the IIE Master of International Business (MIB). The MBA prepares working professionals to be leaders, to understand universal business problems and challenges in the South African and global context and to apply best practices and management styles. MBA programmes are typically designed to provide a high level of theoretical engagement, intellectual independence and the ability to resolve complex business problems in an innovative way. The MIB, is a specialised degree that will enable you to transform from a traditional business manager into a global business leader who understands the complexity of managing in a global society. This qualification specifically focuses on strategic planning for international operations and provides an in-depth understanding of the organisational capabilities required for international operations, including specialised functions such as international marketing, finance, economics and trade law. The degree includes classes that address topics such as imports and exports and intercultural communication against the background of changes brought about by the fourth industrial revolution.



Unlike the research-focused MPhil degrees, the IIE MBA and IIE MIB are professional degrees that have been specifically engineered to provide students with a high level of theoretical and intellectual depth that are required to solve complex business problems. A graduate holding the IIE MBA or IIE MIB qualification is equipped to lead organisations or business divisions through the application of global best practices and proven management styles. The IIE curriculum includes a unique “Innovation Research Project”, that requires students to apply their theoretical knowledge to research and deliver innovative strategic solutions to a complex business challenge or issue. IIE MBA and IIE MIB graduates have gone on to hold various executive leadership positions in local and global organisations, including serving as directors, CEOs, and senior functional specialists.

 

Registration at IIE MSA for 2022 is now open. Visit www.iiemsa.co.za to find out more about the IIE programmes offered. While you’re there, click on the ‘Enquire’ link to arrange a no obligation consultation with one of our student advisors. Alternatively email us at enquiries@iiemsa.co.za or call us on +27 11 950 4000.

Advtech Updates

Advtech at the Reggio Emilia Conference: Learning Where an Inspiring Global Philosophy Meets Classroom Practice

By Tamara Thomas • April 28, 2026
In April, Advtech was represented at the Reggio Emilia International Conference in Italy, represented alongside delegates from 47 countries and more than 360 participants from across the globe. This gathering offered a powerful opportunity to engage deeply with the Reggio Emilia philosophy at its source and to reflect on its relevance and resonance within Advtech schools. The Reggio Emilia approach, particularly within the Early Years (infant, toddler, preschool, and primary phases), is grounded in the belief that children are capable, curious, and rich in potential. It offers inclusive learning environments that support students’ wellbeing, encourage meaningful social interaction, and foster a strong sense of belonging. Central to this approach is a shared responsibility to the community, one that embraces diversity, promotes collaboration, and nourishes a creative culture for teaching and learning. At the heart of the Reggio Emilia approach lies the understanding that education is not self-sufficient. Learning does not happen in isolation; it emerges through resources, experiences, theories, dialogue, and relationships. Children do not learn by themselves, but through interaction with others and through engagement with thoughtfully designed environments. As a result, classroom spaces are intentionally equipped to reflect what is being taught, ensuring that the environment itself becomes an active participant in learning, often referred to as the “third teacher.” Advtech’s Early Years approach aligns strongly with this philosophy, where the “Hundred Languages of Children” is deeply valued. This metaphor, introduced by Loris Malaguzzi, recognises that children express their thinking, understanding, and creativity in many different ways, through art, movement, speech, construction, play, and inquiry. Children are seen as natural researchers who explore ideas through encounters with peers, materials, and experiences. Through thinking, acting, listening, and questioning with curious minds, they co-construct knowledge together. Accessible, everyday materials, such as paper, natural objects, and recycled resources play an important role in these learning experiences. These materials invite creativity, exploration, and critical thinking. Students engage in practices such as observational drawing, while teachers carefully document learning through photographs, notes, and displays. Documentation makes thinking visible and honours children’s learning journeys, allowing reflection for both learners and educators. A key principle of the Reggio Emilia approach is seeing each child as an individual with rights, resulting in personalised learning being evident in every classroom. The teacher’s role shifts from instructor to guide, listener, and co-learner, creating space for each child’s voice to be heard. As Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the Reggio Emilia approach, famously stated: “There is no learning without joy.”  Learning, therefore, should be joyful, playful, and filled with discovery. Children should experience learning as pleasurable, stimulating, and meaningful. Visiting Reggio Emilia schools demonstrated how this philosophy comes alive through rotational group teaching, flexible learning environments, and classroom spaces that change in response to children’s interests and inquiries. Importantly, learning in Reggio Emilia is a collective journey. Teachers, teaching assistants, and support staff all play an integral role in nurturing each child’s development. Even at a young age, children are encouraged to engage in research, which supports divergent thinking and honours the fact that no two learners are the same. Listening carefully to children’s ideas and theories becomes a fundamental act of respect.

Dealings in Securities by Directors, a Director of a Major Subsidiary, Prescribed Officers and the Group Company Secretary

By Tamara Thomas • April 22, 2026
Advtech Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1990/001119/06) Share code: ADH ISIN: ZAE000031035 (“Advtech” or “the Company”) DEALINGS IN SECURITIES BY DIRECTORS, A DIRECTOR OF A MAJOR SUBSIDIARY, PRESCRIBED OFFICERS AND THE GROUP COMPANY SECRETARY In terms of paragraphs 6.77 to 6.90 of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements (“JSE Listings Requirements”), the following transactions, in respect of which prior written approval pursuant to paragraph 6.83 of the JSE Listings Requirements have been obtained, is hereby disclosed.

Dealings in securities by the Advtech Management Share Incentive Plan 2026 (“MSI scheme”)

By Tamara Thomas • April 21, 2026
Advtech Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1990/001119/06) Share code: ADH ISIN: ZAE000031035 (“Advtech” or “the Company”) Dealings in securities by the Advtech Management Share Incentive Plan 2026 (“MSI scheme”) In compliance with paragraphs 6.77 – 6.90 of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements the following information is disclosed in respect of dealings in Advtech securities by the MSI Scheme:

Publication of Annual Integrated Report

By Tamara Thomas • April 21, 2026
Advtech Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1990/001119/06) Share code: ADH ISIN: ZAE000031035 (“the Company” or “Advtech”) PUBLICATION OF ANNUAL INTEGRATED REPORT, NO CHANGE STATEMENT, NOTICE OF VIRTUAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, AND AVAILABILITY OF B-BBEE COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE Publication of Annual Integrated Report Shareholders are advised that the Advtech 2025 Annual Integrated Report (“Integrated Report”) and the Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Report have been published today. Electronic versions of the Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 (“AFS”) and Ernst & Young Incorporated’s unqualified audit report are available on the Company’s website at: https://www.groupadvtech.com/financial-results and on the JSE Cloudlink at: https://senspdf.jse.co.za/documents/2026/JSE/ISSE/ADH/AFSYE2025.PDF The Integrated Report and ESG Report are available on the Company’s website at www.groupadvtech.com No Change Statement The consolidated AFS contain no modifications to the financial information published on SENS on 23 March 2026. Notice of Virtual Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the virtual annual general meeting (“AGM”) of shareholders of the Company will be accessible on an interactive electronic platform, in order to facilitate participation and voting by shareholders, as permitted by the JSE Limited, the provisions of the Companies Act and the Company's Memorandum of Incorporation, on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 at 10h00, to consider and, if deemed fit, to pass with or without modification all of the ordinary and special resolutions set out in the notice of AGM to be distributed to shareholders on or before 21 April 2026. To this end, the Company has retained the services of The Meeting Specialist Proprietary Limited (“TMS”) to host the AGM on an interactive electronic platform, in order to facilitate participation and voting by shareholders. Our transfer secretaries, JSE Investor Services Proprietary Limited, will act as scrutineer. Shareholders who wish to participate in and/or vote at the AGM are required to contact TMS on proxy@tmsmeetings.co.za or alternatively contact them on 081 711 4255 / 084 433 4836 / 061 440 0654 as soon as possible, but in any event no later than 10h00 on Monday, 25 May 2026.  Shareholders are strongly encouraged to submit votes by proxy before the meeting. If shareholders wish to participate in the AGM, they should instruct their Central Securities Depository Participant (CSDP) or Broker to issue them with the necessary letter of representation to participate in the AGM, in the manner stipulated in their custody agreement. These instructions must be provided to the CSDP or broker by the cut-off time and date advised by the CSDP or broker, to accommodate such requests. SALIENT DATES The record date for the purposes of determining the shareholders of the Company entitled to receive the AGM notice is Friday, 10 April 2026. The record date for purposes of determining which shareholders of the Company are entitled to attend, participate in, and to vote at the AGM is Friday, 22 May 2026. Accordingly, the last date to trade in the Company’s shares on JSE Limited in order to be eligible to attend, participate in and vote at the AGM is Tuesday, 19 May 2026. AVAILABILITY OF B-BBEE COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE In compliance with paragraph 12.7(g) and Appendix 1 to section 6 of the JSE Listing Requirements, shareholders are advised that the Company’s annual compliance certificate in terms of section 13G(2) of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Amendment Act, No 46 of 2013, is available on the Company’s website at https://www.groupadvtech.com . 21 April 2026 Johannesburg Sponsor: Bridge Capital Advisors Proprietary Limited

Education: Why Parents Should Approach It As A Long-term Investment

By Tamara Thomas • April 15, 2026
Choosing a school for your child will be one of the most complex and consequential decisions parents will ever make. When parents choose a school for their child, the decision is often shaped by immediate needs: convenience, reputation, or results in the senior years. Yet schooling is not a short-term decision. It is one of the longest and most formative investments a family will ever make, stretching over 12 to 15 years or more, from early childhood development through to Matric and further study. Darren Purdon, Head of Advtech Schools Academics, says the real value of education lies not in isolated moments of achievement, but in the intentional construction of learning over time, and that parents should approach their child’s educational journey intentionally, from start to finish. “Education depends on interconnected building blocks, each phase deliberately designed to prepare learners for the next,” he says. Parents should therefore carefully consider the elements that underpin a successful, lifelong educational journey before making this important decision. FOUNDATIONS MATTER Learning does not begin in Grade 1. It starts far earlier, in Grade 000 and Grade 00, where children develop the cognitive, social, emotional, and language skills that will underpin their entire academic journey, Purdon says. “When these early years are thoughtfully planned, children are more likely to arrive in the Foundation Phase confident, curious, and ready to learn. When they are not, gaps emerge that can widen over time. If the foundations are secure, progress accelerates, as we see in our Advtech Schools where we utilise international best practices and benchmarks to personalise early learning.” THE IMPORTANCE OF BELONGING Academic success is deeply connected to emotional safety and a sense of belonging. Children learn best when they feel comfortable at school, when they feel seen, supported and happy. And when teachers are supported, engaged, and professionally fulfilled, that sense of wellbeing naturally filters into the classroom. When students are excited about going to school, engagement increases, persistence improves and learning deepens. Social and emotional learning and supportive classroom environments with caring teachers underpin deep learning. Advtech schools include experienced psycho-social specialists to continually ensure teachers are upskilled in managing diverse classrooms. RESPONSIVE TEACHING AND TECH Effective education is not defined by what has been taught, but by what has been learned. “At Advtech schools, there is a growing shift toward instructional models that prioritise responsiveness. If learners have not grasped a concept, the expectation is not to move on regardless, but to re-teach using different strategies until understanding is achieved,” Purdon says. Additionally, technology has become a powerful enabler of this responsiveness, but not as a replacement for teachers. “AI-assisted tools, and classroom digital platforms such as Advlearn, increasingly act as classroom assistants, helping teachers identify learning gaps quickly and accurately. These tools provide insight into where students are struggling, allowing teachers to personalise support and adjust instruction accordingly.” INTENTIONAL SUBJECT PATHWAYS Consistency and coherence across subjects are another critical component of long-term value creation in education. “Take Mathematics as an example. Mathematical competence is not built in isolated units or single phases, it requires a carefully sequenced programme that develops conceptual understanding, fluency and confidence year after year,” says Purdon. “An intentional approach ensures that each phase prepares students for what follows, creating a golden thread that runs from early numeracy through to advanced problem-solving in the senior years. Gaps are far harder to close when this thread is broken.” The same principle applies across subjects: literacy, science, languages, and beyond. “Strategic curriculum alignment therefore ensures that learning compounds rather than resets each year, and parents should keep this in mind when strategising their child’s educational journey.” CHOOSING A SCHOOL WITH THE LONG VIEW For parents, the key question should not only be “Is this a good school now?”, but rather “Is this a school that understands the full journey, as well as understands where my child excels and needs support in each subject?” “Advtech Schools value long-term academic growth, student wellbeing, teacher development, and intentional curriculum design offers far more than short-term results. It offers continuity, stability, and a clear vision of success from the earliest years through to matric,” Purdon says.  “And in an education landscape that continues to evolve, the most trusted institutions are those that recognise schooling not as a series of isolated years, but as a curated journey, using regular academic data to personalise learning and shape student success for life.”

DEALINGS IN SECURITIES BY A DIRECTOR

By Tamara Thomas • April 8, 2026
Advtech Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1990/001119/06) Share code: ADH ISIN: ZAE000031035 (“ Advtech ” or “ the Group ”) DEALINGS IN SECURITIES BY A DIRECTOR In compliance with paragraphs 6.77 to 6.90 of the JSE Limited (“ JSE ”) Listings Requirements, the following transaction relating to dealings by a director is hereby disclosed pursuant to the provisions of the ADvTECH Management Share Incentive Scheme (“ MSIS ”). As set out in the SENS announcement published on 6 May 2025, the director had been awarded 730 459 shares in terms of his employment contract, which shares ceased to be forfeitable vested on 1 May 2025 and were subsequently committed by the director to be held in escrow for a period of 12 months towards meeting his minimum shareholding requirements in terms of the Minimum Shareholding Requirement (“ MSR ”) Policy of the Group. The director has on 8 April 2026 re-committed the aforementioned shares to be held in escrow for a further holding period of 12 months towards meeting his minimum shareholding requirements in terms of the MSR Policy of the Group.

Digital Literacy In SA Education Must Go Beyond “Computer Skills”

By Tamara Thomas • April 8, 2026
Key to increasing access to quality education

Dealings In Securities By The Advtech Management Share Incentive Plan 2026 (“MSI Scheme”)

By Tamara Thomas • March 27, 2026
Advtech Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1990/001119/06) Share code: ADH ISIN: ZAE000031035 (“Advtech” or “the Company”) DEALINGS IN SECURITIES BY THE ADVTECH MANAGEMENT SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN 2026 (“MSI Scheme”) In compliance with paragraphs 6.77 – 6.90 of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements the following information is disclosed in respect of dealings in Advtech securities by the MSI Scheme:

Dealings In Securities By The Advtech Management Share Incentive Plan 2026 (“MSI Scheme”)

By Tamara Thomas • March 26, 2026
ADvTECH Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1990/001119/06) Share code: ADH ISIN: ZAE000031035 (“ADvTECH” or “the Company”) DEALINGS IN SECURITIES BY THE ADVTECH MANAGEMENT SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN 2026 (“MSI Scheme”) In compliance with paragraphs 6.77 – 6.90 of the JSE Limited Listings Requirements the following information is disclosed in respect of dealings in ADvTECH securities by the MSI Scheme:

Advtech Posts Two Billion Rand Operating Profit

By Tamara Thomas • March 23, 2026
Double digit revenue growth and margin improvement deliver a 17% increase in earnings