Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) is a South African Private Institution of Higher Education established in October 1997 by the South African Medical Association. FPD is currently the largest self-funding educational provider in the Health sector in Africa.
It was extablished with the aim to ensure the availability of skilled professionals, allied workers and managers who will be able to deliver a service to the public that is affordable, evidence based and congruent with international best practice.
What They Do
FPD is one of the few private higher educational institutions that fully engages in the three scholarships of higher educational namely – teaching and learning, research, and community engagement. These areas of academic scholarship provide the three focus areas of its work:
Teaching and Learning
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 postgraduate qualifications, short courses, in-house courses and conferences.
Research
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.
Community Engagement/ Capacity Development
FPD believes that as an institution that attracts highly skilled social entrepreneurs it is in a position to effect positive transformation in society. It is involved in supporting NGOs, working with the public sector on health systems strengthening, gender based violence and learnership.
FPD is based on a virtual business model that places a high premium on strategic alliances with national and international partners to increase the scope and reach of its programmes. Such partnerships have been established with a wide range of academic institutions, development agencies, government, technology partners, professional associations and special interest groups.
Where They Work
FDP courses are provided in the following countries:
