Draft:Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology

Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology

Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology is a private higher education institution in South Africa wholly owned by the Growth Ten Group. The institute specializes in qualifications across Business, Information Technology, and Management Sciences, operating through both campus-based and distance learning models.

Richfield also operates in Namibia, where it officially opened in 2015 as a distance learning provider.

The institution has been recognised as one of South Africa’s top distance learning institutions, ranking fourth in a 2025 national listing of accredited providers.

History

Richfield was founded in 1990 by Jay Ramnundlall as PC Training and Business College, initially providing computer training to working professionals in response to South Africa's growing adoption of computer technology. In 2015, PC Training and Business College underwent a comprehensive rebranding to become Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology. This transformation included establishing a new senate, improved programme frameworks, and faculties designed to meet global university standards.

In 2016, Richfield became the first higher education institution globally to receive ISO 9001:2015 certification from IMS International, covering all its campuses and administrative centres in South Africa and the SADC region. The certification applies to the provision of higher education, distance learning, vocational studies, and professional skills programmes.

Investec Asset Management (now Ninety One Limited) acquired a majority stake in Richfield Holdings in 2018 through its African private equity division. This acquisition facilitated campus development, expanded course offerings, and investments in distance learning infrastructure. On July 15, 2019, Stefan Ferreira was appointed CEO of the Growth Ten Group, the holding company that owns Richfield.

Qualifications

Richfield offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications including degrees, diplomas, and advanced certificates in information technology, business management, accounting, human resources, supply chain, marketing, economics, and public management.

The institute's flagship offerings include the Richfield MBA, Bachelor of Science Honours in Information Technology, and Postgraduate Diploma in Management, designed for working professionals seeking to advance their education.

A distinctive feature of Richfield's educational model is work-integrated learning, which requires students to complete structured workplace assessments before qualification conferment. The institution incorporates work-integrated learning through partnerships with organisations such as Faranani DocTec, where students participate in internship and training programmes aimed at addressing ICT skills gaps in South Africa.

Industry Partnerships

Richfield maintains partnerships with technology companies including Cisco, Amazon Web Services (AWS), CIMA, Salesforce, Oracle, and IBM. These collaborations enable students to earn industry certifications alongside their academic qualifications, with specialized training in areas such as robotics, automation, data science, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.

In 2018, Richfield sponsored educational resources valued at R30,000 to upgrade the library at Dawnridge Primary School in Moorton, KwaZulu-Natal. The sponsorship aimed to improve literacy and access to technology-enhanced learning tools. Richfield also pledged future scholarships to support students seeking to improve their qualifications.

In 2019, Richfield partnered with Lij Events Hub to host the Township Outdoor Trade Show at the Moses Molelekwa Art Centre in Tembisa. The event attracted over 800 entrepreneurs and aimed to revitalise the township economy by providing a platform for local businesses to network, showcase their products, and access new markets.

In November 2024, Richfield participated in the Skills and Jobs Investment Summit co-hosted by the Johannesburg Business School (JBS) and the Department of Higher Education and Training. The summit brought together government, academia, and industry to address youth unemployment in South Africa, which stood at 45.5% in the second quarter of 2024. Richfield's Group Chief Academic Officer, Shireen Chengadu, represented the institution.

Richfield has also partnered with the Region E Youth Advisory Centre at Thusong Multi-Purpose Centre in Alexandra to provide free online university enrolment support to disadvantaged youth, helping matriculants and those wishing to complete their studies access higher education opportunities.

Campuses

Richfield operates eight campuses across four South African provinces:

• Umhlanga
• Musgrave
• Cape Town
• Bryanston
• Newtown
• Centurion
• Pretoria
• Polokwane

The campuses feature technology laboratories and learning environments designed to support students' intellectual, social, and professional development.

Accreditation and Endorsements

Richfield is accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a Private Higher Education Institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997, Registration Certificate No. 2000/HE07/008.

In 2024, Richfield's Bachelor of Commerce program received endorsement from the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). The institution is also a member of several professional organizations, including:

• Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)
• Association of African Business Schools (AABS)
• AACSB
• SABSA

Student Life

Full-time students at Richfield engage in extracurricular activities, student societies, and networking events that complement their academic journey. The institute's campuses provide accessible and secure learning environments, strategically located near business districts.

Sister Institutions

Richfield is part of the Growth Ten Group, which also owns:

• AAA School of Advertising
• Alt_ed

External links

• Official website