The Council on Higher Education’s Reconceptualizing Learning And Teaching (RELATE) Project requires a consultant to research the notion of student success within the context of private higher education institutions (PHEIs). RELATE is a meta-project to support research on reimagining future possibilities for learning and teaching in higher education in an ever evolving and disruptive context. The project provides the umbrella for various research initiatives, including this research brief on student success and graduate employability in PHEIs. A similar research project focusing on public higher education institutions has been completed, RELATE Research Report.

The CHE has partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of The World Bank Group (WBG or “Group”), which facilitates private sector investment in emerging markets. Through IFC’s advisory offerings, it supports the higher education sector in their expansion through innovative initiatives in areas such as graduate employability and digital transformation. In South Africa specifically, the IFC is managing a multi-year Skills in South Africa project, which consists of various initiatives implemented in collaboration with key stakeholders.

The partnership between IFC and CHE is envisioned to highlight existing gaps and additional opportunities to improve student success and outcomes. It is expected that the results will provide stronger context for interventions that will positively influence learning and teaching across the sector. To achieve these outcomes, the IFC is seeking a Consultant or Consulting firm (“the consultant”) to conduct a student success explorative research study as described in the advertisement for expressions of interest: 

https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/4746/view.html.

The expressions of interest close on 17 February 2025.