From six students in 1991, Boston City Campus & Business College’s success has seen it franchise the concept. Technology
Digital discovers how it is supporting higher education students
nationwide
Written by Clare Turner & Produced by Isaac Frempong
Boston City Campus started life in 1991, when CEO, Ari Katz, founded the institution with the intention to better equip UNISA students to succeed in their examinations. By 1997, it had opened a new division, Boston Business College. Following the opening of 11 of these colleges in Gauteng alone, the concept was franchised nationwide. Finally, in 2001, Boston City Campus and Boston Business College merged into one educational entity.
Having started with only six students, Boston City Campus & Business College had grown to 40 colleges and more than 20,000 students by 2004. It had also diversified its educational offering to students and now provides over 100 different career paths from which learners can choose.
Each college institute has faculties including Management, Hospitality and Lesiure, Accounting, Legal, Marketing and Sales, Sports Management and Multi Media, amongst others.
UNISA DEGREE COURSES
UNISA is the University of South Africa, a distance learning institution that offers internationally accredited qualifications. It has a reputation for providing comprehensive, flexible and accessible courses, and is able to utilise world class resources.
Boston City Campus & Business College provides support for a range of UNISA degree courses, such as its range of undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Accounting Science, Bachelor of Ar ts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws. In addition, the College helps students studying its postgraduate degrees in Accounting Science and Psychology.
There is also support provided for the predegree programme, which offers tuition to those students who want to study towards a UNISA degree, but have not managed to achieve the entry criteria.
UNIQUE PERSONAL SERVICES
Aside from academic support, Boston provides a unique care programme that provides a personal service and individualised tuition, in recognition of the hard work that is required of a university education. The programme gives students someone to turn to, whether that be a lecturer, mentor or simply a friend. Boston’s website, available to students only, allows them to contact their lecturers with queries, and provides access to mock exam papers with solutions.
Boston also prides itself on employing some of the country’s top lecturers, with the ability to communicate, guide and inspire. Their experience within commerce and industry ensures that they can teach in a wider context.
The College hands out academic material to ensure that all aspects of the courses are covered, and enhance the lecture experience. However, there is nothing quite like practical experience. In certain specialisations, students have the chance to partake in work experience and internships.
Boston Media House provides the perfect way into a career in media with its Media Studies Qualifications that both inspire and stimulate. The first year of this comprehensive course allows students to delve into the media industry and encourages the discovery of all components of the creative, written and visual aspects of the media world. It is only in the second and third years of the course that students commit to specialisations.
AWARD-WINNING
Over the years, thanks to its dedication to higher education, Boston has won numerous awards, including ‘Top College’ by Financial Mail Essentials in 2007 and Best Computer Training College in 2008. This year, the College won Prometric’s Platinum Award for 2008. It also became a Gold Class education Provider of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
In 2007, Loraine Vorster, Regional Director of CompTIA South Africa, said: “Boston City Campus & Business College not only certify the most individuals on CompTIA certifications in the sub-Sahara Africa region, but also show significantly higher pass rates.”
Technology Digital wishes Boston and its students a bright and academically rewarding future.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
COMPANY NAME: Boston City Campus & Business College
CEO: Ari Katz
OPERATIONS: Provides over 100 different qualifications and degrees
ESTABLISHED: 1991
HEAD OFFICE: Gauteng, South Africa
www.boston.co.za