Two Oceans Graduate Institute (TOGI) celebrated over the weekend its fifth year anniversary since inception in June 2017. Two educational entrepreneurs, Dr Ali Adam and Mrs Ashra Norton founded in 2017 a private higher education institution with the express purpose to educate teachers with the ability to teach in a variety of contexts. The establishment of TOGI relates directly to the work of the two founder directors as trustees of the Two Oceans Education Foundation who plays a major role in the provision of quality education to learners from less privileged communities in the Western Cape.
Dr Adam and Mrs Norton met with Dr Lourens Erasmus for the first time in 2012 and he started the processes of registration and accreditation with regulatory authorities in 2013. He was appointed as the first CEO of TOGI in June 2017 and the first 5 lecturers and administrative staff members were appointed in the same time.
Mr Alan Windie, Premier of the Western Cape was the guest speaker at the celebration function on Saturday 15 October and he emphasised the crucial role of private educational initiatives to address the need for quality education in South Africa. Mr Windie congratulated the founders and staff members of TOGI for their work and dedication.
The first 23 BEd Intermediate Phase Teaching students were enrolled in July 2017 and the first cohort PGCE (Senior and Further Education and Training Phases) students were enrolled in January 2021. TOGI has grown rapidly since 2017 in student numbers, appointment of lecturers and administrative and support staff as well as the addition of more qualifications in the field of initial teacher education. The number of students totals in 2021 almost 1200 with 53 academic, administrative and support staff members. Accreditation and registration has been obtained for the offering of the BEd Foundation Phase Teaching programme as from July 2023.