The impact of institutional mergers on information systems and blended learning provision in South African higher education

The period within which higher education mergers have taken place on a large scale internationally overlaps with a phase characterized by extremely rapid take-up of information technologies in higher education. This paper analyses the implications of institutional mergers for information systems development in the South African higher education system. The analyses is undertaken with particular reference to the characteristics of current higher education information systems. This paper will draw attention to the key decisions that can influence the outcome of information systems integration in higher education mergers. Particular emphasis is given to the challenges of planning, and implementing online blended and collaborative curriculum modalities in the context of intuitional mergers.