HCHE AND THE ADVENTIST CHURCH

Helderberg College of Higher Education and the Seventh-day Adventist (Adventist) Church

Helderberg College of Higher Education (HCHE) is an Adventist institution, but what does this really mean? There are certain things that prospective students may find slightly different when comparing student life at HCHE with other tertiary institutions in South Africa.

What is the Adventist Church?

The Adventist Church is a Christian church that follows in the Protestant tradition and believes that salvation rests in Jesus Christ. As such, the college teaches and models Christian values. In the context of Christian education in South Africa, HCHE students learn to think independently, analytically and creatively. They find personal identity while developing a worldview, and learn to appreciate other peoples and cultures. We welcome men and women irrespective of church (or religious) affiliation, race, gender, age, or nationality.

 The presence and influence of the Adventist Church at the College

  1. There are three churches on campus. Weekly services occur on a Sabbath (Saturday) morning. Students are welcome to attend whichever church they prefer.
  2. The full time lecturers at HCHE are members of the Adventist Church and are professionals within their fields. All qualifications are accredited with the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and are registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) found on the website of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Our educational focus is in the fields of Business, Education, Health, Social Sciences and Theology. We are committed to professional teaching, innovative technology, and compassionate mentoring.
  3. Provider discretion modules that reflect Adventist values are included in our programmes. These are 8 credit modules called “Values, Character & Personal Enrichment.” They teach content that help students to develop a set of values that will assist them to achieve success in a tertiary environment and in their subsequent roles in life. The content is taught from a faith-based perspective with a focus on Christian faith. Paragraph descriptions for each of these modules is found in the college prospectus under Module Descriptions.
  4. Every semester, the college conducts a “week of spiritual emphasis.” For this week, lectures continue as normal, but a single lecture per day is set aside for a service where a spiritual message is presented by a visiting speaker.
  5. The Adventist Church advocates a vegetarian lifestyle. As such, our cafeteria provides only vegetarian food. In addition to breakfast, lunch and supper meals, the cafeteria includes a tuck shop that sells fast food items (such as chips and sandwiches) and a pizza oven. Note that students are not required to eat in the cafeteria and are free to walk to the shop down the road or order take-out to satisfy their personal dietary preferences.
  6. No drugs, smoking or alcohol is permitted on campus.
  7. For students who are accommodated in our residences, Salisbury House (men’s residence) and Anne Visser House (women’s residence), there are specific regulations that apply to those who live there. These generally have to do with ensuring the safety of the residents. There is an evening service that alternates between the residences each day.
  8. The following Code of Conduct assists in establishing College expectations of student conduct while at the college. See 2024 Prospectus (page 21):

The College welcomes students who wish to live in harmony with the principles and standards of the Word of God. No religious tests are applied, but all students are expected to show proper regard for the rules that govern the Christian lifestyle and religious atmosphere that Helderberg College of Higher Education promotes. Resident students are required to attend worship services and to conduct themselves according to the rules laid down in the  Student Handbook. The College campus is a non-smoking, alcohol-free, drug-free, and gun free area.

The College provides a safe environment where students are encouraged to grow spiritually and ethically, to experience personal and social growth, to develop a pattern of healthy living, and to achieve academic excellence.