31 May 2025
Reimagining Identity: UCT Research on Khoisan Revivalism
South Africa, Africa | May 2, 2025
University of Cape Town PhD graduate Eve Wong’s research explores how young, urban Khoisan revivalists reclaim erased histories and challenge rigid racial identities.
Her work critiques colonial frameworks by emphasizing sincerity, “fabulation,” and the creative power of marginality over imposed authenticity.
Wong argues that identity is a dynamic, unfolding process offering possibilities for decolonial innovation and future-making in postcolonial societies. Read more.
UCT’s Prof Chibale Joins US National Academy of Sciences
South Africa, Africa — May 7, 2025
Professor Kelly Chibale of the University of Cape Town has been elected an international member of the US National Academy of Sciences, recognizing his groundbreaking drug discovery research. Chibale, founder of Africa’s first Drug Discovery Centre (H3D), is among only 30 international scientists honored this year. He aims to strengthen science policy, entrepreneurship, and support for Africa’s next generation of researchers. Read more.
South African Youth Engaged in Global Policy Through G20 University Roadshow
South Africa, Africa — May 12, 2025
Youth@SAIIA launched its G20 university roadshow to empower South African students with knowledge and participation in global governance. The initiative began at North-West University, drawing about 100 students and culminating in a youth-drafted policy statement for Youth20 structures. Upcoming stops include the University of Limpopo, with support from the Australian High Commission and national youth bodies. Read more.
South African Educator Turns Science Lessons into Songs
South Africa, Africa — May 13, 2025
Samkelo Mhlophe, a trained civil engineer turned teacher, uses music to teach science at Makhumbuza High School in Umlazi. Known as Ilembe Lothisha, he creates lyrical lessons that help students retain complex topics like the endocrine system. His innovative approach is reshaping classroom engagement and gaining traction across South Africa. Read more.
Navigating AI in Higher Education: Universities Must Equip Students for Ethical and Informed Use
South Africa, Africa — May 13, 2025
As generative AI tools grow more prevalent, students risk over-relying on them due to a lack of critical literacy and subject expertise. Experts warn of four key dangers: blind trust, knowledge avoidance, false confidence, and widening gaps between true experts and AI-dependent users. To respond, universities must integrate critical AI literacy, champion the importance of knowledge development, and model dual expertise for academic integrity. Read more.
NTIC Celebrates Exceptional UTME Results, Reinforces Academic Excellence
Nigeria, Africa — May 14, 2025
A student of Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC), Okadike Kennedy, scored 370 in the 2025 UTME, one of the highest in the country. NTIC praised its students’ overall performance and credited the success to strong academic support and dedicated educators. The school reaffirmed its mission to develop future leaders through quality education and consistent excellence in national assessments. Read more.
South African Parliament Condemns Misconduct Amid CETA Governance Scandal
South Africa, Africa — May 14, 2025
South Africa’s Higher Education Committee condemned MP Sihle Lonzi’s disruptive conduct during a CETA oversight meeting, violating agreed procedures. The committee reviewed the Duja Report, which revealed serious governance failures, salary inflation, and corruption within the Construction Education and Training Authority. Concerns were raised over delayed accountability by the Higher Education Ministry, as implicated individuals may remain involved in CETA leadership. Read more.
South Africa Urged to Reclaim Health Research Ownership Amid U.S. Funding Cuts
Country: South Africa | Continent: Africa | Publication Date: May 21, 2025
UCT’s Africa Day event spotlighted Africa’s resilience in health sciences and emphasized the urgency of African-led research ownership. Keynote speaker Professor Linda-Gail Bekker warned that U.S. funding cuts threaten South Africa’s globally recognized HIV and TB research infrastructure. Scholars and leaders called for innovation, political will, and South–South collaboration to sustain progress and protect vulnerable communities. Read more.
Stellenbosch Racism Verdict Sparks National Debate on University Transformation
South Africa, Africa — May 28, 2025
Parliament’s Education Committee criticized the not-guilty verdict in Theuns du Toit’s case, urging deeper accountability from Stellenbosch University on racism. Chairperson Makhi Feni blamed institutional biases, including grading discrimination and exclusion of Black students from academic advancement. He called for urgent reforms in hiring practices, language policies, and student representation to align universities with South African transformation goals. Read more.
South Africa’s Stellenbosch University Revamps Medical Curriculum to Confront Post-Truth Challenges
South Africa, Africa – May 8, 2025
Stellenbosch University launched a transformative curriculum module, Features of Science (FOS), in 2022 to better prepare biomedical students for the complexities of a post-truth world. The module explores socio-political and historical influences on science, encourages interdisciplinary engagement, and develops students’ critical thinking and communication skills. Feedback shows improved understanding, empathy, and readiness to address misinformation and systemic biases in medical research and practice. Read more.
Postdoctoral Fellowships in South Africa: Challenges and Opportunities
South Africa, Africa — May 8, 2025
Postdoctoral fellows remain vital to South African research but face job insecurity, limited benefits, and visa challenges, sparking debate over their professional status. While some label them “ice boys/girls,” many postdocs emphasize mentorship, skill development, and career advancement opportunities. Experts urge recognizing postdocs as a unique, temporary role essential for academic growth, calling for balanced support and realistic expectations. Read more.
South Africa Unlikely to Meet 2030 Postgraduate Enrolment Goal, Report Warns
South Africa, Africa – May 15, 2025
South Africa is projected to fall short of its National Development Plan target of 25% postgraduate enrolment by 2030, with figures stagnant at 14% from 2005 to 2020. A Council on Higher Education report highlights funding shortages, high undergraduate demand, and poor progression rates as major barriers. Despite growth in doctoral enrolment and black student representation, system-wide reforms and sustained bursary support are urgently needed. Read more.
South Africa’s Universities Face Backlash Over Racial Quotas and Academic Freedom
Country: South Africa | Continent: Africa | Publication Date: May 7
The Institute of Race Relations (IRR) is urging South African universities to disclose whether they will forcibly classify staff by race under new Employment Equity targets. IRR warns these quotas compromise constitutional rights and academic freedom, prioritising bureaucracy over merit and institutional excellence. It argues the policy entrenches political control and division, rather than fostering meaningful transformation or job creation. Read more.
Academic Xenophobia: African Scholars’ Precarity in South African Universities
South Africa, Africa – May 22
A study reveals systemic marginalization of African academics in South African universities, with only 8% holding permanent positions. Subtle xenophobia, opaque promotion processes, and restrictive visa policies undermine their contributions and career stability. Calls for “radical hospitality” urge policy reforms to foster inclusion and center African scholars in higher education transformation. Read more.
Fixing Structural Faults to Transform South Africa’s Postdoctoral Fellowships
South Africa, Africa — May 22
Postdoctoral fellowships in South Africa hold great potential as a bridge between PhD study and academic careers but face critical structural challenges, including poor supervisor alignment and intense output pressures. These issues lead to diminished research quality, academic isolation, and anxiety among fellows, exacerbated by limited post-fellowship support. Addressing these systemic faults is essential to make postdocs truly transformative rather than frustrating interim roles. Read more
Decolonisation Remains Elusive in South African Higher Education
South Africa, Africa — May 22, 2025
A decade after the #RhodesMustFall protests, South African universities still struggle to achieve genuine decolonisation due to entrenched neoliberal policies and the “Rainbow Nation” ideology that preserves structural inequalities. The Department of Higher Education and Training’s strategic plans minimally address epistemic decolonisation, relegating it to a footnote or omitting it entirely. Meaningful transformation requires sustained critical engagement across institutions and global solidarity to challenge prevailing hegemonies. Read more.
Gazan Medical Students Complete Training in South Africa Amid Conflict Recovery
South Africa, Africa — May 17, 2025
Twenty-seven Gazan medical students, displaced by war, completed their clinical training at UCT and the University of the Witwatersrand after their schools in Gaza were destroyed. They arrived via Egypt in 2024 through coordinated efforts with South African universities to ensure their graduation. Gift of the Givers celebrated their achievement, highlighting their role as future healthcare providers post-conflict. Read more.
Holistic Student Support Drives Higher Education Success in South Africa
South Africa, Africa — May 20, 2025
Stellenbosch University reported a 5.6% rise in qualifications awarded, reaching 9,392 in 2024–25, highlighting the impact of holistic support including bursaries, mentorship, and wellness services. Programs like the Dell Young Leaders have contributed to a 97% retention and 98% graduate employment rate by addressing financial, academic, and psychosocial needs. Despite growing demand for financial aid, ongoing public-private partnerships aim to expand comprehensive support systems to empower students and reduce -economic inequality. Read more.
Universities Pivotal to Africa’s Strategic Autonomy, Says Habib
South Africa, Africa – May 29, 2025
Professor Adam Habib emphasized at Africa Week 2025 that Africa must build strategic capacity through integration, professional public service, and university-led excellence to navigate global volatility. He warned that Africa’s potential remains unrealized due to governance weaknesses and political squabbles but urged higher education to drive research, diplomacy, and innovation for continental agency. Habib called for a synthesis of transformation and merit in universities as essential for reclaiming Africa’s future in a multipolar world. Read more.
Reclaiming African Universities as Radical Spaces of Knowledge
South Africa, Africa — May 29, 2025
Professor Joel Modiri of the University of Pretoria warned that African universities are losing their intellectual purpose amid market pressures and political attacks, risking the continent’s democratic future. He called for a revival of epistemic freedom, deep reading, and intellectual rigor, emphasizing the need to resist commodification and xenophobia while fostering pan-African solidarity. Modiri urged student politics to focus on critical thinking over party allegiances and highlighted Steve Biko’s legacy as central to this transformative mission. Read more.
Science with Soul: Reclaiming Ethical Justice in South African Higher Education
South Africa, Africa — May 29, 2025
Walter Parry’s exclusion from apartheid academia highlights science’s complicity in systemic racial injustice in South Africa. Transforming universities demands embedding social justice, historical accountability, and ethics into scientific inquiry and curricula. This calls for a conscious shift from supposed neutrality to science grounded in human dignity, equity, and community engagement. Read more.
South Africa Celebrates 17-Year-Old Actuarial Science Graduate as STEM Beacon
South Africa, Africa – May 29
Mongiwa Hazel Ntuli, a 17-year-old from Johannesburg, has become one of the University of Pretoria’s youngest-ever graduates, earning a degree in Actuarial Science. Minister of Higher Education Dr Nobuhle Nkabane praised Ntuli’s achievement as a national milestone, highlighting her resilience and academic excellence. Ntuli’s success underscores the urgency of boosting STEM engagement among South African youth, especially young girls, amid declining national enrolment in these fields. Read more.
South African Science Faces Crisis Amid US Research Funding Cuts
South Africa, Africa – May 1
The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) has warned of an “extreme crisis” in the country’s research sector due to abrupt US funding cuts and academic restrictions under President Trump. Major losses in health research funding, particularly for HIV and TB, threaten decades of collaborative progress and critical training pipelines. ASSAf calls for urgent government action to secure alternative funding and protect academic freedom, echoing global concern over US policy shifts. Read more.
From Decolonisation to Dehegemonisation: Reimagining Africa’s Place in Global Higher Education
Country: South Africa | Continent: Africa | Publication Date: May 1, 2025
African universities must shift from a narrow focus on decolonisation to confronting global hegemony by asserting intellectual sovereignty and reshaping their role in global power dynamics. As geopolitical alliances fragment, Africa has a unique opportunity to reposition itself through homegrown research, equitable partnerships, and bold academic leadership. Sustained investment in research and innovation by African governments is vital to ending chronic dependence on external funders and achieving global relevance on Africa’s own terms. Read more.
Rethinking Higher Education: South Africa’s Call for a Decolonial Future
South Africa, Africa – May 1, 2025
South African scholar Fikile Vilakazi argues that universities must undergo a century-long transformation to escape colonial and neoliberal frameworks and embrace African philosophies of learning. She advocates for gradual, systemic reorganisation—starting with academic content, staffing, and epistemic foundations—over abrupt disruption. Her gender equity work at the University of the Western Cape exemplifies this approach, though tensions persist with university leadership over the pace and depth of change. Read more.
South African Activist Calls for Orderly Cultural Expression at University Graduations
South Africa, Africa — May 14, 2025
Education activist Hendrick Makaneta warns that cultural displays involving traditional weapons at graduations risk safety and disrupt ceremonies. He urges universities to set clear guidelines balancing cultural pride with respect and security. Makaneta emphasizes preserving graduation dignity while avoiding chaos and delays. Read more.
Postdoctoral Prospects in South Africa: Navigating the Academic ‘Midnight Train’
South Africa, Africa — May 29, 2025
Postdoctoral positions in South African universities mark the final student-level academic role but often lack secure employment benefits amid a constrained and competitive job market with 46.1% youth unemployment. Postdocs are advised to focus on strategic publishing and innovative career paths beyond traditional academia due to limited university posts and rising contractual work. Greater African research funding is urgently needed to reduce dependence on Euro-American sources and expand opportunities for emerging scholars. Read more.
Honouring Walter Parry: Stellenbosch University’s Restorative Journey
South Africa, Africa — May 29
Stellenbosch University unveiled a permanent installation honoring Walter Parry, a brilliant science teacher denied an academic career under apartheid, as part of ongoing restitution efforts. The Lückhoff Living Museum site symbolizes memory, healing, and transformation linked to the displaced community once served by Parry. SU continues to promote inclusion and reconciliation through lectures, visual redress, and community engagement. Read more.
30 April 2025
South Africa’s Nelson Mandela University Fuels Student Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth
Country: South Africa; Continent: Africa; Publication Date: April 3, 2025
Nelson Mandela University (NMU) has invested ZAR2.7 million (about US$147,000) to support 27 student and community entrepreneurs through its Africa Hub and Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator. The funding, alongside an 18- to 36-month business incubation program, has helped incubate 35 businesses, creating 85 jobs and encouraging students to balance academic work with entrepreneurship. Driven by a commitment to social innovation and economic empowerment, NMU’s initiatives align with national efforts to combat South Africa’s youth unemployment rate, which exceeds 40% among 25- to 34-year-olds. Read more.
Rethinking African Universities: Achille Mbembe Urges a Climate-Focused, Knowledge-Driven Future
South Africa, Africa – April 10, 2025
Cameroonian scholar Achille Mbembe argues African universities must shift from merely preparing students for jobs to generating knowledge that addresses climate change and sustains humanity. He calls for an “ecology of knowledges,” blending indigenous and global traditions, and leveraging digital technologies to overcome academic isolation. Mbembe warns that without significant investment and a new development paradigm, universities risk deepening global inequalities. Read more.
South African Universities Grapple with Responses to Geopolitical Conflicts
South Africa, Africa | April 7, 2025
South African universities are deeply divided over whether to issue official statements on global conflicts, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian war, as highlighted by Professor Nithaya Chetty. Chetty urges institutions to prioritize academic freedom and avoid politicized statements unless condemning all human rights violations universally. Despite calls for neutrality, at least six universities have severed ties with Israeli institutions, reflecting growing tensions within the academic community. Read more.
South African Scholars Urge Universities to Take Ethical Stands on Global Conflicts
South Africa, Africa – April 8, 2025
South African scholars Ashraf Kagee and Shuaib Manjra argue that universities must reject neutrality in global conflicts, emphasizing a duty to uphold human rights and social justice. They challenge the view that institutional statements compromise academic freedom, asserting universities have always been politically engaged, especially during apartheid. Jonathan Jansen adds that true neutrality is an illusion, urging universities to align their actions with their missions for societal transformation. Read more.
South African Academics Debate Universities’ Role in Geopolitical Conflicts
South Africa, Africa – April 9, 2025
South African academics are divided over whether universities should remain neutral on geopolitical issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While some, including Professor Nithaya Chetty, argue that universities should avoid divisive political stances, others assert that universities must engage in public discourse and uphold human rights. This debate, rooted in South Africa’s anti-apartheid history, reflects broader concerns about the role of higher education in global social justice. Read more
UK and South Africa Launch Collaborative Respiratory Disease Surveillance Initiative
United Kingdom-South Africa, April 10, 2025
The UK and South Africa have launched a £8.7 million genomic surveillance partnership to track respiratory viruses like flu and COVID-19. This collaboration will strengthen global pandemic preparedness by providing real-time data across two hemispheres. The initiative aims to improve vaccine development and better respond to emerging virus strains. Read more.
Rethinking Research Funding: South Africa’s Opportunity Amid US Cuts
South Africa, Africa – April 9, 2025
Recent U.S. funding cuts have raised concerns about the future of South Africa’s research ecosystem, but the country’s reliance on domestic funding mitigates potential crisis. While foreign aid accounts for 17% of funding, South African sources have provided the majority for R&D in higher education. This moment could serve as a catalyst for increased local investment and a shift in funding strategies. Read more.
Postdocs in South Africa: Unseen and Unprotected in Higher Education
South Africa, Africa – April 10, 2025
Postdoctoral researchers in South Africa are increasingly marginalized, seen as “ice boys and ice girls” – cheap labor without recognition or job security. Despite contributing significantly to research outputs, postdocs face precarious employment, limited support, and gendered challenges, especially for women balancing motherhood and research. A national policy is urgently needed to safeguard postdocs’ rights and well-being, ensuring fair treatment and fostering academic growth. Read more
South Africa Marks #RhodesMustFall Anniversary with Renewed Call for Decolonised Higher Education
South Africa | Africa | April 15, 2025
The University of Cape Town commemorated the 10th anniversary of the #RhodesMustFall movement with a symposium emphasizing remembrance, reflection, and recommitment to higher education transformation. Speakers highlighted the intellectual legacy of student activism, its toll, and its impact on decolonisation efforts both nationally and globally. Despite notable achievements, current leaders stressed that many foundational challenges—especially racial exclusion and inequality—persist and require ongoing activism. Read more.
CREST at 30: South Africa’s Science Policy Leader Expands Africa’s Research Horizons
Country: South Africa; Continent: Africa; Publication Date: April 17
Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) marked its 30th anniversary, celebrated for leading science policy, monitoring, and evaluation efforts across Africa. Since 1995, CREST has trained nearly 1,900 graduates—half in monitoring and evaluation from across the continent—while also launching initiatives like the African Doctoral Academy and online doctoral supervision courses. As the institutional home of SciSTIP, CREST continues to shape STI policy through data-driven research and is set to launch a landmark open-access database tracking African STI funding in 2025. Read more.
Navigating Global Shifts: African Universities Urged to Transform Amid Funding Cuts
South Africa, Africa | April 17
African higher education leaders stress the need for transformative, context-relevant education to counter brain drain and adapt to global disruptions. Experts urge universities to build internal funding, regional partnerships, and future-oriented curricula to overcome U.S. aid cuts and financial instability. Academic mobility and research capacity are at risk, but innovation, entrepreneurship, and geopolitically informed education offer sustainable pathways forward. Read more.
Invisible Scholars: South Africa’s Postdocs Face Precarity and Marginalisation in Academia
Country: South Africa; Continent: Africa; Publication Date: April 10, 2025
South Africa’s postdoctoral researchers are increasingly likened to “ice boys and girls,” a term used to highlight their invisibility, exploitation, and precarious position within academia. Despite contributing significantly to research output, they lack employee benefits, job security, and institutional support, especially women who face structural gender barriers. A national policy framework is urgently needed to protect postdocs’ rights, track their progress, and ensure fair academic integration. Read more.
Navigating Global Shifts: African Universities Urged to Transform Amid Funding Cuts
South Africa, Africa | April 17
African higher education leaders stress the need for transformative, context-relevant education to counter brain drain and adapt to global disruptions. Experts urge universities to build internal funding, regional partnerships, and future-oriented curricula to overcome U.S. aid cuts and financial instability. Academic mobility and research capacity are at risk, but innovation, entrepreneurship, and geopolitically informed education offer sustainable pathways forward. Read more.
Philanthropy Reshapes Funding Landscape at South African Universities
South Africa, Africa – April 9, 2025
Philanthropic donations to South African universities reached R1.81 billion in 2022, with donor numbers nearly doubling since 2013, significantly boosting student support and academic development. Stellenbosch University and the University of the Western Cape have seen major gains, using strategic campaigns and international outreach to secure long-term financial stability. Donations largely support student bursaries, but growing efforts now also target infrastructure, research, and sustainability through initiatives like SU’s Vision 2040 and UWC’s Legacy Fund. Read more.
Bridging the Gap: Mid-Career Researchers in South Africa Face Growing Funding Crisis
South Africa, Africa – April 24, 2025
Mid-career researchers in South Africa are increasingly caught in a funding vacuum, lacking tailored support despite their pivotal role in the national research pipeline. Without structured grants or mentorship, many face stalled career progression, limited innovation opportunities, and increased administrative burdens. Experts urge funding bodies to create targeted policies, bridging the gap between early-career and senior researchers to prevent a loss of talent and research momentum. Read more.
Clear Vision Key to University Success, Says South Africa’s VC
South Africa, Africa – April 24, 2025
Professor Thoko Mayekiso, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mpumalanga, emphasizes the importance of a clear institutional purpose in overcoming challenges, particularly in transforming a former technical college into a comprehensive university. She highlights the need for a balance between practical skills and academic rigor to provide students with both career opportunities and the foundation for advanced studies. Despite challenges, the university has developed a range of programs to meet local economic demands while fostering an African identity through innovation and collaboration. Read more.
South Africa Forms Committee to Address Student Accommodation Issues
South Africa, Africa – April 17, 2025
Following a fatal shooting during a protest over poor accommodation at Walter Sisulu University, South Africa’s Department of Higher Education has created a committee to assess student accommodation issues nationwide. The committee aims to improve security and prioritize accommodations for first-year and undergraduate students. Efforts are underway to enhance living conditions and address concerns at higher education institutions. Read more.
Walter Sisulu University Shooting: Students Injured as Protests Escalate
South Africa, Africa – April 17, 2025
Walter Sisulu University’s residence manager shot and killed a student during a protest over poor accommodation conditions, while two others were injured. Students reported being shot with rubber bullets by security officers during further protests against the university’s infrastructure. The Department of Higher Education is calling for a safety review and has arrested a suspect in connection with the incident. Read more.
Rhodes University Advances Groundwater Strategy for Campus Water Security
South Africa, Africa – April 16, 2025
Rhodes University is implementing a two-phase plan to reduce reliance on unstable municipal water by integrating groundwater, greywater, and rainwater systems. Research identified the Witteberg Quartzite aquifer as a sustainable groundwater source, with phase one targeting one-third of campus needs through upper-campus infrastructure. Phase two will extend greywater reuse and groundwater treatment to lower campus areas, pending licence approval and detailed feasibility studies. Read more.
UCT Launches Inclusive Online Course to Advance Disability Access in Higher Education
South Africa, Africa — April 8, 2025
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has launched an online course titled Transformation through Disability Inclusion to equip staff with practical tools for fostering a more accessible campus. Developed by the Office for Inclusivity & Change and the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching, the course aligns with UCT’s Vision 2030 for equity and human potential. Modules cover inclusive education, neurodiversity, accessible communication, and barrier-free environments, encouraging mindset shifts beyond compliance. Read more.
South African Universities Unite to Mentor Young Women in STEM Fields
South Africa, Africa — April 8, 2025
The 2025 STEM MentHER programme inducted 11 Grade 12 girls from across the Western Cape to promote careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Supported by seven South African universities, the initiative pairs learners with academic mentors to guide their academic and personal development.
UCT’s leadership emphasized curiosity, ethics, and community in shaping future women leaders in STEM. Read more.
Transport Funding Delays Disrupt Education Access in Mpumalanga
Country: South Africa; Continent: Africa; Publication Date: April 9
Thousands of learners in Mpumalanga, South Africa, have been left stranded due to a delay in scholar transport payments by the provincial government. Operators suspended services after not receiving compensation since February, severely impacting students’ access to education. The crisis highlights long-standing administrative inefficiencies affecting rural learners’ right to schooling. Read more.
South Africa Moves to Resolve NSFAS Payment Delays and Strengthen TVET Support
South Africa, Africa – April 29
TVET student allowance payments, delayed due to a system glitch, were processed by April 26, with NSFAS committing to resolve all remaining issues, including for 800 affected students, by April 30. Minister Nobuhle Nkabane affirmed the government’s commitment to education access, addressing NSFAS appeal outcomes and qualification code discrepancies impacting NCV students. Outstanding 2024 payments are being prioritised, and results due between May 9–12 will enable disbursements for students still awaiting NSFAS funding. Read more.
South Africa Prioritises Resolution of NSFAS Payment Delays and TVET Funding Issues
South Africa, Africa – April 29
NSFAS allowance delays due to a system glitch were addressed by April 27, with remaining issues affecting 800 students set to be resolved by April 30. Minister Nkabane confirmed that 2025 student appeals are under active review and most qualification code discrepancies impacting NCV students have been fixed. Outstanding 2024 payments are being prioritised, with final disbursements expected after results are released between May 9 and 12. Read more.
Reimagining Identity: UCT Researcher Challenges Colonial Legacy in Khoisan Revivalism
South Africa, Africa | May 2, 2025
Eve Wong’s research at the University of Cape Town explores the Khoisan Revivalism movement, focusing on how young urban Khoisan individuals reclaim erased histories and challenge fixed notions of race and identity. Wong critiques traditional postcolonial studies, advocating for fluid, non-linear views of identity formation, emphasizing “sincerity” over “authenticity” for marginalized communities. Her work bridges cultural, psychological, and technological perspectives to envision new futures beyond colonial constructs. Read more.
31 March 2025
Music-Based Maternal Mental Health Project Launches Amid Funding Uncertainty
South Africa, Africa – March 6, 2025
A new global research initiative, CHIME, is using culturally embedded musical practices to support maternal mental health in South Africa, the Gambia, and Lesotho, backed by £2.8 million (US$3.5 million) from the UK’s NIHR. Despite securing funding before the UK’s recent foreign aid cuts, the project highlights growing concerns over the sustainability of global health research in the Global South. Researchers emphasize the cost-effectiveness of music-based interventions in reducing anxiety and depression, with findings potentially shaping national maternal health policies. Read more.
South Africa’s NSFAS Crisis: A Growing Threat to Student Success
South Africa, Africa – March 5, 2025
South African students face severe hardships due to the ongoing dysfunction of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), with delayed payments, defunding, and a critical lack of accommodation. Student protests highlight how financial instability negatively impacts mental health and academic success, leaving many at risk of eviction or dropping out. Experts call for urgent reforms, improved communication, and increased funding to ensure equitable access to higher education. Read more.
South African Universities Grapple with Protests and Leadership Challenges
South Africa, Africa | March 3, 2025
Student protests over financial exclusions and funding failures continue to disrupt South African universities, reflecting long-standing tensions between student movements and institutional leadership. Recent demonstrations, including a hunger strike at Wits University and nationwide financial aid protests, highlight unresolved issues from the #FeesMustFall movement from nearly a decade ago. As universities navigate security measures and political pressures, the broader challenge remains government inaction on systemic higher education funding problems. Read more.
Expanding Research Funding Strategies to Strengthen South Africa’s Science Ecosystem
South Africa, Africa – March 13
South Africa’s research funding landscape is evolving, with a growing focus on alternative data sources to complement traditional R&D surveys and improve alignment with national priorities. A Stellenbosch University study highlights the limitations of aggregated research expenditure data and emphasizes the role of diverse funding instruments in addressing transformation and sustainability challenges. Increased support for black and women researchers, along with enhanced collaboration tracking, could help strengthen the country’s science ecosystem. Read more.
South Africa’s Economic Future Tied to Women’s Workplace Empowerment
South Africa, Africa – March 12, 2025
Despite global efforts, women remain underrepresented in leadership, with only 28.2% in management roles worldwide. Business schools must prioritize research on women’s workplace inclusion, as strategic initiatives like research chairs can drive gender equality and economic growth. Strengthening women’s roles in business leadership benefits both family stability and national prosperity. Read more.
South Africa: A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation at University of Mpumalanga
South Africa, March 13, 2025
Professor Thoko Mayekiso reflects on her decade-long leadership at the University of Mpumalanga, South Africa’s first higher education institution post-apartheid. Under her leadership, the university grew from 169 students in 2014 to over 8,000 in 2023, with a notable improvement in research and staff qualifications. Mayekiso highlights the importance of gender diversity in leadership roles and shares her personal journey of determination and resilience in overcoming challenges. Read more
South African Universities Struggling with Widespread Food Insecurity Among Students
South Africa, Africa – March 8, 2025
Food insecurity among South African university students is reaching alarming levels, with 11% to 38.3% of students facing hunger. Rising food prices, low financial aid, and inefficiencies in disbursements exacerbate the problem, affecting students’ academic performance and mental health. Universities are responding with food aid programs, but experts warn that more robust policies are needed to address the widespread issue. Read more
UFS Launches Experiential Programme to Enhance Law Students’ Skills
South Africa, Africa – March 5, 2025
The University of the Free State (UFS) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) launched a first-of-its-kind experiential learning initiative for law students. The programme, “In the Shadow of the Prosecutor,” provides hands-on exposure to prosecutorial work, aiming to equip third and final-year law students with critical practical skills. The collaboration aims to produce future legal professionals with the necessary experience to thrive in the legal field. Read more.
South Africa’s NSFAS to Settle R44 Million Housing Debt Amid Accommodation Crisis
South Africa, Africa – March 3, 2025
The South African Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela, announced that NSFAS will settle R44 million in debt owed to private accommodation providers. The outstanding debt has contributed to an accommodation crisis, with over 500,000 beds in short supply, leaving students without proper housing. NSFAS is working to resolve the issue and avoid further prejudices against NSFAS-funded students. Read more.
South Africa’s Free Higher Education Policy Faces Criticism for Exacerbating Inequality
South Africa, Africa – March 20, 2025
A recent study of South Africa’s ‘free higher education’ policy reveals that while it expanded access, it disproportionately benefited middle-income students rather than the poorest. Issues with NSFAS administration, data gaps, and inefficiencies have worsened disparities, undermining the policy’s equity goals. The report calls for urgent reform, including a more targeted, performance-linked funding model to ensure financial aid reaches the most disadvantaged. Read more
US Funding Freeze Threatens South African Medical Research
South Africa, Africa | March 27, 2025
A leaked memo from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) instructs staff to suspend all research grants to entities in South Africa, jeopardizing up to $400 million in funding that supports 70% of the country’s medical research. The move has already led to mass cancellations of HIV and TB research projects at top universities, with over 300 grants expected to be terminated by March 30, resulting in significant job losses and halted trials. South African researchers are seeking alternative funding sources, while experts warn that the cuts could stall global HIV and TB progress and contradict US public health interests. Read more.
South Africa and China Set Quantum Satellite Communication Record
South Africa, Africa | March 24, 2025
South African and Chinese researchers have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in quantum communication, establishing the longest intercontinental quantum satellite link at 12,900km. This experiment, conducted in October 2024 and published in Nature, marks the first quantum satellite connection in the southern hemisphere. The breakthrough strengthens South Africa’s role in global quantum research and paves the way for ultra-secure communication networks. Read more.
South African Universities Drive Entrepreneurship with Business Incubation
South Africa – Africa | March 27, 2025
South African universities are strengthening entrepreneurship through business incubators, with Nelson Mandela University’s Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (CfERI) supporting 35 small businesses and creating 85 jobs in the past year. The Business Incubation Web Association (BIWA), launched through a memorandum of agreement among universities, fosters collaboration with industry and government to expand business incubation nationwide. To support student and community enterprises, Nelson Mandela University allocated ZAR2.7 million (US$148,000) to an Enterprise Development Fund, with further plans for national incubation policies and research. Read more.
Limpopo Premier Calls for Action on Student Safety After Rape Incident
South Africa, Africa | March 5, 2025
Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba has called for enhanced student safety following the rape of four students at Tlharihani TVET Campus in Mamaila. The incident, which occurred on February 22, 2025, led to a manhunt for the suspect, who is also accused of armed robbery. Ramathuba stressed the need for law enforcement to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to justice and urged collective action to prevent such crimes. Read more.
UCT Students Receive Financial Support Through R1.5 Million Bursary Partnership
South Africa, Africa | March 5, 2025
A total of 36 University of Cape Town students have received bursaries worth R1.5 million, thanks to a collaboration between Eskom Rotek Industries and Orea Holdings. The bursaries aim to alleviate financial barriers for academically deserving students, with recipients averaging 70% academic performance. The initiative highlights the importance of community impact, with students expressing gratitude for the opportunities provided. Read more.
UCT Enhances Commuter Experience with New Shuttle Buses
South Africa, Africa | March 17, 2025
The University of Cape Town has introduced nine new 40-seater Yutong buses to replace aging vehicles in its shuttle fleet. The upgrade, part of a planned replacement cycle, improves commuter capacity, reliability, and efficiency. UCT will also add 18 more buses by May 2025, with a pilot electric bus slated for August. Read more.
Henley Global MBA Empowers Leaders with Global Insights and Cultural Immersions
South Africa, Africa | March 26, 2025
Henley Business School’s Global MBA, now offered in South Africa, focuses on developing versatile leaders through immersive, global experiences across five international study visits. The program emphasizes both personal growth and professional development, equipping graduates to navigate changing business landscapes. Ranked among the top executive MBAs globally, it delivers high-impact leadership skills for today’s dynamic world. Read more.
NSFAS Discovers Ghost Students Amid Accommodation Payment Delays
South Africa, Africa | March 26, 2025
NSFAS has uncovered ghost students in accommodation claims, delaying payments to providers and causing tensions between stakeholders. The discovery follows allegations that some providers submitted false information to gain funds meant for legitimate students. NSFAS is investigating the issue and has set a new payment date to resolve the situation. Read more.
UCT Partners with Sciences Po to Launch Africa’s First Dual Degree Programme
South Africa, Africa | March 28, 2025
The University of Cape Town (UCT) and Sciences Po have launched Africa’s first-ever dual degree programme, offering two master’s degrees in governance, international relations, and urban studies. The two-year programme, with one year at each university, aims to address global challenges in public policy and urban development. Starting in February 2027, it will accept 20 students annually, with three scholarships available through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Read more.
South African Parliament Demands Accountability in Bergview College Abuse Case
South Africa, Africa – March 30, 2025
The Select Committee on Education criticized the Eastern Cape Department of Education for its delayed response to the alleged rape of a seven-year-old at Bergview College. Chairperson Makhi Feni called for immediate accountability, including the arrest of the perpetrator and stronger regulatory oversight. The committee has engaged provincial education, social development, and law enforcement authorities to ensure justice and victim support. Read more
South Africa Leads African Universities in QS Subject Rankings for 2025
Africa | March 20, 2025
South Africa dominated the QS World University Rankings by Subject for 2025, with 176 entries across 12 universities, followed by Egypt with 162 entries. The University of Cape Town and University of Witwatersrand led Africa, with UCT ranking 15th globally in development studies. While Sub-Saharan Africa showed improvement in areas like medicine and agriculture, significant catch-up is needed to match global standards. Read more
28 February 2025
South Africa to Return Student Housing Management to Universities
South Africa | February 21, 2025
The South African government will transfer student accommodation management back to universities due to safety concerns, corruption, and substandard living conditions. Minister of Higher Education Nobuhle Nkabane cited alarming reports of gender-based violence and financial exploitation under private housing providers. NSFAS will launch inspections in 2025, while universities are urged to enhance accountability and security measures. Read more.
South Africa Increases NSFAS Allowances to Support Students Amid Rising Costs
South Africa | February 22, 2025
The South African Department of Higher Education and Training has increased NSFAS allowances by 4% for university students and 46% for TVET college students to address the rising cost of living. Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane also announced plans to transfer student accommodation management from NSFAS back to universities due to governance issues and safety concerns. Additionally, she pledged to eliminate application fees for higher education institutions to improve access for disadvantaged students. Read more.
South Africa’s Higher Education Fraud Cases Stalled by Delays
South Africa | February 14, 2025
Years-long delays in prosecuting corruption in South Africa’s higher education sector have allowed implicated officials to evade accountability through resignation or retirement, MPs warned. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) reported widespread mismanagement, including NSFAS funding 40,044 ineligible students and R18.9 million in corrupt payments at the University of Fort Hare. Lawmakers urged faster cooperation with prosecutors to prevent further financial losses and restore public trust. Read more.
Wits University Students on Hunger Strike Over Historic Debt
South Africa | February 18, 2025
Wits University students have been on hunger strike for five days, demanding the university allow them to register despite outstanding debt. The students, some owing over R100,000, are physically weakening but remain committed to the protest. The university requires students to settle part of their debt before registration, limiting their access to classes. Read more.
Honoring Bongani Mayosi: UCT’s Memorial Lecture Highlights Legacy and Mental Health Awareness
South Africa | February 3, 2025
The University of Cape Town (UCT) hosted the sixth annual Bongani Mayosi Memorial Lecture, celebrating the late professor’s scholarly excellence and humanitarian impact. Keynote speaker Prof. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela emphasized the importance of remembering both Mayosi’s achievements and the circumstances of his passing, highlighting the need for compassion and mental health awareness. The event reinforced Mayosi’s legacy of collective excellence, urging institutions to uplift others and foster ethical leadership in African academia. Read more.
University Technology Fund II Launched with $21M Target to Drive Innovation
South Africa | February 4, 2025
Stocks & Strauss Fund Manager has launched University Technology Fund II (UTF II), aiming for a $21.4 million target to invest in 15 to 20 university-originated tech companies. UTF II expands on its predecessor’s success, focusing on scalable technologies and incorporating South African university alumni. Key investors include the SA SME Fund, Stellenbosch University, and Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies Africa. Read more.
UCT Welcomes Over 4,000 First-Year Students for 2025 Academic Year
South Africa | February 5, 2025
The University of Cape Town (UCT) hosted over 4,000 first-year students at its First-Year Campus Reception, including a Parent Orientation to guide families. Vice-Chancellor Mosa Moshabela emphasized UCT’s commitment to developing global leaders and urged parental support throughout students’ academic journeys. UCT’s diverse community of students will have access to extensive support resources as they embark on their university experience. Read more.
CPUT Students Struggle with Housing Shortage Amid Delayed Allocations
South Africa| February 10, 2025
Students at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) face an accommodation crisis, with many left without housing despite being academically accepted. Residence applications have remained “pending” for weeks or been rejected without clear explanations, forcing some students to sleep on campus floors. University officials advise first-year students to wait until February 7 for placements, but frustration over limited access to support services persists. Read more.
Student Protests Halt at UFS Qwaqwa, but SRC Warns of Possible Resumption
South Africa | February 12, 2025
Students at the University of the Free State (UFS) Qwaqwa campus have resumed classes after the Student Representative Council (SRC) temporarily suspended protests over registration and housing issues. The university made concessions, allowing final-year students with outstanding debt to register and committing to ongoing engagement with NSFAS. However, the SRC warned that protests could resume if management fails to fulfill its commitments. Read more.
UCT Students Protest Financial Exclusion, Disrupt First Day of Lectures
South Africa | February 17, 2025
Over 600 University of Cape Town (UCT) students marched through campus, blocking entrances and disrupting lectures to demand an end to financial exclusion. Protesters called for debt relief, increased student housing, and a policy preventing financial barriers to education. UCT Vice-Chancellor Mosa Moshabela pledged to address concerns, while students warned of escalating demonstrations if demands are unmet. Read more.
South Africa’s Higher Education Crisis: Austerity Leaves Thousands Without University Access
South Africa– February 17, 2025
A decade after #FeesMustFall, financial barriers to higher education persist, with 337,000 students competing for only 202,000 university spots. Budget cuts, rising tuition, and an overwhelmed NSFAS have left thousands unable to access higher education, worsening youth unemployment. Housing shortages, corruption in student aid, and underfunded public services further deepen the crisis, prompting protests against austerity measures. Read more.
South Africa Calls for Urgent Action Against Student Housing Exploitation
South Africa | February 18, 2025
Deputy Minister Buti Manamela has urged the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to act swiftly against landlords exploiting students, including cases of sexual coercion for accommodation. He emphasized the need for stronger oversight, calling on institutions, NSFAS, and the Department of Higher Education to ensure student safety. While addressing these concerns, Manamela also confirmed that the 2025 student registration process has been largely smooth, with NSFAS implementing measures to prevent financial barriers. Read more.
South Africa Appoints New NSFAS Board to Address Financial and Governance Issues
South Africa | February 18, 2025
South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, introduced a new NSFAS board to restore governance and financial integrity to the student financial aid body. The appointment follows a period of administrative oversight and aims to ensure top-tier leadership addresses the scheme’s challenges. The new board members must meet higher qualification standards, including a Master’s degree and relevant experience. Read more.
Wits University Faces Criticism for Lack of Student Engagement Amid Concerns Over Debt and Accommodation
South Africa | February 19, 2025
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education expressed concerns over Wits University’s failure to engage with students and address critical issues, including inadequate accommodation and financial barriers. The committee also criticized the university’s policies on debt and questioned its accountability, particularly in light of NSFAS’s absence. A review of the Higher Education Act and Wits’ governance was also called for, with a focus on improving student welfare. Read more.
South Africa’s Record Matric Pass Rate Highlights Higher Education Crisis
South Africa | February 25, 2025
South Africa’s 2024 matric class achieved a historic 87% pass rate, with improvements across all provinces and a narrowing gap between wealthy and disadvantaged schools. However, concerns persist over a declining throughput rate, subject selection trends favoring easier courses, and a shortage of university seats, leaving thousands of qualified students without placement. Experts call for better coordination between basic and higher education and expanded TVET opportunities to address systemic challenges. Read more.
Impact of U.S. Aid Freeze Hits South African Universities and Public Health
South Africa, February 6, 2025
President Trump’s foreign aid freeze has disrupted South African public health and higher education, impacting HIV/Aids treatment and research funding. Medical schools and public health initiatives, dependent on U.S. support, now face financial uncertainty. The freeze could jeopardize scientific research and exacerbate the region’s health challenges if further funding cuts follow. Read more.
South Africa Shifts Focus to Vocational Training in Higher Education Reform
South Africa | February 6, 2025
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a shift towards enhancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in South Africa, aiming to equip youth with practical skills for the workforce. The initiative emphasizes integrating academic and vocational training, with a call for private sector involvement in providing experiential training opportunities. This move comes amid challenges with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which continues to face delays and issues affecting student support. Read more.
Inclusion and Action at South African Universities
South Africa | February 27, 2025
Professor Robert Balfour explores the relationship between inclusion, freedom, and action at universities, emphasizing the importance of receiving the whole person as they are. He argues that exclusion undermines democracy and intellectual freedom, calling for universities to actively foster diversity and solidarity. Highlighting the University of the Western Cape’s commitment to challenging exclusion, Balfour advocates for inclusion as essential to academic excellence and public good. Read more.
US Foreign Aid Freeze Threatens South African Universities and Public Health
South Africa – February 6, 2025
The Trump administration’s freeze on US foreign aid has severely impacted South Africa’s universities and public health sector, disrupting HIV/AIDS treatment and medical research funding. The freeze primarily affects funding from PEPFAR, USAID, and the CDC, while NIH funding remains untouched but uncertain, raising fears of long-term research instability. South African officials are engaging diplomatically to mitigate the crisis, but universities face immediate financial and operational challenges, risking setbacks in global health collaborations. Read more.
Enhancing Professional Competencies in Young Accountants through Research Projects
South Africa | February 13, 2025
South African accounting educators are adapting to new competency frameworks to better equip graduates for evolving industry demands. Research projects are emerging as an effective method for developing critical skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and professional judgment, despite initial resistance from students. However, challenges like balancing coursework and research time and inconsistent supervisor support highlight the need for deeper integration of research in accounting education. Read more.
31 January 2025
The Evolution of Afrikaans in South African Higher Education
January 14
Stellenbosch University, once a bastion of Afrikaans instruction, has undergone a three-phase shift towards English dominance since 1994, driven by demographic changes, institutional reforms, and student activism. The #FeesMustFall movement (2015-16) accelerated this transition, leading to English becoming the primary medium of instruction despite official bilingual policies. This transformation highlights broader challenges in language planning within South African higher education, balancing cultural heritage with accessibility and academic globalization. Read more.
Demystifying AI in Education: Implications and Opportunities
January 22
AI technologies like machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing are transforming education by personalizing learning, enhancing accessibility, and improving assessments. However, challenges related to equity, fairness, and critical thinking remain, requiring careful implementation and ethical consideration. Experimentation in controlled environments, such as AI sandboxes, is key to responsible deployment. Read more.
Dunoon Matriculant Triumphs with Seven Distinctions Despite Challenges
January 29
Sange Dastile, a Dunoon matriculant, achieved seven distinctions, including in physical sciences and mathematics, and will study medicine at Stellenbosch University. His success followed late-night studies in a cramped home, balancing academic challenges with limited resources. Fellow students, like Junior Nyirenda, also earned impressive results, despite facing similar obstacles. Read more.
South African Scientists Launch Antarctic Mission to Study Ice Shelf Retreat
January 30
A team from the University of Cape Town’s Polar Engineering Research Group has begun a pioneering expedition to Antarctica’s Fimbul Ice Shelf to study its stability under global warming. Using advanced GPS and radar technology, researchers will monitor ice thickness and movement to predict future climate impacts. The findings will inform global climate policies and conservation efforts. Read more.
Orbit TVET College Praised for Excellence in Skills Development
January 31
Orbit TVET College received high praise from the Higher Education Committee for its outstanding skills training, infrastructure, and professionalism. Despite challenges with unfilled senior positions, the committee acknowledged Orbit’s strong partnerships, including its collaboration with Intel to advance AI education. The college was also encouraged to enhance ICT systems for improved student services. Read more.
Rethinking African Higher Education: A Call for Student-Centered Learning
January 23
African universities must prioritize student-centered learning to cultivate critically engaged “organic intellectuals” who can drive societal transformation, argues former Sol Plaatje University Vice-Chancellor Yunus Ballim. He advocates for an interdisciplinary approach, rejecting rote content delivery in favor of fostering intellectual competencies, critical thinking, and institutional cultures that enhance learning experiences. Ballim also stresses the need for universities to align with local development needs, integrate African languages and knowledge systems, and adopt a nuanced approach to curriculum decolonization. Read more.
Honoring the Legacy of South Africa’s First Democratic Education Minister
January 18
Professor Sibusiso Bengu’s legacy includes pivotal contributions to South Africa’s post-apartheid education system, notably the establishment of the National Commission on Higher Education and key reforms. His policies led to a unified education system, improving access and opportunities for students. His vision continues to shape the country’s education and higher learning landscape. Read more.
South Africa’s Scholarly Legacy: The SAJS Journal’s 120 Years of Impact
January 17
The South African Journal of Science (SAJS) has been pivotal in bridging science, policy, and society for over 120 years. It publishes multidisciplinary research, emphasizing national development and evidence-based policy advice. As a vital resource for scholars and policymakers, SAJS fosters collaboration and innovative solutions for South Africa’s challenges. Read more.
South African Universities Face Overwhelming Demand for Limited Spaces
January 16
South African universities have received applications over 30 times greater than available spaces for the 2025 academic year, with the University of Johannesburg leading at 693,990 applications for 10,900 spots. Popular courses include Bachelor of Education, Nursing, and Law. Experts caution against scams and urge prospective students to verify registration with official bodies. Read more.
NSFAS Urged to Settle R44 Million Debt to Prevent Academic Disruption
January 22
The Private Student Housing Association (PSHA) has urged NSFAS to pay R44 million in overdue accommodation fees to avoid disruptions for 80,000 students. Failure to settle the debt could halt students’ return to accommodation, jeopardizing the 2025 academic year. NSFAS’s delayed payments have strained private providers and academic operations. Read more
Portfolio Committee Investigates University Application Fees
January 21
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education is scrutinizing university application fees, which some argue burden financially struggling students. With universities receiving far more applications than available spaces, lawmakers propose changes, including eliminating or minimizing fees. Some institutions have fee waivers or discounts, while others justify charges as necessary for managing applications. Read more
31 December 2024
Rising Trends in African Disability Research Highlight Gaps
December 3
Research on disability in AfriNEAD-affiliated African countries has grown significantly since 2006, aligning with the UNCRPD’s adoption. Key areas like education and health are receiving attention, while economic empowerment remains underexplored. Increased collaborations and interdisciplinary focus are recommended to bridge research gaps. Read more.
Ocean Education Expands to Reach 100,000 Children in South Africa
South Africa | December 3, 2024
The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Ocean Campus program is set to educate 100,000 children this year, focusing on marine preservation and sustainability. The initiative combines in-person outreach, online courses, and multimedia content to engage students, particularly those inland who have never seen the ocean. Challenges include limited funding, but the program continues to inspire future marine conservationists. Read more.
UCT and MeerKAT Discover Evidence of Gravitational Wave Background
South Africa | December 6, 2024
The University of Cape Town (UCT) and the MeerKAT radio telescope team revealed evidence of a low-frequency gravitational wave background caused by merging supermassive black holes. Using pulsars as natural cosmic clocks, they achieved this in just 4.5 years, far faster than other global efforts. Read more.
South African Universities Face Research Funding Risks Over Gaza Stance
South Africa | December 6, 2024
Several South African universities risk losing international research funding after severing ties with Israeli institutions in solidarity with Palestine. Naledi Pandor urged the government to support affected institutions financially amid geopolitical funding challenges. Academic leaders denounced such funding withdrawals as “academic blackmail” while emphasizing ethical commitments to social justice. Read more.
Transforming Rural Healthcare in South Africa: Innovations and Training Programs
South Africa | December 9, 2024
Stellenbosch University’s Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health is equipping future healthcare workers with the skills to address unique challenges in rural South Africa through innovative training and partnerships. Students at the annual community partnership event presented impactful projects, including improving diabetes diagnosis in Theewaterskloof and enhancing TB treatment adherence in Zwelethemba. A new initiative for farm clinics in Clanwilliam is also underway, aiming to reduce congestion at primary healthcare centers by providing accessible and dignified services for farm workers. Read more.
Universities Urged to Prioritize Student Accommodation Solutions
December 10, 2024
Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane emphasized the need for universities to allocate land for student housing to ensure safety and better living conditions, especially for disadvantaged students. A 200-bed accommodation facility at Tshwane University of Technology’s eMalahleni campus was unveiled, funded by R118.298 million. The government plans to build 3,500 additional beds through the Student Housing Infrastructure Programme. Read more.
Redefining Higher Education with ‘Freedom’ and Self-Reflection Courses
December 10, 2024
Rhodes University’s Allan Gray Centre introduces IiNtetho zoBomi (“Conversations about Life”), a year-long course addressing students’ personal growth, ethical reflection, and autonomy through peer dialogue and service learning. Over 2,000 students have participated, exploring critical thinking, social influences, and self-mastery. Positive feedback highlights transformative effects on students’ perspectives. Read more.
NSFAS Application Deadline Approaches: Urgent Call to Students
South Africa | December 10, 2024
With the NSFAS application deadline set for midnight on December 15, 2024, Higher Education Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane urges students to apply promptly. NSFAS, supporting over 1.2 million students in 2024, aims to expand access through regionalization and campus presence. Eligible applicants can apply online by creating a myNSFAS profile. Read more.
Championing Antibiotic Resistance Solutions in South Africa
South Africa | December 19, 2024
Professor Sabiha Essack, a leading antimicrobial resistance (AMR) researcher, received the Christiana Figueres Policy to Practice Award for combating antibiotic resistance through innovative research and practical policies. Her work includes monitoring antibiotic usage, studying resistance patterns in diverse environments, and promoting better hygiene, sanitation, and biosecurity practices. Essack’s recent projects include piloting wastewater-based AMR surveillance in South Africa and supporting students’ academic and research advancements. Read more
The Role of Higher Education in Strengthening Nation Branding in South Africa and Africa
South Africa, December 12, 2024
Higher education is crucial for nation branding, contributing to a country’s global reputation and competitiveness. South Africa and other African nations can strengthen their nation brand by emphasizing the value of internationalization, attracting top international students, and fostering global research collaborations. Universities play a pivotal role in advancing national soft power and economic growth through their academic excellence and international engagement. Read more
Sexual Exploitation Allegations at South African Universities
South Africa, December 14, 2024
A study by the Commission for Gender Equality reveals shocking allegations of sexual exploitation at Nelson Mandela and North-West Universities. Some student leaders allegedly demanded sexual favors from first-year students for accommodation, while others resorted to sex work to survive. These findings highlight severe sexual harassment issues in higher education. Read more.
Traditional Leaders in KwaZulu-Natal to Receive University Training
South Africa, December 10, 2024
A historic partnership between KwaZulu-Natal’s Cogta and the University of KwaZulu-Natal will provide traditional leaders with advanced training in finance, economics, and governance. The program integrates African philosophies with global principles to strengthen leadership capabilities. This initiative aims to empower Amakhosi in navigating modern leadership challenges. Read more.
South African Universities Risk Funding Cuts Over Gaza Stance
South Africa, December 9, 2024
South African universities supporting Palestinian sovereignty face potential research funding cuts for severing ties with Israeli institutions. Naledi Pandor urged the government to support these universities as they navigate funding threats. Academics, like Salim Vally, criticize donors’ stance, calling it academic blackmail and emphasizing the ethical commitment to truth and social justice. Read more.
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University: A Hub of Medical Innovation in South Africa
South Africa, December 13, 2024
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), formerly MEDUNSA, is Southern Africa’s sole dedicated health sciences university, pioneering innovations like Africa’s first Yang Procedure and the Hot Axios Stent Technique. The institution blends academic excellence with impactful community service, boasting notable achievements like housing South Africa’s only on-campus dental hospital. Guided by a vision of transforming health services through excellence and innovation, SMU remains committed to addressing global health challenges through education, research, and community engagement. Read more.
30 November 2024
South Africa-Palestine Solidarity: Saleem Badat’s Advocacy for Justice
October 29
Professor Saleem Badat, a celebrated sociologist and higher education leader, donated his ZAR20,000 ASSAf Science-for-Society award to the South African BDS Coalition to support Palestinian solidarity. His commitment reflects a lifelong dedication to social justice, informed by his anti-apartheid activism and belief that scholarship should challenge oppression. Badat calls for academic institutions to address global injustices, advocating that silence in the face of atrocities equates to complicity. Read more.
Synchronous and Asynchronous Engagement in Blended Learning: Enhancing Student Interaction
November 7
Stellenbosch University’s shift to a blended teaching model integrated asynchronous online forums to improve engagement among BEd (Hons) students. While most students preferred in-person classes, many valued the flexibility of online discussions, which fostered deeper understanding and enabled diverse voices to be heard. The study suggests combining synchronous and asynchronous methods to meet varied student needs. Read more.
Southern Africa’s Climate Crisis: Science-Based Solutions Explored
November 14
A new open-access book, Sustainability of Southern African Ecosystems under Global Change, highlights the severe impacts of climate change on Southern Africa’s ecosystems, including rising temperatures, droughts, and biodiversity threats. Collaborative research funded by Germany’s BMBF reveals innovative approaches, such as advanced ecosystem modeling, sustainable land management, and capacity-building, to mitigate these effects. The book bridges the gap between science and policy, advocating for urgent climate action and increased investment in African-led research. Read more.
Neuroscientist Elected to IBRO Africa Committee
November 14
Dr. Duyilemi Chris Ajonijebu, a behavioral neuroscientist from Nelson Mandela University, was elected to the International Brain Research Organization’s Africa Regional Committee. His research focuses on neurocognitive disorders in Africa, including drug abuse and Human African Trypanosomiasis, to improve therapeutic outcomes. Ajonijebu is committed to raising awareness and advancing neuroscience in Africa. Read more
New Private University Set to Open in Durbanville, South Africa by 2026
November 7
Stadio has begun construction on its new Durbanville campus, which will offer diverse academic programs and cater to 4,000-5,000 students. The campus will open in 2026 and aims to address the growing demand for higher education in Cape Town. The project forms part of Stadio’s broader strategy to accommodate 100,000 students across South Africa. Read more
Green Hydrogen Collaboration Between South Africa and Europe Marks a Major Step for Sustainable Energy
November 21
Southern Africa is positioning itself as a key player in the global green hydrogen market through a new research hub, HyCASA, established by Stellenbosch University and the University of Groningen. This initiative aims to drive renewable energy innovation and create a Southern Africa-Europe green hydrogen corridor. HyCASA’s development focuses on skills training, research, and collaboration to meet Europe’s demand for green hydrogen by 2030. Read more
Germany Supports African Agricultural and Food Science Research Initiative
November 18
Germany’s DAAD is funding a new agricultural and food science research center in South Africa, collaborating with universities in South Africa, Malawi, and Germany. The project aims to train young scientists, promote transdisciplinary research, and enhance knowledge transfer in Southern Africa. It is part of Germany’s broader efforts to support education and research in Africa. Read more.
Strengthening Leadership in Southern African Higher Education
November 21
The Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA) is hosting an eight-week leadership program for senior higher education leaders in Southern Africa to improve management skills and foster regional collaboration. The curriculum covers global and regional issues, leadership maturity, and governance challenges, aiming to equip participants with effective leadership tools. SARUA plans to expand its leadership offerings in 2025, addressing senior, women’s, and middle management roles to build regional networks. Read more
South Africa’s Innovation Hub Joins BRICS Science and Innovation Network
November 21
South Africa’s Innovation Hub has been selected to participate in the BRICS Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Incubation Network, launched after President Xi Jinping’s announcement at the 2023 BRICS Summit. This collaboration aims to enhance the global competitiveness of BRICS countries. The network focuses on fostering innovation and sustainable economic growth. Read more
CHE Cautions Against Awarding Honorary Degrees to Politicians
November 24
The Council on Higher Education (CHE) issued a guide advising South African universities to avoid awarding honorary degrees or professorships to serving politicians or government officials unless specific exceptions apply. The CHE highlighted concerns about misuse, lack of clarity in awarding practices, and potential political or commercial motivations. The guide stresses the importance of clear policies to maintain the integrity of honorary titles. Read more
31 October 2024
University of Fort Hare Vice-Chancellor Reframes Institutional Identity
October 2, 2024
Professor Sakhela Buhlungu of the University of Fort Hare has rejected the “historically disadvantaged institution” label, asserting that it undermines the university’s progress. At the launch of new water treatment facilities funded by the Department of Higher Education, he emphasized the need for self-empowerment and resilience. Buhlungu advocates for a forward-looking identity that reflects the institution’s growth and contributions. Read more.
Financial Challenges in South African Higher Education Spark Urgent Debates on Sustainability
October 16, 2024
In Pretoria, South African higher education leaders addressed critical funding and sustainability issues, highlighting declining state subsidies, increasing student debt, and NSFAS mismanagement. USAf Chief Executive Dr. Phethiwe Matutu warned that without improved funding, public universities may need to reduce enrollment and cut operational costs, impacting educational quality and staff retention. Former Wits Vice-Chancellor Adam Habib emphasized the need for a sustainable financing model to promote social mobility, urging that financial reforms be prioritized. Read more.
Navigating Higher Education Challenges: South Africa’s Call for Unified, Strategic Leadership
October 15, 2024
Professor Adam Habib emphasized that South Africa’s universities face multifaceted global and local challenges requiring unified, adaptive strategies. His keynote at the 3rd Higher Education Conference underscored five key lessons for addressing transnational issues like inequality, emphasizing the need for financially sustainable institutions with capable leadership. These discussions highlight universities’ role in fostering societal transformation while tackling economic and technological changes. Read more.
Breaking Barriers in Geoscience: Professor Hassina Mouri’s Historic Presidency
October 24, 2024
Professor Hassina Mouri has made history as the first woman and African president of the International Union of Geological Sciences. Her work in medical geology highlights the critical intersection of Earth’s environment and public health, aiming to improve global awareness and address climate change and resource management. Mouri emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and training future African scholars to tackle health challenges linked to geological factors. Read more.
UFS Pioneers Comprehensive Student Support for Enhanced Success
October 7, 2024
The University of the Free State (UFS) has developed a comprehensive support system, including academic advising, digital skill-building, and employability programs, significantly boosting student success and employability rates. Core initiatives like GPS@UFS provide tailored support in digital skills, career readiness, and personalized coaching, positively impacting over 29,000 students. UFS also fosters an inclusive, student-centered campus culture through its diverse Division of Student Affairs, ensuring holistic student development across its campuses. Read more.
USAf 2024 Conference to Tackle Higher Education’s Future Amid Digital and Economic Challenges
October 9, 2024
The 3rd USAf Higher Education Conference will address universities’ responses to economic challenges and rapid digitalization, focusing on sustainability and adaptation in a changing world. With the theme “The Future of the University,” the event will feature discussions on AI, environmental impact, and the evolving role of higher education in South Africa and globally. This participatory conference aims to provide insights from key local and international voices, targeting leaders, researchers, and policymakers. Read more.
Parliament Calls for Stronger Action from UJ on Academic Fraud Allegations
October 30, 2024
South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education urged the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to take decisive action on academic fraud allegations involving a former employee who allegedly awarded unearned diplomas to postgraduate students. The committee expressed dissatisfaction with UJ’s response, requesting a written explanation on the issue and additional governance concerns within two weeks. Despite these concerns, the committee commended UJ’s research outputs and improvements in campus facilities and transportation. Read more.
Reimagining South Africa’s Higher Education System: Bridging Gaps for Future-Ready Graduates
October 30, 2024
To address the evolving demands of a global economy, South Africa’s higher education leaders are advocating for innovative changes, including a stronger focus on work-integrated learning and closer industry partnerships. Presenters at the recent Higher Education Conference highlighted the need for curriculum updates, apprenticeships, and sustainable funding to improve graduate employability. Regulatory reforms, sustainable funding models, and employer incentives are also essential to enhance the education system’s adaptability and responsiveness. Read more.
Universities at a Crossroads: Embracing AI for Future Relevance
October 28, 2024
Amid the AI revolution, Professor Ulrich Paquet of AIMS warns that universities must innovate to remain relevant, rethinking traditional curricula to align with rapid technological advances. AI challenges conventional teaching and assessment, as vast online resources and automated tools risk rendering current models obsolete. Paquet advocates for open competitions to redesign curricula, preparing African institutions for an evolving educational landscape. Read more.
Balancing Educational Autonomy and Big Tech Influence in Higher Education
October 28, 2024
Many public universities in South America and Africa are heavily reliant on Google and Microsoft, raising concerns over data privacy, educational sovereignty, and technological lock-in. UNESCO’s Professor Tel Amiel warns that Big Tech’s increasing control over educational infrastructure challenges institutions’ autonomy and promotes dependency on proprietary systems, limiting open educational practices. Solutions like public digital platforms and international collaboration offer sustainable alternatives, emphasizing the importance of transparency and democratic governance in digital education. Read more.
Embracing Transformation: Professor Tshilidzi Marwala’s Vision for Higher Education
October 25
Professor Tshilidzi Marwala envisions a transformative higher education system that balances innovation with inclusivity and social responsibility, emphasizing its role in addressing global crises. He advocates for responsible AI integration and the expansion of accessible learning models like micro-credentials to prepare students for a dynamic workforce. Marwala underscores that universities must foster critical thinking and social change rather than purely serve economic interests, positioning education as an essential right. Read more.
Ethical Considerations in Educational Technology: A Call for Thoughtful Integration
October 25
Higher education strategist Anne-Marie Scott advocates for ethical, inclusive technology adoption in education, urging institutions to critically assess vendor motives and environmental impacts. She emphasizes the need for frameworks to align technology with educational values and minimize consumer-driven pressures. Scott calls for collaborative procurement processes, enabling educators to shape technology use in ways that prioritize learning and sustainability. Read more.
Navigating Academic Freedom and Moral Agency in a Complex World
October 24, 2024
Dr. Naledi Pandor, at the 3rd Higher Education Conference, urged universities to lead in global social issues by balancing academic freedom with institutional and moral responsibility. Leaders discussed the timidity in higher education’s response to global conflicts, stressing the need for principles guiding responses to geopolitical and human rights crises. They called for proactive engagement on social justice and intellectual freedom, citing academic autonomy as vital to democracy. Read more.
Shifting Philanthropy to Support African Higher Education
October 28, 2024
Philanthropy plays a critical role in supporting African higher education, offering opportunities for innovation, decolonization, and addressing infrastructure challenges. Investments yield high returns, with Africa’s workforce and middle class projected to grow significantly by 2040. To fully leverage these opportunities, universities must enhance digital infrastructure, research capacity, and foster a graduate culture. Read more.
30 September 2024
Student-Driven Model Advances Online Learning Strategies
The Global Classroom for Democracy Innovation empowers students from South Africa, Canada, and Sweden to collaboratively learn about democratic participation in a non-hierarchical, interactive online environment. This model fosters engagement by positioning students as co-creators and facilitators of their education, utilizing design thinking to address real-world challenges. As this innovative approach continues to evolve, it highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in tackling global issues. Read more
NSFAS to Exit Costly Cape Town Offices Amid Decentralization Plans
NSFAS is set to vacate its Cape Town offices, which cost over R2 million per month in rent, following pressure from the Minister of Higher Education, Nobuhle Nkabane. The move aims to decentralize operations with regional offices in Eastern Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal. NSFAS also prepares for the 2025 application cycle with system improvements to enhance user accessibility. Read more
South Africa Calls for Emphasis on Social Impact in Research Evaluation
South African universities overly rely on quantitative measures like publication counts, overlooking the broader societal impact of research. Researchers face pressure to publish or perish, which marginalizes socially focused research and biases against African scholarship. A balanced approach combining quantitative and qualitative indicators is needed to promote more inclusive and socially responsible research evaluations. Read more
African Youth Leadership at a Crossroads Challenges and Opportunities
Professor Saths Cooper blames Africa’s leadership for the rising youth unemployment and hopelessness, calling for high-quality education and job-skills training to prevent a lost generation. Cooper stresses that political leaders are indifferent to the youth’s plight, exacerbating issues like poverty, crime, and radicalization. He advocates for compulsory humanities education to empower young Africans and believes the continent’s future rests in nurturing its youth. Read more
Stellenbosch University’s Strategy for Resilient Fundraising
Despite enduring significant challenges over the past decade, including student protests, natural disasters, and a pandemic, Stellenbosch University (SU) raised nearly ZAR3 billion in philanthropic funds. The key to SU’s success was its unwavering commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and mission-driven goals, which bolstered donor trust and alumni support. By adapting to evolving societal needs, prioritizing affordable housing, and fostering international partnerships, SU exemplifies how institutions can thrive under pressure. Read more
Stellenbosch Appoints New Vice-Chancellor Amid Challenges
Stellenbosch University (SU) has appointed Professor Deresh Ramjugernath as its next vice-chancellor, set to take office in April 2025. Ramjugernath faces multiple challenges, including addressing the university’s ongoing transformation issues, its Afrikaans language debate, and financial sustainability. He emphasizes the importance of student support, digital innovation, and the university’s societal role. Read more
Storytelling as a Decolonization Tool in South African Academia
Decolonization efforts in South African universities need to move beyond curriculum reform and focus on student identity and lived experiences. Storytelling can serve as a tool for re-humanization, helping marginalized students reconceive their place in the world by sharing their narratives. By listening to students’ stories, universities can challenge colonial epistemologies and foster true transformation. Read more
University of the Western Cape Pursues Vision for Inclusive Growth
Professor Robert Balfour reflects on his transformative leadership journey, from pioneering bilingual education policies to fostering social justice in South Africa’s universities. His work at North-West University focused on merging autonomous campuses and improving language access, while his leadership at the University of the Western Cape will continue addressing gender and educational inequalities. Balfour emphasizes that transformation is a continuous process of societal growth, aiming for inclusive, equitable education. Read more
Debate on University Autonomy Intensifies in South Africa
Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, vice-chancellor of the University of Fort Hare, criticized South Africa’s parliament for overstepping its bounds by attempting to dictate university operations, particularly regarding student elections. He emphasized that oversight should come from university councils, not the government. This dispute highlights ongoing tensions between academic freedom and legislative authority. Read more
South African University Leader Resists Political Control
University of Fort Hare’s Vice-Chancellor, Sakhela Buhlungu, criticized parliament’s attempt to influence university operations, calling their interference in student elections preposterous. He argued that universities report to their councils, not parliament, stressing autonomy in decision-making. The dispute stems from a parliamentary suggestion for universities to use the Electoral Commission of South Africa for student representative council elections, citing cost concerns. Read more
Fake Engineer Convicted for Defrauding South African Railways
Daniel Mtimkulu, former head of engineering at South Africa’s PRASA, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for fraudulently claiming fake engineering qualifications. His fabricated credentials led to a lucrative deal for trains unsuitable for South Africa’s rail network and a personal salary hike. Mtimkulu’s case is part of a broader corruption investigation that revealed massive financial losses at state-owned companies. Read more
31 August 2024
Beware of Fake Admission Letters Targeting South African University Applicants
Fake letters promising guaranteed university admission for a fee are circulating on social media in South Africa. Universities have warned students to verify such communications, as they are scams. Read more
Tributes Pour In for Former UWC Vice-Chancellor Prof Brian O’Connell
Tributes honor Professor Brian O’Connell, former UWC Vice-Chancellor, for his transformative leadership, commitment to social justice, and lasting impact on South Africa’s higher education. He passed away at 77. Read more
HE can help shape a generation that values gender equality
In South Africa’s Women’s Month, Klopper and Moyo highlight progress in gender equality within academia, noting increased female participation but persistent barriers. Universities play a key role in advancing women’s leadership and equality. Read more
Milestone report provides health check on internationalisation
The study finds South Africa’s higher education in demand but faces challenges like slow visa processing, resource shortages, and academic xenophobia. Recommendations include improved leadership, funding, and addressing xenophobia. Read more
Gaborone Declaration outlines students’ wish list for the future
The Gaborone Declaration by Southern African students calls for equitable education, AI regulation, gender violence prevention, and collaboration with policymakers to shape future global goals, emphasizing education’s continued priority. Read more
Extended reality, AI can change health professions education
The integration of extended reality and AI in Southern African health professions education offers transformative opportunities and challenges, enhancing learning, simulations, and patient care while necessitating new skills and ethical considerations. Read more
Universities’ commitment to social justice in spotlight
At the 26th IEASA conference, experts emphasized that universities must engage in democratic, human rights, and equity initiatives. They debated the role of academic freedom amid global power shifts, stressing the need for institutions to balance idealism with practical responses to geopolitical issues. Read more
Students in limbo as promised loan plan fails to materialise
Students from South African universities face delays and unprocessed applications for a promised loan scheme targeting the ‘missing middle’ income group. Despite a ZAR3.8 billion fund announced in January, students remain unpaid and distressed, impacting their academic lives. Read more
Stellenbosch University explores data-driven smart farming
Stellenbosch University is advancing smart farming through its Stellenbosch Agroinformatics Initiative, integrating big data and digital technologies like AI, drones, and hyperspectral imaging to enhance agriculture. This project aims to optimize farming practices and improve food security using data-driven insights. Read more
NSFAS eyes fund recovery as weak controls flagged
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is under fire for making irregular payments to unqualified students. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is seeking to recover over R112 million from 421 students who were not eligible for financial aid. Read more
31 July 2024
First woman VC at SA’s only township university eager to start
Professor Nokuthula Sibiya becomes the first female vice-chancellor at Mangosuthu University of Technology, facing significant financial and infrastructural challenges. Sibiya is committed to leveraging her tough upbringing to drive educational and socio-economic improvements in Umlazi. Read more
R180 million donated to Wits Accounting school anonymously
The Margo Steele School of Accountancy at Wits University has received an anonymous $10 million donation to support students with financial needs over the next decade. Announced during Margo Steele’s 90th birthday, the funds will cover tuition and more for 140 students annually. Read more
Young TVET artisans off to China for training in renewable energy
South Africa is sending 54 artisans and 6 lecturers to China for a year-long renewable energy training program. The initiative aims to transform TVET colleges into production hubs for renewable energy components, boosting local manufacturing and creating jobs. Read more
NSFAS eyes funds recovery as weak controls flagged
NSFAS’s inadequate controls led to R112 million in irregular payments to unqualified students, according to the SIU. Efforts are underway to recover these funds and address systemic issues, including IT failures and mismanagement, that have plagued the scheme. Read more
Eastern Cape education department turns its back on interns
Eastern Cape education department faces backlash for refusing to hire long-term interns. The department denies allegations of favoritism in recruitment but confirms no plans for permanent positions, sparking outrage from the ATM. Read more
University of Fort Hare added to the list of Unesco World Heritage Sites
The University of Fort Hare (UFH) has been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, becoming the first African higher education institution on the list. It joins 14 South African locations recognized for their role in the anti-apartheid struggle and Nelson Mandela’s legacy. Read more
Preparing accounting students as future responsible leaders
Accounting students need more than technical skills; they must be responsible leaders. A South African university integrated a social innovation workshop into its curriculum to foster citizenship values in future accountants. Read more
Unisa attains second position among SA universities for research excellence
Unisa ranked second among South African universities for research excellence, recognized by Emerald Publishing. Under Prof Puleng LenkaBula’s leadership, Unisa’s impactful research spans various disciplines, addressing societal challenges and fostering global collaborations. Read more
Navigating internationalisation in times of polycrisis
Universities in South Africa are navigating global and local crises, impacting their internationalisation agendas. Amidst conflicts, political changes, and immigration challenges, they strive to maintain ethical internationalisation and transformative education. The IEASA conference will address these issues. Read more
Journey from access to success at South African universities
South Africa has achieved significant progress in expanding access to higher education, but student success remains a challenge. The Siyaphumelela network, backed by a $6.3 million grant, aims to improve student retention and graduation rates through data-driven strategies and leadership development. Read more
Does increase in postdoc fellows indicate market saturation?
A comprehensive study on South African postdocs reveals a surge in numbers, aging demographics, and a heavy reliance on research output. Postdocs face financial hardship, job insecurity, and exploitation, raising concerns about academic job market saturation and potential exploitation. The study calls for improved working conditions and support for this crucial yet undervalued segment of the academic workforce. Read more
New minister to prioritise fixing student funding problems
South Africa’s newly appointed Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, has prioritized resolving issues within the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and addressing gender inequality. She aims to improve student funding efficiency and align education with industry needs to tackle unemployment and boost economic growth. Read more
Barriers Facing Black Students in South Africa’s Higher Education
A recent study reveals that black students in South Africa face significant obstacles, including language barriers, economic challenges, and systemic racism, impacting their academic and social integration. The study calls for universities to adopt more inclusive and supportive measures. Read more
Political interference, corruption and nepotism rife at TVET colleges, study reveals
A study on South African TVET colleges reveals rampant political interference, corruption, and nepotism. Recommendations include improving council member appointment and vetting processes and capping fees. Issues include disconnection from industry needs, ineffective student representation, and internal tensions between governance and management. Read more
Ramaphosa splits HE and science again ‘to make room for coalition’
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s coalition cabinet splits the higher education and science portfolios. Blade Nzimande retains science, while newcomer Nobuhle Nkabane heads higher education. Despite Ramaphosa’s promise to reduce the executive, the cabinet expanded to include more coalition members. Read more
30 June 2024
Pathfinder to illuminate the path for more women
Professor Nthabiseng Audrey Ogude has been appointed CEO of the Female Academic Leaders Fellowship (FALF) programme, advocating for African and mixed-race South African women in academia. With over 30 years in higher education, Ogude aims to promote inclusion, equity, and strategic leadership across South Africa’s 26 public universities. She will oversee the Fellowship Programme, ensuring sustainability and expansion, and lead the launch of two Research Chairs. Her background includes senior roles in several universities and a dedication to mentoring women in academia. Read more
Leadership, governance failures make academia look bad
Leadership and governance failures at University of South Africa (UNISA) and the University of Fort Hare (UFH) reveal systemic issues in South Africa’s academia, with allegations of corruption, financial mismanagement, and maladministration, mirroring the country’s broader political leadership crisis. Read more
Universities may get gender-based violence offender register
South Africa proposes a national register of staff and students found guilty of gender-based violence at universities. This aims to prevent offenders from escaping justice and repeating offenses at other institutions. Read more
Templeton Prize for South Africa’s Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela
South African psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela wins the 2024 Templeton Prize for her work on forgiveness and healing after trauma, particularly in the context of apartheid. The prize recognizes her contributions to understanding the transgenerational impact of violence and offers her the opportunity to fund new research projects. Gobodo-Madikizela also plans to donate a portion of the prize money to Stellenbosch University to support future generations of scholars. Read more
University of Pretoria gets new VC. His hallmark is consensus
Francis Petersen, the vice-chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS), is taking over as the new vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Pretoria (UP). Petersen is known for his consensus-building leadership style. He is expected to focus on research excellence, student success, and global citizenship at UP. Read more
Major donation to enhance student success at SA universities
Kresge Foundation donated ZAR114 million to support student success in South African universities. The funding will be distributed to 20 out of 26 public universities over the next three years. This initiative aims to improve student graduation rates and eliminate racial disparities in academic outcomes. Read more
Pioneering pan-African research platform reaches milestone
A pan-African research platform, Future Africa, celebrates its 5th anniversary with a landmark achievement: a jointly appointed research chair between University of Pretoria and University of Cape Town. This move signifies a broader trend of collaboration in African research to address global challenges. Future Africa is committed to becoming a continental network of excellence, fostering research that tackles Africa’s unique challenges and guides the continent towards a sustainable future. Read more
‘University Elders’ sound the alarm about HE leadership
South African universities face a leadership crisis, according to a group of academics. They blame political interference, weak governance, and unfit leaders for instability and a decline in academic quality. The group proposes reforms to councils, leadership development, and collaboration to restore good governance and trust in universities. Read more
31 May 2024
Minister Blade Nzimande opens Gert Sibande Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College in Mpumalanga, 23 to 24 May
Minister Blade Nzimande officially opened the Gert Sibande TVET College Balfour Campus in Mpumalanga on 24 May 2024. The event, including a Career Expo, aimed to promote post-school education opportunities and address increasing enrolments in rural areas. Read more
Universities are making no progress in curbing dropouts
South Africa struggles with a high university dropout rate, with many exiting in the first year. Career guidance and choosing the right field of study are seen as key factors influencing these decisions. Read more
Unpaid universities’ fees balloon to billions of rands
South African universities Wits and UP face a combined ZAR5 billion student debt crisis for 2024. Tens of thousands of students owe millions, hindering graduation for some. Read more
Africa gets first ‘one-stop’ nuclear medicine facility
Africa’s first advanced nuclear medicine facility, NuMeRI, opened at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. It will advance drug development, clinical research, and provide cutting-edge diagnostics and treatments for diseases like cancer and TB. Read more
A better Africa needs interdisciplinary research
African researchers urge for transdisciplinary climate change solutions. They point out the need for fair research partnerships and knowledge sharing between Africa and developed nations for a sustainable future. Read more
New kind of body poised to reinvigorate research landscape
A new research institute called NITheCS was launched in South Africa to boost the country’s research and innovation. It brings together researchers from 25 universities across the nation to focus on scientific fields like quantum computing and climate change modeling. The institute is the first of its kind and aims to improve collaboration and address Africa’s scientific challenges. Read more
Launching rockets from African soil? Hold on, it’s coming
Africa is on the cusp of launching its own rockets and satellites. South Africa’s University of KwaZulu-Natal has established a new institute to develop a domestic launch capability. The project aims to create a skilled workforce and boost the nation’s space industry. Read more
Science journalism: Social media can help to reach audiences
A social media study finds promise for science journalism in Africa. Platforms like X allow science communicators to engage with audiences in local languages, using multimedia formats to explain complex topics. This can improve public understanding of science and counter the dominance of Western narratives. However, challenges include limited resources, the spread of misinformation, and uneven access to technology. Read more
University leads with work on climate, disaster management
North-West University in South Africa spearheads climate change and disaster management research. Leveraging a multidisciplinary approach, effective communication, and strategic partnerships, they are working to tackle these pressing issues. Their research empowers future generations and directly informs policy decisions, paving the way for a more resilient future.Read more
Some strides during the past 30 years, but challenges remain
South Africa’s higher education system has undergone a major transformation since apartheid. Access for many has increased and research is flourishing. However, funding issues and a lack of gender diversity in leadership remain challenges. Read more
South African-based professor makes TIME list for second time
South African-based professor Tulio de Oliveira has been included in TIME magazine’s inaugural TIME100 Health list for his contributions to genomics research and public health. De Oliveira is a world-renowned scientist who played a key role in discovering the Omicron and Beta variants of COVID-19. He is also leading efforts to combat diseases amplified by climate change. Read more
AI skills pipeline – Lessons from South African astronomy
South Africa’s astronomy program thrived by investing in long-term national projects and creating targeted training programs. This approach could be a model for fostering high-tech skills, but challenges like underfunding and resource disparities remain. While not a perfect solution, South Africa’s experience offers valuable lessons for building a skilled AI workforce. Read more
South Africa’s NSFAS has helped millions, but is in trouble
South Africa’s NSFAS student financial aid scheme has helped millions access higher education. However, it faces administrative challenges, including late payments and a complex funding system. The scheme is now under administration to address these issues. Read more
Decisive action is needed to restore credibility of NSFAS
South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is plagued by corruption. A report by OUTA alleges that funds are being misused and students are not receiving proper financial aid. The current system is inefficient and universities are being blamed for NSFAS’s failings. A complete overhaul is needed to restore credibility to NSFAS and ensure students receive the support they need. Read more
30 April 2024
South Africa’s young education researchers need networks to share experience more than pressure to produce outputs
South Africa’s young education researchers want more than publishing pressure. They crave collaboration and skill-building to reach their potential. A new study finds early-career researchers value mentorship and training in writing, plagiarism, and supervision. This shift in focus could be key to empowering the country’s next generation of research leaders. More
26th IEASA Annual Conference 2024: REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
South Africa’s leading higher education internationalization body, IEASA, will host its 26th annual conference in Johannesburg. “Navigating Internationalisation in Challenging Times” is the theme, with experts, academics, and students gathering for workshops, keynotes, and networking opportunities. More
Higher education state policy needs urgent assessment
South Africa’s higher education system faces urgent challenges as student protests reignite. Policymakers must confront funding shortfalls, governance failures, and controversial calls for curriculum decolonization to prevent future disruptions and maintain the integrity of higher education. More
South Africa is short of academic statisticians: why and what can be done
South Africa’s universities face a critical shortage of statisticians, the experts who make sense of our data-drenched world. A new initiative aims to bridge the gap. Industry’s urgent demand for data analysts is draining universities of the very people needed to train the next generation. To address the crisis, a team of South African academics is developing strategies to standardize training, nurture young statisticians, and foster collaboration across the field. More
South Africa’s draft AI strategy needs more work, say pundits
South Africa’s AI ambitions receive a mixed reception as the country releases its first draft national AI strategy. Experts praise the initiative but warn that the current plan is overly complex, lacks clear goals, and needs major revisions. The draft aims to position South Africa as a key AI player, but critics say it must be streamlined and address issues like data governance and education to ensure success. More
SAWEA gearing up for seventh WindAc Africa conference
The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) announces its renowned WindAc Africa conference returns for a seventh year. This October, academics and future energy leaders will convene in Cape Town to shape Africa’s wind energy landscape. Expect innovative discussions on policy, technology, and the sector’s social and economic impact. More
New national commission needed to probe state of HE – Expert
As South Africa marks 30 years of democracy, a call for a shake-up in higher education grows louder. Professor Jairam Reddy, a key architect of the post-apartheid system, demands a new commission. More
Navigating the digital frontier through innovation in HE
The world is changing, and higher education must change with it. Traditional lectures and exams won’t cut it anymore. New methods like hands-on learning, adaptive tech, and even ‘flipped’ classrooms are redefining the student experience. More
Mandela University’s Indigenous Architecture Project Sole South African Entry in International Guidebook
Nelson Mandela University’s Indigenous Architecture Project has gained international recognition! Their study of Khoikhoi self-built housing practices is featured in a global guidebook as a leading example of sustainable design for poverty reduction. The University’s collaboration with KhoiSan leaders highlights the value of Indigenous Knowledge Systems, earning praise within the architectural community. More
Academics with disabilities: South African universities need an overhaul to make them genuinely inclusive
South African universities face criticism for failing to adequately support academics with disabilities. Limited research and inaccessible environments make teaching and conducting research difficult, hindering career progression and undermining the goal of creating truly inclusive institutions. More
Private Afrikaans university to launch Western Cape campus
Akademia, a private Afrikaans university, expands its reach with a new full-time campus launching in the Western Cape by 2026. This strategic move targets the region’s large Afrikaans-speaking population, bolstering Akademia’s commitment to this community. More
31 March 2024
International Research Informs Policy on South Africa’s Agrifood System
In order to improve the resilience of South Africa’s agrifood system, researchers are advocating for the mainstreaming of neglected and underutilized crops. This would increase the diversity of the food system, making it less vulnerable to climate change and other stressors. International collaboration is key to achieving this goal, through research and development of these crops. More
ASRI’s Rocket Engineers Take to the Global Stage
ASRI researchers from UKZN attended the SciTech 2024 conference to present their advancements in rocket propulsion. They impressed the audience with work on liquid, hybrid and gelled propellants, laying the groundwork for future collaborations. More
UKZN Receives Siyaphumelela Network Award
UKZN received the Siyaphumela Network Award for its student success initiatives at the Achieving the Dream Conference. The award recognizes institutions committed to improving student access and success in South Africa. More
Bringing primary healthcare services to campus staff
UCT launched the Dis-Chem Wellness Centre to provide affordable healthcare to staff (pay grades 2-6). It offers preventative care, treatment for various illnesses, and a virtual doctor for consultation. More
Advancing gender and leadership in higher education
A Wits University delegation attended an Afretec Gender in STEM Workshop in Rwanda. Focused on promoting women in STEM fields, the workshop featured presentations from Wits’ representatives on career development and leadership, alongside discussions on work-life balance and mentorship. More
Educor in South Africa: Thousands of students in limbo after ‘dysfunctional’ colleges banned
South Africa is shutting down four private colleges for fabricating exam results, offering poor education, and failing to meet financial standards. Over 13,000 students are affected and will need to transfer to other institutions. The Department of Higher Education is urging impacted students to seek alternative educational options. More
RU120 Calls to address challenges facing higher education sector in South Africa
South African universities face a tough balancing act: more students with less money. Professor Paul Maylam says this approach hurts everyone. He blames high dropout rates and strain on resources on the expansion of enrollment. Maylam also criticizes the focus on research over teaching. He urges universities to find a better balance and calls for a national discussion on how to improve South Africa’s higher education system. More
31 January 2024
After 4-Year Slog, Fort Hare Speech Therapy Students Told Qualification Doesn’t Meet HPCSA Standards
The University of Fort Hare introduced the four-year speech-language therapy qualification in its health sciences department in 2018. However, when the first cohort of students was due to graduate four years later, it was discovered there were still outstanding issues before the HPCSA would approve… Read more
Arrests Made in Connection with Fake Certificates
Over the last six months, police have arrested at least 11 people in relation to the buying and selling of fake certificates. This according to Umalusi CEO, Dr Mafu Rakometsi, who was speaking during a media briefing on Monday. Read more
Beauty Academy Gets R64-Million Government Subsidy in Midst of Budget Cuts
Gauteng’s Department of Social Development has awarded grants of over R56-million to two skills development organisations in a year in which funding to other sectors including the elderly and community care has been cut. Read more
Best South African Universities for Computer Science and Engineering Studies
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is the best tertiary institution in South Africa to study computer science, engineering, and technology. That is based on MyBroadband’s comparative analysis of the latest rankings and scores of South Africa’s prominent universities. Read more
COVID-19 laid bare tensions between govt and scientists, Nzimande tells WEF
Science and Technology Minister Blade Nzimande said the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the tensions between government and scientists as global leaders continue to draw lessons from the outbreak. Read more
Decision To Cut NSFAS Funding ‘Catastrophic’
The South African Union of Students says the National Treasury’s decision to cut NSFAS funding will sentence the poor and the working class to a life of poverty. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme will lose some 10% of its funding for the 2024 academic year. Read more
Degree Accreditation Squabble Imperils Future of Fort Hare Students
I`ve been sitting at home dependent on my mother, who is a cleaner. She is the only breadwinner and I have other siblings so it is not an easy situation. Read more
Democracy Has Paved the Way for Access to Education for All
President Cyril Ramaphosa says that as the nation commemorates 30 years of democracy, South Africa has made strides in “advancing access to education” for previously marginalised groups. Read more
DUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Launches Her First Book
The deputy vice-chancellor: people and operations at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Dr Vuyo Mthethwa, officially launched her first book titled: ‘Students Participation In University Governance In South Africa’ at the Coastlands Musgrave Hotel, recently. Read more
Education is The Most Powerful Weapon Against Poverty, …
As the nation commemorates three decades of democracy this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended the accomplishments of the class of 2023 matriculants, saying their success bears testament to the strides taken to enhance accessibility and equality in education. Read more
Extension Workers Can Help with Impact of Climate Change
Dr. Anathi Makamane, junior lecturer in the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development at the University of the Free State, recently obtained her Ph.D. for her research that focuses on the work extension workers could do to help mitigate the impact of climate change. Read more
Fine Art Ceramics Lecturer Helps to Mould Rural Children
While staying in quiet, close-knit Buntingville village in Ngqeleni for the summer holidays, Walter Sisulu University fine art lecturer Sonwabiso Ngcai is ploughing back by providing introductory art lessons to children… Read more
Fort Hare Alumni Chapter Steps in to Assist Graduates
More than 100 University of Fort Hare students who have not been able to get their certificates on account of owing money are over the moon after their debts were cleared by the university’s alumni chapter executive. Read more
Govt Handing Out Bursaries to Students to Become Teachers – But Most Struggle to Get jobsGovernment has admitted that the placement of graduate teachers in South Africa is not reaching desired targets. The Basic Education Department awarded nearly 12,000 bursaries to trainee teachers between April 2022 and March 2023. But its annual report says that on average only 76-percent of those received placements. Read more
Graduate Helps Others Achieve Their Dreams
After surviving the social ills and crimes that plagued her as a teen, a young northern areas teacher is paying it forward and going back to her alma mater to mentor young girls to ensure they remain focused on their goals. Read more
Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences Wins First Round in Desperate Battle…
The Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences (GIFS) is leading the charge to save South Africa’s financial services sector from state capture, and possible long-term collapse. Read more
Health, Education and Law Are Popular Choices
Health Sciences, Bachelor of Education and law degrees continue to rank among the most popular choices of study among KwaZulu-Natal’s matriculants. Thousands of prospective students from the matric class of 2023 applied last year to institutions of higher education in KZN to pursue tertiary studies. Read more
HE Systems Are Out of Sync with Africa’s Human Capital Needs
The gap between Africa and the rest of the world in the development of job skills is widening and the challenge is that universities and other tertiary education institutions on the continent are not producing enough graduates with the knowledge and skills required by their regional economies, according to the Addis Ababa-based United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Read more
High-Achieving School Leavers Choose the University of Pretoria
In the 2023 admissions, across a spectrum of courses including medicine, engineering, veterinary science, law, and actuarial science, the University of Pretoria (UP) stands out as the institution of choice for many high-achieving students. Read more
Higher Education Sector Facing Challenges, Says SASCO
The South African Students Congress (SASCO) said that while the department of basic education celebrates the historic 2023 matric results, higher education faces challenges. Read more
Motshekga urges learners to also consider TVET colleges
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has called on matriculants not only to focus on universities for tertiary education but also to consider TVET colleges. Read more
NSC 2023 Achievements a Result of Sectoral Support
Department of Basic Education Director-General (DG) Hubert Mweli has attributed the achievements of the matric Class of 2023 to the “extraordinary support” the learners received throughout the year. Read more
NSFAS Funding Will Force Students to Stay at Home
Eight years after the government was forced to implement #FeesMustFall demands for free education, promised by the ruling party, the government has now backtracked and announced its intention to cut student funding, a move that could kill many students’ hopes and force many to stay at home. Read more
NSFAS Huge Debt Crippling Universities’ Programmes
Unpaid fees by student funding scheme NSFAS to universities have forced some institutions to delay maintenance, halt refurbishing of residences and reprioritise research projects ahead of the start of the new academic year. Read more
NSFAS Unshaken by OUTA’s Claims into Kickbacks Allegations
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) says it is unshaken by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse’s (OUTA) claims into alleged corruption and mismanagement at the scheme. Read more
NWU and UFS Overwhelmed by Student Applications
Some Central South African universities have been swamped with student applications. Matric results were released on Thursday (18/1). The North West University received more than 181,000 applications from prospective students and only 11,717 will be accommodated. Read more
NWU Bursting at The Seams For 2024
The North-West University has reached full capacity and will unfortunately not allow any walk-in students during first-year registration. The NWU states that more than 181 000 applications were received and only 11 717 could be accepted in terms of approved enrollment targets. Read more
Nzimande to Meet NSFAS Board to Discuss State of Readiness for 2024
The minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande is on Wednesday meeting the board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Read more
Nzimande Urges Institutions to Allow Nsfas-Funded Students with Outstanding Payments to Register
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande has urged institutions to not deny Nsfas-funded students with outstanding payments the right to register for the 2024 academic year. Read more
Outrage Over Perceived TUT Backpedalling on Sekhukhune Campus
Outrage has ensued over backpedalling on a promise to build a Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) campus at the Bapedi Kingdom of Sekhukhune. Despite a signing of a Memorandum Of Understanding between TUT and the Bapedi Kingdom in May 2021, …Read more
Plans Underway to Disburse 20,000 Allowances from 2023 Academic Year
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) still has 20,000 allowances it has not disbursed from 2023. The organisation said these allowances still require input from institutions before they are sent to the affected students. Read more
Police Urge Parents to Be Aware of Fly-By-Night Tertiary Institutions, Accommodation
As the new academic year approaches, police in the Free State are urging parents and guardians not to fall victim to bogus tertiary institutions or accommodations. Read more
President Establishes Presidential Ph.D. Initiative to Boost Innovation
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday that government has established the Presidential PhD Initiative through an initial R1 billion investments from the National Skills Fund in efforts to boost science and technology. Read more
Presidential Climate Commission partners with tertiary institutions
The Presidential Climate Commission has started a process aimed at fostering relations with institutions of higher learning including the University of Mpumalanga. The commission engaged the management of the university and other stakeholders on how the university could offer courses … Read more
Private Afrikaans University Expecting Dozens of Computer Science Students
Solidarity’s private Afrikaans university Akademia anticipates that dozens of students will enter its recently launched BSc Computer Science programme in 2023. Akademia first opened applications for the degree in June 2022, coinciding with the official launch of its Faculty of Natural Sciences. Read more
R4 Billion Upfront Payment for Higher Learning Institutions
In a bid to ensure a smooth start to the 2024 academic year, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will process up to R4.2 billion as an upfront payment to all higher learning institutions, prior to the application and registration finalisation period. Read more
Ranking the Top 22 Universities in South Africa in 2024
South Africa’s top universities have slid down the global ranking of the best higher education institutes in the world – but one more local university has entered the top 500. Read more
Recordings Expose Relationship Between Minister, NSFAS Chair and Suppliers
Blade Nzimande’s name loomed large in a new report by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), which allegedly links the Minister of Higher Education, the chair of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), Ernest Khosa, and others to rampant corruption in tender procurement for higher education. Read more
SA’s Journey Towards Sustainable Development Goal 4: Education
With a staggering 31.9% unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2023 and over 50% of the unemployed lacking the bare minimum of a matric certificate, as per Statistics South Africa (StatsSA), not only will the door remain shut for the foreseeable future, but… Read more
SA’s Schooling System Promotes Excellence at Every Level, …
Every year at this time, out of the woodwork pop bogus education “experts” who, despite the availability of free information and data, cast aspersions on South Africa’s schooling system in an attempt to grab headlines and enjoy airtime on radio and television. Read more
Science Visas for African Researchers Could Promote Mobility
The time is ripe for African countries to consider designating a new category of travel visas dedicated to scientists and researchers to facilitate scientific development on the continent. Such a scientific visa would help ease mobility within the continent and beyond and facilitate research collaboration between African researchers and their foreign counterparts. Read more
Several universities not accepting late applications, says Nzimande
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande said that several universities in the country would not be accepting late applications following the late release of matric results. Read more
South African Professor’s Pay-It-Forward Bursary Scheme for Disadvantaged IT Students is Paying Off
Inspired by Jean Greyling, a professor with a vision to find South Africa’s brightest coding minds, hone them and put them on the path to success as early as possible, his students and associates have joined an innovative bursary scheme to shepherd bright young minds through school and university. Read more
Space in High Demand at UKZN and DUT
More than 160,000 applications have been received by the University of KwaZulu-Natal for 9,000 spaces for first-year students, ruling out any possibility of walk-ins. Read more
Teaching a Top Choice Among Prospective Students
It is official – students seeking admission to South African universities next year have set their sights on becoming teachers and health professionals, including medical doctors. Read more
Technology Students in Africa, Bolstered by ‘Grassroots AI’
Amid South Africa’s perfect storm of few universities, racial inequities and economic disparities, AI students find support in a not-so-grassroots grassroots movement. Read more
The Tragedy of Denied Dreams: The Admission Crisis at SA’s Public Universities
Many ambitious students, armed with stellar matric results, are left on the sidelines, their aspirations crushed by an admissions system that has failed them. Universities don’t appear to have taken up opportunities for distance learning opened by the crisis that was the global health pandemic, Covid-19. Read more
Tiny Tortoise May Play Large Role in South Africa’s Karoo Landscape
The diminutive Karoo dwarf tortoise (Chersobius boulengeri) may play an outsized role as gardener in its arid South African habitat. Researchers gathered droppings of the miniature species – this endangered tortoise is one of the world’s smallest, maxing out at 11 centimeters (4.3 inches) in length… Read more
Top Five Tertiary Funding Options to Consider
Tertiary funding can be a nightmare, especially for those who do not qualify to be financed by the National Students Financial Aids Scheme (NSFAS). For those who have not prepared adequately, during the December holidays, there are still several options available to finance your higher education studies in South Africa. Read more
Thousands Apply, But Few Will Get Varsity Spot
A few days after the province celebrated its record-breaking matric pass rate of 81.4%, the matric class of 2023 face a new obstacle. Eastern Cape universities cannot accommodate the majority who have passed. Read more
TVET Colleges Implored to Focus on Programmes That Create Employment
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Professor Blade Nzimande, has implored technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges to move away from offering programmes that do not lead to meaningful employment and local economic development. Read more
UCT Apologises for Failing to Address Bullying Complaints
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has offered an unreserved apology for failing to address 37 complaints of bullying between July 2018 and June 2019. It said in a statement that if the Council had fulfilled its governance role at the time as required and taken appropriate action, … Read more
UCT Leads Way in Global Sport Science Schools Ranking
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has placed 31st in the world and top in Africa in Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments. UCT jumped up 18 places from 49th position in the 2022 ranking to 31st in 2023. Read more
UFH Ranked Among World’s Top 2,000 Universities for 2024
The high quality of the education offered by the Eastern Cape’s University of Fort Hare (UFH) has once again been confirmed by the release of the 2023/2024 University Ranking by the Academic Performance (URAP) World Rankings. Read more
UFS, ZZ2 Company Novalogix to Develop, Make Fresh Produce Probiotic
The University of the Free State (UFS) and fresh produce company ZZ2 have launched joint venture company NovaLogix to develop and produce a probiotic used in the production of fresh produce to enhance plant health and growth. Read more
UKZN Has Received 12,000 Applications For 250 First-Year Medical School Places
The University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) said it has received approximately 12,000 applications for the 250 places for first year entrance to the MBChB degree programme at the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine. Read more
UKZN Recognised as One of The Top Four Universities in SA
The University of KwaZulu-Natal has been recognised as one of the top four universities in the country. The rankings were compiled by the University Ranking by Academic Performance (Urap), who compile their data based on numerous factors and out of a score of 600. Read more
UKZN Received a Whopping 120,000 First-Year Applications For Only 9,000 Spots, And Here Are The Most Popular Courses
As matric results are expected to be released this week, with many pupils looking ahead to their tertiary education, the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) said it has been inundated with applications from first-time students. Read more
UKZN Warns Against Student Placement Scams
As the 2024 academic year kicks off, the University of KwaZulu-Natal says there is already a rise in registration and placement scams targeting prospective students. Read more
University Fees 2024: How Much it Costs to Study in South Africa
There are over 20 public universities in South Africa, and tuition fees vary depending on their policy, the type and the length of studies. According to Times Higher Education’s latest ranking, 12 of these local universities are also listed among the world’s top tertiary institutions for 2024. Read more
University of Johannesburg Introduces Facial Recognition Technology into Its Registration System
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has introduced facial recognition technology into its registration system for secure registration, a first for South Africa’s higher education. Read more
University of The Witwatersrand: Innovation at Its Finest
The University of the Witwatersrand, known as Wits, is a shining example of how dedication to innovation and research can lead to significant breakthroughs that positively impact society. Read more
UP and Chinese University Celebrate and Expand 14-Year Partnership
A delegation from China’s Nanjing Audit University recently visited the University of Pretoria (UP) as part of a long-standing partnership established in 2009 with UP’s Department of Auditing in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS). Read more
Weather-Mad Schoolgirl Becomes Youngest Phd Graduate in Her Faculty
Nomhle (27) made history two years ago when she became the youngest PhD graduate at the University of the Witwatersrand’s science faculty. She now runs her own business, Ingcebo, which sees her consulting and educating companies… Read more
What Challenges Will The HE Sector in Africa Face in 2024?
The African Union (AU) has named 2024 as the Year of Education – a reminder to member states to keep pursuing the goals of the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) and Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive, equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all. Read more
Why There Was a Dramatic Decline In Pupils Repeating Grades After Covid-19
The number of pupils repeating Grades 10 and 11 dropped dramatically in 2020 after tests at school were “relaxed” to compensate for learning losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This is one of the findings of a study by a team of researchers from Stellenbosch University released… Read more
WSU Receives Full Accreditation For Building Courses
Walter Sisulu University has welcomed the successful achievement of full accreditation for its built environment programmes. The SA Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions has granted full accreditation for a five-year term…Read more
30 November 2023
40% Of Students Have Used AI in Their Studies – Survey
Up to 40% of students who participated in a global survey say they have used generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in their studies – a practice that appears to be more popular in Kenya than any other of the 15 countries included in the report by the impact, research and advocacy arm of the edtech company Chegg. Read more
African Rainbow Minerals Provides R20-Million for Wits University Research
Diversified mining company African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) is supporting postdoctoral research into water, energy and digitalisation at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg. Read more
Africa’s Article Output Grows, But R&D Funding is Lacking
Low public and private investment levels in research and development (R&D) remain a trend in most African countries. Still, this bleak narrative contrasts with knowledge production patterns by African nations as bibliometric studies of articles authored or co-authored by scientists and scholars over the past two decades …Read more
Africa’s Top-Brass Universities Empowered By 5G Tech Spaces …
Africa’s most renowned universities are keen to be at the forefront of Research, Innovation, and Outreach (RIO) of technologies, products, services, and operating models that reduce CO2 emissions and help attain Net Zero Emissions (NZE). Read more
Attacks on Academic Freedom Recorded Across Africa
War-torn Sudan is one of the 30% of countries in the world with the lowest levels of academic freedom, where scholars and university students frequently face pervasive attacks and universities are denied autonomy, according to Scholars at Risk (SAR), a global network that campaigns for the right of academics – and students – to think and express ideas without fear. Read more
Agriculture is the Future Says South West Gauteng College
The South West Gauteng Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College recently held its first agricultural open day. The open day was held to expose and entice interested learners who are passionate about the primary agriculture course. Read more
Beyond University of Cape Town: Governance and implications
After the dust has settled, this is what South Africa’s University of Cape Town (UCT) is left without: Professor Loretta Feris: the deputy vice-chancellor (DVC) of transformation and student affairs – constructive dismissal. Read more
Budget Cuts? HE Funding is Moving in The Wrong Direction
At first, some higher education grants were being reduced to cover costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it now seems that South Africa’s universities may be facing more widespread budget cuts. Read more
Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s 4th Cubesat Project Well on Track
The Africa Space Innovation Centre (ASIC) of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) is currently busy with its fourth nanosatellite programme, ASIC chief engineer Nyameko Royi tells Engineering News in an exclusive interview. Read more
Chinese Government Scholarships 2024/2025 for South Africans to Study in China…
Application Deadline: 26 January 2024. The Chinese Government is offering scholarships for South African students to study at Chinese institutions starting in the 2024/25 academic year. Read more
Climate Science in Africa Needs More Funding, Says Professor
Despite the important work African researchers are doing to provide knowledge and understanding about climate science to society and policy-makers, the continent’s climate scientists lack visibility on the international stage because there are just not enough resources to build the sustainable institutions required. Read more
Council Must Show Leadership to Avoid Dysfunction
As one Cape Town university (the University of Cape Town or UCT) rises out of its most serious governance crisis in 100 years, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) stumbles headlong into potentially its most damaging governance crisis in more than 60 years. Read more
CSIR Partners with Telecoms Body on Cyber Security
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and a telecoms industry body ‘ the Association of Comms and Technology (ACT) ‘ have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU). Read more
Do Smart Watches Increase Chances of Cheating During Exams at Universities?
Lester Kiewit speaks to Ruby Frans of Stellenbosch University about how tertiary institutions are dealing with the challenges that smart watches pose regarding students cheating during exams. Read more
Education Leaders Have to Stimulate Critical Climate Debates
The University of the Free State (UFS) in South Africa is leading a new consortium which aims to strengthen the capacity of universities in Africa to contribute towards climate-resilient food systems. Read more
Education Remains a Critical Tool for Meaningful Human Development…
Education is a critical tool for self-advancement, meaningful human development and reshaping and developing communities, deputy chief justice Mandisa Maya said on Friday. Read more
Engineering Emerges as an Area of Strength in Subject Rankings
A total of 112 universities in 17 African countries have been ranked in the 20th edition of the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by subject 2024, an index that each year lists institutions’ performance in academic fields across 11 selected subject areas. Read more
Experts Weigh in on TVET Drop-Out Rate
Education experts say placing an emphasis on only one aspect of the schooling system will not yield benefits throughout the value chain. They were commenting after questions were raised about what was being done to tackle the high drop-out rate at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. Read more
Gap Persists Between Universities
Providing infrastructure, student funding and much-needed teaching and learning materials are part of the work performed by universities from generated philanthropy funds, according to annual Survey of Philanthropy in Higher Education. Read more
Higher Health Aims to Tackle GBV in Higher Education…
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande says the department has an organisation called Higher Health that aims to combat gender-based violence and other issues among students and staff. Read more
How We Can Free Higher Education Institutions from The Clutches of Corruption Dr. Nneka Akwu & Dr. Paul Kariuki
Around the world, corruption is a serious threat to the growth and success of nations. Institutions of higher education are one area where corruption has a significant impact. Read more
HSRC Study Reveals Higher HIV Prevalence Among Women
South African women have a higher prevalence of HIV than men, according to the latest Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) research. The HSRC, in collaboration with its partners, has released key findings from the sixth South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey. Read more
Independent Panel Finds Phakeng & Ngonyama Guilty of Governance Failures at UCT
A 179-page report was released and specifically mentioned that the pair misled the university about the resignation of a colleague. Read more
Innovative Fundraising for Hungry SU Students
The ongoing challenges at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has led enterprising student Mawanu Ramashia (19), who is studying towards a Bachelor of Accounting degree at Stellenbosch University (SU), to start a car-wash business to help aid hungry students. Read more
Investment In Teaching and Learning Infrastructure Pays off
Government’s commitment to strengthening and developing the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector, has brought about change to the community of Msinga. Read more
Local College Hosts First-Ever Conference for Male Students
The Mamelodi campus management of Tshwane North TVET College hosted its first-ever Students Men’s Conference to motivate the students, attended by stakeholders such as the National Prosecution Authority, Higher Health programme and police. Read more
Matric Maths and Science Expectations are ‘Unrealistic’
Maths and physical science experts have expressed concern over the low or unrealistic targets set by some provinces for the number of matric pupils they expect will achieve 60% and above in these subjects. Read more
Matric Students Need Mental Health Support to Handle Exam Stress, Sadag Says
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) is urging students and their families to prioritise their mental well-being as they grapple with the stress of sitting for their high school-ending examinations. Read more
Mental Health Research Initiative Grows Pool of Scientists
Six universities in Africa are continuing an African Mental Health Research Initiative (AMARI) to strengthen a network of researchers whose scientific work focuses on mental, neurological and substance use disorders (MNS). Read more
Minister Nzimande Urges Higher Health to Implement Measures to Curb GBV Amidst CPUT Stabbing
Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Blade Nzimande has urged all institutions working with Higher Health to work collectively to implement programmes towards addressing the challenges of sexual and gender-based violence within the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system. Read more
More Intra-Africa University Collaborations Are Needed
As a university in Africa and a university in the Global South, my own university, the University of Johanneburg in South Africa, strives to be at the forefront of finding solutions and applying knowledge to local and global challenges – and we are not alone. Read more
NSFAS Budget Cuts Could Leave More Than 87000 Students Without Funding in 2024
More than 87,000 university students could lose their National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding next year due to budget cuts. This was revealed by the acting CEO of NSFAS, Masile Ramorwesi, … Read more
NSFAS Launches Student Accommodation Pilot at TVETs
A National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) student accommodation pilot project currently under way at TVET colleges is expected to be rolled out at universities in the 2024 academic year. Read more
Nzimande to Open New Umgungundlovu TVET College Campus
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, will on Friday officially open a new campus of the uMgungundlovu Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The uMgungundlovu TVET College was opened in 2002… Read more
NMU Ocean Sciences Campus Makes Waves at Architect Awards
Nelson Mandela University has won five national and international infrastructure awards for the new extensions to its Ocean Sciences Campus in Summerstrand. NMU’s new triple-storey E Block with its aesthetically appealing, dedicated research spaces, specialised laboratories and signature dive tank, received high praise … Read more
NWU Is Looking Beyond Load-Shedding to Sustainable Greener Energy Solutions
While addressing the current challenges posed by load-shedding, the North-West University (NWU) is also looking at long-term sustainable and greener renewable energy-generation solutions. Read more
NWU to Host Free Online Discussion on Prevention of Youth Suicide
As the year ends, so does the amount of stress our youth experience increase. To help prevent youth suicide, the North-West University (NWU) would like to invite the public to join the university for a free, online discussion about youth suicide titled… Read more
NSFAS Improves Data Exchange Processes
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is improving its data exchange processes with institutions to ensure seamless data integration and the registration of students onto its new direct payment systems. Read more
NSFAS Provisionally Approves 76,0000 Applications for 2024 News
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has provisionally approved 76,0000 applications since the start of the 2024 application season. Applications opened six days ago, with thousands of prospective beneficiaries submitting their applications. Read more
NSFAS Students Wait with Bated Breath for Living Allowances After Service Provider Contract Fiasco
It is Wednesday 1 November, and students funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) are waiting for their monthly living stipends to be paid for essentials such as food, transport, and hygiene products. Read more
NWU and ELM Strengthen Relationship
The North-West University (NWU) has after meeting with Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) Mayor Sipho Radebe strengthened their relationship with the municipality. Read more
Oral Exams Should Be Part of Doctoral Programmes
Several key factors are driving the shifts taking place in doctoral education globally, including digitalisation, globalisation and the knowledge economy. While each of these drivers permeates the South African higher education context to some extent, the country’s own complex historical legacies provide a unique background and lens through which the drivers of doctoral education can be framed. Read more
Philanthropic Individuals Are Major HE Donors – Survey
South African universities received a significant year-on-year increase in philanthropic funding totalling ZAR2.31 billion (about US$122 million) – and the bulk of the funds went to traditional universities, the Annual Survey of Philanthropy in Higher Education (ASPIHE) has revealed. Read more
President congratulates Professor Dire Tladi
President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his warm congratulations to Professor Dire Tladi of the University of Pretoria on his election by the United Nations as a judge of the International Court of Justice. Read more
Report Outlines Skills Needs in Africa’s Fashion Industry
Countries in Africa struggle to reach their full potential in a fast-developing fashion industry due to limited educational and training systems, a persistent lack of investment and infrastructure in the sector, and insufficient intellectual property protection. Read more
Russian and Ussr University Alumni Unite in Tanzania for the First African Forum
First African forum of graduates of local universities started on Wednesday, 8 November, TASS reported. More than one and a half hundred people gathered in Tanzania. Guests from Rwanda, Tunisia, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana and other countries of the continent came to Dar es Salaam. Read more
Skills Development for Nuclear Energy Management in Africa
Thirteen member states were represented at this year’s Nuclear Energy Management school, hosted by the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa). Read more
Social Entrepreneurs Excel at UKZN’s Inspiring Impact Challenge
THE University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) hosted the finals of the 2023 UKZN Inspiring Impact Challenge – an annual competition showcasing social-impact initiatives by UKZN students, staff, and alumni – early last week. Read more
South African Academics Condemn Israel’s Gaza War
Outrage about the situation in Gaza is growing in academic circles in South Africa, judging by the proliferation of critical pronouncements about the unfolding crisis in Palestine. Read more
Stellenbosch University Medical Student Raises More Than R30 000 for Students with Debt
Sarah Camp, a final year medical student at Stellenbosch University, cycled from campus to her hometown in Hillcrest, Durban, in just 10 days to raise more than R30 000 to help students clear their debt. Read more
Students Build Solar Boat
Excitement is in the air at the South Cape TVET College as a team of students and lecturers have built a solar boat that will be entered for the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Solar Boat Competition on 9 and 10 December at North End Lake in Gqeberha. Read more
Students’ Effort Rewarded
A group of 33 students who obtained excellent results in the programmes they completed, has received special recognition from the Motheo Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College’s management team of the Botshabelo campus. Read more
SU Students Display Show of Solidarity for People Of Palestine
Stellenbosch University (SU) students came out in protest a statement by issued by the institution stating that it “believes differing viewpoints” on the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict should “be shared and debated for greater understanding between opposing entities”. Read more
Tender For Green Hydrogen Study Tours in South Africa
The GIZ has issued a tender to plan, organise and implement two knowledge exchange visits (study tours) for South African research, innovation and capacity building stakeholders in the green hydrogen economy. Read more
The Best Universities in South Africa – That Rank Among the Top 200 in The World
Times Higher Education has published its global university ranking by subject, showing which South African universities come out on top when looking at key subjects like computer science, engineering, and physical sciences. Read more
The Riverside CID Partners With the University of Mpumalanga
The Riverside City Improvement District (CID) is thrilled to have celebrated a partnership and agreement recognition ceremony on 14 November, in collaboration with the esteemed University of Mpumalanga (UMP). Read more
Top Varsities UCT And UWC in Turmoil Over Vice-Chancellors
The key policy document that governs universities is in the spotlight amid the alleged defective appointment processes of vice-chancellors at two of the country’s leading universities. Read more
UCT Black Forum calls for university council’s dissolution
The University of Cape Town (UCT) Black Forum has called for the university’s council to be dissolved.The forum is an advocacy group established in the interest of UCT’s black students and employees.It said the council must share the responsibility for the governance failures at the institution. Read more
UCT Council Apologises for ‘Not Acting in Best Interests of the University’
University of Cape Town (UCT) council chair Norman Arendse has apologised for the council not exercising its fiduciary responsibilities timeously or acting in the university’s best interests. Read more
UCT Council Ready to Implement Report’s Recommendations on Governance
The University of Cape Town (UCT)’s council says it’s ready to implement the recommendations of an independent panel which probed governance matters at the institution between 2018 until last year. Read more
UCT GSB Launches Unique IEDP Programme
UCT’s Graduate School of Business has launched its inaugural International Executive Development Programme (IEDP) – and as Africa’s premier business school, it plans to create a flagship international programme that is not just valuable, but unprecedented. Read more
UCT to Work on Restoring Public Trust
The University of Cape Town Council (UCT) says it is in the process of taking remedial action to restore public trust in the institution. This is after the council adopted an independent report by a panel led by retired Judge Lex Mpati into past governance failures at the institution between 2018 and 2022. Read more
UFH Student Wins SA Institute of Physics Prize
Curiosity and passion were what led to a University of Fort Hare student winning the title of Best Oral Presenter at the 67th annual conference of the South African Institute of Physics. Read more
UFS’s COVID-19 Vaccine Policy Challenged in High Court
The University of the Free State’s COVID-19 compulsory vaccination policy is flawed and irrational, University Alliance South Africa has told the High Court in Bloemfontein. Read more
UFS Sociology Lecturer Cleared of Hate Speech Resigns
University of the Free State (UFS) sociology lecturer Dr Pedro Mzileni who was recently cleared of hate speech has announced his resignation from the institution. In October, UFS cleared Mzileni after an inquiry into alleged race-baiting comments during a guest lecture about coloniality and the history of racism. Read more
UKZN Founding Vice-Chancellor and Principal Releases His Latest Book
Former University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) founding vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, has described his book with three words; leadership, transformation, and teams. Read more
UKZN Medical Student Bags 2023 Health Excellence Rising Star Award
One of the country’s most progressive young minds in the medical field, fifth-year University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) medical student, Mohamed Hoosen Suleman, bagged the 2023 Health Excellence Rising Star Award at the weekend. Read more
UKZN Receives R20m to Help Provide Debt Relief for Students
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has received R20 million to assist in providing debt relief for students. According to a press release by the university, the cash injection is from the Moses Kotane Institute (MKI) and the newly-established merSETA Skills Development Fund… Read more
UJ Vice-Chancellor Honoured as Chief in Ghana
Described as a significant occasion that bridges continents and celebrates a deep commitment to education, research, and Pan-Africanism, professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Johannesburg (UJ), has been bestowed as a Chief in the Abeadze Kingdom in Ghana. Read more
Unisa Donates Books to School in Felekisi
The University of South Africa – KwaZulu-Natal Region (Unisa) visited Mbambangwe High School in Felekisi near Doonside on November 1 to deliver a donation of books. In a statement, Unisa said its delegation also used the opportunity to encourage and wish the learners well who have started their matric examinations. Read more
University of Limpopo Dishes Out Food Hampers as NSFAS Fails to Pay Student Grants
The University of Limpopo and its student representative council (SRC) have distributed food hampers to 2,000 students, including many who were not paid their allowances at the end of September… Read more
University of Mpumalanga Celebrates 10 Years Since its Establishment
The University of Mpumalanga celebrates its 10th year anniversary since its establishment in 2013. The university started with an enrolment of 200 students. More than 8000 students have enrolled at the university this academic year. Read more
War Against Women: Collective Action Against GBV is Urgent
South Africa’s dubious status as one of the worst-ranked countries for high rates of gender-based violence (GBV) – and recent senseless assaults on university campuses in the country – have brought into sharp focus the urgency of addressing this scourge within the higher education sector and beyond. Read more
Why Do Students Still Opt to Buy Data?
South African higher education is plagued by inequalities due to the social and economic legacies of apartheid. More than 50% of the enrolment in higher education is from black, working-class, disadvantaged households from rural areas who depend on state-funded student aid. Read more
31 October 2023
43rd Eskom Expo International Science Fair Kicks Off with Robotics and Coding Activities
The 43rd Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) kicked off with an electric start as young scientists were treated to robotics and coding activities, along with science shows as they prepared to showcase their scientific brilliance this week. Read more
Academic Mobility is About a Lot More Than Students Travelling Between Countries
Professor Loyiso Nongxa started his presentation at Universities South Africa’s (USAf’s) Research and Innovation Dialogue by declaring he was a dinosaur. Read more
A Clear Vision and Involved Leadership; A Recipe for Achieving Entrepreneurship and Innovation Goals
With only a decade in existence, the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) has an ambitious vision of becoming “an African university, leading in creating opportunities for sustainable development through innovation”. Read more
Africa-Europe Collaboration: A New Era in Research Excellence
The recent launch of 20 joint Clusters of Research Excellence (CoREs) by the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities (The Guild) marks by far the largest and most important research collaboration agreement ever with African universities. Read more
African Universities Starting Strong with Social Impact Global Rankings
World university rankings are released towards the end of each year. Institutions globally scramble to see how they have fared. Have they risen or fallen? If so, by how much and in which rankings? Have they maintained their position in an increasingly competitive global higher education landscape? Read more
Afriforum’s Sticker Stunt Backfires as University of Pretoria to Take Action Against Students
A PR stunt by the youth wing of the civil rights organisation AfriForum backfired after the University of Pretoria announced that it will be taking disciplinary action against the group for placing stickers around the campus that read: ‘No whites allowed’. Read more
Afriforum Youth Placed No Whites Allowed/Blacks Only’ Stickers on Pretoria Campus…
On Tuesday, The University Of Pretoria (UP) Condemned An “Irresponsible Public Relations Stunt” By Members Of Afriforum Youth Who Affixed Racist Stickers At UP’s Hatfield Campus. Read more
A Groundbreaking South-North Research Pact Has Taken Off
When the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) was formed in March 2015, one of its objectives was to strengthen ‘South-South cooperation’ through a purposeful collaboration among its members. Read more
A Professor Quit After Plagiarising a US Intelligence Report…
In May, the KwaZulu-Natal government hired adjunct professor Christian Adendorff, who parted ways with the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) after he was exposed for plagiarising two international documents and getting paid a handsome R2.2 million for “strategic” work… Read more
Away With Afrikaans: UFS Student Bodies Up in Arms
The student representative council (SRC) of the University of Free State (UFS) has called for the abolishment of Afrikaans as a primary medium of instruction in formal classes, saying it contravenes a Constitutional Court ruling and the varsity’s own language policy. Read more
Beauty Has No Rigid Look’: Wits Fashion Show Empowers Women
In a triumphant return, In Her Skin, a fashion show by students from the University of the Witwatersrand’s Girton Hall, reclaimed the runway after two years of pandemic-induced silence. Read more
Beyond BRICS: The Shaping Of New Development Narratives
Efforts by both China and India to deepen cooperation with Africa in the higher education and research space are evident in several recent high-profile initiatives that reveal more about the geopolitical goals and engagement style of the countries. Read more
Campus Politics: Why Is One Party Winning So Many Elections?
The year 2023 has seen the Economic Freedom Fighters Students’ Command (EFFSC) convincingly winning student representative council (SRC) elections across many university campuses in South Africa. Read more
CEO Of Student Fund May Be in Trouble After Investigation
South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, has been briefed on the findings of a damning report, which may result in the axing of the head of Africa’s largest student funding scheme and disciplinary action against staff who have been implicated in wrongdoing. Read more
Colonialism Shaped Modern Universities in Africa
Colonialism profoundly shaped modern universities in Africa. It implanted institutions on African soil that were largely replicas of European universities rather than organically African. Read more
Dire Need to Foster Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in HE
There is a need to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education institutions across Africa to create a sense of belonging for every student and to advance transformation. Read more
Drive to Succeed Not Enough for Poor Students, Studies Find
Motivation, passion and perseverance are the key to success for postgraduate students, according to two South African education researchers. Dr Kelly Anne Young, a senior researcher at the University of South Africa (UNISA), and Professor Elizabeth Archer, the director of institutional research at the University of the Western Cape, examined psychometric properties among 837 postgraduate students enrolled at UNISA. Read more
Dr Wesley Pieters to Cycle 1900 Km for the Trans-Kalahari Corridor Awareness Campaign
Representing the University of Namibia (UNAM) in this endeavour is Dr Wesley Pieters, a staff member of the Department of Psychology & Social Work in the School of Allied Health Sciences. Read more
Educators Honoured at National Teaching Awards
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has reaffirmed government’s commitment to reinforcing teacher support and prioritising the professional growth of those who are the key drivers of basic education. Read more
Education Key to Changing the Fortunes of South Africans
University of the Free State Chancellor, Johannesburg Business School Professor of Practice, Bidvest Group and SBV Services chairperson and World Economic Forum Community of Chairpersons member Bonang Mohale has stressed the importance of South Africa investing in educating its youth. Read more
Eight Of SA’s 26 Public Universities Fail to Get Clean Audits
Auditor-General of SA (Agsa) Tsakani Maluleke has found that four universities have reported achievements on objectives that were not supported by credible and reliable information. Read more
Entrepreneurs Meet at VUT Summit
The Networking Business Summit, organised by Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Public Relations (PR) Advanced Students, proved to be a resounding success. Read more
Expelling Theuns Du Toit Was Warranted, Stellenbosch University Insists
Stellenbosch University defended the sanctions against former student Theuns du Toit. The university argued that his expulsion was justified because his actions warranted the most severe punishment. Read more
Former Homeless Waste Reclaimer Graduates with Master’s Degree
There were cheers and jubilation when the University of Johannesburg (UJ) conferred a Master’s degree in History on Gibson Nzimande. Read more
Government ‘Misstep’ Over Unisa Administration
A regional court’s decision to block the Pretoria government from placing the University of South Africa (Unisa) in administration will lead to protracted legal battles and continued problems for students, it has been warned. Read more
Innovative Hybrid Masters Appeals to Working Engineers
Learning about business models and Shark Tank pitches sounds like these subjects belong in an MBA, yet these topics form part of a new degree programme offered to engineers or scientists with at least one, but preferably more, years of field experience. Read more
In Search of a Pan-African Homeland and Education
Everywhere we look in our global village, we find the Chinese being educated to be Chinese, Americans to be American and Europeans to be Europeans, and so we can go on. The African, on the other hand, has been and is still being educated to be Arabic, European, or European American. Read more
KEPCO KPS Offers Fourth Scholarship Offer to South African Universities
South Korea-based plant servicing company KEPCO KPS has granted study bursaries to 29 students studying at the University of Pretoria (UP) to the value of R1 836 546 in 2023. Read more
NASA collaborates with SA for exciting biodiversity research project
The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is collaborating with the University of Cape Town (UCT) to conduct a first-of-its-kind biodiversity field campaign in the Western Cape by sending two modified jets to Cape Town. Read more
Nearly 500 000 NSFAS Beneficiaries Passed Their Studies in 2022
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande said nearly 500 000 students funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) passed their exams at universities and TVET colleges in 2022. Read more
Nelson Mandela Bay Professors Honoured for Proving Chatgpt Can Pass an MBA
Two Nelson Mandela University academics received a top accolade at an international business conference for their innovative research paper proving that ChatGPT could pass an MBA in SA. Read more
New UFS Dean Believes Science Will Take Agri Forward
The newly appointed dean of the faculty of natural and agricultural sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), Prof Paul Oberholster, believes that agriculture needs to be deeply rooted in South Africa and the only way to do that is to enforce it in schools with a key focus on innovation. Read more
No Solutions Yet to Funding The ‘New’ African University
Funding crises have been among the most intractable problems facing African universities during the entire post-independence period. While the new agenda proposing a ‘new African university’ has focused on identity, potential missions, and philosophical standpoints, few ideas on how to finance these institutions have been offered. Read more
Ntshavheni Calls for More Access to Higher Education
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has called for education to be accessible to all. She said over the years, the government has been trying to get more people into education. Read more
Nurturing Minds and Hearts: SPU’s Commitment to Mental Health
Sol Plaatje University wants to remind its students this Mental Health Awareness Month that wellness isn’t just about avoiding illness; it’s about thriving! Nicole Morris, Dean of Student Affairs at Sol Plaatje University, spoke to Olebogeng Motse about Nurturing Minds and Hearts. Read more
Nzimande Serves Notice to Place Unisa Under Administration
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, has served a notice of his intention to place the University of South Africa (UNISA) under administration. Nzimande is expected to announce his final decision on Friday. Read more
Over 300 Community Development Practitioners Graduate Through RPL
In an effort to bridge the qualification gap, 312 community development practitioners in the Eastern Cape have graduated with formal qualifications after completing Recognition of Prior Learning courses. Read more
‘Policy Entrepreneurs’ Acknowledged For HE Reform Efforts
Higher Education Reform Experts South Africa (HERESA), a three-year pilot that will come to an end in November, was “a success with tangible impact”, project coordinator Dr. Sershen Naidoo told University World News at the end of the initiative’s final workshop in Johannesburg from 2-4 October. Read more
Prayers and Politics at the University of KZN
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is bringing back prayer sessions to fight alcohol abuse. On Saturday the ANC-aligned student movement Sasco won the UKZN elections, ending the power of the EFF Student Command at all five campuses of the university. Read more
Priorities of New ‘African University’ Lack Substance
There has been an explosion of new universities on the African continent in the past 20 years. During this time, Ethiopia, alone, established 60 new universities. Read more
Professor Hoosen Coovadia: A Life In Service To Humanity
The late South African Professor Hoosen Mahomed ‘Jerry’ Coovadia, who died in Durban on 4 October, played a pivotal role in the training of medical students at universities in Africa and inspired a generation of researchers with his world-class works. Read more
Recruiting Overseas Talent Getting Harder, Say South African V-Cs
In the survey of 20 providers – conducted in June and July – vice-chancellors highlighted their struggle to match international lecturers’ salary expectations, which, combined with the regulatory hurdles of bringing international talent into the country, creates a “substantial barrier … Read more
Refugee HE Enrolment Rises Almost Halfway to the 2030 Target
Global enrolment of refugees in higher education increased from 1% in 2019 to 7% in 2023, almost reaching the halfway mark towards the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) target of at least 15% enrolment by 2030 (the ‘15by30’ target). Read more
Rinse And Repeat: The Ongoing Saga Of NSFAS
As South Africans, we have become desensitised to instances of malfeasance and corruption. We no longer react appropriately to new manifestations; instead, we tend to shrug and move on. Read more
Royal Society of SA Honours Exceptional Chemistry Professor
The Royal Society of South Africa honoured professor of inorganic chemistry and material science, Vincent Nyamori with a fellowship for his outstanding contributions to furthering science in South Africa. Read more
SADC, University Network to Join Forces to Promote Science
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) are set to deepen their collaboration to promote the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, to support universities’ incubation hubs and mobilise donor funds to roll out programmes at institutions of higher learning in the region. Read more
School Of Government Signs Landmark Secondment Agreement with University of Johannesburg
The National School of Government (NSG) and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate the secondment of academic personnel of the UJ to the NSG during their sabbatical leave. Read more
School to Teach Skills in Sustainable Energy Regulation
A meeting of African energy and transport ministers has endorsed the African School of Regulation (ASR) which has since received a US$1 million seed grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. Read more
Skills Shortage Holds Manufacturing Industry Back from Growing, Evolving
A major unaddressed issue in the manufacturing industry remains a shortage of skills, said economic consultancy Econometrix director and chief economist Dr Azar Jammine in opening this year’s Manufacturing Indaba on October 24. Read more
South Africa Faces Mass Skills Exodus – With 90% of Graduates Wanting to Leave
Crime and corruption, lack of job opportunities, failing infrastructure, and the rising cost of living in South Africa have driven the desire of 90% of university students to seek employment opportunities abroad. Read more
South Africa’s Education Sector Calls for Urgent Reforms Amidst Budget Allocation Concerns
South Africa’s education sector has been thrust into the spotlight recently with experts calling for a comprehensive approach involving budget allocation, education reforms, and strategies to counter learning losses. Read more
South African University Participation Stalls Despite Investment
Academics have criticised a “disappointing” increase in South African higher education participation over the past decade. Recent census data for 2022 revealed that 12.2 per cent of people aged 20 and above had completed a university degree. Read more
Space Biology Will Be a First for Africa
It will be a first for Africa: one innovative step by the North-West University (NWU) and one giant leap by the continent. The NWU’s Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is set to launch the research area SpaceBiology@NWU. Read more
Stellenbosch Researcher Contributes to Critical Global Study on Amphibians
Climate change has emerged as a major threat to the world’s amphibians, with 40% facing extinction, according to a groundbreaking study involving over 100 international experts, including Professor John Measey from Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Invasion Biology. Read more
Stellenbosch University Launches Masters Programme Specialising in Fire Engineering
Stellenbosch University is proud to announce the launch of a Masters in Engineering (MEng) specialising in fire safety, which this article seeks to introduce. The programme will start in 2024 and is also available in an online/hybrid format suitable for working professionals. Read more
Students Across Mpumalanga TVET Colleges Were Awarded Certificates
Eighty-three female electricians and artisans were honoured by the Energy and Water Sector Education Training Authority (EWSETA) in collaboration with Power Africa, a US Government-led partnership. Read more
Students Across Mpumalanga TVET Colleges Awarded Certificates
In efforts to commemorate 83 female electricians and artisans, the Energy and Water Sector Education Training Authority (EWSETA) in collaboration with Power Africa, a US Government-led partnership awarded a certificate to the group of women. Read more
Students in Africa Are Among the Most Dissatisfied Globally
African universities score poorly on all metrics of student satisfaction save for online classroom experience where South African institutions scored higher than the global average, according to the 2023 Global Student Satisfaction Awards report just released. Read more
The Need for a ‘Reflexive Humanising Pedagogy’ in HE
A humanising pedagogy is based on Paulo Freire’s pedagogy of the oppressed, love, justice, restitution and transformation. Such a pedagogy embeds the university’s curriculum, research and social engagement with the critical agency to change people’s living circumstances. Read more
These are the BEST Universities in South Africa
The University of Cape Town is once again at the top of Webometrics mid-year update of the world university rankings for 2023. That makes it the top university in South Africa. Read more
The Writing’s on the Blackboard: Half of SA Teachers Fail to Meet Grade 4 Literacy Level
Nelson Mandela once said that education is the most powerful weapon to change the world. The shock findings of a report on the current state of our country’s education system, however, point to a dismal failure in arming our children with any intellectual fire power. Read more
Tuks Women Win Bronze at the World University Invitational 7’s Tournament
The Tuks women’s sevens team finished third over the weekend in the World University Invitational Tournament in Bordeaux, France. Riaan van der Merwe (coach) sees it as one of his team’s gutsiest performances. Read more
UCT Keeps Panel Report Confidential for Now
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has received the final report from the panel led by retired Judge Lex Mpati, but says it will keep it under wraps until it is considered by council. Read more
UCT Launches New Project, BIOSCAPE
According to a press release by the University of Cape Town, the university launched a new biodiversity research project called BioSCape, which will link data collected from satellites and aeroplanes with field observations to better understand the biodiversity of the Greater Cape Floristic Region and … Read more
‘UCT No Longer Safe for Us’ – SAUJS Leader
“I’m writing to you as a hurt, terrified, and angry Jewish student,” South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS) Western Cape Chairperson Erin Dodo told the authorities at the University of Cape Town (UCT) on 19 October. Read more
UFS Remains Steady in World University Rankings
In the 2024 submission of the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, the University of the Free State (UFS) maintained its standing within the range of 801 to 1 000. Read more
UFS Staff Member Elected as First Female President of The Vassa
Dr Asha Malan, the Head of Vascular Surgery in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), has made history by being elected as the President-elect for the Vascular Society of Southern Africa (Vassa). Read more
UFS Students Excel in The JSE Investment Challenge
The University of the Free State (UFS), Department of Economics and Finance in the Faculty of Economic and Management Science, has recently made headlines by achieving remarkable success in the prestigious Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Investment Challenge competition. Read more
UKZN Becomes South African First in Accounting
UKZN has become the first South African university to be awarded a Certificate of Recognition by the Southern African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA) for an academically sound Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting degree. Read more
UKZN Hosts Inspiring Impact Challenge
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is gearing up for the finals of the 2023 UKZN Inspiring Impact Challenge – an annual competition showcasing initiatives by UKZN students, staff, and alumni. Read more
UKZN Student Selected to Present at World Federation of Ultrasound and Medicine and Biology Conference
A University of KwaZulu-Natal student at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Mohamed Hoosen Suleman, is one of five medical students globally who were invited to present at the World Federation of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB) meeting in Muscat, Oman next month. Read more
UKZN to Help Students Succeed in Matric Exams
As the matric final exams approach, learners are eager to gain as much knowledge as possible before the exams and at UKZN, they have a programme dedicated to helping matric pupils. According to Lexia Naidoo, the matric helpline coordinator, they provide support to all pupils. Read more
UKZN’s New Deputy Vice-Chancellor Charts a Bold Course for the Future of Teaching and Learning
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is set to undergo transformative changes in its teaching and learning strategies under the leadership of its newly appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Thabo Msibi. In an interview with IOL, Msibi has outlined his strategy for the university’s academic future. Read more
UNISA’s Legal Battle Against Administration Decision Worries Students
Students are worried about the future of their studies after the University of South Africa (Unisa) obtained a court order to have Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande withdraw his notice of intention to place Unisa under administration. Read more
UNISA Partners With Huawei to Build a Future-Proof Smart Campus
The University of South Africa (UNISA), founded in 1873, is the largest distance and open learning institution in South Africa. Its main campus, Muckleneuk Campus, is situated in Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital. UNISA has over 400,000 students,… Read more
Universities are Key Actors in Creating Vibrant Entrepreneurship Ecosystems for Sustainable Prosperity and Development
The university can be an excellent player in ecosystem development, enabling an environment in which entrepreneurship contributes to achieving sustainable development and societal changes. Read more
University of Fort Hare Gets Security Upgrades to the Tune of R36m in Wake of Campus Murder
In an effort to keep students safe, the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape has put in place beefed-up security measures at a massive cost of R36 million to the Department of Higher Education and Training. Read more
University of Pretoria Researchers a Step Closer to Cracking the Secrets Behind Ageing
Other than inspiring countless tales, immortality has fascinated humans for time immemorial, but researchers from the University of Pretoria, together with global experts from the Mammalian Methylation Consortium, are a step closer to unmasking the secret of ageing in mammals. Read more
University of Pretoria to Cooperate with SAHRC Probe into Complaints of ‘Perceived Racial Tensions’
The University of Pretoria says it will cooperate with the SA Human Rights Commission amid complaints over racial incidents at the university. The university adds an ongoing internal probe has not revealed any involvement of its student body… Read more
Universities South Africa Welcomes Scrapping of Ezaga Payment System
Universities South Africa, an umbrella body representing public universities, has welcomed the move to scrap the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s (NSFAS) controversial direct payment system eZaga. Read more
Unveiling Excellence: DUT’s Odyssey of Innovation Beyond Academia
The Durban University of Technology (DUT), perched elegantly on the warm east coast of South Africa, stands as a beacon of academic and technological brilliance. Born in 2002, from a union of two esteemed institutions, ML Sultan and Technikon Natal, DUT’s ascent has been noteworthy. Read more
UWC Launches the Country’s First Paediatric and Special Needs Dental Care
It started with one. One person, conversation and one dream.And now, 15 months and many people later, it’s changed into the country’s first paediatric and special needs dental care, which was launched last week. Read more
30 August 2023
Africa Has the Potential to Surpass Asia as The Continent With the Brightest Young People, Says Unisa
The University of South Africa (Unisa) says the African continent has the potential to surpass Asia as the continent with the brightest young people. Read more
Africa Should Focus Research on Population Growth Challenges
Africa should increase investment in research and education to develop the much-needed human capital and knowledge economy that will help solve the challenges associated with rapid population growth that could surpass the current projections,… Read more
AI is the Future. There’s No Time for Academic Laggards
As we continue to advance in the 21st century, we see ourselves already living in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) which defines and is arguably the future. Read more
A Lasting Legacy: Reflections on the #Mustfall Movement
Between 2015 and 2017, South African higher education was engulfed by a wave of student protests demanding free decolonised African higher education. The coming 10-year anniversary of these protests provides an important opportunity to consider the aftermath and enduring significance of the student mobilisations. Read more
A Stellenbosch University Study Aims to Shorten DR-TB Diagnosis Time
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) poses a significant global health challenge, marked by its high mortality rate, the exorbitant cost of treatment and the risk of transmission. Read more
‘Bioafrica Convention Important for Africa’s Sustainable Development’ – Nzimande
Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande said the BIO Africa Convention is an important platform for enhancing biotechnology applications on the African continent. Read more
Book Interrogates Pathways to Address Challenges in HE
A new thrust towards the search for the identity of African universities has been undertaken by 16 scholars, who have been probing how African academia could construct a progressive future that would address rampant challenges within the sector. Read more
Bringing Student Voices into University Teacher Induction
In a groundbreaking study that challenges traditional norms of teacher induction, a team of researchers from the University of Venda and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa has proposed a visionary approach that leverages the involvement of students in the induction of new university teachers. Read more
Conquering Gender-Based Violence Requires Diverse and Multiple Interventions
Seeing that voices are being amplified on the urgency of eradicating gender-based violence in South Africa, the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Programme dedicated a session to this plight during the Studentpreneurs Indaba that was held from 4 to 5 September 2023, held at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Read more
Cutting Edge ADHD Screening Tool in The Works from Stellenbosch University
The Biomedical Engineering Research Group at Stellenbosch University has developed a screening tool to help diagnose Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder among children. Read more
Disqualification of SRC Candidates at University of Pretoria ‘Not Externally Influenced’
University of Pretoria management have denounced assertions they disqualified some student representative council (SRC) election candidates due to pressure from “external sources”. Read more
DUT Doctoral Student Receives NRF Research Excellence Award
Durban University of Technology (DUT) doctoral student in Chemical Engineering, Nomthandazo Sibiya, was recently awarded a 2023 National Research Foundation (NRF) Research Excellence Award for Next Generation Researchers. Read more
Education was at the Forefront of Buthelezi’s Legacy
As head of the KwaZulu government and leader of the IFP, late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi placed a big emphasis on education. Mangosuthu University of Technology, an institution founded by Buthelezi in 1979, was the first vocational tertiary institution for black people in South Africa. Read more
EFF Student Command Wins Eight Out of 13 SRC Seats at Wits
Wits University’s student protest this year paved the way for the EFF Students Command (EFFSC) victory, with the organisation clinching eight of the 13 students’ representative council (SRC) seats. Read more
Higher Education is Fast Losing its Edge in South Africa’s Labour Market
Education remains key to better labour market outcomes in the country, according to Statistics South Africa’s Labour Force Survey for the second quarter of 2023 released on 15 August. Read more
Higher Education Needs Urgent AI Integration Across Curricula…
We have entered, quite suddenly, into an era of pervasive artificial intelligence (AI). We’ve known for a while that it was coming, and we spoke about it in anticipation and trepidation, without clarity of its shape, form or potential. Read more
How to Lead International HE in a Volatile, Uncertain World
The Global Leadership Summit held on 22 August in Durban, South Africa, brought together leaders of international education from numerous countries around the world to discuss the most pressing issues currently facing international higher education in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world. Read more
Mentors Need to be Appropriately Skilled and Committed Even if They Offer a Free Service, …
Peter Baur, Associate Professor at the University of Johannesburg’s (UJs’) School of Economics, used his observation of the husky dogs he fosters to illustrate the value of the mentoring process the university’s College of Business and Economics (CBE) has initiated for its first-year students. Read more
Minister Says Financial Aid Scheme is Not in Crisis
Despite having its chief executive officer on special leave pending an investigation into the alleged improper awarding of banking contracts, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is not in crisis, according to Dr Blade Nzimande, South Africa’s minister of higher education, science and innovation. Read more
Motheo TVET College Hosts Capricorn TVET College
Collaboration and knowledge-sharing are essential in driving progress and innovation. This is according to Motheo TVET College, which had the opportunity to host Capricorn TVET College during the course of the week. Read more
Nzimande Visits Japan to Strengthen Hydrogen Economy Cooperation
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, is leading a delegation to Tokyo, Japan, as part of efforts to build a hydrogen economy in South Africa. Read more
Over 20,000 Students Lose NSFAS Funding
More than 20,000 students have been defunded by a government scheme after they failed their academics more than once.This was revealed by minister of higher education and training Blade Nzimande during a media briefing in Pretoria on Tuesday. Read more
Participants In a British Council’s Research Commercialisation Programme Share Their Experiences
Professor Azwihangwisi Mavhandu-Mudzusi of the University of South Africa (Unisa) has wasted no time in putting into practice what she learnt from the British Council‘s Strengthening Commercialisation Skills (SCS) programme. Read more
Phd Graduate’s Study Probes Patriarchy Perpetuation
A PHD graduate is grateful that her latest academic qualification provided a platform to continue chipping away at a long-standing societal issue: the traditional patriarchal roles that remain entrenched in all walks of life. Read more
Policymakers Are Not Using Evidence. This Study Asks Why.
Inaccessibility of research findings, lack of funding and poor-quality research are the driving factors limiting the utilisation of doctoral research in policymaking, according to a study in South Africa. Read more
Ranking the Top 26 Universities in South Africa
Webometrics has published its mid-year update to the global ranking of universities in 2023, with the University of Cape Town, yet again, coming out on top. The rankings – created by Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, the largest public research body in Spain… Read more
Rhodes University’s RATT Wins Prestigious NRF Science Team Award
In a ground-breaking acknowledgement of excellence, the Centre for Radio Astronomy Techniques and Technologies (RATT) has been awarded the highly-coveted NRF Science Team Award for 2023. Read more
SA Celebrates Women in Science, Technology, Innovation
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, says the South African Women in Science (SAWISA) Awards 2023 are premium awards to celebrate women who are contributing immensely to the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) sector. Read more
SAHRC to Investigate UFS Lecturer for ‘Calling White People Land Thieves’
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will investigate a complaint of racism against a University of the Free State (UFS) lecturer. Read more
SARUA Outlines Higher Education Roadmap for SADC
The southern african regional universities association (SARUA) has unveiled its strategic plan to support tertiary education institutions to make a meaningful impact in the communities and societies in which they are situated. Read more
South Africa is Catching Up With The Globe on Open Access But Needs to Do More To Reach Desired Goals
Even though South Africa has made significant advances towards achieving Open Access to scholarly publishing, there are hurdles to still overcome that require a concerted national effort by the local knowledge community (universities, science councils, government entities) and other role players to reach the desired goals… Read more
Stellenbosch University-Led Consortium Gets R101-Million Grant for Future Epidemics in Africa
A R101-million grant has been awarded to a Stellenbosch University-led international consortium for the management of future epidemics in Africa. The grant is from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP3), … Read more
Struggles, Sleepless Nights And Early Lectures Worth It for Student Who Graduated …
A mother’s first-born son made her proud after he obtained a Dean’s Merit Award for academic excellence at the Durban University of Technology (DUT).Mlamuli Sabela, 22, from Mandawe in Scottburgh, South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, made his mother, Makhosazane Sabela-Mkhungo, 41, proud when he graduated… Read more
Study Points to Benefits of Getting to Grips with Plagiarism
A recent study argues that the quality of teaching, learning, and research in Sub-Saharan African universities will improve if the key forms of plagiarism and factors or conditions that open opportunities for plagiarism among students and academics are resolved. Read more
Tackling the Disconnect Between Colleges and Communities – Helga Jansen-Daugbjerg
The past two decades have seen a raft of policy plans seeking to alleviate the pressures of youth unemployment and respond to the refrain of skills development in this cohort. Read more
The Sustainability of Social Entrepreneurship Lies in Instilling Problem-Solving, …
Several motivations drive people to become social entrepreneurs, but at its core is usually a desire to effect change. These sentiments were shared by three panellists at last week’s Entrepreneurship Lekgotla 2023, that concluded at the University of the Western Cape … Read more
Ugandan Pharmacist Wins Young Scientist Award in South Africa
Emmanuel Mukisa Kiyonga, a 28-year-old pharmacist from Uganda, has won the Young Scientist Award, beating top researchers from renowned universities across South Africa. Read more
UNISA Quality Audit Highlights Erosion of Senate Authority
The University of South Africa (UNISA) must resolve the apparent ambiguity around the roles and accountability of its senate and council in the governance and management oversight of its quality enhancement systems and must review the role of its Academic and Student Affairs Committee of Council (ASACoc) to ensure that council does not usurp the role of the senate. Read more
UP Student Becomes the First African Woman from Botswana to Get a Ph.D. in Philosophy
Dr Doreen Sesiro, philosophy lecturer at the University of Botswana, is among the remarkable graduates who walked the stage during the University of Pretoria’s (UP) spring graduations as she became the first African woman from Botswana to receive a PhD in philosophy. Read more
Vast Local Music Collection at Stellenbosch University
As South Africans celebrated Heritage day, a cultural gem has been uncovered at Stellenbosch University (SU). One of the country’s most valuable music treasures is being kept in the music library at the university. Read more
Wits Unveils Postgraduate Diploma Programme in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) announced its Postgraduate Diploma in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The diploma aims for graduates and third-year students in engineering, science, and health sciences to become catalysts for business ownership and job creation. Read more
Women Standing Tall in Academia
The University of KwaZulu-Natal held its graduation ceremony last week to celebrate years of hard work and commitment. It also showcased the growth of women in academia, as the majority of the graduates were female. Read more
31 August 2023
22 UFS Students Arrested Following Violent NSFAS Protests
About 22 students from the University of the Free State’s three campuses in Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa campuses have been arrested following yesterday’s violent protests. Read more
25 Years of Internationalisation: Opportunities and Challenges
South Africa has been a backslider on commitments to increase the number of international students at its universities. And there was a ‘disconnect’ between government policy, which supported internationalisation, and a fiscus that did not fund it. Meanwhile, officialdom frustrated efforts to admit foreign students with its ‘abominable’ visa service. Read more
Academic Incentives at The Heart of Unisa’s Malaise
Academic research is crucial to a well-functioning society. It drives technological development and public policy formulation and, perhaps most importantly, it underpins teaching at the tertiary level. Read more
Academic Xenophobia has No Place in a Globalised World
In vogue during the dark days of apartheid during the 1980s were terms like ‘international hotel’, or more idiotically, ‘international toilet’. ‘International’ in the apartheid lexicon meant multiracial, multiethnic, and multinational. Read more
Africa is Home to the Oldest and Youngest Universities
The African continent is home to four of the world’s oldest universities and also to some of the planet’s youngest, first-ever universities in a given country, with some countries having established their first institutions less than 10 years ago. Read more
Africa Is Missing Out on Open-Access Publishing Opportunities
Despite the huge untapped potential for a knowledge-driven economy, the African academic and research community is missing out on the numerous opportunities that come with the open-access publishing of books. Read more
… A Global Team of Scientists and Researchers, … Have Discovered a Genetic Variant That May Explain the Naturally Lower Viral Loads of HIV Seen …
The university said that this is the first new genetic variant associated with HIV infection identified in almost 30 years and highlights the importance of conducting genetic research in diverse populations, including those of African ancestry. Read more
Agreement Boosts Academic Mobility Across BRICS Borders
BRICS countries, a grouping of emerging economies, agreed to facilitate the recognition of academic qualifications among members to ensure the mobility of skilled professionals, academics and students. Read more
Catalyse Social Mobility Through the Success of Students
South Africa is characterised by deeply embedded structural inequalities, high unemployment, and intergenerational transmission of disadvantage. However, amidst these challenges, there exists opportunity for change. Read more
CCMA Orders Sol Plaatje University to Pay up After Health Officer Snubbed
SOL PLAATJE University (SPU) has been ordered to pay a senior primary health officer, sister Danelia McCarthy, compensation to the amount of R128,521.80 for an unfair labour practice. Read more
Celebrating African Women’s Day: SA Student Shortlisted for Global Prize
Cynthia Nyongesa, a 27-year-old student at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, has been included in the top 50 shortlist for the Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2023. Read more
China/Wits Africa-China Reporting Project Workshop 2024 For African Journalists
China Dialogue Trust and the Wits Africa-China Reporting Project will hold a workshop on reporting on critical mineral resources for the global energy transition on 22-24 November 2023, at Wits University, Johannesburg, South Africa. Read more
CMG, University of Johannesburg to Further Strengthen Cooperation
During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s participation in the 15th BRICS Summit and his state visit to South Africa, China Media Group (CMG) and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) reached an agreement to enhance cooperation and exchanges. Read more
… Collaborate on a Range Of Initiatives to Provide Skills, Training and Entrepreneurship Programmes for South Africa’s Youth.
Through UJ’s Johannesburg Business School Centre for Entrepreneurship and Institute for Intelligent Systems, YES Youth will have access to UJ’s portfolio of massive open online courses (MOOCs) in the fields of entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence. Read more
Council Gives Independent Panel Until End of September to Complete Probe
The University of Cape Town’s council has given the independent panel investigation, led by retired Supreme Court of Appeal president, Judge Lex Mpati, until the end of September to complete its probe into the governance crisis at the institution. Read more
CUT Doctoral Student Shares Her Research Findings with The Globe at The 19th World Congress Of Pharmacology
The Central University of Technology researcher and doctoral student Ms Moleboheng Binyane from the Department of Health Sciences shared her doctoral research findings with the globe at the 19th World Congress of Pharmacology held in Glasgow, Scotland. Read more
DUT Hosts Career Guidance Day at Local School
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently hosted another successful Career Guidance Day at Hunt Road Secondary School. Judy Singh, the Career Day coordinator of Hunt Road Secondary School, said that the DUT Career Day was absolutely amazing … Read more
Dut Students Vow to Continue Protest Until Their Nsfas Demands are Met
Students demonstrated near the Steve Biko Campus over the funding scheme’s monthly allowances – which they say they have not been able to use owing to a number of issues. Read more
Education in Crisis | Students Evicted Over Funding
Parliament’s committee on Higher Education has set up a meeting with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme to discuss the chaos that has been playing out at universities. Read more
‘Engaged University’ Initiative Aims to Respond to SDGs
Universities are ideally positioned to respond to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through research, teaching and learning as well as community engagement. Read more
Ensuring Access to Education is Our Imperative
The NWU is also committed to helping achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), of which SDG 4, namely Quality Education, is seen as indispensable. Read more
Female TUT Student Found Dead at Residence
A Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) student was found dead in her residence building earlier this week. According to reports the second-year student reportedly took her own life in the Pretoria CBD, Visagie Street and was found dead on August 15. Read more
Fort Hare’s Autonomy and Academic Freedom are Under Siege
When they say the legacy of apartheid remains deeply rooted in the fabric of South Africa’s multiracial society, believe them. Three decades into a democratic dispensation and the University of Fort Hare (UFH) continues to reel from a “hostile 1950s takeover” strong-armed by the (former) National Party. Read more
From Lecturer to Professor: Initiative Develops Academia’s Brightest
Universities are “the architects of their own demise” when it comes to developing their academic talent because most do not make it an institutional priority, says Jonathan Jansen, distinguished professor of education at Stellenbosch University (SU) and president of the Academy of Science of South Africa. Read more
Governments Should Value the Teaching Profession
The education sector on the African continent faces various challenges, some of which always recur. They include funding, strikes and protests, poor education systems (the leading challenge), weak education policies and socio-economic issues. Read more
Green Buildings: A Sustainable Path to Student Housing?
The increase in African urbanisation and shortage of campus accommodation due to the growth of the student population are making the adoption of green building practices an environmentally friendly and sustainable path to resilient, affordable housing. Read more
Her Professorship a ‘Pivotal Moment’, Says Black Academic
An academic from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s school of built environment and development studies has become the first black woman in South Africa to obtain a full professorship in the discipline of town and regional planning. Read more
Higher Education Committee Concerned by State of Affairs at NSFAS
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation is greatly concerned about the current state of affairs at the National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Read more
Higher Education Minister Condemns Violent Protests
The Minister of Higher Education met with the board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme in order to iron out the issues that have been causing havoc in KZN. Read more
High Praise for Future Professors Initiative From its Fellows
The Future Professors Programme (FPP), is a national, collaborative initiative with the goal of developing excellence and leadership in a select pool of academic staff, and one of the South African Department of Higher Education and Training’s staff development programmes. Read more
How to Approach Donors if You Fundraise for Your University
Student protests don’t put donors off, unless students burn down a building the donor has funded. They will not invest unless they feel the new building will hold. Read more
Industry Involvement Needed in TVET Curriculum Review Process
Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has underscored the need for additional industry involvement in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college curriculum review process. Read more
Leaders Agree to Develop Human Capital to Stop Crisis
African leaders have agreed to prioritise investing in people as a core driver of productivity, resilience, and economic growth through raising the quality of education, enhancing skills development and strengthening research and innovation as well as promoting job creation, among other measures. Read more
Maladministration Crippling TVET Colleges in Province
Eastern Cape technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges have been crippled by maladministration, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) provincial leadership says. Read more
Massive Musical Boost for Three Eastern Cape Universities
The musical departments of three Eastern Cape universities are set to benefit from a multi-million-rand funding initiative sponsored by the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra. Read more
NSFAS Payment Delays Due to Sabotage by Universities
Sabotage, misinformation; lack of access to technology and tech illiteracy are barriers to the effective implementation of the national student financial aid scheme’s (nsfas) new direct payment system. Read more
Nearly 46,000 Students Defunded by NSFAS for ‘Faking It’
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has defunded 45,927 students nationally, including some who submitted false information and supporting documents when applying for financial aid. Read more
Nightmarish Living Conditions at a Rural University
As I sit down in my office to write this article, I am struck by the silence. There are no student voices, no taxis racing up and down. The lecture halls and campus roads are empty. The rural-based South African University of Zululand, situated in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, has temporarily ceased all academic activities. Why? Read more
NWU Suspends Face-to-Face Learning Over NSFAS Impasse
The management of the North West University (NWU) has immediately suspended face-to-face classes until further notice. This comes after the majority of students who are funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) didn’t receive their monthly allowance from a third party… Read more
Nzimande Announces Intention to Place UNISA Under Administration
Higher Education has announced its intention to place the University of South Africa under full administration. The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande has written to the University of South Africa Council Chairperson, … Read more
Paying for Publications is at Odds with Knowledge Creation
The South African system of paying public universities for academic publications has had the unintended consequence of positioning research in instrumentalist and performative ways, which are at odds with the ideals of knowledge creation. Read more
Prof Bismark Tyobeka Looks at SA’s Nuclear Future
You do not have to be able to split the atom to know that South Africa – and the world – is facing an energy crisis and that urgent answers are needed to address this pressing problem. Read more
NMU, Rhodes Sign International Partnership Agreements
Two of the Eastern Cape’s leading universities will soon be applying their minds to a host of international partnerships and research projects. Delegations of Russian, Brazilian and Chinese ministerial officials recently visited Nelson Mandela University (NMU)… Read more
Qualified Nurses is a Priority at the North-West University
The lack of qualified nurses is placing a stranglehold on the public health sector, but through its commitment to bettering the lives of all South Africans, the North-West University (NWU) is helping to loosen this suffocating grip. Read more
Rhodes University Students ‘Attending Classes On Empty Stomachs’ Due to NSFAS Meal Allowance Issues
Rhodes University students relying on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme for financial support are attending lectures on empty stomachs, as a service provider appointed by NSFAS to disburse monthly meal allowances is allegedly failing to do the job. Read more
Rhodes University Forges Dynamic Partnership with eLearnAfrica
Recognized as a premier business school for sustainability and ethical leadership, Rhodes Business School has partnered with eLearnAfrica to create a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Read more
Richest Universities in South Africa
The University of Pretoria tops the list of South African institutions with the largest funds, followed by the University of South Africa and Stellenbosch University. Read more
SADC’s Charter Aimed at Women and STEM is Eventually Active
The charter that establishes the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Women in Science, Engineering, and Technology Organisation has come into force to pave the way for more girls and women to study and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the region. Read more
SA Universities at Risk of Losing 10% of Academics as They Near Retirement
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has cast the spotlight on investing in young scholars, as a number of academics in public universities are nearing retirement. Read more
Scheme Helps Women Scientists to Juggle Work and Family
Phoebe Kalelwa Murunga, a masters student in environmental studies at Kenyatta University in Kenya, had to interrupt her postgraduate studies for about a year after she fell pregnant and had her baby. Read more
Six Books, Two Prizes: See 2023 UJ Prize for South African Writing Shortlist
The University of Johannesburg Prize (UJ Prize) for South African Writing has announced the shortlist of books up for the prize in 2023. They were all published in 2022. Read more
Slow Start for Government’s Ambitious Student Housing Project
Ambitious moves towards creating a vibrant student housing infrastructure with 300,000 beds at South Africa’s 26 public universities and 50 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges by 2030 have had an inauspicious start. Read more
South Africa’s Science, Innovation Pipeline Nears Retirement
South Africa’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) landscape is faced with the conundrum of an aging workforce. Read more
South Africa’s Universities Swamped by Corruption, Organised Crime
Universities in South Africa are plagued with illegal, even murderous, practices. The decay at Fort Hare mirrors a deepening ‘university capture’. After a hitman tried to assassinate the vice-chancellor of Fort Hare University but ended up gunning down the academic’s bodyguard, … Read more
South Africa’s Higher Education Sector is Not Doing Enough on Gender Dynamics, …
Changing the mindset of men and boys within the post-school education and training sector concerning GBV is destined to be a complex mission, exacerbated by the patriarchal attitudes and practices that persist within South African higher education. Read more
Stellenbosch University Testing South Africa’s First ELECTRIC Minibus Taxi
A team from Stellenbosch University has worked with Rham Equipment to retrofit a taxi with electric propulsion. They are aiming to retrofit 250 000 minibus taxis in this way to create a cheaper and more environmentally friendly mode of transport. Read more
Student Housing Set to Become One of Biggest Challenges in HE
The shortage of quality and affordable housing units to accommodate university students has become one of the major challenges facing the higher education sector in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to Adamou Labara, the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) country manager in South Africa. Read more
Sub-Saharan Africa Leads Enrolments in Professional Courses
The Sub-Saharan African region has the highest year-on-year average growth rate in the world in the number of people enrolling for professional certificate courses, a new study by a global trainer has found. Read more
Supervisor Enhancement Programme Strengthens Research
Postgraduate supervision is crucial for enhancing research output. The supervisor is, therefore, a key component of the graduate student’s success, yet academics, in particular early-career researchers, do not necessarily receive training to be effective study leaders. Read more
These Are The 8 Top-Ranked Universities in South Africa
The ShanghaiRanking Consultancy has published its 2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities, highlighting what it deems to be the best 1,000 universities in the world – including eight located in South Africa. Read more
Top Executive at University of Zululand Linked to R30m Kickbacks
A University of Zululand executive has allegedly benefited from R30-million in kickbacks paid out by a moribund construction company rendering services to the institution. Read more
Tuks Ranked Among 200 Most Innovative Universities in The World
The University of Pretoria (UP) is among the top 200 most innovative universities in the world according to the 2023 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI). Read more
Ubuntu Can Advance the Global Citizenship Education Paradigm
Universities in Africa seemed to have succumbed to neoliberalism by focusing on managerialist practices that enhance performativity, or work for profit, at these institutions. Considering that performativity became associated with universities’ performance on the African continent, it is not surprising that they nowadays focus on increased outputs that can ensure monetary gains. Read more
UCT Online High School Offers 500 Scholarships
The University of Cape Town’s (UCT’s) online high school is working with corporates and philanthropic partners, to offer the UCT Online High School Learning Liberated Scholarship programme to underprivileged learners. Read more
UCT Professor Working on Radical Technology for Testing Bacterial Vaginosis, a Key Agent of HIV
University of Cape Town (UCT) Professor Jo-Ann Passmore is working on developing a technology that can rapidly detect bacterial vaginosis (BV) and associated genital tract inflammation even in asymptomatic cases. Read more
UKZN Professor Makes History as First Black Woman With Full Professorship …
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) academic Professor Hangwelani Hope Magidimisha-Chipungu has made history as the first Black woman in South Africa to obtain full professorship in the discipline of town and regional planning. Read more
Unisa Breaks New Ground in Construction Project For Students with Disabilities
Unisa yesterday broke new ground in a construction project that will cater for students with disabilities. The development project will be built at the university’s Sunnyside campus from this week. Read more
Unisa Council Given 7 Days to Make Written Representations to Nzimande
The University of South Africa’s (Unisa) council was given seven days to make written representations to Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande, who informed the university that he intended to place it under administration. Read more
Universities Called to Collaborate with NSFAS to Address Students’ Issues
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has called on institutions of higher learning and student leadership to come on board and make constructive inputs on how to address issues facing students. Read more
Universities SA’s World of Work Strategy Group Commits to an Ambitious Multi-Year Programme of Action
Significant stakeholder engagements in the first half of 2023 sparked numerous project considerations in Universities South Africa’s World of Work Strategy Group (WSG) if the university sector is to improve graduates’ employability in the changing and rapidly digitizing world of work. Read more
University of Pretoria Research Shows Police-Community Partnerships Can Reduce Crime…
Research by the University of Pretoria (UP) has demonstrated the importance of community policing forums (CPFs) in fighting crime in high-risk environments, such as in Johannesburg.” Read more
University of Pretoria’s Immersive Learning Exhibition Receives Innovation Excellence Award
The University of Pretoria’s (UP) innovative teaching and learning initiatives have been disrupting the norm for several years. A significant milestone in its journey of navigating disruption in higher education has been the Innovation Excellence Award its immersive learning exhibition received. Read more
Universities to Progress Human Trials of What Could Be Groundbreaking TB Vaccine
The universities of Walter Sisulu and North-West have announced some astounding results from preclinical trials for a combination vaccine against tuberculosis (TB) and Covid-19, with more trials to follow. Read more
UP engineering students prepare learners for STEM careers through Tuks Robot School programme
As part of the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Tuks Robot School programme, students from the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (EBIT) have been teaching learners from underprivileged township and rural schools about robotics, computer programming and sensor technology… Read more
USAF’s Three Groups Congregate at Stellenbosch University This Thursday to Explore Multilingual Mathematics Education in Higher Education
These are members of three Universities South Africa’s communities of practice, speakers and policymakers meeting at a joint colloquium to explore Multilingualism in the teaching and learning of Mathematics in Higher Education. Read more
Vehicle Donation for UKZN Students with Disabilities
Blind, Partially-Sighted and Students with Disabilities at The University of Kwazulu-Natal Have Received A Boost With The Donation Of Of A New Set Of A Mitsubishi Xpander Vehicle From The UKZN Foundation. Read more
Vice-Chancellors Need to be Out There’
The advancement portfolio at universities is undervalued by the executive management. It is viewed as a secondary function and tends to have inappropriate reporting lines, while staff in this portfolio are usually not involved in strategic planning at the highest levels. Read more
War of the Vcs: Tuks Says Habib Dishonest About Sexual Harassment, But He Says UP is Duplicitous
A war of words has erupted between the University of Pretoria and Professor Adam Habib, former vice-chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand, over Habib’s alleged failure to inform Tuks of a sexual harassment verdict against Professor Tawana Kupe. Read more
‘We Live in Fear,’ Tells UFS Student After Assault on Campus
“The campus is a place where you are supposed to feel safe, but we are currently living in fear.” This is what a PhD student at the University of the Free State (UF) says, who does not dare to set foot on the main campus in Bloemfontein again after she was assaulted by a group of protesters on Wednesday Read more
Western Cape Universities Continue to Pledge Safety for Women on Campus This Woman’s Month
This Women’s Month Western Cape universities have pledged their continued commitment to ensure women safety on campus. This as a research report, by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) found that female students being are at a higher risk of sexual victimisation. Read more
What About an Integrated System?
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) sets an enrolment target of 1.62 million students in universities by 2030, of which there are 1,068,046 in the system, … Read more
Wits Lecturer Wins the Silver Jubilee Medal from the South African Institute of Physics
Wits physics lecturer Dr Isaac Nape has won the Silver Jubilee Medal from the South African Institute of Physics for 2023. Nape, who graduated with his PhD from Wits in 2021 and joined Wits as a lecturer in 2022 won the award for his outstanding contributions in the field of quantum and classical structured light, Read more
Women Still ‘Grossly’ Under-Represented as Academic Leaders
Despite making great strides in various spheres of socio-economic life, African women remain grossly under-represented in academic leadership positions. Less than three out of every 100 universities are led by women vice-chancellors. Read more
Women Student Leaders Plead for Mentorship Opportunities
Women university student union leaders in Africa are pleading for mentorship opportunities from successful women leaders inside and outside academia, lamenting that they were playing second fiddle to their male colleagues, despite more of them getting elected to lead the unions. Read more
Workshop Empowers Women Students at University with Self-Defense Skills to Ward off Predators
Woman students at the University of Pretoria, Hatfield Campus, are committed to promoting their safety and empowerment. They are doing so by learning self-defense skills during the ongoing Adoozy INPowered Personal Protection workshop, spearheaded by Adoozy Power. Read more
31 July 2023
Activities Still Suspended at Some TUT Campuses Over Rejection of Banking System for NSFAS
Classes remain suspended at three Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) campuses after student demonstrations against the new National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) direct payment system called “eZaga”. The affected campuses are Pretoria main campus, Garankuwa and Soshanguve. Read more
Africa’s HIV Research Output Not Matching Infection Burden
Despite Africa’s contribution to the global Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) research output, which has increased over the past 35 years since the epidemic first became a cause for concern, only a modest improvement in scholarly work compared to the continent’s burden of infection has been seen, a study has found. Read more
A High-Level Panel Explores Ph.D. Production and Support from Various Perspectives
A report on the first large-scale national Tracer Study of PhD and Post-doctoral Graduates was released last week creating a platform for experts to debate on the dwindling number of graduates in South Africa. Read more
Another Accreditation Accolade for NWU’s School of Accounting Sciences
The School of Accounting Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) has once again distinguished itself as an indisputable leader in its field, the university says, with the recent announcement by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) … Read more
An Urgent Need for More Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral Graduates Emerges from Tracer Study
A comprehensive strategy to massively increase the number of PhD and post-doctoral graduates in South Africa, given the pivotal role they play in the country’s socio-economic development, needs to be given urgent attention. Read more
Cape Town Learners Embrace Fun & Innovative Mandela Day Coding Event
Cape Town learners who participated in a Mandela Day coding event welcomed the initiative, saying it was a fun and innovative way to learn new skills. Nelson Mandela University’s Computing Sciences Department, the Leva Foundation and Amazon Web Services collaborated to host the Coding4Mandela event… Read more
Centre to Build Solutions for Socio-Environmental Challenges
The establishment of the Mandela Institute for Sustainable Futures (MISF) by Nelson Mandela University (NMU) in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa, is set to contribute towards building a strong pipeline of early-career researchers, critical in providing transformative interventions to the wave of planetary health challenges in South Africa and across the African region. Read more
Cyber Excellence Academy Launched in Collaboration With CSIR
Take Note IT, a leading provider of innovative IT solutions, has launched the Cyber Excellence Academy, in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Read more
DA Decries Delay in Pronouncing on Fate of Unisa
The DA has decried Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande’s delay in pronouncing on the future of Unisa. According to DA spokesperson on education, Chantel King, Nzimande was supposed to have made his announcement on July 3. Read more
Decolonisation: Admit Weaknesses, Forge Home-Grown Solutions
With the current conditions of weakened institutions of care, research and higher education, Africa needs to ‘self-decolonise’ and mutually reinforce ‘egalitarian and inclusive’ partnership models for capacity-building that best fit the African context. Read more
Defunding by NSFAS Leaves University Students in Dilemma
The recent defunding of students by the National Financial Aid Student Scheme (NSFAS) has sent shockwaves across universities, leaving many students facing a dire situation. Read more
Doctoral Training Needs Attention in South Africa
South Africa’s first study to track what becomes of PhD graduates has identified a growing mismatch between doctoral training in the country and postdoctoral employment opportunities. Read more
Dr. Anshu Padayachee: Tributes pour in for HE trailblazer
The death of Dr. Anshu Padayachee, a former colleague and confidante of South African Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Dr. Blade Nzimande, has deprived the tertiary education landscape of an outspoken teacher, researcher, and administrator who has been involved in the sector for decades. Read more
Durban University of Technology to Host Inspiring Lecture for Mandela Day
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) International Education and Partnerships Directorate will commemorate the life and legacy of the late President Nelson Mandela, on Tuesday, July 18 at 14:00. Read more
DUT Gives Back to Local School
HUMAN Capital Services (HCS) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) visited Carrington Primary School in Umbilo to donate schoolbooks and to paint the school’s guardhouse and kitchen, on Monday, July 17. Read more
Engagement: Universities Should ‘Get Their Hands Dirty’
What does entrepreneurship, unemployment, the impact of poverty on health and education, the water and food crisis or fires in informal settlements have to do with our universities? Everything. Read more
Food Insecurity Inspires Innovation
Chronic food insecurity and the growing demand to provide for the increasing low-income population in South Africa has inspired another innovation to develop nutritious products at the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein. Read more
Former Wits VC Adam Habib Rubbishes Claims He Turned a Blind Eye to Tawana Kupe’s Sexual Harassment Charges
The former vice-chancellor (VC) of the University of the Witwatersrand, Professor Adam Habib, rubbished claims that he turned a “blind eye” to complaints of sexual harassment against Professor Tawana Kupe. Read more
Higher Education Experts in Sub-Saharan Africa Sought for THE’s Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings Advisory Board
Times Higher Education (THE) is looking for people passionately committed to improving higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa to join its newly created Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings advisory board. Read more
Higher Education Minister in Process of Developing Sign Language Program at Tertiary Level
The College of Cape Town officially launched the opening of the TVET (CCT) Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Skills Center on Friday. Read more
Higher Learning Institutions Urged to Consider Civic Education
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has called upon students and staff members in higher learning institutions, to consider the value proposition that HIGHER HEALTH’s co-curriculum is bringing to the development of the country. Read more
How Infighting, Corruption Overshadow Tertiary Education in South Africa
Some of the world’s most renowned universities and coming out tops in Africa, find themselves in the news – not for academic achievement but for in-fighting, corruption and even murder. Read more
Managing Its Own Solar Plants Has Given the University of the Free State Lots of Research Data
The University of the Free State (UFS) has adopted diverse measures to ensure energy efficiency. Not only do all campuses have solar plants, but one even boasts its own microgrid – the energy-saving LED lighting on its sport fields. Read more
Motheo TVET College Ranks 2nd Amongst 50 TVET Colleges in Engineering Studies
According to a press statement by Motheo TVET College, the college has received a second position ranking in the national Engineering Studies (Report 191) through the Department of Higher Education and Training Rankings. Read more
National School of Government Hosts Three-Day BRICS Conference at University of Pretoria
Weeks before the BRICS summit takes place in Durban next month, the National School of Government (NSG) kicked off the build-up event at the University of Pretoria (UP) yesterday. Read more
Nelson Mandela University’s Experience of Setting Up a Solar Energy Plant Through a Power Purchase Agreement
Had Nelson Mandela University opted to use its own resources to set up the solar energy plant on its main campus, it would have cost about R16m. Read more
Nelson Mandela University to Host Thousands of Youths in a Coding Tournament on Mandela Day
As the country takes steps to boost Math, Science and Technology in schools, Nelson Mandela University, Tangible Africa and the Leva Foundation are set to host thousands of young people in a coding tournament on Mandela Day. Approximately 10,000 learners from across Africa and abroad will participate in the event, … Read more
NMU’s New Science Centre is a Destination for All
The new Science Centre, with its iconic dome on Ocean Sciences Campus, is an asset from which the entire University and the public at large will benefit. Read more
NMU Vice-Chancellor Leads Fundraising Drive
Nelson Mandela University is on a quest to raise R30m to support four projects focused on empowerment and social redress. The university launched the multi-year global Giving Campaign last week,… Read more
One in 10 Older Adults in SA are Subjected to Abuse, Research Finds
One in 10 people aged 65 years and older reported having experienced some form of abuse, new UCT research has found. Financial and emotional abuse were the most common types of reported abuse, according to the study by UCT PhD graduand Roxanne Jacobs. Read more
Rhodes Students in Chaotic Financial Crisis
A tapestry of enraged emotions has erupted amongst Rhodes University students after the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) outsourced the payment of living allowances to a private financial intermediary. Read more
SA Universities Must Heed How US Counterparts Handle Admissions in Wake of Supreme Court Ruling
Thinking about “race” in the US has long influenced thinking in South Africa. This is most recently evident in the way contemporary American antiracism has become popular in the South African academy. The US Supreme Court has just struck down race-based university admissions policies. Read more
SAUS, Higher Education Reach Agreement on NSFAS Allowances
The South African Union of Students (SAUS) says it has reached an agreement with the Higher Education authorities on issues of NSFAS’ payment of student allowances. Read more
Science Week Promises to Be a Big Blast with Unizulu
Schools and science fans are invited to celebrate National Science Week with the Unizulu Science Centre. National Science Week is an initiative by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) to promote science and technology among South African pupils and communities. Read more
Second South African Professor, After Tim Noakes, to Be Recognised by Prestigious American College of Sports Medicine
Professor Kathy Myburgh is only the second South African scientist to have been recognised by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) for her important contributions to exercise science. Read more
Sexual Harassers Should be Named by Universities – Prof. Joel Quirk & Karmini Pillay
Over the past two weeks, members of the higher education community in South Africa have been speculating about the true reasons behind the abrupt resignation of vice-chancellor Prof. Tawana Kupe from the University of Pretoria (UP). Read more
Sign Language’s Inclusion In Tertiary Institutions’ Curricula Now A Must…
Stellenbosch University has called for urgent transformation regarding the deaf community, citing a need for more of their inclusion into academic spaces. The institution welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent announcement recognising sign language as the country’s 12th official language. Read more
Skills for the Changing World Crucial for Sustainable Economic Growth, Nzimande
Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, says skills for the Changing World is crucial for Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) to remain on the path for sustainable economic growth. Read more
South Africa Targeting More Than 20 Medals at Upcoming University Games in China
University Sport South Africa (USSA) president, Nomsa Mahlangu says the upcoming University Games is an opportunity for young athletes to make a name for themselves. Read more
Startling Survey Findings: SA is Graduating Fewer Doctoral Candidates
The country is simply not producing enough PhD. graduates, and, by implication, post-doctoral fellows (post-docs). This was one of the crucial findings of a Tracer Survey that tracked the work experience, demographic attributes, career paths, and mobility of PhD graduates and post-docs… Read more
Stellenbosch University Council an Example of How to Govern Institutions Properly
With the leadership of higher education unravelling around SA, this past week the Stellenbosch University (SU) council offered a master class in how to govern our treasured institutions. Read more
Stellenbosch University Organ Donor Drive on a Mission to Reach 1million Next Month
A tech-savvy group of Stellenbosch University medical students are harnessing the power of algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) to raise much-needed awareness of organ donation in South Africa. Read more
Stellenbosch University’s Vice-Chancellor Cleared of Misconduct over Nepotism Scandal
The University of Stellenbosch has confirmed that it has cleared its Vice-Chancellor Wim de Villiers of misconduct, following a nepotism scandal. The retired Judge Carole Lewis led a panel which was appointed to investigate allegations that De Villiers abused the Rector’s Discretionary Placement (RDP), … Read more
Strategies for Institutionalising Entrepreneurship; Building an Entrepreneurial University
Sound policies, adequate resources and identifying champions became recurring themes as past recipients of the annual Rising Star Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) and DVC of the Year Awards of the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme shared insights into building an entrepreneurial university … Read more
Student Accommodation Doesn’t Constitute A ‘Home’, Says Appeal Court
The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has ruled that student accommodation does not constitute a “home”, finding that the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (PIE) does not apply to student accommodation. Read more
Stellenbosch Students Harness Artificial Intelligence to Raise Awareness Around Organ Donation In SA
A group of Stellenbosch University (SU) medical students are harnessing the power of algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) to raise much-needed awareness around organ donation in South Africa. Read more
Tshwane, University of Pretoria Collaborate to Drive Mental Health Services
District mental health services in the City of Tshwane have strengthened considerably following a collaboration between the Tshwane District mental health services and the University of Pretoria’s Occupational Therapy Department. Read more
TUT Set to Resume Academic Activities on Monday
The Tshwane University of Technology has announced that academic and administrative activities will return to normal on Monday. This comes after students at the institution were protesting over the new direct payment system that had been implemented by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Read more
UCT Council Wants Investigation into Leaks
UCT has refuted allegations of nepotism after it came to light that interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Daya Reddy was the brother-in-law of Registrar Royston Pillay. Read more
UKZN Academics Scoop Three Awards at SA’s ‘Science Oscars’
The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science won three of the acclaimed National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-South32 Awards for the 2022-2023 cycle. Read more
UKZN to Show Off At Science Event
The University of KwaZulu-Natal is bringing back its annual Science Show-Off event aimed at promoting science and technology during the institution’s celebration of National Science Week from July 31 until August 4. Read more
UKZN Walks Away with Three Awards at The ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa
The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science walked away with three awards at the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa. Read more
Universities are Submitting Very Few Creative Outputs in African Languages to the DHET, For Credits
At the recent meeting in June, of Universities South Africa’s Community of Practice for the teaching and learning of African Languages (CoPAL), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) reached out for help. Read more
Universities Should ‘Get Their Hands Dirty’
What does entrepreneurship, unemployment, the impact of poverty on health and education, the water and food crisis or fires in informal settlements have to do with our universities? Everything. Read more
Universities Urged to Ensure Research is Used for the Development of the Country
The Minister for Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande has urged the universities to ensure that their research is used for the development of the country and to improve the lives of the people. Read more
University of Cape Town Remains the Best in Africa
In the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2024, released 28 June 2023, the University of Cape Town (UCT) was ranked 173rd in the world. This is an impressive rise of 64 places from the previous year. Read more
University of Pretoria Climbs to 323rd Position in World Rankings
The University of Pretoria (UP) has made significant progress in the 2024 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, and is now ranked at the 323rd position worldwide, a notable improvement from its previous ranking of 591-600 in the 2023 rankings. Read more
University Of Pretoria Project to Preserve, Beautify, Educate About Mamelodi Ridge
Two plant science honours students at the University of Pretoria (UP) are on a mission to establish a trail for school pupils aimed at educating city residents and preserving the natural splendour of the green mountain ridge rising above Mamelodi. Read more
USAf’s Three Communities of Practice to Explore Multilingualism…
August 17 is a very special day for Universities South Africa (USAf), the representative body of South Africa’s 26 public universities. It marks the gathering of three of its communities of practice (CoP) at a joint in-person-only colloquium at Stellenbosch University (SU) to explore Multilingualism in the teaching and learning of mathematics in higher education. Read more
UWC Awarded Staggering R537 Million in Scholarships
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) and the Mastercard Foundation have joined forces to launch the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at the university. Read more
UWC Launches Mobile Clinics to Serve Communities With No Access
Much needed health services are being brought closer to the farming and peri-urban areas of the Western Cape, through a multi-million-rand mobile clinic launched by the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Read more
Wits Co-Leads Urgent Climate Change Project That We Desperately Need
Wits University’s Global Change Institute has been chosen to share the lead in a new international project to help Africa -‘ and the world -‘ better cope with the ravages of climate change and extreme weather events. Read more
Wits Innovation Bridge Inspires Hope for a Better Future
A bridge to represent a concept of the ‘inner spine’ linking the Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform (WADDP), multiple Wits Engineering schools, and the revamped Geosciences building was unveiled on 12 July 2023. Read more
31 May 2023
A Transformation Strategy Group study has produced a Framework for a Student-centred Higher Education System in South Africa
The study that Universities South Africa’s (USAf’s) Transformation Strategy Group (TSG) embarked upon from 2020, titled Reshaping Universities to Create a Student-Centred Higher Education System in South Africa, has borne its first fruit. Read more
Five Suspects Accused of University of Fort Hare Killings Apply for Bail
One of the accused in the murders of two University of Fort Hare (UFH) employees, Petrus Roets and Mboneli Vesele, had called his co-accused to ask for Roets’ physical address before he was gunned down. Read more
Forensic Report Details How Prof Edwin Ijeoma Used Fake MBA to Get Ph.D. at University of Pretoria
A chain of events that led to the University of Fort Hare finding itself engulfed in a degree scandal began in SA at the University of Pretoria where the key figure behind the Fort Hare scam, Professor Edwin Ijeoma, was conferred with a PhD degree … Read more
Institution Condemns Any and All Occurring Acts of Violence
The Sol Plaatje University (SPU) in Kimberley is aware of an incident that took place on Friday (21/04), involving two of its students. Read more
Maties Student Identifies a New Species of Medicinal Mushroom in Knysna
A third-year microbiology and genetics student at Stellenbosch University (SU) identified a new species of medicinal mushroom in the genus Hericium. This is only the second endemic species of this highly sought-after medicinal mushroom to be discovered in Africa. Read more
South African Government Committed to Developing the Hydrogen Economy
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has highlighted the country’s determination to develop a hydrogen economy, for a low carbon-emissions future. Read more
South African Students Not Prepared for University Math
South African students transitioning from high school to university face a “significant” learning gap when tackling mathematics as part of engineering and science degrees, a study has found. Read more
Turmoil at Stellenbosch University as Convocation Battles Executive Committee …
The Stellenbosch University convocation is pushing for an extraordinary meeting in a bid to oust the executive committee over its handling of nepotism allegations against vice-chancellor and rector, Professor Wim de Villiers. Read more
Two Top Ranked Universities in Governance Issues Not a Crisis
Higher education experts and organisations said the governance issues experienced at certain universities in recent months is not a result of a governance crisis in higher education in South Africa. Read more
UCT Historic Library Rises from the Ashes
Two years after the fire destroyed parts of Table Mountain and UCT, the university said it was now in a “better position” to proceed with the reconstruction of the historic Jagger Library. Read more
University of Joburg Repays R300 Million in Unallocated Funds to NSFAS, Says SIU
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has returned R311 million to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), bringing the total repaid to R349.3 million since the Special Investigating Unit launched its investigation in September. Read more
University of Kwazulu-Natal to Step Up Safety Measures After Armed Gunmen Storm Bus, …
The University of KwaZulu-Natal has vowed to step up security measures following an armed robbery aboard a bus this week. A student told IOL that they had boarded the bus in Clark Road on the Durban Berea on Wednesday. Read more
Universities South Africa’s Student-Centredness Framework Sparks Questions Regarding Study Respondents, Operationalisation and Measurement
In 2020 the Transformation Strategy Group (TSG) of Universities South Africa (USAf) initiated a research study to create a deeper understanding on how institutional cultures could be reshaped to create a more student-centred higher education system in South Africa. Read more
UWC Students Blame University After Student is Killed Close to His Residence
Students at UWC have blamed the university for ignoring complaints about safety after the death of fellow student Kamva Dasi, 22, who was killed close to his university residence. Read more
Women Lead the Way at UKZN Graduation
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has announced that almost 65% of graduates are women and this is one of the highest percentages in the history of UKZN. This year UKZN will host a marathon of 17 graduation ceremonies between the May 3 to 12 in Pietermaritzburg and Durban. Read more
30 April 2023
Academics Challenged to Open Up Transformational Knowledge
Academics across the globe have been challenged to open up the discussion about transformational knowledge, which includes a holistic focus on higher education systems as well as decolonisation. Read more
A First for Africa as Ecotraining Receives CHE Accreditation
EcoTraining, the leader in Africa’s safari and wildlife training, has made history by becoming the continent’s first guide training school to receive formal accreditation from the Council for Higher Education (CHE) in South Africa. Read more
Africa Strives to Revamp Its Universities
When Victoria Afua Dautey took up studies at the prestigious University of Ghana in Accra, it was a dream come true. It has now been 10 years since she completed her studies. Read more
Africa’s Universities Are Surging in the World Rankings
Ten years ago, the then-head of the University of Cape Town, Max Price, made a powerful case for Africa to compete against the best in the world in the global university rankings. Read more
Agricultural College to be Built in Ntabankulu
Young people from the Ntabankulu area in Ntabankulu who want to pursue their studies in agriculture will now be able to do that in their home town. According to the spokesperson for this municipality, Lungisile Mzanywa, this followed an engagement between the minister of Higher Education and Training, … Read more
A New Scientifically Tested Innovation to Boost SA’s Renewable Energy Storage
A new indoor energy storage that the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) tested will strengthen South Africa’s ability to support local players in the battery value chain, thereby boosting the country’s capabilities in renewable energy storage. Read more
Are We Ready for Artificial Wombs?…
Vacuum-sealed bags of pink lamb foetuses floating in the fluid that moves with each breath you take attached to machines in a lab sound like a horrific scene out of a science fiction movie. Read more
A Thriving Country Requires Innovation – Minister Nzimande
Government and the private sector must work together to boost investment in research and development. Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, said this when he addressed a panel discussion on innovation and investment at the fifth South Africa Investment Conference. Read more
A UFH Education Student Takes the University to Court Over Failed Module and Wins
He is determined to be a teacher and now he has taught the university he is attending a lesson they will not soon forget.Mbali Silimela was a final year education student at the University of Fort Hare. Read more
Award-Winning Research Means Impactful Change for Young Unemployed Men
The critically important work done by Dr Hannah Dawson, Social Science Researcher at the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS) at the University of the Witwatersrand, won her a trophy and R30 000 in the Emerging Researchers category. Read more
Becoming a Professor at a Time of Decolonisation, Marketism
The term ‘professor’ implies something more than a status one receives for having spent a specific agreed-upon number of years in academia. Read more
Black Academics Programme a Proud Achievement
Vice-chancellors, university executives, academics, the heads of the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the British Council joined minister Blade Nzimande this week to celebrate a milestone in the development of black academics. Read more
Business Schools Pilot Coding App to Tackle Big Data
Tangible Africa, an engagement project of the Nelson Mandela University Computing Sciences Department and the Leva Foundation, has partnered with Henley Business School to present an interactive workshop aimed at introducing postgraduate executive students to programming concepts and Big Data. Read more
Call for Degree Seeking Mobility, Cohort III
Intra-Africa Mobility to Train Agribusiness and Food System Scientists for African Agriculture (TAFSA) is funded by the European Union (EU). The program is run by 5 African Universities…Read more
Chatgpt Makes Teachers and Lecturers Nervous, But It’s The Shake-Up We Need …
There is a revolution in artificial intelligence that is causing panic in education around the world. Read more
CHIETA’s Lesedi Youth Fund Settles University Debts for Students
The Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) has a funding programme that helps students in the chemicals industry to settle their university debts. Read more
CPUT Senior Staffer’s Murder Shrouded in Mystery, Six Years on
There is still no justice for the family of Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s (CPUT’s) residences head of department (HOD) Siyabulela Thwalani, killed in what was described as a “a ghastly orchestrated hit” nearly six years ago. Read more
Designing Inclusive Environments for People With Disabilities is Not Optional For Organisations
Millions of people are classified as disabled in South Africa. After years of advocacy for the development of inclusive cultures in organisations, Dr Karen Smit, Head of the Specific Needs/Accessibility Department at Vodacom’s Commercial Business Unit, says it is disheartening to still be harping on the “why” and “how” of this issue in 2023, … Read more
Disability is Not an Excuse Says UL Graduate
Nothing can stop you from attaining goals you have set for yourself, not even disability. These are the sentiments of Dekeledi Maite Komane, a 22-year-old who recently graduated from the University of Limpopo. Read more
Eight Arrested in Connection with South Cape TVET R24 Million Corruption
The Hawks and the police in the Western Cape have arrested eight suspects who allegedly stole about R24 million from the South Cape Technical and Vocational Education and Training College in George. Read more
Fast-Forward for Project to Support ‘Agents of HE Reform’
“Higher education in South Africa is not in a good space right now, but the sector has to take responsibility for itself. We cannot wait on the government. We need to move from complaining to reforming, … Read more
Father Accepts Late Daughter’s Degree At NMU
The father of Sochuma Sande Sontiki, who was posthumously awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree, believes the heartbreaking pain at the ceremony was necessary. Read more
Global Research Integrity Statement Calls for Fairness and Equity
Bias in research and its benefits, power imbalances and other inequities has long plagued scientific collaboration. Now ethics experts from around the world have published the Cape Town Statement on Fostering Research Integrity through Fairness and Equity, with 20 recommendations to guide all stakeholders in achieving more just research practice. Read more
Gun-Wielding Thugs Terrorise Students at UKZN’s Durban Campus
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) students in Durban are under siege from gun-wielding thugs who rob them of their cellphones, laptops and money, student leaders at Howard College said on Wednesday. Read more
Here’s Which SA Universities Did Best – and Worst – in The First Qualifying Exam for Cas This Year
Saica has released the pass rates for the first of its qualifying exams for aspiring chartered accountants, revealing which institutions scored the highest and lowest pass rates. Read more
Higher Education Department Invests in the Future
The Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation is investing in infrastructure to provide quality teaching, learning, research and innovation spaces in the post-school education and training (PSET) sector. Read more
Higher Education, Science, and Innovation Ministry to Host University Capacity Development Programme
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande will host the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP), which aims to transform teaching, learning and research in public universities, leading to improved quality, success, and equity. Read more
Honorary Doctorate for First African to Head the WHO
South Africa’s University of Pretoria (UP) has conferred an honorary doctorate on the first person from Africa to head the World Health Organization (WHO) as director-general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in recognition of his work as a global health expert and scholar. Read more
How to Place Internationalisation at the Heart of HE
Given the myriad of challenges and changes to higher education, not least in the wake of the COVID pandemic, creating a new ecosystem for the internationalisation of higher education has become more important than ever. Read more
Humanising and Decolonising International Higher Education
Higher education internationally is seeing a decline in its commitment to humanising and decolonising the higher education environment. Read more
‘It was Hectic’: Busy Magistrate and Daughter Get Their Master’s Degrees Together
Well-known Cape Town magistrate, Vanya Botha, graduated as a Master of Laws (LLM) with her daughter, Anya-Larissa, at Stellenbosch University this week. According to the university, Botha had always wanted to tackle her LLM, but life “just happened”. Read more
KZN Woman Goes from Street Vendor to Graduate
Street vendor Nosipho Ngidi (23), who recently graduated from Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), has described her moment as a new beginning.Ngidi, from Ndwedwe in KwaZulu-Natal, obtained her National Diploma in office management and technology… Read more
Leaders Must Transform Universities into Healthy Workspaces
Universities should make staff well-being a strategic priority in order to counter the epidemic of burnout that is on the rise in higher education, Dr. Tessie Herbst of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) told university leaders. Read more
Limpopo Government Partners with TVET Colleges to Enhance Skills
The Limpopo provincial government has partnered with technical, vocational education and training (TVET) colleges in the province to improve skills that feed into mining and industrialisation in an endeavor to create more jobs and improve the local economy after Covid. Read more
Mangaung Metro to Address Students’ Accommodation Issues
The Mangaung Metro Municipality has accelerated stakeholders’ engagements and compliance in the student housing sector. The metro wants to solve the student accommodation demand which has increased over the years. Read more
Man Urinates in Stellenbosch Student Centre
Almost a year after a urination scandal rocked Stellenbosch University, on Sunday a man urinated in the Neelsie Student Centre in full view of students. Read more
Martial Art Introduced at Sol Plaatje University
Taekwondo was launched as a sporting code at the Sol Plaatje University (SPU) on Tuesday, 18 April.Special guest at the event was the South Korean ambassador to South Africa, Chull-joo Park, accompanied by the premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul. Read more
Motsepe Foundation Lessening the Financial Burden for University Students
Makhanda, located in the Eastern Cape, is home to one of South Africa’s ancient and colonial universities, Rhodes University, named after British coloniser Cecil John Rhodes. Read more
National Student Financial Aid Scheme ‘is Committed to Finding Solutions’ to Accommodation Problems
Protests at universities are disturbing. It is not an occurrence we would like to see each and every year, because it has a destabilising effect on the smooth commencement of university academic programmes. Read more
Network’s Industry Partnerships Secure Jobs for Graduates
University graduates from a pan-African private higher education network have defied the odds in Africa, a continent suffering high graduate unemployment rates, by crafting partnerships involving universities as well as the private and public sectors to increase job placements which, in some instances, are securing a 90% employment rate. Read more
New Biomedical Institute a ‘Game Changer’ for Healthcare
The cutting-edge Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) unveiled by Stellenbosch University (SU) near Cape Town shows that the African continent is perfectly willing and able to help, not just itself, but the rest of humanity as well, says Professor Nico Gey van Pittius, the vice dean of research and internationalisation at SU’s faculty of medicine and health sciences (FMHS). Read more
Partnerships Help Universities to Respond to Disruptors
Universities around the world are facing widespread challenges and changes amid the uncertainty of geopolitical tensions. Global shifts in population demographics and accelerated digitalisation are among the key disruptors rapidly changing the higher education landscape. Read more
Regional Framework for Microcredentials to be Developed
Countries in Southern Africa are to develop a broad framework for microcredentials. It is expected to inform and guide individual countries and institutions to develop country-specific frameworks for the recognition of learning through microcredentials. Read more
Research at Stellenbosch University Focusing on Personalised Cancer Therapies
Personalised cancer therapy has become a key focus of research currently under way at Stellenbosch University. Scientists at the Maties campus are zooming in on existing chemotherapy drugs, particularly looking at patients’ resistance to these therapies. Read more
Research Contribution on Cardiovascular Disease Remains Low
Cardiovascular research output from African researchers over the past 50 years remains low, despite marked progress. The annual number of journal articles increased from four publications in 1971 to 3,867 in 2020, according to a study that scanned Web of Science and other sources and retrieved data of publications related to African authorship. Read more
Reseachers Devise Methods to Fine-Tune Cancer Treatment for Individual Patients
South African researchers are assessing whether customised cancer treatment plans can offer doctors a better guide in improving medical care for patients. Read more
Researchers Whose Work Changes Human Lives Honoured with Ceos’ Prestigious Award
Social sciences and humanities research scholars whose work helps uplift the human condition were acknowledged and honoured at a Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and Universities South Africa (USAf) CEO’s Awards ceremony… Read more
Rhodes University Reaffirms Decision to Boot University Ranking Systems
Lester Kiewit speaks to Professor Sioux McKenna, director at the Centre for Postgraduate Studies at Rhodes University. According to McKenna there are a number of reasons why Rhodes has decided to step away from these rankings. Read more
Salary Dispute: Professors Call Off Strike for the Moment
A strike by professors and lecturers in South Sudan’s five public universities has been called off for now after President Salva Kiir Mayardit directed the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to release unpaid salaries according to an older payment scale. Read more
Science Communication Can Help with STEM Teachers’ Training
A study on how to boost South Africa’s ailing pipeline of graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) suggests the inclusion of science communication coursework in tertiary teacher training programmes. Read more
Sekafo Makgatho Health Sciences University Students Protest Over Not Receiving NSFAS Meal Allowances
Students from the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, north of Pretoria, have embarked on a protest.They say they have not received meal allowances from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) since the beginning of the year. Read more
Solar Can Alleviate Universities’ Power Woes
With industrial outputs declining and food production and security coming under threat, it could be easy to overlook the impact that loadshedding has on universities and other institutions of higher learning. Read more
Solidarity Wants UKZN to Explain ‘Unfair’ Bursary Discrimination
Solidarity today threatened the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) with legal action if the institution cannot justify the distinction it makes in the awarding of bursaries and fellowships based on race. Read more
South African Research Links Grow with Brics Group and Nigeria
South Africa’s research collaborations with non-traditional partners like China, Russia and Nigeria grew between 2012 and 2021, even though links with Europe continue to dominate, a study has found. Read more
South Africa’s Education System in Crisis, Needs Reform
The Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) called for the dismissal of Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to get the country out of the crisis that the education system is facing. Read more
South Africa to Review Flagship Academic Redress Scheme
A flagship programme to redress racial and gender imbalances among South African academics is being reviewed, the country’s minister of science and higher education has said. Read more
Stellenbosch Researcher Creates New Composite Material
A researcher at Stellenbosch University (SU), near Cape Town, in the Western Cape, has developed a new composite material, made from Port Jackson trees (Acacia saligna) and recycled low-density polyethylene plastics, and demonstrated that it can be used to make thermal and insulation boards for low-cost housing. Read more
Stellenbosch Researcher Creates New Composite Material
A researcher at Stellenbosch University (SU), near Cape Town, in the Western Cape, has developed a new composite material, made from Port Jackson trees (Acacia saligna) and recycled low-density polyethylene plastics, and demonstrated that it can be used to make thermal and insulation boards for low-cost housing. Read more
Stellenbosch University Launches New Biomedical Research Institute
Stellenbosch University says its newly opened Biomedical Research Institute at the Tygerberg Campus in Bellville will be used to study infectious agents or toxins that may be transmitted through the air and cause potentially lethal infections. Read more
Stellenbosch University ‘Nepotism’ Claims: Another Relative of VC Gets ‘Discretionary’ Placement
The dust had barely settled on Stellenbosch University rector and vice-chancellor Wim de Villers’ approving placement for a family member when it emerged that a second family member was placed to study there without him disclosing it to the council. Read more
Stellenbosch University’s New Biomedical Research Centre has a Special Focus…
Stellenbosch University’s (SU’s) new R1.2-billion Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) has a particular focus on diseases found in South Africa and more widely across Africa. Read more
Stellenbosch University Prof Jonathan Jansen Will Walk in Einstein’s Footsteps
Stellenbosch University professor of education Jonathan Jansen will walk in the footsteps of intellectual and creative giants such as Martin Luther King, Georgia O’Keeffe, Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and Charles Darwin. Read more
Stellenbosch University ‘Taking Advice’ to Recoup R37m from Roux After High Court Judgment
Stellenbosch University is seeking advice on how to recover the R37 million owed by former employee Jurie Roux. Read more
Stellies Launchlab Works to Stop Valuable Academic Research from Gathering Dust
Universities can be so much more than centres of learning. Across the world, academic institutions at the forefront of research gather vast amounts of intellectual property that could benefit humanity and shape the future. Read more
Student Accommodation ‘Mafia’ a Threat to Higher Education Sector
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) said the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) identified a student accommodation “mafia” that was threatening to destabilise the entire higher education sector. Read more
Team Winners Seek Epistemic Justice in the Gender Justice Agenda
Putting women front and centre by promoting attitudinal and social transformation through empowerment is what won a Nelson Mandela University research team the coveted Human Sciences Research Council-Universities South Africa CEOs’ award for research excellence in the social sciences and humanities. Read more
The Impact of Digital Transformation on Higher Education
Huawei Cloud, in partnership with Brainstorm magazine, hosted an executive roundtable discussion with industry professionals on 30 March at Marble restaurant in Rosebank. Read more
Transdisciplinary Approach Guides Masters in Climate Change
Transdisciplinarity is a key component of the revised Southern African climate change and sustainable development (CCSD) master’s degree programme, despite the fact that many universities in Africa are battling to offer transdisciplinary degrees due to their complex and cross-cutting nature. Read more
Two UKZN Students Sleeping in University Hallway Because of Lack of Accommodation
Two final-year students on the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Howard College Campus have been left without accommodation since February. The self-funded students paid the required R3 500 deposit for accommodation but the university has failed to allocate them a place to live for over two months, …Read more
UCT Failed to Bargain with Employees’ Union, Says CCMA
Wage negotiations between the University of Cape Town (UCT) and one of the largest representative unions – the UCT Employees Union – will start soon. This comes after negotiations with management deadlocked earlier this year after several referrals to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) last year. Read more
UCT Launches App to Encourage Sustainable Lifestyle Changes
The City, in partnership with the University of Cape Town (UCT) and funded by the European Union, launched Climate Campaigners – a free mobile app which offers a range of sustainability-based lifestyle changes which can help Capetonians take climate action. Read more
UCT Protests Result in Popular Mathematics Contest to be Put on Hold
Student protests at the University of Cape Town (UCT) have resulted in the postponement of the academic institution’s annual mathematics competition. The 2023 UCT Mathematics Competition was scheduled for today (25 April). Read more
UFH Researching How to Help Rural Communities with Energy Challenges
The Institute for Technology at the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape has conducted research on how to assist rural communities with renewable energy. Read more
UKZN Probing Staff’s Alleged Involvement in Recent Campus Crimes
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is investigating allegations that staff may be involved in a recent spate of crime that has plagued the institution. UKZN spokesperson Normah Zondo said in recent weeks it experienced “unfortunate crime incidents on its campuses and residences”, … Read more
UKZN Students Stop Risk Management Services Staff from Leaving Residence After Student Commits Suicide
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) says it has resolved an issue with students who had allegedly prevented Risk Management Services (RMS) staff from leaving a residence after a student committed suicide. Read more
UKZN to Confer Honourary Doctorates on Seven Leaders
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) will honour seven distinguished individuals for their remarkable achievements in the fields of arts, social sciences, and management. Read more
Umalusi Launches Online System to Replace Lost or Damaged Certificates
The council for quality assurance in general and further education and training, Umalusi, has launched an online application system to replace damaged or lost certificates. Read more
Unique UCT Study Looks into Unconscious Exclusion of the Disabled in Muslim Communities
A study into the “unconscious exclusion” of the disabled in the Muslim community has found that people need to take responsibility and make a conscious or collective move towards inclusion. Read more
United States of America Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety Visits Wits University
On March 28th, 2023 U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, Ph.D., visited the University of Witwatersrand and met with Professor Gilbert Khadiagala and Dr. Asad el-Malik from the African Center for the Study of the United States (ACSUS). Read more
Universities Experiencing a Decrease in Body Donations
Academic institutions are experiencing a decline in their body donation programmes. According to Paul Pretorius of the Department of Clinical Anatomy at Stellenbosch University, before the Covid-19 pandemic, they had about 250 bodies, and currently, they have about 28 bodies. Read more
Universities in Six Countries Feature in Subject Rankings
Seventeen departments in African universities are among the world’s top-100 places to study the subjects that they offer, according to the 13th edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 that were released in March. Read more
University of Johannesburg Leads the Pack in Accounting Education
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) reigns again in accounting education across the country. This is evidenced in the 2023 results where UJ students achieved a first-time pass rate of 95% and a total of 249 students successfully passed the ITC (initial test of competence). Read more
University Of Kwazulu-Natal Group Successfully Launches Suborbital Demonstration Rocket
South Africa’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation has announced that a research group at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has successfully launched a suborbital demonstrator rocket from the Overberg Test Range, on the south coast of the Western Cape province. Read more
University of Pretoria honours WHO head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
The first African to head the World Health Organization and former minister of health of Ethiopia, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Pretoria on Friday. Read more
University of Pretoria Students Top With 100% Pass in Saica Initial Test of Competence
The University of Pretoria (UP) has continued to demonstrate it deserves the recognition and respect as the capital city’s institution of choice, with a 100% pass rate in the 2023 South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica) initial test of competence. Read more
UP’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences Joins Top International Accredited Institutions
The University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) boasts high international status, after becoming accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Read more
USAF’s Teaching and Learning of Mathematics Community of Practice Must Innovate in Collaboration with Other Groups
The first meeting in 2023, of the Community of Practice (CoP) for the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics (TLM CoP), underscored the urgent need to share best practices in the ever-evolving discipline. Read more
Why Some Students’ Mental Health Did Not Deteriorate
A study has revealed that COVID-19 did not bring about a serious increase in mental health issues at two South African universities. Where increases were observed, they were before the pandemic. Read more
Wits Innovation Centre Aims to Resolve Real-World Problems
The Wits Innovation Centre (WIC) signals a new era in accelerating “innovation for societal good” in SA, says the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University). Read more
Wits University Collaboration Takes Solar Power to Shack Dwellers
Wits University has collaborated with the Gauteng Research Triangle to launch a pilot project looking at the viability of taking solar power to informal settlements. Read more
Woman, 62, Beats the Odds to Graduate
Giving up has never been an option for 62-year-old Mbali Ngcamu, who graduated from Stellenbosch University (SU) this week with an MSc in Food Nutrition and Security. Read more
31 March 2023
80-Year-Old Energy Expert and Economist Graduates with Ph.D.
When Rob Jeffrey set out doing analyses of energy sources as a consultant in South Africa, obtaining a Ph.D. at the age of 80 was not what he had planned. But, as he delved into the literature on energy sources and how they interface with the economy, a PhD came as an unbudgeted-for bonus. Read more
80-Year-Old Graduates with a PhD from University of Johannesburg
Henry Ford’s famous quote “Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young” rings true for 80-year-old PhD graduate Robert Jeffrey. Read more
Academic Freedom in Decline in 22 Countries Worldwide
Over the past decade, academic freedom has declined in more than 22 countries representing more than half of the world’s population, four billion people, says the Academic Freedom Index: Update 2023 (AFI), a new study, produced by researchers at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Institute of Political Science (FAUIPS, Erlangen-Nuremberg), Germany, and the V-Dem Institute in Gothenburg, Sweden. Read more
Addressing Gender Disparities in Scientific Publication
Scientific research is a crucial component of the modern knowledge economy and societal development, and academic publications serve as essential channels for the dissemination of research findings to the global scientific community. Read more
Africa Should Take Math more Seriously, Say Researchers
Many African universities still do not acknowledge the role of mathematics as a foundation stone of modern society and a model for rational inquiry and creativity in human development. Read more
Angry Students Disrupt DUT’s Indumiso Campus Over NSFAS Allowance Payment Issues
Some lectures were disrupted at Durban University of Technology, Indumiso Campus in Pietermaritzburg, after students blockaded the entrance to the university on Thursday. Read more
Another Campus Adopts Initiative that Supports GBV Survivors
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global public health concern. Evidence shows that women and girls are at a higher risk of experiencing GBV than men. Read more
Artificial Intelligence Institute Set Up in South Africa
This week, Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Mondli Gungubele, in partnership with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and the University of Johannesburg, launched the Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Africa (AIISA). Read more
Black History Month Kicks Off at Nelson Mandela University
Why is racism still an issue in SA after 29 years of democracy? This question set the stage for an engaging dialogue at Nelson Mandela University on Tuesday for the first seminar of the year in celebration of Black History Month… Read more
Blackouts Costs Universities R2m Per Day
South African universities are feeling the pinch of power cuts. Universities South Africa says institutions are spending as much as R2-million a day to keep the lights on. Read more
Calm Your Inner Luddite, Keep Your Inner Sceptic
“Calm your inner Luddite, hold on to your inner sceptic,” is one of the messages for educators contemplating ChatGPT and other large language models, from Dr Roze Phillips, a futurist who straddles the worlds of work and academia. “Trying to outsmart AI is not a viable strategy.” Read more
Choosing Performance Arts Pays Off for Student Slam Poet
Kwanele Nyembe, the student who was crowned South Africa’s National Poetry Slam champion during the Poetry Africa Festival in October 2022, has his eye set firmly on the first prize at the 2023 World Slam Poetry competition in Brazil later this year. In the meantime, the young man is working hard at his studies and his career as a writer, actor and podcaster. Read more
Court Orders Varsity to Give Student Pass Mark
A final year University of Fort Hare student, who sought urgent relief in court over a decision to fail him after he submitted his final practical assessments late, has been granted reprieve. Read more
Do Universities in the Sub-Sahara Serve the Public Good?
To what extent can higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa promote the public good? This was the theme that the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) chose for a special issue of the Journal of Higher Education in Africa. Read more
DUT Lecturer Wins Chinese Award
Durban University of Technology (DUT) Mandarin lecturer, Sanele Ntuli, has been named the winner in an international Chinese teaching video competition. Read more
DUT to Donate School Shoes to Needy Nkandla Pupils
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Hands of Compassion (HoC) will be donating 60 pairs of school shoes to three primary schools in Nkandla, northern KwaZulu-Natal. Read more
EDHE’s Communities of Practice at South African Universities are Gearing Themselves Up for Growth
Although the communities of practice (CoP) tasked to develop various focus areas of entrepreneurship development at public universities are doing a sterling job, it is necessary to occasionally view their work critically to spot gaps and identify areas needing attention. Read more
Education in Crisis – SAUS Says Protests are Justified
Student union SAUS says it’s disappointed by the conduct of Higher Education and its institutions. It was responding to widespread student protests at several universities and colleges. Read more
Energy Security Depends on the Development of South Africa’s Hydrogen Economy
South Africa is facing an ongoing energy crisis, and with no end in sight, it is time to consider expanding the country’s current alternative energy sources. The University of Pretoria is dedicated to researching and understanding how to address complex societal issues such as this… Read more
Entrepreneurship is not an Option but a First Choice
Even though most university graduates aspire to one day secure a job in the public or private sector, in reality, jobs are becoming scarcer. Job advertisements of large corporates should not deceive anyone into believing otherwise. Read more
Eastern Cape’s Inflated Bill for Useless University of Fort Hare Certificate
Provincial legislature paid through the nose for public servants to take apparently bogus UFH public administration course. Read more
Extreme Heat is Taking Its Toll on Students and Institutions
Extreme climatic events such as heatwaves and flash floods have resulted in major disruptions and challenges for universities across Africa. Extreme heat events, due to global warming, have been associated with low student turnout, low academic performance, and health risks for academic staff and students. Read more
Fossilised Giant Zebra Tracks Found in South Africa
Tens of thousands of years ago, a huge horse species walked, trotted and galloped across the shifting sands of what is today South Africa’s Cape south coast.The Giant Cape Zebra (Equus capensis) weighed an estimated 450 kg. Read more
GBV Interventions at Higher Learning Institutions Yields Positive Results
Anti-gender-based violence interventions have yielded positive results at higher learning institutions with over 700 000 students currently linked to health, wellness and psychosocial support and care services. Read more
Germany Affirms Value of Green Energy Research Cooperation with South Africa
Germany sees international cooperation as the only way to deal with the issue of climate change and views South Africa and South African research institutions as valuable partners in this regard. Read more
Global Research Integrity Statement Calls for Fairness and Equity
Biases in research and its benefits, power imbalances and other inequities have long plagued scientific collaboration. Now ethics experts from around the world have published the Cape Town Statement on Fostering Research Integrity through Fairness and Equity, with 20 recommendations to guide all stakeholders in achieving more just research practice. Read more
HE as a Public Good Demands Greater System Efficiency
Since the onset of democracy in 1994, higher education in South Africa has undergone various changes to address the systemic challenges of access, equity, democratisation, transformation and sustainability arising from the legacy of apartheid. Read more
Higher Education Dept ‘Aware’ of Student Accommodation Challenges
The Higher Education department says it’s aware of the concerns around student accommodation at various universities around the country.Deputy Minister Buti Manamela says accommodation is being regulated because of collusion by private service providers. Read more
‘I have to Camp in My Friend’s Room’ – Wits Student on Accommodation Crisis
A second-year Wits student who was last year afforded accommodation on campus but inexplicably rejected this year on Thursday told TimesLIVE how she had no choice but to illegally camp in her friend’s residence room. Read more
Initiative Promises Stronger Open-Science Ecosystem in Africa
The African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA) in cooperation with the online open-access repository Figshare has launched a new initiative to support awareness of open science and data repositories as well as support the research and education communities in Africa. Read more
In Search of Models that Work for the Many
There seems to be wide agreement on the part of faculty and university administrators around the world about the value of student mobility when it comes to nurturing global citizens, but ensuring that the opportunity for mobility is available to everyone is still a challenge – and, at least when it comes to physical mobility, this challenge includes the very real issue of student visas. Read more
Institution’s Carbon Reporting Feeds into its Work on SDGs
Carbon reporting and developing a sustainable campus is a critical component of the University of the Free State’s Vision 130, which encompasses the university’s plans to reposition itself by 2034… Read more
Leading Academics Believe Fears Over ChatGPT are Misplaced
“AI will not replace people – but the person using AI might replace you,” says Pieter Geldenhuys, futurist and director of the Institute for Technology, Strategy and Innovation. He has teamed up with North-West University in South Africa to run a course to upskill people in new artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Read more
Leaders Must Transform Universities into Healthy Workspaces
Universities should make staff well-being a strategic priority in order to counter the epidemic of burnout that is on the rise in higher education, Dr Tessie Herbst of Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) told university leaders. Read more
Lectures Disrupted at UKZN’s Westville Campus
Some lectures were disrupted at the Westville campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal on Monday after protesters asked students to leave lecture halls. About 300 students blocked the Varsity Drive entrance on Monday morning. Read more
Load Shedding is Costing South Africa’s Universities Millions …
South Africa’s tertiary education institutions are facing the same effects of load shedding as businesses and households alike across the country – an ever-increasing bill to keep the lights on. Read more
Minister Noxolo Kiviet Reported to SIU Over University Degree Fraud
South Africa’s new Public Service and Administration Minister Noxolo Kiviet is facing allegations of fraud, just days after assuming office in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s new Cabinet. Read more
Mnquma Seals Partnership with WSU, King Hintsa TVET College
MNQUMA Local Municipality has signed a five-year partnership with Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and King Hintsa Technical, Vocational, Education and Training (KHTVET) College. Read more
New Global Ranking of all 26 Universities in South Africa
Webometrics’ latest global ranking of universities in 2023 has ranked all of South Africa’s universities based on the quality, quantity, and access to their web content, using open data. Read more
Online Learning has Taken Root. Now, Let Us Turn to Quality
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought greater awareness of the benefits of blended tuition in Africa and beyond, the focus is turning away from the technical stability of learning management systems (LMSs) to concerns about how to support people to get the most out of these ed-tech platforms and enhance the quality of teaching and learning. Read more
Open Science Drive Gets Buy-in From University Leaders
A greater understanding of open science appears to be taking root among university leaders in North and East Africa, with many of them keen to take proactive steps to support efforts for the adoption thereof within their institutions. Read more
Overlooking Cultural Nuances Can Have Dire Implications for Startups Wishing to Trade Internationally
Although the socio-political, economic, and legal understanding of countries is crucial for businesses aspiring to global expansion, understanding the cultural nuances of the targeted nations are an important success-determining factor. Read more
Parliamentary Committee Slams NSFAS Accommodation Cap, Calls for Sectoral Intervention
The parliamentary portfolio committee on higher education, science and innovation held an urgent meeting with the South African Union of Students and the SA TVET students’ association to unpack the challenges that have hindered the commencement of the 2023 academic year… Read more
Philanthropic Funding Can be a Risky Game for Universities
The University of Oxford’s relationship to the tainted Sackler family’s charitable trusts speaks to the challenge of donor risk management across a complex institution which is both a world-class research university and a treasured United Kingdom institution. Read more
Programme Aims to Train a Pipeline of Ocean Scientists
Universities in Africa must train a pipeline of interdisciplinary ocean scientists with the knowledge, skills and expertise to meet the growing needs of the Blue Economy and to tackle challenges emerging from global warming as well as overfishing…Read more
Project is Advancing HE Network Connectivity on Continent
The funding support that the European Union (EU) has given to creating, consolidating and interconnecting educational networks in Africa is yielding results, among others, through efforts to advance open science. Read more
R45k Accommodation Cap is Sustainable, Says NSFAS
An annual, capped, R45,000 accommodation fee per student in public higher-learning institutions is sustainable, says the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Read more
R80m UKZN Student Accommodation Scam Exposed
UKZN staff and former SRC officials have allegedly made R80m exploiting varsity and owners. Read more
Regina Twala was a Towering Intellectual and Activist in Eswatini – But She was Erased from History
Regina Gelana Twala was a writer, anthropologist, social worker and political activist who lived in both South Africa and Eswatini (then Swaziland). She died in 1968 at the age of 60. Read more
Reimagining: New Humans, New Society, New Higher Education
I would like us to take a leaf from ancient wisdom: when in deep trouble, go back to the beginning. Humanity is being called to go back to ask the fundamental questions of what it means to be human. Read more
Report Calls for Professional Standards for TVET Lecturers
In order to professionalise technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college lecturers, South Africa needs to have a set of professional standards specifically for TVET practitioners. Read more
Round Table Dialogue Will End Varsity Strife
Crisis after crisis. The students at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) and University of Johannesburg (UJ) have over the past few days been staging protest marches for a variety of reasons, including the lack of water, with some students not having bathed for days, if not weeks. Read more
SAHRC Finds Against Stellenbosch University Regarding Only-English Policy
Stellenbosch University violated the rights of Afrikaans-speaking students when it said they could only speak English in certain residences during their welcoming period in 2021. Read more
SA Must Invest in Education, and Training to Compete Globally
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, says by investing in education and training, the country will be able to develop the skills and expertise necessary to capitalise on new technologies, adjust to new industries, and successfully compete in a global economy. Read more
SA’s Visa Crisis Jeopardises Internationalisation Efforts of Universities, Businesses…
Skilled labour, students and visitors on business, as well as tourists, are being held up by a failing administration and bureaucracy. Businesses are struggling and losing out on not only critical skills injections, but also on broader interactions with overseas partners in terms of internships,… Read more
SA Women Academics Suffered Burn-Out While Working from Home During Lockdown …
Working from home became a nightmare for many of South Africa’s women academics during the first six months of the Covid-19 pandemic-enforced lockdown in 2020. Read more
Security Audit Instituted at Universities After a Wave of Crimes
The Department of Higher Education has instituted a national security audit to ascertain the state of safety and security at institutions of higher learning. Read more
South Africa Looks Back and Looks Forward
On 4 July 2014 University World News published the findings from a series of focus group ‘conversations’ that had been held across South African universities in response to the rebranded European Union (EU) framework programme, … Read more
South Africa Signs a Joint Declaration of Intent with Germany to Promote Science, Technology and Innovation
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, hosted the German Minister of Research and Education, Bettina Stark-Watzinger and her delegated team on her two-day delegation visit to South Africa. Read more
Stellenbosch University SRC to Discuss Afrikaans Row
Stellenbosch University’s (SU’s) Student Representative Council (SRC) says it will meet to discuss the South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC’s) report which found the institution violated the rights of Afrikaans-speaking students, along with vice-chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers’ subsequent apology. Read more
Steve Biko Hospital, University of Pretoria’s Bariatric Department Recognised
The Steve Biko Academic Hospital and University of Pretoria’s Bariatric Surgery Department continues to grow in stature, adding another accolade to its belt by receiving its second international award. Read more
Student Mobility from Sub-Saharan Africa Could Double by 2050
Students from Sub-Saharan Africa are being recruited in their numbers and the competition is increasing, with indicators predicting that the region’s 430,000 outward mobile students will swell and double by 2050. Read more
Student Protests Over the Lack of Housing Spread to the University of KwaZulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is struggling to accommodate students at the beginning of the 2023 academic year. On 21 February, photos began circulating on social media of unhoused students being forced to sleep in university corridors, hallways, and even classrooms. Read more
Students Rethink Higher Education
University students on the African continent face enormous challenges that are not – for the most part – experienced by their peers in the Global North. Students in Africa are constrained by a lack of access to resources, and currently less than 10% of youth on this continent receive higher education. Read more
Tackling the Global North’s Bibliometric Coloniality
A new book about academic research, knowledge production and academic publishing in Ghana, titled Who Counts? Ghanaian academic publishing and global science, highlights the challenges faced by African higher education systems, institutions and academics… Read more
The Arduous Journey to Establish a Successful Journal
The International Journal of African Higher Education (IJAHE) published its first issue in 2014. A few years later, in 2018, the journal published by the International Network for Higher Education in Africa, based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, received recognition from the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), and was then registered by African Journals OnLine in 2022. In March, 2023, it received recognition from Scopus – one of the most authoritative scholarly databases in the world. Read more
The Exploitation of Female Students: Be Part of the Answer
A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey found that 18% of teenagers in high school in the United States had experienced sexual assault in the previous year. A BBC documentary called #SexForGrades found widespread evidence of young women being pressured into sex by lecturers in universities in Nigeria and Ghana. Read more
The Impact of Awarding Fraudulent Qualifications on the Reputation of SA Universities…
Forged credentials can be detrimental to a university’s reputation. Those who forge credentials and present themselves as having graduated from respected universities, undermine the educational system’s credibility and integrity. Read more
The United States Announces Expansion of Vocational and Technical Education Exchange with South Africa, …
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today that it will expand its partnership with South Africa on vocational and technical education by supporting a second exchange for South African educators and administrators… Read more
Training for the Workplace: A Giant Leap Forward
The new Occupational Qualifications properly link with both the needs of Industry and the conventions required by Education and Training Institutions. Read more
Tshwane College Student Raped at Unaccredited Residence
A female technical and vocational college student was last week raped at a private unaccredited residence in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria. The student from Tshwane North TVET College in the Soshanguve campus, in Gauteng, was staying at a private accommodation that was not safe nor conducive to learning,… Read more
Tshwane University of Technology student leaders put end to protest action
While a number of student issues remain unresolved, student leaders at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) have called off protests in the best interest of the academic programme. Read more
TVET Colleges Need a Radical Overhaul to Become Centres of Excellence …
After the annual pageant of the announcement of the matriculation results, learners are often urged by experts to consider acquiring practical skills rather than only thinking of graduating with a degree from a university. Read more
Two UKZN Students Arrested for Public Violence Released on Bail
The two University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) students who were arrested for public violence at the Edgewood campus last month were released on R2,000 bail by the Pinetown magistrate’s court on Tuesday. Read more
UCT Protests: ‘Clearly Something has to Change; There is a Bigger Story to This’
Students at the University of Cape Town (UCT) have been protesting over housing issues and financial exclusion at the university since Monday, although protests have been rumbling for weeks. Read more
UCT, SRC Reach Agreement on Fee Block Issues Amid Student Protests
University of Cape Town (UCT) management and the student representative council (SRC) have resolved fee block issues after two mediation sessions this week. Read more
UKZN and DSI to Launch Two New Phoenix Test Rockets
Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation has announced a campaign to test two hybrid rockets, Phoenix-1C and Phoenix-1D. Read more
UKZN on Recess Day While Unizulu Closes After Student Robberies…
Student leaders in KwaZulu-Natal aligned to the EFF have vowed to ensure that higher education institutions in the province respect the party’s national shutdown’ planned for Monday. Read more
UKZN Senior Lecturer Scoops CIMA Teaching Excellence Award
Dr Patricia Shewell – senior lecturer in UKZN’s School of Accounting, Economics and Finance (SAEF) and academic leader for the Teaching and Learning Unit – is the recipient of a Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Teaching Excellence Award 2022. Read more
UKZN Student Embarks on Solo Run to Raise Awareness of Green Ecology
Samkelo Nzama, from KwaMaphumulo, has embarked on a 16-day solo run to raise awareness of green ecology. The run started on March 5 in Johannesburg and is expected to end on March 20 in KwaMaphumulo in KwaZulu-Natal. Read more
UKZN Students Launch Hybrid Rocket
The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) mechanical engineering students successfully test launched their Phoenix 1 D hybrid rocket demonstrator on Tuesday. Read more
UNESCO-AU Report Places Equity at the Centre of Policy
Africa continues to suffer from wealth and gender disparities when it comes to tertiary education. This is evident from the “highly variable quality” of private tertiary education institutions along with low levels of investment. Read more
University of Johannesburg Holds Chinese Medicine Promotion Event
Students practice Baduanjin (literally meaning “eight steps to healthy living”) at the University of Johannesburg in Johannesburg, South Africa, March 17, 2023. Read more
University of Mpumalanga Hosts Seminar on Emotional Intelligence
The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) hosted its first seminar for 2023 at the Mbombela Campus on Thursday February 23. The topic discussed was emotional intelligence as an essential ingredient of an effective people management strategy or strategies, … Read more
University of Pretoria Slams Hostile, Discriminatory Statements Against Jewish Students
The University of Pretoria has condemned all forms of discrimination, including racism and religious intolerance, and promises to take necessary steps against anyone found to be in breach of its anti-discrimination policies. Read more
University of Zululand Suspends Academic Activities
Academic activities have been suspended at the University of Zululand (Unizulu) following the attack and robbery of students at an off-campus residence. It reported that criminals invaded the accredited residence of the university on Tuesday night. Read more
VC Says UKZN is Working to Root Out Corruption After R80m Student Digs Scandal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal has sent an email to staff and students expressing regret and disappointment over an accommodation scandal at the university. Six suspects – including employees, a former chairperson of the SRC, and a current SRC member – have appeared in court charged with extortion related to student accommodation…Read more
Visa Crisis is Jeopardising Internationalisation Efforts
The start of the academic year always comes with its own challenges and, in South Africa, universities have been faced with student protests over finances and historical debt. Read more
Wits Agrees to Mediation with Students
Wits University management has reached an agreement with its SRC on a way forward. The campus descended into chaos last week when students protested against financial exclusions and a lack of student accommodation. Read more
Wits: Nzimande Concerned About Violent Nature of Student Protests
Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande has expressed concern about the violent nature of student protests at some of the country’s universities, including Wits. Read more
Wits Student Caught with Petrol on Campus
One of the seven students who have been suspended from Wits University was found bringing petrol on campus. This is according to the university leadership, which has refused to accede to the demand by the student representative council (SRC) to revoke the suspension of the students, … Read more
Wits Students Vow to Continue Protests
The Wits SRC says student protest action, which began last week, will continue until their demands are met. They are demanding that students with historic debt of less than R150 000 be allowed to register. Read more
WSU ConvEX Raises Millions Towards Debt Clearance Programme
Thousands of Walter Sisulu University (WSU) graduates could potentially receive their academic certificates following a lucrative fundraising gala dinner hosted by the WSU Convocation Executive (ConvEx), in a bid to solicit funding towards clearing student debt at the university. Read more
Work on Masters Qualification in Climate Change Goes Forward
The curriculum framework for a Southern African masters degree in climate change and sustainable development (CCSD) envisages graduates who, upon completion of the qualification, are committed to making a difference in the field in their countries, Africa and globally. Read more
28 February 2023
Academics Discuss Violent Threats Against HE Leaders
The killings of university staff on and around South African university campuses have triggered some soul-searching among academics, which came to the fore during an Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) round-table discussion on 27 January. Read more
All Western Cape Universities Backed up for 2023
he national energy crisis of load shedding has compelled Western Cape universities to consider additional measures as back up for the success of the 2023 academic year, as lectures commence on Monday. Read more
A Study of Dysfunction in Universities in SA
According to Philip Altbach, Jonathan Jansen’s new book, Corrupted: A study of chronic dysfunction in South African universities, tells an unpleasant but very important story – not only for South Africa, but globally – about how corruption can seep into academic institutions. Read more
A University on its Way to Becoming a Net-Zero Carbon Campus
The University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa has emerged as one of the pioneering higher education institutions in the region to work towards a more environmentally sustainable campus by establishing environmentally sound policies and practices. Read more
Cape Town Man Drove Taxis to Fulfil his Dream of Becoming a Doctor
A man who lives in the gang-ridden community of Manenberg, Cape Town, drove a “pimped out” minibus taxi over weekends seven years ago, to fund part of his medical studies at Stellenbosch University. Read more
Co-creating Strategies Key to Building Equal Partnerships
Ahead of a ground-breaking summit on partnerships at the University of Pretoria’s Future Africa campus, the head of research capacity development at the University of Pretoria, Dr Rakeshnie Ramoutar-Prieschl, said international collaboration is increasingly viewed as the key to successful development research and to meet shared global challenges. Read more
Commission for Gender Equality Seeks Talks with TUT on Campus Residence Safety…
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) wants to meet Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) management after the death of Ntokozo Xaba at a university residence. Read more
Crowdfunding Platforms Step in to Alleviate South Africa’s Student Debt Crisis
While student debt in SA remains stubbornly high with no solution to the crisis in sight, thousands of higher education students are looking to digital crowdfunding platforms to raise funds to help alleviate their debt. Read more
Demand for Student Placements Spikes at Universities
Applications to study at tertiary education institutions across the province have spiked reaching up to 360 000 at one institution which had limited study spaces available. Read more
Develop Technology-Oriented Programmes …
A Principal State Attorney at the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Jamila Jakalia, has charged universities to adopt a technologically revolutionary approach to meet the economic and social needs of the society. Read more
DUT Denies Biting off More Than it Can Chew When it Comes to New Placements
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) has refuted claims that it made more placement offers for new students than it had space for. Read more
DUT Student Supplies Spar with Dishwashing Liquid
Zondi said she was grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the Spar Selgro Centre and cannot wait to supply the store with more products. Read more
Eastern Cape Universities Provide Support for Differently Abled Students
As thousands of university’s first-year students get ready for their higher education studies, Eastern Cape universities said they have mechanisms in place to support those living with disabilities to continue furthering their studies…Read more
Education Ministry Announces TVET Admissions
The Ministry of Education and Sports has announced admissions for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions for the national certificate and Uganda polytechnic certificate. Read more
Escaping ‘Bibliometric Coloniality’, ‘Epistemic Inequality’
Africa’s scholarly journals compete on an unequal playing field because of a lack of funding and the struggle to sustain academic credibility. Read more
Gender Equality pays Tshwane University of Technology courtesy visit…
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) Acting Chairperson Ms Nomasonto Mazibuko led a delegation on Monday which met with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Management, led by Vice -Chancellor, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke following the brutal killing of TUT student Ntokozo Xaba. Read more
Green Hydrogen Research Given R35m Boost
South Africa’s North-West University (NWU) is investing around R35-million in strategic funding to advance green hydrogen research over the next five years. Read more
High Cost of Higher Education
You’ve worked hard and done well in your matric exams, now, it’s time to study further but, one look at the schedule of fees is enough to send your head spinning. Read more
Higher Learning Institutions’ Budgets Strained as They Spend Millions to Cope with Load-Shedding
Rolling blackouts are slowly crippling institutions of higher learning as they put a strain on their budgets. Read more
How Nelson Mandela University Plans to Lighten Its Load
Two staff members have had to be reassigned to refill generators, a situation the university hopes to change through supplying more generators, solar power and efficient means of distributing energy. Read more
International Study Led by UKZN Professor Confirms Effectiveness of PrEp in HIV…
The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Professor Dhayendre Moodley has led an international study that confirms the safe use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in pregnant HIV negative women. Read more
Lessons Emerge from First University Partnership Summit
A partnership project between the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and Columbia University in the United States to support first-year students in developing their writing skills was described as an example of a success story of collaboration by Dr Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s minister of international relations and cooperation, at the first University Partnership Initiative (UPI) Summit. Read more
Millions of Rand Spent Protecting Heads of Tertiary Education Institutions, …
Parliament has expressed concern over the threats made to vice-chancellors and personnel as well as related safety and security at institutions of higher learning. Read more
Most Young South Africans Believe in Obtaining Tertiary Qualification
Most young South Africans continue to believe in obtaining a tertiary qualification, according to a recent survey by the South African College of Applied Psychology (Sacap). Read more
Nelson Mandela University Students in Lodgings Debacle
More than 1,000 students, many from other provinces, are being forced to sleep in boardrooms and lecture rooms at Nelson Mandela University (NMU), or they will probably end up on the streets. Read more
New University of KwaZulu-Natal Students Stranded without Accommodation
Over two hundred registered students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College, have been left stranded and had to spend nights in a hall due to the unavailability of accommodation. Read more
NMU Student Accommodation Issues in Spotlight
Four students arrive at NMU as many unfunded students worry about where they are going to stay. Read more
NSFAS Says It is Willing to Grant Tuks Students Special Permission to Find Residency…
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) says it is willing to grant University of Pretoria students special permission to find residency above the R45 000 accommodation allowance. Read more
Price Gouging the Reason for NSFAS Student Housing Allowance Caps
Amid the uproar over the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s (NSFAS’s) decision to cap accommodation allowances for students, Higher Education Minister Dr Blade Nzimande pointed to alleged price gouging from accommodation providers as reasoning for the allowance caps. Read more
Programme Intends to Sharpen Technology Transfer Skills
South Africa lags behind the world in turning its scientific discoveries and research findings into commercial products. Official estimates suggest only 7% of the intellectual property-generated research is commercialised, a paltry figure compared with the international benchmark of 40%. Read more
Protesting Sol Plaatje University Students Threaten Academic Programme
Students at Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley have vowed to prevent the university from opening its doors for the 2023 academic year. Students embarked on a protest action, demanding that their concerns over food and accommodation be addressed. Read more
Registration Hiccups at Walter Sisulu University
The Walter Sisulu University’s management says it’s all systems go for teaching when the academic year begins on Monday. But damning allegations have been leveled against the institution by would-be students who applied, were accepted and paid their deposit to secure their spot. Read more
Research Ethics Project for Benin, the Gambia, Ivory Coast
Three West African countries – Benin, the Gambia and Ivory Coast – with the support of the South Africa-based ethical research non-governmental organisation EthiXpert – have secured a €1.5 million (about US$1.62 million) grant that will be used to build the capacity of research ethics committees, or RECs, in these countries. Read more
Research Study Finds that Brewery Wastewater has the Potential to Become Bioenergy
A recent study conducted at a Durban brewery found that brewery wastewater has the potential to become bioenergy. The study, which was published in the journal “Water”, titled “Characterization of South African Brewery Wastewater: Oxidation-Reduction Potential Variation”, was co-authored… Read more
Shutdown Rocks UCT on First Day of Study as Students Fume Over Fee Blocks, Housing
The very first day of the academic year at the University of Cape Town (UCT) has already been marked by protests and a campus shutdown. Read more
Sol Plaatje University Management and SRC Reach Agreement Following Protests
The Sol Plaatje University management says it has reached an agreement with the Student Representative Council (SRC) following protests that led to the suspension of registration and orientation. Read more
Sol Plaatje University Students Satisfied with Concessions Made by Management
The Student Representative Council (SRC) at Sol Plaatje University in the Northern Cape said it was satisfied with the concessions made by management following protests related to issues affecting students. Read more
South Africa’s Dysfunctional Universities
What happens when those responsible for managing universities cannot trust each other to act with integrity? In a nutshell, as I discuss in my new book, Corrupted: A study of chronic dysfunction in South African universities, dysfunction is the consequence. Read more
South African University Fees on the Rise in 2023
Tertiary education is crucial, as specific jobs require you to have a form of higher education. But the reality is that attending a university is super expensive. Read more
South African Youth Leaders and UL Student Leaders Share Knowledge at Dialogue
Under the auspices of the Embassy of South Africa to Liberia, youth leaders from Pretoria, South Africa, and student leaders from the University of Liberia have participated in a fruitful interactive roundtable dialogue. Read more
Stellenbosch Student Killed in the Early Hours of the Morning
Police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk confirmed to AfriNUUS that Dylan was involved in an accident at 12.30am on Saturday morning. He was transferred to hospital, but died of his injuries. Read more
Student Leaders Asked to Roll Out Entrepreneurship Programme
Student leaders are being recruited to roll out an online entrepreneurship training programme to their fellows. The programme, which uses the Telegram instant messaging app to deliver coursework, has already been piloted among a limited number of students at universities of technology in South Africa. Read more
Student Leaders Strong-Arm Top Cape Town Universities as Protests Continue
Admission is being reserved at two of the Western Cape’s top universities as protesting students have disrupted campus activities, stopped students from entering the university grounds, Read more
Students Arrested After Allegedly Torching Two UKZN Buildings
Five people, believed to be students, were arrested after two University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) buildings at Westville Campus were petrol bombed on Monday. Read more
The 7 Best Universities in South Africa for International Students
Back in the day, studying abroad meant moving to Western nations. However, everything has been made easier today. You can get your education wherever you want. That’s why most international students are opting to study in South Africa.
The Prosperity of Indigenous Language is a Priority at the North-West University
They are the mediums through which we learn and through which we then communicate the information that we have acquired. They allow us to grow as a society. In order to use them as tools to achieve our goals, they need to be preserved and promoted. Read more
The UCT Student Representative Council (SRC) Protested at the Weekend….
The SRC said it condemned the ongoing housing crisis “where thousands of returning and first-year students are being left in the cold without food or a roof over their heads”. Read more
Transforming Education Through Multilingualism…
Every year on February 21, the world celebrates International Mother Language Day. This year’s theme is “Multilingual education – a necessity to transform education in a multilingual world”. Read more
Trying to Register with Unisa is a ‘Nightmare’, Say Many Students
University of South Africa students say they are struggling to register and battling to get support from the institution’s administration. There are reports of several obstacles standing in the way of students. Read more
TUT Student Found Stabbed to Death — Boyfriend Taken in
A man has been taken in for questioning by police after a Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) student was found stabbed to death at the campus residence. Read more
TVET Colleges are as Good as Universities
There are 50 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges with over 200 campuses in South Africa, each with its own focus areas and specialisation. Read more
UCT ‘Blocked Off’ by Protesting Students Over the Weekend
The UCT Student Representative Council (SRC) protested at the weekend over a lack of student accommodation due to fee blocks and other related issues. Read more
UCT Council Offers to Drop Charges Against VC…
Confusion reigned on Friday over the suspension of Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa. In a new twist to a long leadership controversy, it was reported that the council offered to drop all claims against her if Phakeng agreed to early retirement – but she refused. Read more
UCT Slams ‘Unlawful’ Shutdown, Moves Lectures Online…
As University of Cape Town (UCT) students vow to continue protesting over the “housing crisis”, the university has denounced their actions as “unlawful” and shifted lectures online until further notice. Read more
UCT Suspends Student with Immediate Effect Over Rape Allegations
University of Cape Town (UCT) student and student representative council (SRC) member, Mila Zibi, was found guilty of rape by the university’s special sexual offences tribunal. Read more
UKZN Academic Gets R7.7m Grant for Her Work Aimed at Fighting Pandemics
A University of KwaZulu-Natal academic has been awarded a R7.7 million grant for her work in advancing rapid genomic surveillance to respond effectively to pandemics. Read more
UKZN Professor Recognised for his Work Gets ‘Gold Medal’ in Field of Botany
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Professor Steven Johnson, who has expertise in the ecology, evolution and chemistry of plant-animal interactions, was awarded the South African Association of Botanists (SAAB) Gold Medal at the University of Limpopo. Read more
UKZN Runs Out of Students Accommodation
There is a shortage of student accommodation at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The shortage has forced some students to sleep in campus halls at Howard College, Durban Westville and in Pietermaritzburg. Read more
Universities Need Strong Leaders to Lead the Way…
It is chaos in university leadership right now. The vice-chancellor (VC) of the Vaal University of Technology has just been placed on special leave by his council; the VC of the University of Fort Hare narrowly escaped assassination for his stand on corruption; … Read more
Universities of KwaZulu-Natal and Stellenbosch Receive R40m Research Award for Cutting-Edge HIV Study
The University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) and Stellenbosch University were awarded a prestigious R40 million grant from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently. The study is set to commence on March 1. Read more
University of Pretoria-Led Study Finds Aloe Plant Could Impede Malaria Course
Experts at the University of Pretoria (UP) are a step closer to finding a drug that could prevent transmission of the malaria-carrying parasite Plasmodium falciparum by thwarting its life cycle. Read more
University of Pretoria Welcomes New Students in-Person for First Time Since Covid-19
Students who attended the in-person Welcome Day at the University of Pretoria, held for the first time in two years, said while they were anxious they were more than ready to tackle the next phase of their lives. Read more
Violence Against Women is not Inevitable or Natural: TUT vice-Chancellor Maluleke
The Tshwane University of Technology is looking into ways to preserve the memory and legacy of slain third-year student Ntokozo Xaba. Read more
Wrap-Around Support Key to Level Education Playing Field
“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardour and attended to with diligence.” Read more
What Can the Minister and the Department Do About Corruption?
The murder of Mboneli Vesele, the bodyguard of Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, the vice-chancellor of the University of Fort Hare, earlier in January, including the threat to the life of Buhlungu, have put the deadly nature of corruption in ‘historically black’ universities in South Africa in the spotlight. Read more
Wits and Edinburgh Announce Joint Sustainability Training
South Africa’s University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Edinburgh in the UK have jointly established a postgraduate training scheme targeting sustainability. Read more
What Universities Must Consider Now
The recent release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT has taken the world by storm, raising questions about its impact and implications across various industries. One sector that urgently needs to consider questions around the opportunities and challenges surrounding ChatGPT in particular, but artificial intelligence in general, is higher education. Read more
Women Remain Underrepresented in STEM. Grant Conditions Aren’t Helping
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed annually on 11 February to emphasise, among others, the need for gender parity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Read more
Would-be Students and Their Parents Queue for Hours, Desperate to Secure Spot at CPUT
Hundreds of young people, some accompanied by their parents, withstood cold, windy and wet weather for hours on Monday in an attempt to register at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Read more
WSU Buffalo City Launches New Learning Centre
Walter Sisulu University in East London has officially launched its new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics centre. Read more
WSU-Samsung Innovation Campus Inculcates 4IR Skills to create Work-Ready Employable Students & Entrepreneurs
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in conjunction with Samsung Electronics South Africa are hosted a Certificate Award Ceremony on 17 February 2023 at the Blue Lagoon Hotel & Conference Centre in East London – to certify the successful execution of its inaugural flagship partnership… Read more
31 January 2023
‘Accidental Administrator’ Wants Action to Halt Corruption
Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, the vice-chancellor of South Africa’s University of Fort Hare, survived an apparent assassination attempt earlier in January. He remains determined to stay at the institution, but is deeply frustrated about the lack of action from various authorities, despite evidence relating to alleged corrupt activities. Read more
African Varsities Engage in Agro-Food Systems
A grouping of major African universities, the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) is set to engage governments on strengthening Africa’s agri-food systems in the Post Covid-19 era at their 18th annual meeting set for today. Read more
Although Universities Offer a Welcoming, Highly Supportive Environment, New Entrants will Need to Put in Serious Work to Succeed
As public universities prepare to receive a new cohort of fresh school leavers on their campuses for the 2023 academic year, the Chief Executive Officer of Universities South Africa (USAf), Dr Phethiwe Matutu, has assured the Class of 2022 that they will be entering a welcoming, highly supportive and potentially life-changing environment. Read more
AU’s ‘Neocolonial Entanglement’ Undermines HE Policies
To regain legitimacy as a leading continental organisation, the African Union (AU) needs to decolonise itself and rely more on its member states to refocus its regional higher education policy processes towards African issues instead of excessive financial dependency on external actors which could manipulate policy processes towards donor interests. Read more
Bodyguard of University of Fort Hare Vice-Chancellor Shot Dead in ‘Assassination Attempt’
Mboneli Vesele, the bodyguard of University of Fort Hare (UFH) vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, was shot dead on Friday night in what is suspected to have been an assassination attempt. Read more
Campus Turns into Killing Fields
Tender fraud and the hiring of hit men to deal with perceived competitors and whistleblowers in South Africa’s institutions of higher learning has lifted the lid on the underhand and dodgy dealings following the execution-style and brazen killing of the University of Fort Hare (UFH) vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu’s bodyguard. Read more
Changes Coming for Science, Engineering and Technology Subjects…
Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande says that South Africa’s universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are ready for the wave of new students entering the system in 2023. Read more
Concerns Over Bed Shortages and Space Challenges in Tertiary Institutions
There is a shortage of more than 400000 beds for student accommodation at South African universities, with rural-based tertiary institutions and TVET colleges being worst affected. Read more
Education System isn’t Equipping Learners with Right Skills for Jobs
Persistently high unemployment in South Africa is a structural problem that the central bank doesn’t have the tools to address and should be dealt with by changing the nation’s education policy, South African Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago said. Read more
Education System Must Provide Learners with More Choices
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the broadening of learner access to technical and vocational subjects in order to provide them with more choices and better guidance, as well as mitigate the dropout rate. Read more
Foundation Calls on Private Funding to Support Disadvantaged University Students
The Foundation for Education and Social Justice released a statement on Tuesday, saying students with historical debt needed to be given a chance to register for the 2023 academic year. Read more
Illegal Colleges Decrease Due to the Co-Operation with SAPS – Higher Education
The Higher Education and Training Department says co-operation between law enforcement has led to a decrease in the number of illegal colleges operating in the country. Read more
Increase in Demand for Places, Financial Aid
Universities in South Africa are finalising first-year applications as, on 16 January, the quality assurance body, Umalusi, approved the results of the school-leaving examination written at the end of 2022. Read more
Innovation Needed from State and Varsities to Support Internationalisation in Higher Education
As universities take stock of the changes brought about by the Covid pandemic and rebuild relations with student and other stakeholder bodies, ensuring continuity, as well as growth in student enrolments, is crucial… Read more
Journalism and PR Might Soon Vie for the Same Stories
A study by Stellenbosch University and the City University of London has revealed that the relationship between South African science journalists and scientists, who are sources of information, is complex. Read more
Nzimande Warns Students, Parents Against ‘Fly-By-Night’ Colleges Offering Fake Qualifications
Higher Education, Science, and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande has warned students and parents against illegal colleges that lure and mislead future students into believing they offer qualifications recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Read more
Overqualification: A Symptom of Qualification-Job Mismatch
According to UNESCO’s International Institute for Educational Planning, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are severely affected by qualifications and skills mismatches, making it hard for employers to find suitable job applicants, or develop the ability to forecast potential skills imbalances. Read more
Perception of TVET Colleges Discouraging Student Enrollment
Over 900 000 learners set for the 2022 matric exams and those who progressed carry with them the prospects of getting a seat at one of the 26 universities, 50 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) or the scores of independent institutions across South Africa. Read more
Plagiarism Accused Unisa Student in Race to Clear his Name
A University of South Africa (Unisa) first-year student from Limpopo is running out of time to prove that he did not cheat during his online assessment in the June/July 2022 exam period. Picture: Henk Kruger/African News Agency (ANA). Read more
Plagiarist Academic Edward Mitole Now Claims He is a ‘Spook’ Lying Low
‘Plagiarist professor’ Edward Yusuf Mitole has threatened to slap The Citizen with a R10-million lawsuit for exposing his lies about being a University of South Africa (Unisa) professor and former president Jacob Zuma’s political advisor. Read more
Price of Knowledge Rises for Varsity Students
Unfunded students will have to dig deeper into their pockets this year as most universities have hiked tuition and hostel fees by 5.1% and 7.1% respectively, …Read more
Professor Proposes Agri, Household Waste is the Answer to More Electrification
Aprofessor from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology has identified household and agricultural waste in South Africa as a valuable source of clean energy that can be deployed in communities, complexes and individual homes at a lower cost and with a faster return on investment than solar power. Read more
Push for Universities to Have Centralised Ombuds System
The department of higher education, science and innovation is investigating the possible establishment of a university ombuds office in the university system. Read more
‘SA Not Likely to Have Covid-19 Outbreak Like China’
The University of KwaZulu-Natal bioinformatics scientist, Prof. Tulio de Oliveira, says that at this stage, “South Africans should just wait and see how the situation unfolds”. Read more
SA, Turkey Deepen Science, and Innovation Ties
South Africa and Turkey have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), agreeing to advance cooperation in science and innovation. Read more
Society-Centred Institutions Require Cultural Shift in HE
Universities must focus on equipping their students with leadership as well as technical skills and foster collaborative and experimental forms of learning and knowledge-production that can provide practical solutions to development challenges at scale, according to Arturo Condo, … Read more
Society-Centred Institutions Require Cultural Shift in HE
Universities must focus on equipping their students with leadership as well as technical skills and foster collaborative and experimental forms of learning and knowledge-production that can provide practical solutions to development challenges at scale, according to Arturo Condo,… Read more
South African Universities have been ‘Engulfed by Corruption’
The apparent assassination attempts on one of South Africa’s top university leaders, in which his bodyguard was killed, has highlighted the threat of corruption that appears to have firmed its grip on the country’s tertiary education sector. Read more
Stellenbosch Must Tackle Overprivileged Indifference to Become More Inclusive
e report on racism at South Africa’s Stellenbosch University (SU) by retired constitutional court Judge Sisi Khampepe received wide media coverage. Read more
Stellenbosch University partners with Harvard Law School’s Institute for Global Law and Policy
The aim of the GSA is to invest in the next generation of scholars by placing them in conversation with their global peers, thereby strengthening their ability to think in new ways about global issues that the world faces… Read more
Study Shows Race Bias in Employment of Science Graduates
If you are a white natural science graduate in South Africa, the chances are that you will find a job faster than your black and coloured counterparts. And if you graduate from more recognised or prestigious universities, you are likely to have easier access to internships and, ultimately, employment. Read more
Three Arrested in Connection with Missing TVET Lecturer
A woman and two men appeared in the Dzanani Magistrate’s Court on charges of kidnapping and robbery, following the disappearance of Takalani Jimmy Mukwevho (45), a lecturer at the Vhembe TVET College. Read more
Türkiye Opens Research Center at South African University
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Tuesday inaugurated the Maarif Türkiye Research Center at the University of Pretoria in South Africa’s executive capital. Read more
Two Women University Vice-Chancellors to Tackle Gender-Based Violence in Higher Education
Two women university vice-chancellors will be championing the fight against the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) within the higher education sector. Read more
UCT Says Talks are in Place to Avert Planned Staff Protest Over Wages
The employees have resolved to down tools next week over wage demands. UCT’s academic union wants at least 6%, compared to the institution’s offer of a 3% pay increase. Read more
UCT Students Lead the Way in Sectors of Green Awards Event
University of Cape Town (UCT) walked away with top honours in the property and engineering categories in the eighth annual Greenovate Awards that encourage sustainability in the SA built environment. Read more
UJ and the DSI Launch SA’s First 3d Printed Building
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), in partnership with the University of Johannesburg (UJ), has successfully launched SA’s first ever ‘printed’ building using a 3D concrete printer. Read more
UKZN Researchers ‘Sea’ Potential to Generate Electricity
A designer kite with turbines and linked to a grid which draws current from the sea is hoped to provide an alternative energy source. Read more
UKZN Warns of Scams
“These scams claim to provide help with regards to acquiring financial assistance, student accommodation, registration and places in academic programmes. The university does not charge for these services,” said UKZN executive director of corporate relations Normah Zondo. Read more
UKZN Warns Students of Registration Scams
The University of KwaZulu-Natal is warning students and parents to be on the lookout for potential scams and fraudsters targeting prospective students. Read more
UMP Student Develop Multipurpose SmartD App
The SmartD app is user-friendly and will enable people to shop in the comfort of their home. Read more
University Proud After Graduate Creates Job-Hunting App that Requires No Data
MUT said that a mobile app to help South African graduates seeking employment may just be what the doctor ordered to curb the high unemployment rate in South Africa. Read more
Universities Raising Money to Help Support Poor, Missing Middle Students
Several universities and their students have over the past few years put the plight of those who cannot afford to study at the forefront, developing fundraising measures to help the youth realise their dreams of acquiring an academic qualification. Read more
Ushering in a Bright Future for the University of the Free State
At the University of the Free State we have a clear vision of where we want to be within the next few years, leading up to the year 2034, when the university will be 130 years old. Read more
Western Cape Universities Say Vaccination is not Mandatory…
The University of the Western Cape, along with other universities in the province, has said it no longer requires students to be vaccinated against Covid-19 for them to be allowed on to campus. Read more
31 December 2022
120 School Girls Benefit from Coding and Robotics Training Programme in eThekwini
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) in collaboration with Lenovo Southern Africa is offering a Coding and Robotics Training programme to 120 schoolgirls from 15 schools in the eThekwini area. Read more
#FeesMustFall Book Captures Key Moment in Student Politics
A colourful, retrospective, celebratory, sometimes jarring, but pertinent coffee table book, which captures the violent intensity of the 2015 #FeesMustFall student movement that shook South Africa, was released by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in November. Read more
Action Urgent to Eliminate Bottlenecks to Self-Employment
Africa needs to adopt a holistic approach if it is to build a strong culture of youth entrepreneurship and help tackle the current youth unemployment crisis gripping many countries on the continent. Read more
Are Humour Studies Emerging in African Universities?
Are humour studies emerging in African universities? I answer quickly, somehow, perhaps! But, I shall also add, not in a pronounced way. Which ‘Africa’ is implied by this question and why, one may ask? In this article, my focus is on Sub-Saharan Africa, from the Cape to the Coast, better called ‘Bantu Africa.’ Read more
Comedy in Africa Used to ‘Get Even’ with Political Elite…
In the Western academic tradition, the study of humour has developed from the time Plato (428-348 BCE) taught students in Athens how to inject irony into political debate into a subject that through the centuries has attracted the attention of scholars in anthropology, film production, literature, political science, philosophy, psychology, religion and sociology. Read more
Common Mental Disorders an ‘Enormous’ Burden on Students
To what extent are common mental disorders among university students in Sub-Saharan Africa contributing to academic failure, effectively leading to skills shortages and mismatches in human resources and capacity with the labour market needs in the region? Read more
CUT Student Develops First Sand-Cast Ceramic Art in Africa
A Master’s in Studio Art and Design student at the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Free State, Sylvester Zanoxolo Mqeku, will showcase his award-winning sand-cast ceramic art at his upcoming solo exhibition titled Birth of the Alter Natural. Read more
Cutting-Edge Climate Change Curriculum Enters Phase Two
The Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA) Climate Change Steering Group recently endorsed the finalised version of a climate change and sustainable development curriculum and digital ecosystem, which SARUA revised and which will be updated, under phase two, in 2023. Read more
Chinese Company Donates R1.15-Million to Fund Students at Wits University
A leading Chinese telecommunications company has donated R1.15-million (about US$65,274) to help students studying information science at Wits University in South Africa. Read more
Employability Should be a Marker of Success for TVET Colleges Says Minister
On Tuesday, Statistics South Africa revealed a morsel of good news in that the unemployment rate – both official and expanded – decreased by one percent point. Read more
If You Look, you will Find Opportunities for Further Study
I am a 44-year-old woman from Eastwood, a traditionally coloured residential area in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, one of South Africa’s nine provinces. I went to school at Eastwood Primary and Eastwood High School in the city. Read more
Internships, Job Shadowing Enhance Graduates’ Employability
Four universities in Africa are among the 250 universities globally that have been ranked by the Global Employability University Ranking and Survey 2022, or GEURS for producing employable graduates, … Read more
Lenovo, DUT Unite to Advance Coding, Robotics Skills
PC vendor Lenovo SA, in partnership with the Durban University of Technology (DUT), has launched the Robogirl 2022 programme aimed at preparing young female learners for the fourth industrial revolution and beyond. Read more
Master’s Degree in the Bag, Despite Many Obstacles
She is a full-time radiographer as well as the primary parent to her three children, but Anelisa Moyo possessed enough discipline to see through her master’s degree in radiography. Read more
New Initiative Puts Cities at Frontline of Climate Change
A unique multi-level governance initiative that taps the research, innovation and engagement capacity of universities to help cities cope with climate change has been welcomed. However, some African experts say its success will depend on sufficient investment in universities, …Read more
Online Learning for Ambitious Entrepreneurs
A Nelson Mandela University (NMU) graduand with an eye for development has set her sights on doing her bit to launch Bay entrepreneurs to the next level. Read more
President Calls on Forum to Use Science to Improve People’s Lives, Fight Inequality
President Cyril Ramaphosa shone a spotlight on how science can play a role in improving people’s lives and addressing the challenges facing the world including disease, climate change and food insecurity. Read more
Quality Assurance Networks Should Work Towards Harmonisation
The need to harmonise higher education systems, including quality assurance, to support the sustainability of the continent’s developmental transformation was emphasised by Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Education, … Read more
Report Shows Better Research Profiles and Ongoing Challenges
Despite making notable progress in their quest to become research-oriented institutions over the past seven years, universities allied to the African Research Universities Alliance, or ARUA, largely remain undergraduate universities, in what could be a reflection of the general state of institutions across the continent. Read more
Specialist Training of Health Workers is Urgent
Some universities in Eastern and Southern African countries have programmes for health workers offering advanced degrees that are not accredited by professional bodies, a situation that is misleading to potential candidates who would want to be recognised as specialists in their fields. Read more
Stellenbosch, Teesside to Advance Green Hydrogen
Stellenbosch University (SU) has teamed up with Teesside University in England to advance the use of green hydrogen as an energy source. Read more
Stellenbosch University Allocates R12m for Green Hydrogen Research
Stellenbosch University has allocated R12 million for research into green hydrogen, which has been touted by the South African government as an energy source that can help lower carbon emissions in sectors such as steel and aviation. Read more
Stellenbosch University Denies Changes to Language Policy Commission Recommendations
Stellenbosch University has dismissed claims that some recommendations of the recent Justice Khampepe report have been overturned due to political intervention. Read more
Stellenbosch University’s Wim de Villiers: ‘Urination Incidents will Happen Again’
Steelenbosch University rector and vice-chancellor Wim de Villiers speaks to James de Villiers about why the university will not be reviewing its language policy despite a recent recommendation by Justice Sisi Khampepe, … Read more
Strong Leadership Needed to Confront Academic Xenophobia
The presence of xenophobic practices in South Africa’s higher learning institutions can be blamed on a lack of strong leadership in the universities, which has turned a blind eye on the vice by allowing expediency to prevail over merit. Read more
Students’ Low Condom Use Continues to Drive HIV Infections
Are sexual relationships with older partners, who are more likely to insist on having sex without the use of condoms, one of the high-risk drivers that promote and encourage the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, among university students across Sub-Saharan Africa? Read more
Twenty (20) Winners of RUFORUM Young African Entrepreneurs Competition 2022…
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) is pleased to announce the 20 winners of the 2022 RUFORUM Young African Entrepreneurs Competition. The competition attracted 136 applications from 16 countries in Africa. Read more
UCT VC Phakeng Denies Sick-Leave Account, Student Assaults Academic…
The governance crisis at the University of Cape Town continues to spiral, with Vice-Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng and Council Chair Babalwa Ngonyama now at loggerheads over claims that Phakeng has been hospitalised due to stress. Read more
UKZN Co-led Study Shows Improvement in South African Children’s Physical Activity
Co-led by Professor Rowena Naidoo from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Discipline of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, the report indicates that children’s physical activity moved up to a B grade, despite the global Covid-19 pandemic – placing the country ahead of the nearly 50 other nations in the Global Matrix 4.0. Read more
UKZN Professor Karim Elected to Head World Academy of Sciences
University of KwaZulu-Natal pro vice-chancellor for African Health, professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim, has been elected president of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). Read more
UNESCO Builds the Capacity of African Journalists on Reporting Science
In the run up to the 2022 World Science Forum (WSF), the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa partnered with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Stellenbosch University, South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation to train over 100 journalists and communication professionals from across Africa … Read more
UNESCO Launches Training on a Systems Thinking Tool to Promote Inclusive Education
To UNESCO every learner matters equally. The mission of its education sector is to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. Read more
Universities can Share Language Resources, Notwithstanding Their Ongoing Pursuit of a Competitive Edge
It was time to stop talking and start implementing. This was the view of speakers at the second Vice-Chancellors’ (VC) Consultative Colloquium on the revised Language Policy Framework for Public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Read more
University of Mpumalanga Wins Prestigious Standard Bank Award
The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) recently won the Top Women Business Icons 202: an Honorary Legends of Empowerment and Transformation Award at the 2022 Standard Bank Top Women Awards at Emperor’s Palace in Gauteng. Read more
Why Universities Need to Start Sharing Language Resources
Even though universities thrive on competition, they need to stop competing in every single innovation. If, say Rhodes University is doing something about developing isiXhosa, and so are Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town, … Read more
Wits Mining Accredited for Another Five-Year Regular Cycle
The high academic standard at Wits University’s School of Mining Engineering has once again been confirmed by its recent accreditation by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Read more
Wits Alumnus and Biologist Expert Sive Honored for Her Contribution to Science
Learning about the development of frogs at Wits University in the late 1970s sparked an interest in the young student Hazel Sive that led to her now being considered a world-renowned expert in the study of facial deformities as well as fundamental mechanisms underlying face and brain formation. Read more
30 November 2022
African, Asian, and Australian Deans’ Standpoints on Research Impact Seem to Converge
The recent Higher Education Leadership and Management (HELM) Summit 2022 included a session where three universities’ deans from three different time zones discussed the challenges of mid-level managers in higher education, moderated by another dean in a fourth time zone. Read more
Business Schools for Climate Leadership Initiative Launched
Six leading African business schools launched the Business Schools for Climate Leadership Africa (BS4CL Africa) initiative to build a collaborative framework for climate action that can transform business education curricula to match the needs and adapt to the realities of the African continent. Read more
Cancer Researchers Must Broaden the Focus of Their Work
Cancer research in Africa has increased over the past decade, but those gains were unevenly distributed as just 13 out of 54 countries on the continent produced 90% of the research, with Egypt and South Africa contributing two-thirds of the peer-reviewed contributions about cancer, … Read more
Climate Action is a Key HE Mandate and in Need of Funding
As the Sharm el-Sheikh climate summit, COP27, unfolds, the higher education community is grasping the opportunity to put some of their demands on the conference table in Egypt, including calls to strengthen educational and research capacities of universities and research centres to tackle the impact of climate change. Read more
Climate Change and SDG Education to Target Million Youths
An estimated million African university students are set to benefit from a digital education programme on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2023-24. Read more
Degree Fraud, Scandals and Maladministration: What’s Happening at SA Universities?
South African universities are experiencing a legitimacy crisis, with several institutions facing allegations of fraud, maladministration and irregular appointment processes. Read more
DUT is at the Forefront of Higher Education, Technological Training, Research, and Innovation
The Durban university of technology (DUT) is a globally recognised University based in KwaZulu-Natal, comprising of seven campuses, with five in Durban and two in Pietermaritzburg, … Read more
Education Activist Calls for 50% Pass Mark for All Grades
Various organisations and education activists have been vocal about the controversial 30% pass rate to be scrapped as they believe it affects the South African educational system. Read more
Electric Buses for University of Johannesburg as Solar Power Initiative Grows
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) solar power initiative now produces 15% of the institution’s energy consumption, with electric buses now moving students around campus.Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the university, Professor Marwala congratulated the institution for its drive for clean energy. Read more
First African Civil Engineer Inducted into Wits Wall of Fame
Dr Solomon Lefakane, the first African to obtain a Civil Engineering degree in 1961, is the first Wits alumnus to be inducted into the Engineering Wall of Fame. Read more
Forum Launches to Fight Crime in Universities
The scourge of crime and gender-based violence (GBV) in the Universities led the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela, and the SAPS to launch the Campus Community Forum in Walter Sisulu University (WSU), last week. Read more
Funding of HE: Replace Monologues with Candid Conversations
In a recent article in University World News, it was reported that Zimbabwe’s minister of higher and tertiary education blamed universities for the widely bemoaned low levels of state funding. Read more
Head of University of the Free State Business School Suspended After Planning Diversity Training
On 14 October, the University of the Free State (UFS) website published a glowing article about the UFS Business School and its new strategic vision under director Dr Udesh Pillay, who had been in his position for just over a year. Read more
HELM Summit 2022 Explores Innovative Leadership Development for Higher Education…
Shifting global parameters and heightened uncertainties highlight our universally shared vulnerability and point to how interconnected we are as a society: economically, socially, politically, and culturally. A new breed of leaders and managers with a new set of skills is needed to navigate these turbulent waters. Read more
How to Develop and Nurture Academic Leaders at Our Universities
Academic leadership is one of the most important foundations for success in our universities. However, leadership and management in academia presents its own challenges with many promoted to higher positions without proper training or a clear understanding of the complexity of the roles they are expected to fulfil. Read more
Global University Leaders Exchange Leadership Attributes, Challenges and Opportunities
How can universities be a driving force for change in broader sciety and what role should their leaders play in our ever developing world? Read more
How Universities are Transforming Their Language Policies and Why This is Critical
Language has the power to change higher education in this country and lead to better social cohesion. Read more
Initiative Elevates Women’s Key Role in Climate Adaptation
Egypt’s COP27 presidency launched the African Women’s Climate Adaptive Priorities (AWCAP) initiative for promoting the integration and involvement of women in finding smart and innovative solutions to the consequences of climate change and to ensure a green transformation in Africa. Read more
Intervarsity Social Impact Award Winner Makes Mathematics Fun, Interactive and Affordable
There are 13 million students in South Africa, 63% of them without basic mathematics. “That is why there is a shortage of critical skills in South Africa,” Ms Munashe Dzikiti, told judges at the 4th annual EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity 2022 finals… Read more
Linguists Cautiously Back ‘Official’ National Languages
African linguists have voiced support, with a need for caution, over a proposal adopted by several African countries to give their national languages the same status as official ‘colonial’ languages such as French and English. Read more
Low Climate Literacy Among Women, Youth Hampers Resilience
“The US$100 billion pledge for climate finance made about a decade ago appears to be a pipedream. Needless to say, closing finance gaps and increasing the flow of climate finance by billions of dollars per year from both public and private sector is critical,” says Joyce Kimutai, climate scientist and principal meteorologist at the Kenya Meteorological Department, … Read more
Mathematics Teacher Practice During the 4th Industrial Revolution
Teaching Practice (TP) is a vital component of teacher education and training because it provides student teachers with an opportunity to gain experience in the workplace and to apply theory to practice. Good teachers are among the most important factors contributing to student achievement in the classroom. Read more
MUT Students Call for Tight Security After Fatal Residence Stabbing
Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) students want stricter security measures at their student residences citing safety concerns.In July this year, 23-year-old student Xolile Mbatha was stabbed to death by her boyfriend Sanele Mlambo – who was granted access to her residence. Read more
Night of Drama as Deputy Chair Withdraws ‘in Protest’, Council Members Resign
The University of Cape Town’s council has yet again failed to appoint an independent panel, led by a retired judge, to investigate allegations of misconduct against the vice-chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, and council chair Babalwa Ngonyama. … Read more
Our universities are Caught in the Snare of a Leadership crisis – Dr Bernadette Johnson
South Africa’s universities have not suddenly arrived at where they are beset with challenges across the board. There have been many other incidents of corruption, maladministration, and violence over the past 30 years. Read more
Project Embeds SDGs in Curricula, Identifies Best Practices
Several universities in South Africa, together with a Greek institution and one in Cyprus as partners and funded by the European Union (EU) have been working on a project to embed the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into higher education curricula. Read more
Rhodes Business School Partners with eLearnAfrica to Develop a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
Recognized as one of the leading business schools for its focus on sustainability and ethical leadership, Rhodes Business School has entered into a partnership with eLearnAfrica to develop a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), … Read more
Rising Graduate Unemployment Leads to Uptake in Entrepreneurship
According to PWC, even those with tertiary education are facing an uphill battle in finding employment, with about one in ten people who are unemployed in South Africa having a tertiary education. Read more
SA’s Indigenous Languages Must all be Fully Developed and Featured in Digital Resources…
Although South Africa has 11 official languages, we may be drifting into a world of monolingualism, especially when it comes to finding information online, says Professor Vukosi Marivate. Read more
SA’s Chinese Embassy Awards 59 University Students for Tackling Socio-Economic Issues
University students from across South Africa were recognised by the People’s Republic of China embassy in SA after entering an essay contest. Read more
SA Universities are Reimagining Postgraduate Supervision in Diverse Ways
The student-supervisor relationship at universities is changing. It is no longer bound to the model where the post-graduate is the apprentice of the supervisor. Now the approach is towards group supervision, cohort training and sharing of resources. Read more
SA Universities Feature in Top 500 on World Rankings List
South African universities’ global standing has dropped slightly, but seven of the country’s universities continued flying the flag high in the 2022/23 Best Global Universities ranking. Read more
Stellenbosch University Admit ‘Much More to do’ to Combat Racism at Institution
Stellenbosch University Rector and Vice-Chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers has received the report of the independent Khampepe inquiry into alleged racism at the institution. Read more
Stellenbosch University to Host Race and Transformation Conference
Following the release of the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry report into racism at Stellenbosch University (SU), the university in partnership with Nelson Mandela University and Bath University will host a Race and Transformation in Higher Education Conference… Read more
The Gap Universities are Having to Fill Regarding Student Mental Health Issues
Student mental health issues in South Africa are escalating; but who should be providing the necessary care and treatment – universities or government? Read more
The New Crisis Hitting Schools in South Africa
A study conducted by a professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Cape Town (UCT) shows alarming vaping trends among matriculants of affluent schools in South Africa, with the expert calling for the speedy implementation of vaping regulations. Read more
The Linguistic Revolution at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is one of the country’s pioneers in developing a language policy, a process that started in 2004 and culminated in isiZulu being given official status alongside English. Read more
The Politics of Visual Redress at Stellenbosch University
Changing the visual culture at a university that was closely associated with apartheid (Stellenbosch University in South Africa) is particularly vexatious. It is central to the institution’s attempt to grow an institutional ethos and culture based on norms of inclusiveness, restitution, and redress. Read more
The Role of PanSALB in Upholding Multilingualism in SA’s Society
In order to effectively elevate the status of South Africa’s indigenous languages, they have to be transformed into, and used as, languages of learning… Read more
Twenty (20) winners of RUFORUM Young African Entrepreneurs Competition 2022…
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) is pleased to announce the 20 winners of the 2022 RUFORUM Young African Entrepreneurs Competition. The competition attracted 136 applications from 16 countries in Africa… Read more
UCT in ‘Racist’ Split over Phakeng, Ngonyama Probes
There seems to be divided voices at UCT on the investigation against vice-chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng and UCT council chairperson, Babalwa Ngonyama. Read more
UCT Partners with German-Based Company to Decarbonise Aviation
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has partnered with Germany’s Helmholtz Centre for Materials and Energy in a three-year research project.The aim of the partnership is to develop ways of decarbonising the aviation sector by creating sustainable aviation fuels. Read more
UKZN Students Address Ocean Pollution
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), in collaboration with Ecohealth, the Department of Health and Refilwe Matlotlo non-profit organisation, hosted a beach clean-up at Durban Harbour to put to use the knowledge they acquired from the recent COP27 conference at Sharm el-Sheikh, in Egypt. Read more
UKZN ENT Registrar Awarded for Research Presentation at National Congress
A medical registrar in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal was lauded for her award-winning presentation at the South African Society of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 58th National congress recently. Read more
UKZN’s Dr Maistry Wins First Place at National Congress
Maistry scooped first place for her excellent study titled ‘Peak Expiratory Flow Rate Monitoring in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP).’ Read more
UJ in Bold Move to Cut Carbon Footprint with New Electric Bus Service
Something significant happened in the streets of the City of Joburg on 1 November 2022. That’s when students from the University of Johannesburg boarded its newest electric bus. Read more
UNISA’s School of Business Leadership Pioneers Integrated, Future-Focused, Continental Business Model
South Africa is not a silo, and a world of business opportunities lies just beyond our borders. According to Professor Pumela Msweli, this is something that many South African entrepreneurs and business leaders must still realise. Read more
University Leaders Could Benefit from a Global Perspective
It is imperative that leaders in higher education have a global perspective beyond their national borders and building networks and communities of leaders is one of numerous ways to achieve this. Read more
Universities need to equip leaders to deal with an unscripted future
The University of Cape Town’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, said she wondered if young people these days were smarter than in her own youth days, …Read more
University of Pretoria Improves Global Ranking in Overall Reputation
The university is now ranked 382 globally in overall reputation, compared with 514 in 2021. The rankings are based on a survey carried out between November 2021 and February 2022, which garnered 29 399 responses from 147 countries. Read more
University of Pretoria Scientist in Fight to Save Antarctic’s Southern Ocean
A University of Pretoria macro-ecologist has joined a global campaign to save the Southern Ocean around the Antarctic which scientists say needs urgent protection… Read more
University of Pretoria to launch pioneering Centre for Asian Studies in Africa
Our current moment is often referred to as the Asian century. Whereas different meanings are attributed to this term and experts disagree as to how accurately it describes our times, there is no doubt that it touches upon a very significant global transformation… Read more
University of Limpopo Students Dance Their Way into History Books
A ballroom and Latin dance couple, Happy and Adelaide Hlungwani from the University of Limpopo, etched their dance moves in the history books of the World Dance Championships Amateur League (WDC AL) and Dutch Open Amateur Latin Championship when they won gold and bronze medals in their debut international act. Read more
University Partnership Brings joy to Nelson Mandela Bay School Playgrounds
From grey and drab to colourful and inviting – Nelson Mandela University’s human movement science and architecture departments, together with Mandela University alumnus and architect Jacques Theron, have completed enhancements to a playground and ablution facility… Read more
University Rankings are an Unscientific and Socially Damaging Billion-Dollar Game…
Yale and Harvard have both announced that they are withdrawing from the US News & World Report university rankings. Harvard Law School Dean, John Manning, said it had become “impossible to reconcile our principles and commitments with the methodology and incentives”. Read more
Universities Should be Dynamic, ‘Transformative Spaces’
Universities in Africa need to be more dynamic and open to new initiatives as they seek to deliver on their mandate of advancing the domestic, social, and economic development of their societies, according to Teboho Moja, professor of higher education at New York University, USA. Read more
UNZA Ranked 6th Best University in Africa
The University of Zambia (UNZA) has been ranked 6th best university in Africa from 156 universities in 20 countries by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. Meanwhile, at the global level, UNZA has been ranked in the 501-600 position out of 1,799 participating universities. Read more
UP’s Digital Lab to Develop Future-Fit, Employable Students
The University of Pretoria (UP) has unveiled the Digital Capability Laboratory, aimed at equipping the institution’s students with “future-fit” digital skills. Read more
VCs from Africa, Europe Discuss Building Scientific Capacity
Vice-chancellors and university presidents from more than 30 universities across Africa and Europe met for the first summit between the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), and The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities early in November. Read more
VUT Strengthens Ties with Kenya’s Maasai Mara University…
On Thursday, 8 November 2022, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) and Maasai Mara University (MMARAU) from Kenya strengthened their ties and formalised their longstanding relationship by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two universities. Read more
We Cannot Afford not to Embrace and Implement Multilingualism Says Professor Madadzhe
Studying African languages in institutions of higher education does not mean abandoning English. It simply recognises languages as an integral part of humanity, as communication instruments… Read more
What Knowledge Matters in Health Professions Education?
Knowledge matters in education, but some kinds of knowledge matter more. And knowledge that really matters is powerful. Powerful knowledge defines a field of study and determines what is taught within that field. Read more
Wits University to Make Multimillion-Rand Upgrades to Planetariu
Wits University’s received a R75 million donation to transform Johannesburg’s 62-year-old planetarium into an upgraded digital dome. The digital dome will promote scientific research, artificial intelligence, and the digital arts… Read more
Wits Young Scientist Wins Globally for Groundbreaking Research
Tamlyn Sasha Naidu, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of the Witwatersrand, recently wowed the Falling Walls Science Summit audience in Berlin with her groundbreaking research and won the main prize in the 2022 world finals with her presentation on “Breaking the Wall of Acid Mine Drainage”. Read more
Woman Engineering Student Scoops Science Award in Berlin
Tamlyn Sasha Naidu from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, South Africa, was this year’s breakthrough winner of the emerging talents at the Falling Walls Science Summit held in Berlin, Germany. Falling Walls is the unique global hub connecting science, business and society. Read more
Women Scientists Lead Way with 4IR Solutions
Women researchers are shinning the spotlight on education, health and unemployment problems besetting poor communities and how South Africa can harness the power of technology to find solutions to those challenges. Read more
WSU Receives Financial Donation to Help Clear Students’ Debt
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) recently welcomed a donation of over R4.5 million from Steinmüller Africa to relieve the burden of student debt, which amounts to R1.5 billion. According to WSU records, 72% of the university’s registered students are on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Read more
WSU Rocked by Plagiarism Scandal
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) has been rocked by accusations that its strategic plan has been plagiarised from another university. Large sections of the university’s Vision 2030, which came into being in 2020, was allegedly copied from the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Vision 2030, … Read more
31 October 2022
5 UKZN Academics Named Members of the Academy of Science of SA, and 1 Admitted into South African Young Academy of Science
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has congratulated six of its top scholars who have been named in the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS). Read more
24 Students Expelled from MUT After Torching of Building During Protest
The expulsion of 24 students fingered for the recent torching of one of the buildings at the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) should serve as a warning that the institution will not put up with any form of violence and destruction of property. Read more
African HE Can be More Competitive Through 4IR Technologies
Universities across Africa need to embrace the new technologies being forged under the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or 4IR, to expand their educational capacity and produce relevant new knowledge, according to Tshilidzi Marwala, outgoing vice-chancellor of the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in South Africa. Read more
ASSAf Honours Top Academics
Twenty-nine of the country’s leading scholars and scientists were inaugurated as Members of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) at the annual Awards Ceremony last night (19 October 2022). Read more
Can SA Universities be Incubators of ‘Societal Good’?
The university’s role in societal development has an ambiguous legacy. Some argue that universities have failed miserably in fulfilling their third mission, or quadruple helix task, of promoting societal impact, development, innovation, and engagement. Read more
Decolonised Education is Still a Radical Idea
The profoundly radical idea of decolonisation came to command the attention of our country’s 26 public universities in 2015 and 2016, beginning with successful student protests the presence of a prominent statue of arch-imperialist Cecil John Rhodes on the University of Cape Town campus. Read more
Durban University of Technology Celebrates Being in top 5 in Times Higher Education World University Rankings
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) was ranked in the top 5 of all universities in South Africa in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Read more
Fort Hare Joins Ranks of World’s Top Universities
The University of Fort Hare has received a prestigious global accolade by one of the world’s most trusted university ranking agencies. Recently, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings published its annual report of the world’s top universities for 2023, listing 15 SA institutions among them. Read more
Govt Launches National Biosecurity Hub at University of Pretoria
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) on October 11 launched the National Biosecurity Hub, at the University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Future Africa campus, to support the prevention and reduction of crop and animal disease in South Africa. Read more
Higher Education May Face Serious Funding Challenges…
The Financial and Fiscal Commission says the Department of Higher Education is likely to face serious funding challenges for students in tertiary institutions. Read more
Higher Education Should Promote More ‘Hard-Hand Skills’ for Prosperity
Last month the department of higher education and training released a Draft Policy for the Recognition of South African Higher Education Institutional Types. In the main, the policy seeks to articulate more sharply the three different types of higher education institutions that SA has, … Read more
Holberton School: New CEO to Expand Africa Network
Bucher on October 1st took over the management of Holberton School, the network of schools specializing in the training of high-level IT developers around the world. Read more
How did we stray from the simple principle of right and wrong? – Prof Jonathan Jansen
How does a university fall apart? Our research points to a simple and consistent finding: when the leadership of an institution violates its own rules with respect to academic governance. Read more
How to Tackle Research Agreements with Industry Partners
There is an understanding and agreement among scholars, higher education institutions and industry on the importance and benefits for universities and industry to engage in collaborative research. Read more
Insubordination, Bullying and Harassment Claims Divide Varsity
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) council is divided into two opposing factions. One supports vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Dan Kgwadi. The other is behind Refilwe Buthelezi, the chair of the council, who resigned on Wednesday. Read more
About TAFSA ProgramIntra-Africa Mobility to Train Agribusiness and Food System Scientists for African Agriculture (TAFSA) is funded by the European Union (EU). The program is run by 5 African Universities… Read more
Join War Against Those Who Discredit Science
The African scientific community has to be part of global efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation against science that is threatening future progress that the world can make through scientific research breakthroughs. Read more
Private Tertiary Institutions Want to be Called Universities
JSE-listed Stadio and AdvTech, which own tertiary institutions and offer courses accredited under the same system as public universities, want to be able to call themselves universities to help them compete better and assist graduates in job hunting. Read more
Medical Graduates Idling with Degrees
They were sent to study medicine abroad with promise of work at home. After spending six years training in Russia, the last thing a group of medical students expected was to join the growing list of unemployed graduates in South Africa. Read more
MUT Study Reveals Gender Disparity in Science Research
Social, behavioural and policy interventions are needed to support women to succeed in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. This was suggested in a study by Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) academics, comparing women’s disparity in science research… Read more
Nelson Mandela University First University to Legally Operate Drones
Nelson Mandela University became the first university in South Africa to legally operate drones. This achievement brought it a step closer to realising its vision of offering a diverse range of life-changing educational experiences for a better world. Read more
New Cinematography Institution to Boost Film Industry
The first-ever tertiary training institution for cinematography in the Central Africa sub-region, the Higher Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Professionals of Central Africa (ISCAC), has opened in Cameroon. Read more
Number of Ranked Universities in Africa Increases to 97
African universities have made dramatic progress in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023 as, for the first time, 97 universities from 17 countries, up from 71 last year, have been rated to be part of the best universities globally, with 10 of them in the top 500. Read more
Reflections on the Race Inquiry at Stellenbosch University
On Sunday morning, 23 October, I woke to the news that another Stellenbosch University student, the third male student in 2022, urinated on a fellow student’s belongings. Read more
Report on Alleged ‘Capture’ at UCT is Mischievous, Unethical and Misleading
The article under the headline “Dark days: Accusations of capture and governance instability rock UCT” (3 October 2022) contains a litany of claims that are either incorrect, misleading or unethical. Read more
SA Doctorates Get the Third Degree: On Par with Other Countries, but Room for Improvement
A review by the Council of Higher Education on the state of doctoral degrees finds that South African institutions are on par with international universities, but says there is room for improvement. Read more
SA Students Struggle to Finish Higher Education Courses…
One of the challenges facing higher education in South Africa is that many students don’t complete their degrees or take a long time to finish their studies.Professor Tawana Kupe highlighted the problem at the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit in New York last week. Read more
SA Universities Advanced in Finding Solutions to Global Challenges…
South African universities were well represented at the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit in New York this past week. The summit saw hundreds of delegates from universities around the world meet up to discuss the future of higher education and its impact on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Read more
SA Varsities Embrace the Cloud
South African universities and other institutions of higher learning embrace a new Cloud-driven future of education. Among these is the University of Limpopo, which in 2018 began revamping its enterprise architecture, ushering its ailing information technology infrastructure into a new world of efficiency. Read more
Science Champion Wants to See More Young Women in STEM
A 25-year-old student from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in South Africa has been channelling her love for science into nearby communities where she is raising awareness about careers for women in science and providing information to girls about fields of study in the sciences. Read more
Skills to Tackle Climate Change Should be on Agenda at COP27
The capacity-building aspect of climate change should be addressed when climate science activists, researchers and politicians gather for the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP27, in Egypt from 6-18 November. Read more
South Africa’s Telescope Designed to Study Birth of Universe
South Africa is home to part of one of the largest scientific endeavours in history. The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) is the world’s biggest telescope and the international project aims to probe mindboggling questions about the birth of our universe.
Stellenbosch’s R1bn Luxury Private Student Accommodation Development
The development of a luxury new R1 billion private residence for students is on the cards for a prime site just a stone’s throw away from Stellenbosch University and will be launched to market later this month (October). Read more
Stellenbosch Theoretical Physicist Honoured with SAIP Gold Medal
In his career as a theoretical physicist, Prof Hendrik Geyer has always put up his hand for the big problems in physics – from developing a mathematical framework in the 1990s that has become fundamental to the building of quantum mechanical systems today, to building the field of physics in South Africa. Read more
Stellenbosch Uni Hit by Yet Another Urination Scandal, the Third this year
Stellenbosch University has been rocked by yet another urination scandal. Campus management says it’s been made aware of a severely intoxicated student who urinated in the room of fellow students at the Eendrag residence during the early hours of Saturday morning. Read more
‘Tertiary Institutions Need to Equip Future Generations with Coping Skills’
Rhodes University vice-chancellor Sizwe Mabizela says the Covid-19 pandemic taught us that we need to learn to navigate uncertainty and change… Read more
The Dire Struggles of Students from Low-Income Families
A study by a team of researchers from three universities has revealed the dire struggles South African university students from low-income families experience. This includes lack of funds to purchase electronic devices and clothing as well as being exposed to crime. Read more
The Transformation of the Knowledge Commons: Perspectives from the Global South.
The growing complexity and interdependence of multiple global development challenges call for more inter-disciplinary and forward-looking research and knowledge generation. Read more
Twenty (20) Winners of RUFORUM Young African Entrepreneurs Competition…
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) is pleased to announce the 20 winners of the 2022 RUFORUM Young African Entrepreneurs Competition. The competition attracted 136 applications from 16 countries in Africa… Read more
UCT Council Split on Investigation into Allegations Against Chair, VC
The University of Cape Town council was split right down the middle on whether to appoint a retired judge to investigate allegations of capture and misconduct against Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng,… Read more
UKZN, CPUT Students Joint Runners Up in Annual Design Competition
A University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) student was a joint runner-up with a student from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in the PG Bison 1.618 Education Initiative. Read more
UKZN Honours student to represent SA in 2023 World Slam Poetry Competition…
A University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) student received R22 000 and will represent South Africa at the 2023 World Slam Poetry Competition in Brazil next year. Kwanele Nyembe, an Honours student in drama and performing arts, was crowned the National Poetry Slam champion during the recent Poetry Africa Festival. Read more
UKZN Hosts Climate Change Education Certificate Celebration
The School of Education’s Community Engagement and Extended Learning division hosted the Keep it Cool-Climate Change Education (KIC-CCE) certificate celebration on the Edgewood campus. Read more
UKZN Student Entrepreneurs Make Clean Sweep at Regional Competition
Four University of KwaZulu-Natal student entrepreneurs made a clean sweep at the regional round of the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Entrepreneurship Intervarsity Challenge hosted by Mangosuthu University of Technology in Durban recently. Read more
Understanding Just What Coaching is and the Different Forms it Takes
There are many misconceptions about what coaching is and the various forms it can take. The field of coaching is diverse and covers many different areas of development. Read more
Unisa Vice-Chancellor Puleng LenkaBula Accused of Causing Divisions at the Higher Learning Institution
The once glorious University of South Africa (Unisa) is a shadow of its former self, and the accusations of incompetence point to vice-chancellor Puleng LenkaBula. Read more
Universities South Africa’s Fundraising Project to Help Pay for Students’ Historical Debts …
In the face of mounting student debt at universities across the country, in August 2020, Universities South Africa (USAf) pledged to raise R1 billion in 24 months to help pay off students’ historical debts;… Read more
University of Mpumalanga’s Studentpreneurs Scoop Award in Malaysia
The University of Mpumalanga’s (UMP) studentpreneurs won the Best Pitch Award at the Start-up Entrepreneurship Programme held recently at the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation in Malaysia. Read more
UWN Celebrates 15 Years of Independent, In-Depth Reporting
University World News (UWN) passed another significant milestone this week – its 15th birthday – which is a moment for celebration of its achievements since its first edition on 14 October 2007. Read more
UWC Helps Teachers Make Math and Data Analytics More Exciting for Their Learners
With the growing demand for data scientists and analysts worldwide, learning subjects like maths and data analytics at school need to be more attractive and fun for pupils. Read more
Walter Sisulu University Student Wins SA-Sweden Essay Competition
Walter Sisulu University fourth year social sciences student, Philile Maseti, has used his good writing skills to earn himself a networking opportunity, after winning the SA-Sweden Essay Competition. Read more
Wits Gets R54m Funding to Put SA on Quantum Map
Wits University has secured R54 million in funding from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), to kick-start the South African Quantum Technologies Initiative (SA QuTI). Read more
Wits to Kick-Start a National Quantum Technologies Initiative with R54 Million Funding
Wits University has led a national consortium that secured R54 million funding from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) to co-ordinate a national quantum technologies initiative. Read more
Wits University International Lightning Conference Ends with a Bang, Just in Time for ‘Lightning Season’
For the first time in its 71-year history, the International Conference on Lightning Protection (ICLP), one of the most prestigious international lightning protection conferences, was hosted by an African city. Read more
WSU Moves to Upskill Academic Staff
Walter Sisulu University’s council chair, advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, has admitted that the majority of WSU lecturers fail to meet the minimum requirements for their posts but says steps are being taken to address the problem. Read more
WSU Now in a Better Place
Governance, finances better, but more focus needed on producing graduates who can find jobs, says outgoing council chair. Walter Sisulu University council chair Tembeka Ngcukaitobi is happy with the stability in the governance and finances of the university, … Read more
Xenophobia is Threatening the Future of the SA University
One of the most serious threats facing higher education and the scientific enterprise in South Africa is the rising tide of xenophobia in the halls of academia. I did not think this was possible. Read more
30 September 2022
65-Year-Old PhD Gradate Doesn’t Believe in the Retirement Concept
That was the relief and feeling of accomplishment expressed by 65-year-old Dr Mlamuli Mthembu, who graduated with a PhD in leadership studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal this week. Read more
Another Stellenbosch University Student Suspended for Urinating on Roommate’s Chair
Stellenbosch University (SU) has suspended a student who urinated on his roommate’s chair at the Helshoogte men’s residence.This is the second urination scandal to hit the university this year. Read more
ARUA to Add Seven Centres of Excellence in the Next Year
The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) will increase the number of Centres of Excellence it runs from 13 to 20 in the next 12 months in response to the need for increased university-led knowledge output in priority scientific areas. Read more
A Wits Professor Wants to Save Rhinos…
South Africa’s rhino population is dwindling, with the demand for the animals’ horns fuelling rampant poaching. Read more
Big Win for UKZN Student Entrepreneurs in Regional Round of Entrepreneurship Intervarsity Challenge
Four student entrepreneurs from the University of KwaZulu-Natal have won the regional round of the Entrepreneurship Intervarsity Challenge (EDHE). Read more
‘Change the Knowledge Economy into a Knowledge Democracy’
Although the prospect of a radical transformation of higher education remains dim under neo-liberalism, there is still much that could be done to help universities fulfil their public-good mandate more effectively, according to Laura Czerniewicz, former director of the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Read more
CUT Solar Car Chasing the Sun to Cape Town
The Central University of Technology, (CUT) Free State’s solar car team “Seilatsatsi” will be competing in the 2022 Sasol Solar Car Challenge, marking the team’s second participation. Read more
Explore New Ways to Restructure Knowledge Production
As agents of social transformation, African universities should explore new ways of restructuring curricula, developing students, and producing knowledge, according to South African academic Cheryl de la Rey, who is now the vice-chancellor of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Read more
First Black SA Woman to Graduate with a PhD in Marine Geology – from UKZN
Research conducted by the first black South African woman to graduate with a PhD in marine geology seeks to understand how coastlines respond to climate change and the consequences of future changes.Nonkululeko Dladla, received her PhD in marine geology… Read more
Former UCT Student Named on ‘Rapist List’ Wins R300,000 in Damages
A former University of Cape Town (UCT) student has won damages claim against a woman who added his name to a widely-circulated UCT rapists list. Read more
Governance Systems Can aid Seamless Leadership Transitions
Moments of leadership transition reveal much about the governance systems and processes in an organization. The more robust the institutional arrangements are, the more seamless the transition. Read more
Harmonised Higher Education Could be a Game Changer
The implementation of the proposal by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) that seeks to harmonise higher education systems in East Africa could be a much-needed game changer. Read more
HE in Prisons Still ‘Patchy’ Despite Expansion of E-Learning
The COVD-19 pandemic’s expansion of online learning has created new higher education opportunities to teach Africa’s prison inmates, but even the administrators of some correctional facilities and government officials have been reluctant to take advantage of these options. Read more
Higher Education and Training on Worldskills Competition 2022 Special Edition
The WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition (WSC2022SE) will see over 1,100 competitors from 57 countries and regions participate in 61 skill competitions which will be held between October and November 2022. Read more
Higher Education Department ‘Following All Cases’ of NSFAS Fraud
Higher education minister Blade Nzimande said his department welcomes the proclamation signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to allow the Special Investigation Unit to investigate maladministration and fraud at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Read more
Industry Needs Technical Skills
To stimulate skills development, TVETSmart is shifting its focus towards more vocational and technical education.The campaign is funded through the German Ministry of Economic. Read more
It is Vital to Build Capacity in the Basic Sciences in Africa
This year is the centenary of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics of which South Africa is one of the 13 founding members, and which has 60 member countries. It is also the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. Read more
Mining and Minerals have had Limited Educational Benefits
The story of mineral discoveries and mining in Africa being a social curse for the continent is likely to persist after researchers at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank recently found no conclusive evidence of intergenerational mobility into higher education in most African countries and districts where extractions of mineral resources occur. Read more
More Than Half of South Africa’s Skilled Graduates Want to Leave the Country
About half of South Africa’s top earners and university graduates are considering emigration as citizens lose faith in the country’s future, the Social Research Foundation said, citing a survey it conducted. Read more
Network Wants to Make Impact by Providing 21st-Century Skills
Academics have stressed the importance of ensuring African graduates secure jobs after their studies, ideally linked to the expertise they have gained during their courses. Read more
Network Will Support Implementation of Addis Convention
A group of African countries has launched the African Network of National Implementation Structures, a framework that will coordinate and campaign for the recognition of higher education qualifications, as well as facilitate academic mobility and inter-university cooperation across the continent. Read more
North West University Denies Suspending Student for Afrikaans Speech
North West University has denied suspending a student at its Potchefstroom campus amid allegations of discrimination. The claim follows an incident where the head of one of the residences addressed an annual dining session in Afrikaans instead of English over the weekend. Read more
North-West University Enhances Access by Embracing Language Diversity
At the North-West University (NWU), language is not a barrier that impedes access to a tertiary education, but a tool that facilitates access to quality education for all university stakeholders. Read more
Nuclear Energy is Part of Our Future
South Africa is facing a myriad of energy challenges, compounded by a growing number of both external and internal forces. Answers to questions regarding our future prosperity are needed, and the North-West University (NWU) is committed to finding sustainable solutions to South Africa’s energy requirements. Read more
Outgoing UJ Vice-Chancellor Dreams Big About Africa
When outgoing University of Johannesburg (UJ) Vice-Chancellor Professor Tshilidzi Marwala relocates to Tokyo, Japan, next year, he has no intention to leave the African continent behind. Read more
Pretoria Student Murdered for Cellphone: Who was ‘Humble’ Thapelo Menwe?
Twenty-three-year-old student Thapelo Menwe was walking back to his Pretoria University residence in Hatfield in the early hours of September 10 when he was approached from behind by a man wielding a gun. Read more
Professor Unapologetic About Injecting Radioactive Material to Deter Rhino Horn Trade
University of Witwatersrand Professor James Larkin offers no apologies that his proposed experiment to inject live rhino’s horns with radioactive materials to discourage poaching may destroy the legal rhino horn trade, including rhino ranchers’ businesses. Read more
Ranking the 12 Best Universities in South Africa
Twelve universities from South Africa feature in the 2022-2023 list of the top 2,000 universities compiled by the Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR). Read more
‘Rebuild the Intellectual Community on the Continent’
Neo-liberalism has devastated African universities, turning them from vibrant centres of new thinking and academic comradeship into factories churning out marketable academic products and “saleable” students, according to leading Tanzanian scholar-activist Issa Shivji. Read more
Research on Food Security in Need of More Collaboration
African universities have been conducting most of their agricultural research focused on their home countries, but mostly lacking in a transdisciplinary or multidisciplinary approach. At the same time, collaborations are formed mostly with foreign counterparts rather than with colleagues at home or from elsewhere on the continent. Most of the work is conducted by male researchers. Read more
Research Shows Voluntary Commitments by Big Food Companies on Marketing Unhealthy Foods Don’t Work
New research from Wits University’s Centre for Health Economics and Decision Sciences, just published in Nature Food, shows that voluntary commitments by major food and drinks companies to take actions in support of public health don’t work. Read more
Rethink Internationalisation from Africa’s Perspective
In May 2020, during the first COVID-19 wave in South Africa, the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) noted in a position paper that the pandemic provided an opportunity to “critically examine traditional concepts, models and practices of internationalisation and to reimagine internationalisation from the perspective of South Africa, Africa and the Global South”. Read more
SA’s PhD Review: Its Relevance for Other Countries in Africa
Earlier in 2022, South Africa’s Council on Higher Education (CHE), which is responsible for the quality assurance of higher education qualifications, published a comprehensive review of doctoral education in South Africa. Read more
Samsung and Walter Sisulu University Power Up the Tech Skills of SA’s Youth
Samsung Innovation Campus programme aims to produce the future leaders of the fourth industrial revolution… Read more
Scientist Wants Everyone in Africa to Have Clean Water
She has spent countless days and nights in the lab, carefully analysing molecules and nanoparticles that can degrade different impurities and filter water. Her face brightens when she talks about water purification and decontamination in Africa. Read more
‘Signs of Life’: Thoughts on a ‘Not-Strange’ Postdoc Forum
The uncomfortable plight of postdoctoral research fellows (PDRFs), who are neither formally employed by their institutions nor categorised as students, and whose jobs are often open to casualisation, was highlighted during a national postdoctoral forum held in South Africa earlier this year. Read more
Skills Crisis in South Africa Can no Longer be Ignored
The Department of Social Development says that the critical shortage of social workers in the country has hit crisis levels and can no longer be ignored.”I need to indicate that the shortage of social workers is now becoming a crisis that cannot be ignored anymore… Read more
South Africa is Facing a Deepening Student Financial Crisis and Experts Weigh in on Solutions to the Problem.
Clement Manyathela is joined by several experts on education in attendance at the AAHEFA 3rd International Conference on Financing Higher Education in Africa. Read more
South African Universities are Making a Shift – But There’s a Catch
The latest PwC Vice-Chancellor Survey for 2022 showed that universities are rapidly transforming to become more digitally aligned – making a big shift to virtual schooling- but access remains the biggest hurdle. Read more
Spoon-Feeding is Bad for Students…
The literature on higher education invariably refers to a vast majority of African universities as teaching-focused universities. This implies that African universities focus primarily on teaching rather than on research. Read more
Stellenbosch University vindicated by court ruling on pandemic language policy
Stellenbosch University (SU) has welcomed a Western Cape High Court judgment which declared that the university did not violate its language policy. Read more
Students Shut University of Mpumalanga’s Gates to Protest for Allocation of NSFAS Funds
Enraged students took over the University of Mpumalanga’s (UMP) Mbombela Campus, demanding better services be provided by this institution and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Read more
Students Take the University of Zimbabwe to Court Over Fee Hike
Some students at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) have taken the higher learning institution and its vice-chancellor Paul Mapfumo to court challenging the recent increase in tuition fees. Read more
Testament to African Scientists’ Genomics Surveillance
The rapid expansion of genomics surveillance through a wide-ranging scientific collaborative network has enabled African scientists and public health institutions to illustrate how the SARS-CoV-2 variants reached and spread across the African continent in real time during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published in the journal Science. Read more
Thousands of Students Sign Petition to Increase National Student Financial Aid Scheme Allowance
Over 50,000 people – many of whom are university students – have signed a petition, imploring Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to increase their monthly allowance. Read more
TUT Aims to Ensure Unemployed Graduates are a Thing of the Past
If the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) had its way, there would be no such thing as an unemployed graduate. Read more
UJ’s First Neurodiversity Centre to Also Cater for Underprivileged Communities in Soweto
The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Department of Educational Psychology in the Faculty of Education will launch the first Centre for Neurodiversity at a public higher education institution this Friday. Read more
Universities and Research Institutions in Ghana Urged to Develop and Operationalise Intellectual Property Policy
Universities and research institutions across the country are being urged to develop intellectual property policies for their organisations and put in place deliberate strategies and action plans for implementing the policies developed. Read more
University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Professor Receives Fellowship Award
University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Professor David Spurrett of the School of Religion, Philosophy and Classic (SRPC) was bestowed with the university’s fellowship award to recognise his achievement as an academic and contribution to his field of philosophy,… Read more
University of Limpopo Pays Accommodation Allowances After Violent Protests
After violent protests over student accommodation allowances on the University of Limpopo campus last week, the institution has raised funds for students who rely on financial aid. Read more
University of Limpopo Students Burn Guard House During Protest for Allowance
University of Limpopo (UL) students embarked on a violent protest on Wednesday, setting alight a security guard house, uprooting the university’s fence and blockading roads that lead to the university. Read more
Value System Failure Requires Drastic Measures…
To help confront the widespread value system failure across Africa, including ethical challenges witnessed in leadership, governance and research, universities have to introduce measures such as establishing directorates of ethics and include ethics in the curriculum to teach students as future leaders the ethical way of doing things. Read more
Varsity’s Breakthrough in Prostate Cancer Treatment
The Department of Nuclear Medicine of the University of the Free State (UFS) accomplished a breakthrough in the treatment of patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (MCRPC), an advanced stage of prostate cancer, giving hope to affected patients. Read more
What can be Done About the Growth in Dissertation Mills?
Academic dishonesty is on the rise in universities in Africa – and globally – including dissertation fraud. Read more
Wits Mining Institute to Host Three-Day Technology Seminar
The University of the Witwatersrand’s Mining Institute (WMI) is to host a three-day seminar on mining technology, from September 27 to 29, on the theme of ‘Turning research curiosity into twenty-first-century minerals industry performance, relationships and technology’. Read more
Wits to Name Landmark After a Mining Company…
Protesters say Sibanye-Stillwater is responsible for the “exploitation and destruction of communities and the murder of mine workers.” Read more
Wits University Celebrates 100 Years with Times Square Billboard in NY
Wits University has been celebrating their centenary year with many events, but this one was truly amazing. Read more
Woman Believed to be a Rhodes University Student Drowns in the Eastern Cape: NSRI
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) says a 19-year-old woman believed to be a Rhodes University student has drowned, in Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. Read more
Young South Africans Need to Build the Future They Want
“We are here because we were not only prisoners of hope; we were willing to back our hope with action. Some of those people are Beyers Naudé, who paid for my education. Some of them are Charlotte Maxeke. The Constitution is a gateway to a better future. Read more
Young Scientists Want Machine Learning Revolution in Africa
Cameroon national Loic Elnathan Tiokou Fangang concluded his masters degree in mathematical sciences at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) earlier in 2022 and, as he awaits an opportunity to pursue a PhD in machine learning, he believes the dream of the institute’s founders – of producing the next Einstein – has already been accomplished. Read more
31 August 2022
10% of Rape Cases Reported Nationally Stem from Higher Education Institutions
Ten percent of all rape cases reported in South Africa come from institutions of higher learning.This according to Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande. Read more
African Seed Fund for Research and Education Launched by Imperial
Imperial has launched a wide-ranging new seed fund for research and education projects with partners in Africa.The College will provide funding for collaborations with partners at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and members of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA). Read more
All 26 Universities in South Africa Listed in New Global Ranking
A new global ranking of universities, using open data, has ranked all of South Africa’s universities based on the quality, quantity, and access to their web content. Read more
A New Entrepreneurship Support Tool for SA Universities is the Result of an International Partnership
A new Student Entrepreneurship Support (SES) Self-Assessment Tool, currently under development, could be the solution to evaluating the success and effectiveness of entrepreneurship programmes… Read more
A Sustainable World Requires Women Scientists to be Heard
“Excellent science and innovation require the talents of women and men. We need the complementary skills and values of both genders to create a balanced, holistic approach to leadership.” Read more
Cost and Quality Concerns Slow the Growth of Private HE
A lack of trust in the value of the qualifications and the quality of tuition offered by private higher education institutions are among the reasons why this sector has not grown to complement public higher education in South Africa. Read more
Concern Over Time PhD Candidates Take to Complete Studies
The time taken for doctoral students in South Africa to complete their degrees is a matter for serious concern, a study by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) has revealed. Furthermore, the substantial number of students who drop out before completion is also of great worry. Read more
Council Conducts Audit on WSU Staffing and Programmes After Accreditation Issues
The Council on Higher Education conducted an institutional audit at Walter Sisulu University this week during which, among the issues scrutinised, were challenges on staffing capacity, infrastructure and postgraduate studies…Read more
CoHU, Global Scholars Interrogate Chronic Conditions and Suffering in Africa
The University of Dar es Salaam College of Humanities (CoHU), in collaboration with the Consortium of Humanities Centres and Institutes (CHCI), has held the eminent Global Humanities Institute 2022 to discuss chronic conditions and sufferings in Africa. Read more
Diversity-Related Questions Low on Africa’s Research Agenda
With the exception of South Africa, African academics are lagging behind the Global North in conducting research and publishing work done about diversity-related topics. Read more
Failures of Land Restitution and Possibilities for the Future
The struggle for freedom – first from British imperialism and later from apartheid, was a struggle for land. These were the words of South African lawyer and author, Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC, who delivered the Dr Phyllis Naidoo Memorial lecture at UKZN’s Westville campus. Read more
Gender-Based Violence and Femicide at TVET Colleges Spotlighted
With more university students profiled as victims of gender-based violence and femicide, victims within TVET colleges are seldom known.The TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) College Strategic Industrial Partnership Summit drew to a close… Read more
Higher Education Encourages Youth to Take up Artisan Careers
As the country continues to face economic challenges and a high unemployment rate, young people are encouraged to contemplate becoming artisans. This follows a heritage career expo held at the University of Mpumalanga which was organised by the Department of Higher Education, … Read more
How Can Institutions Play an Anchoring Role in Communities?
The evolution of the mission of universities from purely research and teaching institutions, so-called ivory towers of knowledge, to engaged universities, cognisant of and responsive to their local context and national developmental imperatives, has been a strategic objective of South African higher education’s transformation agenda for some time. Read more
How to Advance Your University’s Advancement Office
A major challenge facing universities in Africa is supplementing government funding of higher education with other sources of income. Private philanthropy can help institutions, which is why the establishment and strengthening of advancement offices are becoming increasingly important. Read more
Knowledge Co-Production a Prerequisite in Climate Change Battle
Universities can help to initiate discussions to strengthen the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and can promote the political accountability needed to attain them. Read more
Lack of Data Derails the Planning and Growth of Universities
A lack of reliable data across Africa has weakened policies to improve higher education across the continent, development experts argue. Read more
Macroalgae Project to Benefit Science and Communities
Marine farming in Mozambique and the country’s research capacity in the field of aquaculture are set to benefit from the work done by Dr Valera Dias, a senior lecturer at Eduardo Mondlane University’s department of biological sciences in Maputo and one of the 44 handpicked beneficiaries of the African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE) programme. Read more
NWU Host First of Its Kind Indigenous Astronomy Conference
The North-West University (NWU) proudly hosted the inaugural three-day International Indigenous Astronomy Conference from 27-29 July 2022 at the Royal Marang Hotel in Rustenburg.During the conference the International Indigenous Astronomy Experts Society was also launched. Read more
Pan African University Grows, but Also Faces Challenges
The African Union-run Pan African University (PAU) has been attracting a growing number of postgraduate students since its establishment in 2012, and its research and development thrust has seen the registration of patents, the publication of academic articles and the establishment of innovation and entrepreneurship hubs. Read more
Passion drives universities’ entrepreneurship project, and it is paying off…
No membership fee is required to join the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme. Read more
Plans to Build 2 New Universities and More Colleges in South Africa
A feasibility study is underway to make way for the new University of Science and Innovation in Ekurhuleni as well as a new crime Detection University in Hammanskraal. Read more
Questions About Math Teachers’ Training in Lockdown
A study has revealed that some first-year education students at universities did not participate in online class discussions, despite being logged on to their learning management systems. Furthermore, online assessments provided the leeway for the intensification of plagiarism and cheating. Read more
RUFORUM-MSC Business College Incubatees Perform
The YAFF award was introduced by the National Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development and forms part of the department’s strategy to develop 2500 youth owned enterprises country wide. Read more
SA Faces Research Funding Crisis
South Africa is in danger of falling behind in the fields of technology and innovation because less money is being spent on much-needed research, experts have warned. Read more
Science, Innovation Dept Envisions a Solid Hydrogen Economy by 2050
South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) views hydrogen as a key enabler of decarbonisation, particularly in the transport sector – heavy-duty trucking, shipping, aviation, and rail – and in major polluting industries such as steel, cement and chemicals manufacturing, as well as mining. Read more
SIU to Probe Alleged Corruption at University Of Fort Hare
President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the Special Investigating Unit(SIU) to probe alleged corruption and maladministration at the university and the enrollment of honours students. Read more
Solar Pilot Project to be Launched at TVET Colleges to Combat SA’s Energy Crisis
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and MEC Mireille Wenger have launched a new exciting new Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) qualification through Premier’s Council on Skills. Read more
Solution to Africa’s HE Problem Lies Beyond Campus Gates
The responsibility for producing an effective higher education system that can support Africa’s development should rest primarily with national governments and societies rather than the universities themselves, … Read more
South Africa-France Research Week Opens Up Possibilities for Stronger Research Collaboration…
The recently concluded France-South Africa Higher Education and Research Week yielded promising outcomes, given the high level of interest from both participating countries, the packed agenda and the recommendations made for ongoing mutual collaboration between French and South African universities… Read more
SA Universities Listed in New Global Ranking, UKZN’s Mining and Mineral Engineering Ranked First in the Country…
All 26 of SA’s universities have been listed on a new global ranking of universities based on the quality, quantity, and access to their web content.Due to the web-based nature of the data collected, the “Webometrics Ranking of World Universities” ranking has covered over 31 000 higher learning institutes, … Read more
Speech Therapy Students Face Extra Year of Study…
A group of students studying speech-language therapy at the University of Fort Hare are accusing the institution of offering a low-standard course barring them from graduating. Read more
Standard Bank’s Universities’ Partnership Helps Build a New Generation of Entrepreneurs
Standard Bank’s investment in the Universities South Africa (USAf) Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme has led to the establishment of Economic Activation Offices (EAO) at 10 South African public universities. Read more
Stellenbosch University Researcher Wins Prestigious UK Scientific Award
University of Stellenbosch Biomedical Sciences Department Professor Novel Chegou has been awarded the Royal Society’s Africa Prize for 2022, the university announced on Wednesday. Read more
Stellenbosch University Student Expelled After Disciplinary Committee Finds Him Guilty of Sexual Misconduct
A Stellenbosch University (SU) student has been expelled after the institution’s independent Central Disciplinary Committee found him guilty of sexual misconduct. Read more
Student Killed at Student Residence in Durban
A woman student at the Mangosuthu University of Technology died after being stabbed multiple times in her residence room, allegedly by someone whom she knew. Read more
Students from Africa May Soon Start to Return to China
China is preparing to welcome back students from Africa who have been unable to return to the country since they left following the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. Read more
Students from Africa May Soon Start to Return to China
China is preparing to welcome back students from Africa who have been unable to return to the country since they left following the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. Read more
Student Says, ‘No Hard Feelings’ But Father Wants to Fight on
The Stellenbosch student whose property was urinated on by a drunk fellow student has told Times LIVE Premium he harboured no bad feelings towards Theuns du Toit, who has since been expelled. Read more
Systemic Decolonisation Needs a Pan-African Approach
Mounting pressure for the decolonisation of higher education presents progressive opportunities for epistemic freedom and the emergence of universities that are authentic African universities, according to Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni, the chair in epistemologies of the Global South at the University of Bayreuth, Germany. Read more
Talking My Language: Why African-Language Policy is Crucial in SA Universities
UCT PhD candidate Naledi Maponopono is an expert on languages. Through her thesis research, she seeks to develop a monitoring and evaluation tool specifically targeted at government… Read more
These are the 8 Best Universities in South Africa – With one Shooting up the Global Rankings
The ShanghaiRanking Consultancy has this week published its 2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) highlighting what it deems to be the best 1,000 universities in the world – including nine located in South Africa. Read more
The University of the Western Cape Introduces an All-New Degree
The workplace is a dynamic environment. The university curriculum needs to be reevaluated in light of new employment paths. In light of this, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) is excited to announce the launch of a brand-new BCom and IS (Bachelor of Commerce and Information Systems) degree programme. Read more
They Need ‘Extra Support’: University Students, Staff’s Mental Health Under Spotlight After Suicides
Two suicides at a Western Cape University have thrown the spotlight on the mental health challenges experienced by students and even staff. Stellenbosch University (SU) student Ky Rowe, 20, died on Tuesday at the Simonsberg men’s residence. Read more
Three Women Found Murdered at Durban Student Residences this Week
KwaZulu-Natal has started Women’s Month on a very sad note, with three families in mourning following the gruesome deaths of their daughters. This after the young women were murdered in separate gender-based-violence cases. Read more
True Transformation of HE Requires Deep Discussion and Time
Great care must be taken in transforming South Africa’s universities if they are not to be overtaken by ruin or subject to persistent, unresolved contestation, according to leading South African higher education policy specialist Saleem Badat. Read more
TUT Launches Gender Desk to Tackle Hate Crime Against Women
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has set up a gender-based violence framework in response to rising incidents of hate crime against women and girls in the country, as well as in institutions of higher learning. Read more
Two New Specialised Universities on the Cards for Gauteng
Access to education is on top of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande’s agenda.Nzimande announced a few days ago that the department will build the University of Science and Innovation in Ekurhuleni and the Crime Detection University in Hammanskraal outside Pretoria, …Read more
UCT Joint Research Project with University of Limpopo Seeks Solutions to TB
To boost drug discovery research capacity, UCT’s Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D) has partnered with the University of Limpopo (UL) on a project titled “TB Drug Discovery Hit to Lead Optimization”. Read more
UCT Professor Wins Award for Her Commitment to Safe and Secure Transport at ‘Science Oscars’
UCT professor in Transport Planning and Engineering at the Department of Civil Engineering, Marianne Vanderschuren, has won the Special Annual Theme Award: Basic Science and Sustainable Development at the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) South 32 Awards. Read more
UJ is SA’s First University to Use Blockchain to Safeguard Certificates Against Fraud
For students who gain their qualifications legitimately – who attend lectures, write assignments and sit for exams, often for several years – the certificates they receive at the end of their studies are proof of effort spent and knowledge gained. Read more
UKZN Ambassadors Encourage Mbizana Learners
Ambassadors from University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) visited two secondary schools in Mbizana last week, with the aim of motivating learners. They visited Marelane Senior Secondary School and OR Tambo Technical High School in Mbizana. Read more
Universities on Cannabis, Innovation Mission
Two South African tertiary institutions have finalised partnerships in the past month that will boost research and innovation in Mzansi’s agri sector.The University of the Free State (UFS) has teamed up with ZZ2, a leading South African farming and fresh produce company, … Read more
Universities, TVET Colleges to Compete in MTN’s Campus Cup Challenge
The 2022 edition of the MTN Business App of the Year competition aims to “reignite passion” for application development among the youth of South Africa through its standalone category…Read more
UWC Undertakes Social Responsiveness Initiative Through Health and Wellness Days
Bringing several faculties together, UWC has embarked on a community outreach initiative focusing on health and wellness in Bellville and Fisantekraal (Durbanville). Read more
Wits Business School’s Huge Turnaround
The days of false dawns for Wits Business School are over, says director Maurice Radebe. The brand image has been burnished, the school is helping shape important debates, student numbers are up and major corporates are returning to the fold for executive education. Read more
Wits Innovators Are Changing Lives with Medicine ‘ATMs’ and More
Wits University is home to a wellspring of talent from multiple disciplines, where life-changing innovation is incubated. Its students and academics are changing the world for good as they create solutions for the real issues people and communities face. Read more
Wits scientists Launch Book About Africa’s Largest and Longest Running Birth Cohort
Over half of the women who had been part of Africa’s largest and longest-running birth cohort study felt overwhelmed by debt and reported intimate partner violence and depression compared to their mothers. Read more
‘Women in Africa are Real Climate Change Champions …’
“It is estimated that the waste sector in South Africa contributes 4.4% to the total greenhouse gas emissions. However, the nexus of waste and climate change is not explicitly quantified nor addressed in current policies at national and-or at local levels.” Read more
Women Judges and Lawyers Play an Invaluable Role in Fighting GBV…
The South African Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges (SAC-IAWJ) will be hosting its annual Conference from 5-7 August 2022 at the University of South Africa. Read more
Young Illovu Woman- the First to Study and Graduate in Her Family
Durban University of Technology cum laude graduate, Sinegugu Magutshwa hopes for a bright future after earning the prestigious Dean’s Merit Award for academic excellence for the degree of Bachelor of Education. Read more
31 July 2022
African Languages Pushed at South African Universities
South African academics have urged institutions of higher learning to be progressive and implement the country’s Language Policy Framework for Public Higher Education Institutions, which came into effect earlier this year. Read more
Africa’s New Science Diplomacy Initiative to be Launched in Pretoria
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, will launch Africa’s new science diplomacy initiative in Pretoria on Friday. Read more
Challenges Confronting the Teaching of African Languages at South Africa’s Universities Require Dedicated Attention
The possibility of a shortage of supply of African languages teachers across South Africa’s education landscape by 2030 became a subject of fierce debate among members of Universities South Africa’s Community of Practice for the Teaching and Learning of African Languages (CoPAL)… Read more
Chartered Accountant Organisation Assures Students that Unisa’s Degrees are Accredited
The SA Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica) assured former University of South Africa (Unisa) students their qualifications would not be withdrawn. Read more
CoViD-19 has Induced Shifts in Higher Education That Necessitate New Thinking …
At the recent Higher Education Leadership and Management (HELM) ENGAGE #8 event, blended learning, critical thinking and leadership attributes received dedicated focus. Read more
CUT Students Urged to Stand Firm Against Management
The EFF Student Command (EFFSC) has urged Central University of Technology (CUT) students to not succumb to alleged threats by the management of the institution. Read more
DSI, CSIR Launch Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on July 8 officially launched the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) initiative… Read more
First black Dentist at UWC Celebrates 32 Years of Excellence in Medicine
The first black dentist to graduate out of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) is celebrating 32 years of excellence in medicine. Read more
Gathering of Scientists, Stakeholders Hedge Hopes for Africa on Collaboration Efforts
Academics, scientists and education stakeholders from across Africa are hedging their hopes for a better tomorrow for the continent on the success of collaborative efforts such as the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa initiative (SDCfA). Read more
Government to blame for youth criticism of Mandela’s legacy, says Stellenbosch University academic
SA’s youth and university students are critical of former president Nelson Mandela’s legacy mainly due to the government’s failure to improve their lives. Read more
Graduate Into Management
Equipping the youth with the tools and skills to launch their careers is a task that requires a vast network of expertise and a variety of resources, and with 22 years of experience, Wits Business School’s Postgraduate Diploma in Management gives students a real head-start into management. Read more
Health Ministry Negotiating with Cuba for Lesser Punishment for SA Students Over Kidnapping Incident
Deputy Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo says his department is in talks with the Cuban government to impose a lighter punishment for an Eastern Cape medical student who studied in Cuba. Read more
High Court Rules that Law Graduate Owing Varsity R15k can Practice Without Copy of His Degree
The MPUMALANGA Division of the High Court has declared as unconstitutional a rule that forced law graduates to produce copies of their qualifications before being admitted as attorneys or advocates. Read more
How Much It Costs to Study at South Africa’s Top Universities
South African universities could see a significant change in tuition costs with the department of higher education planning to create a new student funding model. Read more
How Universities Can Help Address Socio-Economic Challenges in South Africa
South African communities are beset by numerous problems that range from a lack of jobs to failing infrastructure. Some solutions could potentially be found if local universities were to play a greater socio-economic role in their neighbourhoods – a concept known as anchor institutions. Read more
Institutional Audit at WSU After Accreditation Issues
Walter Sisulu University is set to undergo an institutional audit by the council on higher education (CHE). A CHE representative visited the university last week to capacitate staff on accreditation issues. Read more
Japanese Universities Forum 5 Conference Echoes Mutual Trust in Collaboration for the Common Good
The opening session of the virtual South Africa-Japanese Universities (SAJU) Forum 5 Conference, yesterday, featured keynote lectures on the two countries’ perspectives towards open academic cooperation… Read more
Limpopo TVET College Lecturer Burnt to Death in Mob Attack
A TVET college lecturer in Limpopo was on SaturMay attacked and burnt to death while transporting goats in Lebowakgomo. According to police, the 43-year-old had earlier bought the goats at Ga-Mphahlele village. Read more
Number of Students Suffering from Depression Rockets
A growing number of troubled students are seeking help from SA’s universities for mental health problems, with some institutions saying suicide-related calls have more than doubled compared with the first half of last year. Read more
NWU Principal and Vice-Chancellor Joins World Leaders in Nuclear Science for International Webinar
North-West University’s principal and vice-chancellor, Dr Bismark Tyobeka, has been invited by prominent global leaders in nuclear affairs to be a panelist in an international webinar on the role of nuclear and radiology safety in the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology. Read more
Professor Glenda Gray among most visible scientist during Covid
A study has found that South African Medical Research Council president and CEO, Professor Glenda Gray, was one of the most visible female scientist in South African media coverage during the first six months of the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more
Public Universities Face Tough Financial Decisions in Normalising Blended Teaching Post-COVID
South Africa’s cash-strapped higher education system adapting to a post-pandemic blended teaching and learning model needs to rethink funding modalities. Read more
Restoring UCT’s Fire-Damaged Archives Likely to Take Years
After the flames that gutted the Jagger Library at the University of Cape Town (UCT) on 18 April 2021 were finally extinguished, the archives were thought to be lost. Read more
SA Research, Education Network Speeds Up
The South African National Research and Education Network (SA NREN) has been upgraded to help all connected South African universities, colleges, scientific councils, researchers and innovation centres to access faster connectivity quicker. Read more
Some African Cities Attractive for Studying Abroad, …
Three African cities, Cape Town, Cairo, and Johannesburg (in this order) are among the top 100 student-friendly cities for studying abroad, according to the 10th edition of the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2023. Read more
South Africa is Minerally Positioned to Lead the World in Green Hydrogen Energy Generation
South Africa is home to 80% of the world’s reserves of platinum group metals (PGMs) that play a critical role in green hydrogen power generation. Read more
South Africa Needs More Skilled Tradesmen
South Africa needs more artisans such as bricklayers, diesel mechanics, instrument technicians, riggers, auto electricians and millwrights. The department of higher education, science & innovation says there is a high demand for tradesmen who are highly skilled and who primarily work in a technical field, …Read more
South Africa’s Top-Ranked University is Moving to a Hybrid Working Model
After more than two years of significant disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the University of Cape Town (UCT) says it putting plans in place to return to normal face-to-face teaching and adopting a hybrid working model. Read more
South Africa’s University Pledges Support to Munah-Tech
The University of South Africa has pledged collaborative support to the newly opened Munah’s Pelham Youngblood school of technical and vocational training studies or Munah Tech, South Africa’s Ambassador to Liberia Prof. M. Iqbal Jhazbhay has disclosed. Read more
Stellenbosch University – an Overview
Known colloquially as ‘Maties’, Stellenbosch University (SU) aspires to be Africa’s leading research- intensive university, globally recognised as excellent, inclusive and innovative, and advancing knowledge in service of society. Read more
Stellenbosch University Expels Theuns du Toit Over Urinating Incident
Stellenbosch University student Theuns du Toit has been found guilty of contravening clauses of the disciplinary code for students.This follows his suspension that stemmed from a video where he urinated on the belongings of a fellow black student, Babalo Ndwayana. Read more
Stellenbosch University Opens Undergrad Financial Aid e-Applications for 2023
Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Undergraduate Bursaries and Loans (CUBL) announced that prospective undergraduate students can now apply for funding. Applications are open until 30 September 2022. Read more
Student and Staff Surveys Chart a Way for Implementing Blended Teaching and Learning at Public Universities
A blended teaching and learning environment cannot succeed if students and staff do not all have access to reliable devices, network, internet connectivity and adequate data to engage fully in teaching and learning. Read more
Teens Arrested After Body of UFS Medical Student Found in River
Two teenagers were arrested in connection with the murder of a 26-year-old University of the Free State medical student, Mpumalanga police said on Tuesday. Police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said community members discovered the body of Wiseman Mthunzi Zwane in a river…Read more
Tertiary Students Continue to Buckle Under Stress in the Wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic
Reasearchers and analysts believe that we are only now starting to see the real impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on young people and students.Crowdfunding platform, Feenix, said its data shows that stress and anxiety are at a disturbingly high level, and something needs to be done about it. Read more
TVET Colleges Have ‘Failed to Promote Gender Equality’
The parliamentary portfolio committee on higher education, science and innovation has raised concern about the inadequate implementation of the human resources policies required to stimulate gender equality and transformation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. Read more
UCT Turns Page on Jagger Library’s Future Despite Year-Long Insurance Payout Delay
The University of Cape Town’s Jagger Library, gutted by a fire that started on 18 April 2021, is being “reimagined”, but the funds necessary to rebuild the library, in whatever form that may be, have not yet been secured. Read more
UCT Vice-Chancellor in Top 10 List of Outstanding Individuals in Africa
University of Cape Town (UCT) vice-chancellor, professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, has joined nine other people selected for the new Africa Education Medal.The award is in recognition of amazing work by the individuals on the continent in the field of education. Read more
UCT Vice-Chancellor Seeks ‘Maths Genius’: ‘I Want to Pay for His Studies’
University of Cape Town (UCT) vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng has offered to pay for the studies of a “maths genius”, a young boy named Sibahle Zwane. Read more
UFS Drops Mandatory Covid-19 Vaccination Policy after Solidarity Threatens Legal Challenge
After holding onto its mandatory Covid-19 vaccination policy for a while, the University of the Free State (UFS) has decided to drop it.When the government lifted Covid-19 restrictions, UFS stuck to its policy of only allowing vaccinated people on campus, Read more
UKZN Students Make 2022 Top Young South Africans List
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) applauds and congratulates four students and an alumnus of the university who have made it onto the Mail & Guardian 2022 Top Young South Africans list. Read more
UJ Students Play Their Part on Mandela Day
A group of University of Johannesburg (UJ) students donated blankets and cooked for the elderly at an old age home on Monday as their way of giving back to the community on International Mandela Day. Read more
UJ to Host Symposium on How to Improve Child Well-Being
The University of Johannesburg will host a virtual symposium to share research findings and lessons learned from a community of practice model (CoP) supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) to deliver care and support services for early grade learners in South African schools. Read more
Unisa Accounting Programme Ripped Apart
SA cohort of accounting postgraduates may find themselves battling to become chartered accountants due to the poor standard of their final assessments. Read more
Unisa Business School Goes Back to Basics
Once, its distance-learning capacity gave it a special place in the market. Now, with all business schools having gone online because of Covid, Unisa’s Graduate School of Business Leadership (GSBL) is devising new ways to create a separate identity. Read more
Unisa Docked Salaries of Workers who Were Not on Strike
The National Health Education Workers Union (Nehawu) on Friday claimed that the University of SA (Unisa) docked the salaries of non-striking workers last month.In a statement, the union claimed that deductions were made for no work no pay in 80% of the non-striking workers. Read more
Unisa Leaders Accused of Corruption, Abuse of Power
A document by a firm that is conducting an audit of Unisa for the 2021 financial year has revealed shocking allegations of corruption and maladministration at the embattled institution. Read more
Unisa Opens New Law Clinic in Parow, Plans to Open More
Unisa recently launched its first law clinic in the Western Cape to make legal services accessible to those struggling to obtain it.The Unisa Law Clinic in Parow, Cape Town… Read more
University of the Free State Shows Collaboration Can Create Real Social Impact
In a time of increasingly complex social challenges, it has become essential to join forces across a wide range of sectors and disciplines to find effective, lasting solutions. Read more
University of Pretoria Cannot Accommodate All 30 Religious Affiliations Due to Lack of Space
The University of Pretoria (UP) does not have space to accommodate all 30 religious affiliations present in the institution as a result of the lack of available space on its campuses. Read more
University of Pretoria Faces Pushback Over Registration Fee Hike Proposal
The student representative council (SRC) at the University of Pretoria has rejected the institution’s proposed registration fee hike next year, calling it “harmful”. Read more
Universities Relax Covid-19 Vaccine Policies, but Students Warned to be Cautious
Students should remain cautious of universities’ relaxed Covid vaccine policies as they were not completely scrapped but “still lurking behind closed doors”, activists warned. Read more
USAf’s new Community of Practice for Postgraduate Education and Scholarship has been Hard at Work
With just over three months in existence since its inaugural meeting on 31 March, Universities South Africa’s newly founded Community of Practice for Postgraduate Education and Scholarship (CoP PGES), is starting to make its mark. Read more
UWC Honours Graduate Awarded for Research on Gentrification for Bo-Kaap Residents
Exploring the importance of place in human life, a UWC Honours graduate walked away as one of two winners in the Society of South African Geographers’ Outstanding Honours Research Award for his research around the long-term impact of gentrification for Bo-Kaap residents. Read more
UWC Sheds Light on How Food Gardeners Use Grey Water to Beat Food Insecurity
Researchers have long argued that grey water, which became popular after the slew of water restrictions introduced during previous dry winters and Day Zero periods, had the potential to contribute to food security if it was used to water domestic food gardens… Read more
Whose Responsibility is it to Inform Students They Don’t Meet the Doctoral Standard?
It is almost like an unsigned agreement that if you mark mine off well, I’ll mark yours off well. That is very disturbing. We sensed that could be happening. Read more
Wits University Appeals for Donations to Boost Research and Innovation
Wits University is appealing to former Witsies to donate money to boost its research and innovation as part of the centenary celebration. The university is celebrating hundred years of existence since formation in 1922. Read more
Wits University: How AWS Cloud Training Helped Avoid COVID Disruptions
Johannesburg’s University of Witwatersrand says that in 2020 in response to South Africa’s strict lockdown measures, it managed to move its entire learning management system (LMS), Sakai, to the cloud in just two months leveraging Amazon Web Services (AWS). Read more
30 June 2022
36 African Universities Represented on U-Multirank List
A total of 36 universities in Africa were among the 2,202 universities in 96 countries globally that had their performances assessed by U-Multirank, a ranking index that routinely analyses higher education institutions in terms of teaching and learning, research, knowledge transfer, international orientation and regional engagement. Read more
AAU Signs Cooperative Agreement with Nelson Mandela University of South Africa
Addis Ababa University (AAU) and Nelson Mandela University of South Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work in collaboration within the areas of academic and research activities at AAU President’s Office
AU School of Public Health Organizes Research Launching Workshop
Addis Ababa University (AAU) School of Public Health organized research launching workshop for the project entitled “Engaging Adolescents in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in Ethiopia” … Read more
All-women UCT engineering team wins JSE Investment Challenge with sound strategy
An all-female team of UCT students has won the JSE Investment Challenge in the “Speculator portfolio for universities” category, for March and April 2022. Read more
A Review to be Commissioned on SADC Qualifications Framework
Ministers who are responsible for education, training, science, technology and innovation from the member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are to meet in Lilongwe, Malawi, on 17 June to evaluate various initiatives in the sector, including the Southern African Development Community Regional Qualifications Framework (SADCQF). Read more
Bursaries Build Health Sector Skills, but Need Monitoring
The return-of-service or bursary schemes that provincial health authorities in South Africa use to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds to obtain educational qualifications in the health sector could be improved by basing them on current and forecast health needs, a group of researchers has found. Read more
Central University of Technology Faces Maladministration Probe
The embattled Central University of Technology (CUT) in Bloemfontein in the Free State is being investigated after allegations of maladministration surfaced at the institution. Read more
Central University of Technology Uncovers Admission Fraud Syndicate, Suspends 8 Students
Central University of Technology (CUT) has suspended eight students who were allegedly admitted fraudulently for this academic year. Read more
CPUT Project on a Mission to Create Technopreneurs
Taking a concept from an idea in your head to fully executed is no easy task. And for students, access to finances makes it even more difficult. Read more
CUT Student Takes Part in Translating Medical Terms to Sesotho
A bachelor of health sciences in medical laboratory student at the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Free State has participated and excelled in the national lexicon project held in Cape Town. Read more
Doctoral Study Explores the Drivers of Sexual Violence Against Women
Dr Josphine Hapazari, a part-time lecturer at the National University of Lesotho, was thrilled to graduate with a PhD in Sociology for her research that explored the drivers of sexual violence against women and the possible mitigation strategies that can be implemented to combat the scourge. Read more
DUT students in Pietermaritzburg Protest Against Writing Physical Exams
Durban University of Technology’s Indumiso Campus in Pietermaritzburg closed after students protested against writing physical examinations. According to the institution, the violence erupted in the Midlands campus. Read more
Education Changemakers Leadership Training Programme Launched
The launch ceremony for the Education Changemakers leadership training programme took place on Monday morning at University of South Africa (Unisa) Graduate School of Business Leadership in Midrand. Read more
‘Face Your Shortcomings in the Workplace and Study’
Discipline and adjusting to autonomy were big obstacles to overcome. In high school, we must show up and we are monitored in all ways with punitive measures for non-compliance. This all disappears abruptly [after leaving school], which I and other teenagers simply were not prepared for. Read more
Famous Sterkfontein Caves Deposit 1 Million Years Older Than Previously Thought
Fossils found at the Sterkfontein Caves in South Africa reveal nearly four million years of hominin and environmental evolution. Since research began at the site in 1936 with the discovery, by Robert Broom, of the first adult hominin of the genus Australopithecus, … Read more
First Continental Research Integrity Network Launched
The African Research Integrity Network (ARIN), a partnership to promote ethical research practices across the continent, was officially launched on Tuesday after years of operating as an informal body of practitioners. Read more
Frustrated TUT Students Protest Over Lack of Running Water, Electricity in Pretoria West Campus
Students from Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Pretoria West campus continue with their protest action on Monday. They are demonstrating against a lack of running water and electricity. Read more
HE Should ‘Urgently’ Train Experts in Climate Change
African universities have a role to play in training graduates with the requisite skills in climate adaptation and mitigation to help entrepreneurs and policy-makers to understand what these involve in climate change. Read more
Higher Education on Track to Meet Targets but Graduates Struggle for Jobs
Higher education minister Blade Nzimande says the sector is on track to achieve some of the crucial National Development Plan (NDP) targets, including increasing the number of university enrolments as well as graduates attaining doctorates or advanced qualifications. Read more
Invest Early in Children’s Mental Health – Or Risk a Generation
The 16th issue of the annual publication is titled “Children’s mental health: A catalyst for development”, and was launched on the eve of Youth Day in South Africa, and the Day of the African Child. Read more
Is the Emerging Open-Access Model Another Closed System?
The publishing industry is moving towards a business model of article processing charges-based open access (OA), which presents a barrier to researchers from the Global South, including those from countries in Africa. Read more
Launch of an Educational Programme for Freedom of Expression in Eastern Africa
Cartooning for Peace and Buni Media in Kenya launched a programme for civic education using press cartoons in partnership with UNESCO, the French Embassy in Kenya, the EU National Institutes of Culture (EUNIC) Kenya Network, the European Union in Kenya and select universities… Read more
MPs Reject Bill Aimed at Curtailing University Autonomy
Kenya’s parliament has rejected a legal framework that would have given the cabinet secretary for education sweeping powers in the appointment of vice-chancellors, deputy vice-chancellors, principals of university constituent colleges and members of university councils in public universities. Read more
Marshalling the Diaspora: Ethiopia’s ‘Unsung Model’
Ethiopia has a unique ‘model’ of deploying its intellectual diaspora – academics, researchers and high-level professionals – by integrating their competence, experience, knowledge and networks to help resolve societal questions in their home countries and advance knowledge-generation. Read more
Medical Community to Investigate Use of Traditional Medicine in Treatment of Covid-19
The University of Free State’s (UFS) Department of African Medicines Innovation and Technology Development Platform (AMITD) will play host to international and African visitors on Friday to look at how traditional medicine can be used to treat Covid-19. Read more
On Alienation and Agency: Language as a Double-Edged Sword
Nombulelo Shange was five years old when she learned the word ‘barbaric’. Her first-grade teacher used it to describe her on her first day at the predominantly white boarding school. Read more
Out of 100 Students, only 12 Go to University…
More and more students are dropping out of university than ever before – and the reasons are myriad, say experts.Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande said South Africa needed to produce more graduates if it was to meet its workforce needs. Read more
Protesting UKZN students arrested in Durban
Two university students were arrested on charges of public violence in Durban on Monday morning.According to eyewitnesses, there was a protest which affected traffic and businesses at the Seapoint Towers precinct, as students threw bottles and rubble from the top floors of the building. Read more
Rape, Sexual Harassment Claims ‘Fabricated’ Against UCT Professor …
A Western Cape health department probe has cleared a University of Cape Town professor who was accused of sexual harassment and rape.The department said it concluded an independent investigation after a UCT student levelled allegations against the professor, … Read more
Renowned Journal Rejects Papers That Exclude African Researchers
Respected global medical journal The Lancet will continue to reject papers with data from Africa that fail to acknowledge African collaborators, in the interest of building African research and of promoting integrity, equity and fairness in research collaboration, according to Senior Executive Editor Dr Sabine Kleinert. Read more
Researchers at UJ build RDP House in Just one Day Using 3D Concrete Printing
The social housing backlog in South Africa is one of the biggest challenges faced by the government. Not enough houses are being built, and existing projects are not being completed fast enough, while budget constraints are a huge factor hindering the progress of social housing developments. Read more
SADC Concerned Over Implementation Delay of Women’s Charter
The Southern African Development Community, or SADC, has expressed concern over the failure by some countries in the region to fully implement the SADC Charter on Women in Science, Engineering and Technology, five years after it was approved by the regional bloc. Read more
‘SA Education System Needs a Review,’ Say Experts
Experts have called for a review of the education system after a recent study revealed that South Africa graduates are struggling to enter the workforce. This was one of the key findings published in A New Pathway 2030: Catalysing South Africa’s NSI for Urgent Scaled Social and Economic Impact. Read more
SA Scientists Jet Off to Tunisia’s Science Festival
Two young South African scientists have been selected to compete at the International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology in Tunisia, to showcase their ground-breaking research projects, which focus on healthcare and the physics of sound. Read more
SA Universities Impress with Graduate Employability
South Africa can claim to be the home of the most successful higher education system in Africa, as seven of its 26 public universities were ranked among the top 1,000 universities globally in the 19th edition of the QS World University Rankings 2023, released on 8 June. Read more
Scholarly Writers, the Precariat, and the Right to Earn
The popular contention is that academic authors do not need royalties because they have day jobs, and possibly because their publications might be subvented by publication grants via their universities or research funders. Read more
South African Academics Push Back Against ‘Biased’ UK Visa Scheme
Academics have criticised a new visa scheme introduced by the United Kingdom which will offer work visas to people who have studied at the world’s top universities. Read more
South Africa’s Declining Mathematics Numbers a Concern
South Africa is still not addressing the root causes behind the decline in the number of learners taking mathematics or the decrease in the pass rate of those who do choose the subject, says professor Rashied Small, SAIPA executive… Read more
South Africa’s MeerKAT Radio Telescope Makes Unprecedented Discovery Yet Again
South Africa’s MeerKAT radio telescope array has again proven its worth with yet another unprecedented discovery: what appears to be an unusually slowly rotating radio-emitting neutron star. Read more
South African Robotic Telescope to Begin Search for the Afterglow of Cosmic Events
A new optical telescope in South Africa that will measure the brightness of transient sources will begin operation in mid-July. Read more
South African Universities Rule Roost in Africa
South Africa can claim to be the home of the most successful higher education system in Africa, as seven of its 26 public universities were ranked among the top 1 000 universities globally in the QS World University Rankings 2023, released earlier this month. Read more
Spain Plans to Recruit More Students from Sub-Saharan Africa
Spain has embarked on an ambitious plan to attract international students and highly skilled workers from Africa as part of its new strategy, Focus Africa 2023, which aims to establish stronger academic, economic and diplomatic ties with African countries, especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa. Read more
Stellenbosch University Choir Rakes in Millions of Views for Two Stunning Renditions
The Stellenbosch University Choir is raking in millions of views, those of which extend long past the Stellenbosch Mountain and the quaint town of winery wonders, past the Cape and Her beauty and even the Rainbow Nation’s borders. Read more
Stellenbosch University’s Novel TB Diagnostic Test Boosts Rhino Conservation in Kruger Park
About one in every seven rhinos in the Kruger National Park (KNP) showed evidence that they had been infected with Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) – the pathogen that causes bovine tuberculosis (bTB). Read more
Student Protest Costs University R2 Million in Damages
The Mangosuthu University of Technology has blamed “hired hands” for the student protest that took place at the institution on Thursday, costing it R2 million in damages. Read more
Sustainability Research Needs Applied and Social Sciences
There is a need for dialogue between mainstream applied sciences on the one hand and the social sciences and humanities on the other if sustainability research is to come up with solutions to inspire the behavioural change needed to build future sustainable societies. Read more
Transdisciplinary Collaboration Critical for Future of Science
Calls for investment in transdisciplinary research in Africa in order to achieve progress in science and innovation as tools to tackle challenges impeding social and economic transformation of the continent have dominated proceedings at the Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress (SRI2022). Read more
Tanzania to Open Agriculture Colleges in Major Universities to Groom Experts
The government of Tanzania has announced plans to open agriculture colleges in some of the country’s major universities to train experts in the field. Read more
Tax the Rich to Fund Free Higher Education
Central to the student protests was a call for a free-fee decolonised and Afro-centric, and inter-sectional higher education. Read more
Teacher Misconduct and Poor Performance Need Tough Laws
SA’s education legislation lacks teeth in regulating teacher misconduct and incompetence in the public basic education system, a Stellenbosch University study suggests. Read more
Tertiary Education Costs in South Africa on the Rise
In South Africa, the cost of tertiary education has been a hot topic of debate for many years. There have been numerous protests by students, who argue that the prices are too high and are preventing them from getting a higher education. Read more
The Lancet’ Journal Rejects Papers that Don’t Acknowledge African Researchers
Respected global medical journal The Lancet will continue to reject papers with data from Africa that fail to acknowledge African collaborators, in the interest of building African research and of promoting integrity, equity and fairness in research collaboration, … Read more
These are the 9 Best Universities in South Africa …
Quacquarelli Symonds has published its latest QS World University Ranking for 2023, showing that the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg has given way to a new number-two in South Africa. Read more
The University of the Witwatersrand Injects Entrepreneurial Thinking into Doctoral Training
The University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) is introducing a training programme in which doctoral students will, while pursuing their core programme, also undergo rigorous training to inculcate entrepreneurial thinking. Read more
TVET College Principals Called to Promote Work Placement
Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has warned that any college principal who does not promote work placement has no place in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college system. Read more
UCT Acts Quickly to Prevent Further Disruptions and Ensure Safety of All Students
After the disruptions of exams on Monday, UCT put strict measures in place to safeguard students and staff against any future disruptions.The disruptions were not an official protest and the disrupters were neither staff nor students of the institution, … Read more
UCT Beefs Up Security After Mid-Year Exams Disrupted
The University of Cape Town on Tuesday said that its security guards have their eyes peeled for any more intruders on campus.Monday’s mid-year exams were disrupted by workers whom UCT claimed were not students or employed at the university. Read more
UCT CFO Vincent Motholo Reappointed as Saica chairperson
University of Cape Town (UCT) CFO Vincent Motholo has been reappointed as chairperson of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica). Read more
UCT’s Famed Library is Recovering After Being Devastated by a Fire
Even as they watched the flames in the Jagger Library being subdued, Nikki Crowster and her colleagues were not overwhelmed by a future that was suddenly unknown. “We were determined to get our library back,” she says today of the veld fire that swept down the slopes of Devil’s Peak and onto the upper campus of the University of Cape Town… Read more
UCT Offers Digital Bootcamp to Create Job Opportunities
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has introduced the UCT Digital Bootcamp, which will offer an additional pathway to employment for determined young people and help them unleash their digital potential. Read more
UCT Professor Amir Patel Combines Power of Robotics and AI to Doctor SA Wildlife
A UCT professor is developing a method that combines robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) that will essentially conduct health check-ups on wildlife.This project, presented by associate professor Amir Patel, is set to be a trailblazer for ecology and conservation management in South Africa. Read more
UCT Still Ranked Best African University – But Its Score Keeps Dropping While UJ Climbs
The University of Cape Town is still ranked as the best in Africa, according to the latest QS World University Rankings, but its overall score continues to decline while the University of Johannesburg makes gains. Read more
Ugandan Epidemiologist Appointed to UN University Council
Dr Catherine Kyobutungi is a Ugandan epidemiologist who mainly works in healthcare systems research and capacity-building. She began her career journey as a medical officer in rural Uganda before becoming a lecturer at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Read more
UKZN Medical Student Attends World Health Organization’s High-Level Meeting …
A University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) fourth-year medical student was one of only three medical students globally for the Changemaker Scholarship to attend the Youth Pre-World Health Assembly (Pre-WHA) and World Health Assembly (WHA) held at the World Health Organization’s (WHO)… Read more
UKZN Medical Student Represents South Africa at WHO Headquarters
A University of KwaZulu-Natal fourth year student, Mohamed Hoosen Suleman is flying the institution’s flag high on the global stage. He was selected for a prestigious changemaker scholarship in Geneva, Switzerland. Read more
UKZN OptometrySstudents Need Your Help
The University of KwaZulu-Natal is on a mission to assist the optometry students who say they cannot afford some of the expensive equipment required by the faculty. Read more
UKZN Scientist Gets Prestigious International Appointment Working Towards an HIV Cure
A top scientist from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has been appointed by the International Aids Society (IAS) as co-chair of its ‘Towards an HIV Cure’ advisory board. Read more
UKZN Students Protest the Suspension of Cleaning Staff
Classes have been disrupted at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Westville campus after students protested against the suspension of 300 campus cleaners by the university management. Read more
UKZN Warns of New Admissions Scam, with Scam Artists Posing as University Staff
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) says it has been alerted to a new scam in which potential students are offered enrolment at the university in exchange for a payment. Read more
UKZN Webinar to Explore Link Between Unemployment and Drugs in Era of Whoonga
The University of KwaZulu-Natal College of Humanities is set to host a webinar looking at the connection between work/unemployment and drugs. Read more
Universities Must Think More Creatively About Future Employability of Their Graduates
The Dean of Science at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Professor Nithaya Chetty, says although it is laudable that the South African higher education produces 3000 PhDs, annually, and that Government has set targets to double that output to 6000 by 2025, … Read more
University of Zululand student beaten to death by ‘vigilante mob’ on university premises
A 27-year-old University of Zululand (UniZulu) student died after he was assaulted by an angry ‘vigilante mob’ at the tertiary institutions’ premises… Read more
(Un)Remembering Intergenerational Youth Struggles at Stellenbosch University…
A poster at a recent rally against racism at Stellenbosch University read “Still fighting the same fight you fought MAMA.” This poster signaled an exclamation worth pausing for reflection on Youth Day (16 June) in remembrance of the courage and sacrifice of the young people involved in the Soweto uprisings of 1976. Read more
VUT Students Left Stranded After Being Kicked Off Campus Following Protests, …
Some students at the Vaal University of Technology were left stranded when the institution ordered everyone to leave the campus after some buildings were destroyed by a fire during a protest on Wednesday night. Read more
VUT Suspends Classes After Students Burn University Building
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) has suspended classes indefinitely after students yet again set up a major infrastructure in violent disruptions. Read more
Who Were the Expert Voices During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Male scientists were the dominant expert voices in the media during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa in 2020. Women professors accounted for only 30% of those quoted. Read more
Wits Planetarium to Undergo Major Transformation in Bid to Establish Fully Digital Dome
The Wits Planetarium has been a site of wonder and discovery for many children and adults alike and now the iconic building is set for a facelift.From July 1, the Planetarium will undergo a major transformation as part of the vision to establish a fully digital dome. Read more
Women in Leadership Programme – 2022 Edition Kicks Off
The start of the 2022 Women in Leadership (WiL) programme, designed to embolden senior academic women leaders, inspired a new cohort of participants with confidence that they were embarking on a great leadership journey… Read more
WSU Graduate Triumphs After Being Abandoned and Sexually Assaulted
She was abandoned by her mother when she was only a week old and at just 14 years old she was repeatedly raped, but Andiswa Lugomo did not allow these misfortunes to dictate her path in life. Read more
WSU Historian’s New Book Looks at Butterworth as an Industrial Centre During Apartheid
Dr Jongikhaya Mvenene does not just teach history to university students. He has written books on legendary figures who have helped shape the direction of the province. Read more
31 May 2022
Africa’s First Cultivated Chicken Meat Harnesses UKZN Biotechnology Expertise
Stem-cell and skeletal muscle research emerging from the laboratories of biotechnology researchers in UKZN’s School of Life Sciences (SLS) has played a key role in the release of Africa’s first cultivated chicken meat as part of a partnership aiming to provide sustainable and affordable animal protein to meet the dietary needs of Africa’s growing population. Read more
African Scientists and Black Hole Discoveries
Sagittarius A* is the black hole at the centre of our galaxy, the Milky Way – and scientists have just unveiled the first image ever taken of it, thanks to a large international team known as the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration. Only two members of that team, Roger Deane and Iniyan Natarajan, are from the African continent. Read more
African Scientists and Technology Could Drive Future Black Hole Discoveries
Astronomers have revealed the first image of the black hole at the centre of our galaxy, the Milky Way. The image was produced by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration, an international team made up of over 300 scientists on five continents – including Africa. Read more
Africa’s Higher Education Prospects and Challenges in 2022
Higher education in Africa is key to its development. As the world becomes more interconnected, education becomes the key to sustainability. African governments are investing more in higher education. Read more
Blade Nzimande Tells Stellenbosch University not to be a ‘Sanctuary to Racists’
Higher Education Science and Innovation Minister, Blade Nzimande, has cautioned Stellenbosch University not to allow itself to be a “sanctuary to racists”. Read more
‘Burnout is a Real Phenomenon for African Professors’
Governments and universities in Africa must do more and join forces to create conducive academic and professional environments with conditions of service that will enable university professors to do their work and enhance their contributions to knowledge production. Read more
Can 4IR and Decolonisation Ideologies Co-Exist and be of Mutual Benefit in Higher Education?
The emergence of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) could potentially submerge the bellowing of decolonisation in higher education by previously marginalised groups, especially considering the ever-increasing inequality in South Africa. Read more
Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) Slams ‘Reckless’ UCT Vice-Chancellor Tweet
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has reacted with dismay at UCT vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng’s apology over a tweet in response to a student who alleged she had been raped on campus by a professor at the institution. Read more
Community of Practice for the Teaching and Learning of African Languages Remains Determined to Achieve More in 2022
Universities South Africa’s Community of Practice for the Teaching and Learning of African Languages (CoPAL) has put together an elaborate plan of action aiming to realise tangible outcomes for 2022. Read more
Congratulations and Pledges for UKZN graduate
Pictures of a young man in tears during the University of KwaZulu-Natal graduation ceremony have been trending on social media with congratulations pouring in while others are pledging towards his future. Read more
CUT Workers Chase Dreams
Two workers of the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, seized the opportunity to turn over a new leaf in their lives.The pair, Aletta Mhambi and Bafedile Mothae, have each graduated with a diploma in Office Management and Technology. Read more
Dental Technology Graduates Unable to Register
A number of dental technology graduates from around the country are in limbo and unemployed after they could not register with the South African Dental Technicians Council (SADTC). Read more
‘Divorced Universities’ Could Thrive Through Community Bond
Unless African universities address community needs through the kinds of knowledge and graduates they are producing, their sustainability will come under threat as important local sources of funding and popular support are withdrawn, according to participatory research pioneer Rajesh Tandon. Read more
Doctor Receives Nearly R1 Million to Research Impact of Covid-19…
Dr Chioma Ohajunwa, a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies at Stellenbosch University, has received critical funding for her research on the impact of Covid-19 on indigenous communities. Read more
DUT Gears Up to Host Virtual Autumn Grad Ceremories, Celebrating the Class of 2021
The Durban University of Technology is gearing up to host the 2022 Virtual Autumn Graduation ceremonies Read more
DUT to Honour Actress Thembi Mtshali-Jones with Honorary Doctorate
Singer, actress, playwright and producer Thembi Mtshali-Jones has expressed her gratitude to the Durban University of Technology (DUT) for honouring her with an honorary Doctorate in Visual and Performing Arts degree. Read more
Egypt Leads Research Field for the Second Year Running
For the second year running, researchers and academics in Egypt have published more peer-reviewed journal articles than their peers in other countries in Africa, according to 2021’s datasets from SCImago Journal & Country Rank, an online platform with some of the world’s most comprehensive citation and abstract databases of global journal research output. Read more
Embed Art in Local Cultures to Guard Against Foreign Sway
African artistic expression should be deeply rooted in local cultures and ought to reflect local cultural realities and context, targeting the African market first. In this way, domination by Western culture and globalisation, which have been spreading fast around the world, influencing every form of cultural expression, could be avoided. Read more
Fear of Covid Drove Many Teachers to the Brink, UWC Study Finds
Strategies needed to build resilience in educators, who were among the first to experience pandemic stress. After surviving Covid-19 complications that landed her in intensive care and on a ventilator for more than three weeks… Read more
First Images of Black Hole at Heart of Milky Way Galaxy Emerge
Astronomers have captured the first image of the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way galaxy.What makes this milestone even more significant, is the fact that two Wits University scientists are part of the international team. Read more
First of its Kind in Africa to Support Science Breakthroughs
South African universities need to be globally competitive to attract partnerships, investment and top academic staff and students. Read more
From Car Guard to PhD Candidate and Lecturer…
Fabrice Kapya used every cent he earned working as a car guard at Wonderpark Mall to pay off his studies. He started off with a degree in chemical engineering. Four years later he is an assistant lecturer at the University of Pretoria’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Read more
How Employable are South Africa’s Doctoral Graduates?
Doctoral education and training in any country is a lengthy and costly process. It is, therefore, imperative that policy-makers (including funding agencies) are informed about the return on such a (public) investment. Read more
Ignorance About Addis Convention Hampers Its Ratification
African education leaders are calling for more action to create increased awareness of the Addis Convention about the recognition of qualifications in higher education, noting that many countries were yet to ratify it nearly three years after it came into force. Read more
JHB Homeless Graduate Receives Opportunity to Complete Master’s Degree
There’s nothing better than hearing a real-life miracle – especially when that miracle is about a truly deserving person. We shared Gibson Nzimande’s story last week and since then, there has been an abundance of donations pouring in for him. Read more
HEFAALA Takes Stock of Academic Collaboration Post-COVID
A database that could capture the work that has been done at institutional, national and regional level to track academic collaborative modalities, including student mobility patterns, and plug the information gap on aspects such as internationalisation, was proposed at the end of the Third Higher Education Forum for Africa, Asia and Latin America (HEFAALA III) Symposium… Read more
How Can Internationalisation Regain Momentum in South Africa?
It is mandatory for each South African institution to develop its own policy and plan on internationalisation two years after the Policy Framework for Internationalisation of Higher Education in South Africa was published on 6 November 2020, and at a time when international student numbers are decreasing. Read more
The goal of TAFSA project is to enhance synergetic cooperation amongst selected Agricultural Universities in Africa. Specifically, the project aims at supporting these African universities with research and training of skillful and competent professionals to contribute to the improvement of food systems, and agribusiness… Read more
New €6.7m Project to Build Biodiversity Knowledge in Southern Africa
This month saw the start of a €6.7-million (about R110-million) spatial biodiversity assessment, prioritisation and planning (SBAPP) project, which is expected to improve environmental planning and monitor the status of indigenous species and ecosystems in four Southern African Development Community (SADC)… Read more
NMU Cleaner Perseveres, Graduates with Two Diplomas
After she started working as a cleaner in 2015, this 32-year-old never dreamed that she would one day grace the stage at her very own graduation, let alone at the very same university where she scrubbed the floors for seven years. Read more
NMU IsiXhosa Students’ Poems Published as Anthology
Despite only formally tackling the art of poetry in their third year, the works of a group of Nelson Mandela University isiXhosa students left such an impression on those who had a peek at their poetry prowess that they have been published as an anthology. Read more
No Stone Must be Left Unturned in Stellenbosch University Saga
Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has entered the fray in condemning the alleged racist incident at the University of Stellenbosch saying no stone should be left unturned in probing the matter. Read more
NWU to Host Community Engagement Workshop
The North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Management Sciences will be hosting a community engagement workshop on 22 and 23 June 2022 at its Mahikeng Campus. Read more
Open University of Mauritius and the Nelson Mandela University of South Africa Collaborate on FishFORCE Project
A High-Level stakeholders’ meeting for the establishment of a Fisheries Law Enforcement Academy, was held, this morning at Le Meridien in Pointe aux Piments. The initiative is a joint collaboration of the Open University of Mauritius and the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) of South Africa. Read more
Performance, Profit or Productivity: Why do We Publish?
Academic labour in any university occurs within three interlocking spheres: a scholarly community, a bureaucracy and a corporation. Read more
Private Network Impacts SDGs, Including Poverty Alleviation
A network of 15 private institutions spread across 10 countries in four regions in North, West, Central and Southern Africa, aims to train an additional 100,000 students over five years – up from its current 61,000. Read more
Pupils’ Poor Performance on Critical Subjects Contributes to Joblessness, Says Research Centre
SA is increasingly becoming an economy driven by the tertiary sector, but pupils’ poor performance in critical subjects is hindering them from entering the job market. Read more
PhD Student Kills Himself After Failing to Register for Academic Year…
A Zimbabwean PhD candidate, who could not register for the academic year at the University of the Witwatersrand because his study permit had expired, killed himself last weekend… Read more
Stellenbosch University ‘Deeply Distressed’ After Student Arrested for Alleged Rape
A Stellenbosch University student has been arrested for alleged rape, the South African Police Service (Saps) has confirmed. Read more
Stellenbosch University Probes Another Alleged Racist Incident
It’s emerged that offensive remarks were allegedly made towards a black female student during an event organised by the Law faculty last week Thursday. Read more
Stellenbosch University Student’s Belongings Urinated on in Allegedly Racist Incident
Stellenbosch University is investigating an allegedly racist incident at one of its student residences over the weekend, in which a black first-year student was targeted. Read more
Study Reveals Deep Concerns Over Cheating, Learning Quality
Plagiarism and dishonesty during tests, exams and assessments were prevalent during emergency remote teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown at South Africa’s universities. Read more
Ten (10) RUFORUM Member Universities ranked among 1,406 universities …
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) strives to support its member universities to deliver quality education through cutting edge research, innovation and academic mobility to enable them rank higher globally. Read more
The More You Spend on Fundraising, the More You will Collect
The latest annual survey of Philanthropy in Higher Education (ASPIHE) continues to provide a rigorous and in-depth overview of philanthropic support to universities in South Africa. Read more
Honoris United Universities Transforms the Lives of 770,000+ People Across Africa
Today, Honoris United Universities, the first and largest pan-African network of private higher education institutions in Africa, releases its inaugural impact report. The report highlights Honoris’ commitment to Education for Impact for students, their families and communities across Africa… Read more
How Changing Livestock Markets Could Reduce Conflict
Over nine million Kenyans are pastoralists out of a total population of 50 million. Together they hold livestock worth over US$1 billion. Livestock is their source of food, health, and wealth. Read more
UCT adds Swahili as elective language from 2023
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has introduced Swahili as an elective language course starting from 2023, said vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng in her opening address during the Africa Month panel discussion. Read more
UCT Rape Allegations Baid Bare in Leaked Report
Damning details have emerged following an investigation into a sexual harassment case at UCT. Read more
UCT Unveils Jagger Library Memorial Exhibition in Remembrance of 2021 Fire
Just a little over a year ago, devastation struck at the University of Cape Town’s iconic Jagger Library.At the time, IOL reported that hundreds of years of history had gone up in smoke after a wildfire had broken out. Read more
UCT Probing Sexual Assault Allegations Against Professor
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has launched an investigation into the sexual assault of a student, allegedly by a professor at the university. This after a student accused a UCT professor of raping her on the university premises. Read more
UFS Must be Positioned as an Institution that Contributes to African Knowledge…
Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State, Professor Francis Petersen, says it is important to position the University as an African institution that contributes to African knowledge. Read more
UFS Qwaqwa Students in Court After Violent Protests
Students from the University of the Free State are set to appear before the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate court today, following violent protests at the Qwaqwa campus.Free State police spokesperson Mmako Mophiring says that 12 suspects were arrested between Monday and yesterday. Read more
UJ’s Professor Hassina Mouri Awarded top Unesco Award
Professor in medical geology at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), Hassina Mouri, has been awarded the Unesco Chair on Medical Geology in Africa. Read more
UJ’s Professor Marwala Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
University of Johannesburg (UJ) vice-chancellor and principal, professor Tshilidzi Marwala, is flying the university’s and South Africa’s flags high after he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences as its new international honorary member. Read more
UKZN Congratulates Professor Tulio de Oliveira on his Time100 Nomination
The University of KwaZulu-Natal has congratulated Professor Tulio de Oliveira on his nomination for the TIME 100: a list of individuals who have made the most important contributions to our world. Read more
UKZN Graduate Whose Emotional Graduation Ceremony Touched the Hearts of Many…
Nearing the end of a long and difficult journey, a 23-year-old University of KwaZulu-Natal student who was raised by his grandmother on a street vendor’s income could not contain his emotions as he burst into tears on stage during graduation.Ngobese was conferred with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Read more
UKZN to Host In-Person Graduation Ceremonies
There’s an air of excitement across the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) campuses as the institution prepares to roll out the red carpet for its first in-person graduation ceremonies since the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more
UKZN Master’s Graduate Explores Experiences of Muslim Women in a Polygamous Marriage…
The mother of five, from Pietermaritzburg, conducted a qualitative study over 18 months, using a non-random, purposive sample of subjects who experienced being in a polygamous marriage. Read more
UNISA Interdicts Nehawu Strike Over Dismissal of Shop Stewards
The University of SA (Unisa) has obtained an interim Labour Court interdict against members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) protesting against the firing of their leaders at the institution. Read more
Unisa Reports Reveal Serious Allegations of Wrongdoing, Loss of Millions
Reports submitted to Unisa’s council have revealed allegations of violations of university rules and policies, and the laws of the country, which resulted in the loss of millions through over-expenditure at the institution. Read more
Universities in Africa Still to Undo ‘Colonial’ Clasps
Higher education in Africa (and its stakeholders) needs to reimagine and free itself as a sector from the colonial clasps of the past through developing its own educational models and transforming universities’ systems, structures and policies that guide its practices, along with having a clear vision of what it wants in the future. Read more
UP Centre for Future of Work to Produce Publications, Provide Advisory Services and Training
The Centre for the Future of Work (CFoW), launched by the University of Pretoria (UP) on May 17, will be Africa’s centre of excellence on the future of work, producing scientific and popular publications, advisory services and training… Read more
UP Soars in 2022 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings
According to the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings (2022), released this week, the University of Pretoria (UP) has been named South Africa’s second-best (joint second) and Africa’s third-best (joint third) university. Read more
UWC Provides Continental Support for Covid-19 Surveillance
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), through its Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Africa PGI), has supported African countries during the past two years in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Wits Launches Entrepreneurship Clinic to Address Harrowing Youth Unemployment …
The WEC aims to strengthen the role of universities in the entrepreneurship ecosystem to enable young entrepreneurs to become the future job creators in Africa.Unemployment among the youth in South Africa is rife, with millions of youngsters without a job or any form of income. Read more
Young Academics Need Mentorship from Universities
South Africa’s universities are failing to implement the “social component” of their missions effectively, says Lihle Ngcobozi, a former student activist in the nationwide #FeesMustFall (#FMF) protests of 2015 and now a lecturer in the Wits School of Governance at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). Read more
Why We Need Higher Technical Skills Development for Youth
Youth skills development, an essential element for youth empowerment, was highlighted during the conference with a round table themed “Youth Skills Development through Higher Technical Education in Africa”…Read more
WSU Degree Not Recognised by Health Body for 10 Years
Walter Sisulu University has been offering a programme, described as “useless” by past graduates, and slated by health academics for its lack of utility, without the required professional recognition for 10 years. Read more
30 April 2022
$3m Donation to Help Wits Light up Innovation in Africa
The University of Witwatersrand (Wits University) is positioning itself to drive the African continent into a new era of innovation, change and growth.So says vice-chancellor and principal professor Zeblon Vilakazi, setting the higher learning institution’s direction as it celebrates its centenary this year. Read more
Academics Want to Build Capacity for One Health Strategy
African countries have been urged to adopt the One Health framework, a collaborative public health approach, amid concerns of pandemic outbreaks and for the emerging and re-emerging of highly infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and Ebola that adversely affect human health. Read more
‘African Universities Should Differentiate Their Missions Clearly’
The notion that there is a single ideal university must be resisted in favour of one that values a plurality of institutional types and promotes intentional differentiation in national higher education systems… Read more
‘Are We Prepared to Think Beyond National Boundaries?’
A new model for transnational partnerships that acknowledges and strengthens the contribution made by public higher education institutions in the Global South is required to produce the kind of knowledge that the world needs… Read more
Beyond Connectivity: Making African Scholarship Visible
In February, Malawi-based UbuntuNet Alliance, an Eastern and Southern African research and educational networking organisation, appointed Kenyan national, Professor Madara Ogot, as its new chief executive. Read more
Bot,eth,keny, malwisa
CT Woman with Severe Brain Trauma Conquers Academia with PhD from Maties
“Anything is conquerable if you just persevere, even in the face of extreme challenges.” This is a message from a 33-year-old Durbanville woman, who will on Wednesday receive her PhD at Stellenbosch University’s April graduation. Read more
Defining Our Human Rights, Then, Now and in the Future
The University of Pretoria’s Centre for Human Rights has advanced democracy for over three decades. The Centre for Human Rights (Centre) at the University of Pretoria (UP) aims to advance human rights through education, research and advocacy, by combining academic excellence and effective activism. Read more
DUT to Host BothVirtual and Physical Graduation Ceremonies
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) executive management committee and the Senate Executive Committee (Senex) held a special joint EMC-Senex meeting to discuss the growing need for a physical graduation for the class of 2021. Read more
DUT Maths Professor, Megandhren Govender, Obtains C2 NRF Rating
Prof Megandhren Govender of the Faculty of Applied Science at the Durban University of Technology recently obtained a C2 National Research Foundation (NRF) rating.Prof Govender’s role includes teaching of mathematics, research, community outreach and being involved in the larger university community… Read more
DUT’s Newly C3-Rated Digital Activist to Consider International Collaborations on Research
Director of the Short Course Unit (SCU) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Prof Surendra (Colin) Thakur recently obtained a C3 National Research Foundation (NRF) rating. Read more
Four UFS Students Arrested After Two Buildings Torched on Campus
Four University of the Free State (UFS) students were arrested in connection with a fire that broke out at the Qwaqwa campus on Monday evening.UFS spokesperson Lacea Loader said two campus buildings – the clinic and a computer laboratory – were almost completely destroyed in the blaze. Read more
Gateway to Success: From Pandemic Learner to Successful Student
For two years, universities in South Africa and worldwide did their best to provide students with quality education under the adverse conditions precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
HE Needs Explicit Intentional Policies on Gender Equality
Although institutional efforts to increase the representation of women in academia are increasing across the African continent, they remain under-represented in strategic and essential positions which necessitate adopting specific policies to advance their academic representation. Read more
Mastercard Hosts First Digital Girls4Tech Connect Marathon in Sub-Saharan Africa…
Mastercard recently hosted its first digital Girls4Tech Connect Marathon in Sub-Saharan Africa to inspire and prepare 515 girls aged 7-12 to pursue careers in Science and Technology. Read more
New ICT University to Open to SADC Students From 2023
Zimbabwe plans to open a new state-run, specialised information and communications technology cyber security university next year with the objective of making it a premier institution of higher learning in that sector in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Read more
Namibian Minister Graduates with his 12th Degree from University of Western Cape
Namibian Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Peya Mushelenga, graduated with a PhD in law from the University of the Western Cape on Wednesday, his 12th degree, according to a statement issued by the South African university… Read more
Pandemic Sees Spike in Private Higher Education Enrolment
Student enrolment at private higher education institutions in South Africa has more than doubled in recent years as demand was further fuelled by the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more
Powerful Female Duo Re-elected to the Helm of NMU
Visionary, transformative and empowering leadership displayed by the women at the helm of Nelson Mandela University has seen the duo being re-elected to lead what is one of the province’s top tertiary institutions… Read more
SA’s Youngest Doctors Rocking the Medical Fraternity
It has not been smooth sailing for two of South Africa’s youngest doctors, as they have had to deal with tremendous workloads at medical school, which sometimes left them demotivated. Read more
South Africa Looks to Silicon Valley for Innovation Inspiration
Fresh on the heels of touting innovation as a key enabler of SA’s economic prospects, minister Dr Blade Nzimande is on an official week-long visit to Silicon Valley in the US. Read more
Stellenbosch University Expert Finds that Elephant Behaviour’s Largely Dictated by Smell
Have you wondered how elephants are able to determine which of them are part of the herd? Research conducted by Stellenbosch University elephant expert Katharina von Durckheim has shown that elephants share what is known as a “herd-odour” to help them recognise members of their herd. Read more
Stellenbosch University PhD Student Maps Genome of Critical Endangered African Wild Dog
Christina Meiring graduated with a PhD in Molecular Biology it marked the completion of the first large-scale investigation of the genetic diversity in the African wild dog population of the Kruger National Park (KNP). Read more
Students Now have Until 11 April to Upload Proof of Vaccination
University of Johannesburg (UJ) students who’ve been rushing to beat Thursday’s vaccine mandate deadline may breathe a sigh of relief as the upcoming Easter recess will buy them more time. Read more
Subject Rankings: More Departments in Africa on Top-100 List
African higher education institutions are steadily scaling the academic ladder as 23 university departments in three countries were among the world’s 100 best places to study subjects they offer, according to the 12th edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022. Read more
Take Up Skill Training: Dr Abrefa-Gyan Charges Youth
The Deputy Director of the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Dr Tina Abrefa-Gyan, has urged the youth to take up skill training in technical, vocational education and training (TVET) in order to boost the country’s production capacity to meet consumption needs. Read more
UCT Best in Africa for Sports Science
The University of Cape Town has been ranked top in Africa for sports science in the global ranking of science schools and departments of more than 300 universities. Read more
UCT International Student Graduates with BSc After 12-Year Battle
An international student from UCT is beaming with pride after she graduated despite being dealt heavy blows during her years of study. On Tuesday, Sarah Nzeka received her Bachelor of Science (BSc) in chemical engineering, 12 years after registering for the course. Read more
UCT Pauses Compulsory Vaccination Policy, Will Promote Voluntary Jabs
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has paused the “in principle” implementation of its compulsory vaccination policy, it confirmed on Wednesday.In reply to questions, UCT explained that its council took the in-principle decision in October 2021 to support a mandatory vaccination policy. Read more
UFS QwaQwa Campus Guards on High Alert, Academic Programme Moves Online…
The academic programme at the University of the Free State’s QwaQwa campus will remain mostly online this week after two buildings were set alight during protests. Read more
UKZN’s Decision to Hold In-Person Graduation Ceremonies Widely Welcomed
Students have welcomed the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s decision to have in-person graduation ceremonies this May. Read more
UKZN to Investigate ‘Wild’ Four-Day Student Bash
For four days, Glenwood residents had to endure loud music and drunk behaviour when more than 2,000 students attended an unauthorised party at Howard College. Read more
UKZN Ranks in the Top 2.5% Universities Worldwide
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has been ranked in the top 2.5% universities worldwide. This is according to the 2022-23 edition of the Global 2000 list by the Center for World University Rankings… Read more
UWC Scientists Part of Team That Discovered Megamaser ‘Nkalakatha’ 5bn Lightyears Away from Earth
After two years, a team of University of Western Cape scientists can finally reveal their astronomical finding with the world – a megamaser, called Nkalakatha, light years away from earth. Read more
Wits Business School, US Usiness College to Collaborate on Energy Matters
Wits Business School (WBS) has signed an historic agreement with the CT Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, in the US, which it says opens the door for robust collaboration between their respective energy centres. Read more
Worldskills Africa Competition Promotes Capacity Building for Youth
The second edition of WorldSkills Africa, underway in Namibia’s Swakopmund coastal town, is promoting skills development among the continent’s young populace. Read more
WSU Council Calls for Accountability on Accreditation Debacle
Walter Sisulu University’s council has demanded accountability from the institution’s management for bringing the university into “disrepute” after it emerged it had been offering several programmes that were not accredited. Read more
WSU in High-Level Meetings Over Accreditation Issue
The Council on Higher Education (CHE) and the South African Qualifications Authority (Saqa) on Wednesday held meetings with Walter Sisulu University after claims that some of the university’s programmes were not accredited. Read more
WSU Partly Cleared Over Unaccredited Courses, but Faces Two more Audits
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) has been partly cleared after claims that dozens of courses were not accredited.The Council on Higher Education (CHE), which accredits qualifications and programmes, said on Friday it had reviewed WSU’s courses with the SA Qualifications Authority (Saqa)… Read more
UWC Ranks in Top 800 on Times Higher Education for 6th Years in a Row
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has done it again. It has been ranked in the top 800 universities globally by Times Higher Education (THE) for the sixth year running. Read more
31 March 2022
AAU and Afrobarometer Hold Strategic Dialogue to Explore Areas of Collaboration
The visit was at the invitation of Dr. Asunka for the two organisations to explore possible areas of mutual interest for collaboration. Read more
Academics Condemn Silencing of Scientists over Russian Invasion
Academics have condemned an alleged instruction by an official from South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) to muzzle scientists over the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Read more
Academic ‘Conveyer Belt’ Approach Dehumanises Education
Building on the present historical moment when ‘distortions’ in the worldview promoted in the West have increasingly come under question in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement, the need to revamp the education systems in the Global South has become increasingly apparent… Read more
African Education Trust Fund (AETF) Committee Meets with the AAU Secretary-General
The AETF was set up by the AAU and the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI) to transform tertiary education in Africa and scale up the skills set of the continent for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Read more
Black Women in South African Academia Struggle to Get Ahead: What Needs to Change
In South Africa, the number of black women who acquire undergraduate degrees has increased more than any other population group. Yet they remain underrepresented in senior academic and management positions in the country’s higher education institutions. Read more
Bukavu Youth Agripreneurs (BYA)
Bukavu Youth Agripreneurs enterprise was started by graduates from different universities and academic disciplines. The enterprise is located in Bukavu City, South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Read more
Continent-Relevant Solutions Needed to Improve Use of AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been identified globally as one of the biggest phenomena of the 21st century and a powerful tool in combating some of the debilitating effects of climate variability and change. Read more
DUT and JICA to Host the SATREPS Technology Transfer Workshop
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) will be hosting the SATREPS “Production of Biofuels from Algal Biomass” Technology Transfer hybrid event on Thursday, 17 March 2022. Read more
DUT Researcher Earns International Recognition
Professor Monique Marks of Durban University of Technology (DUT) has earned international recognition for her research. The university recently announced that Marks has retained her B2 rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF) Rating. Read more
Evacuation of Africa’s Students from Ukraine Continues
While 17 African countries were among the 35 states that abstained from voting on a United Nations resolution on Wednesday 2 March demanding that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine…Read more
Higher Education Dept Working to Ensure Safety of SA Students in Ukraine
The Higher Education Department said that it was working closely with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to ensure the safety of all 32 South African students enrolled at various institutions in war-torn Ukraine. Read more
How I Got Home … Student Recounts Fleeing from Kharkiv
South African Mandisa Sthabile Malindisa (25) travelled for four days, slept on icy roads and muscled her way through desperate crowds on several station platforms and onto trains before she reached Budapest airport in Hungary to board a plane to Johannesburg. She is feeling guilty that she escaped while others are still trapped in Ukraine. Read more
Inclusive Education: Girls and Boys Must be Treated Equally
The education sector has, since democracy in 1994, placed the “girls’ agenda” at the centre of care and support interventions for vulnerable children to address inequality, according to the minister of basic education, Angie Motshekga. Read more
KZN Students Sleep Rough Amid Housing and Registration Challenges
About 250 first-year students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Pietermaritzburg campus spent two nights on the tarmac outside the security gates after claiming that the university had failed to provide them with accommodation. Read more
Library Uses InstaNovels to Get More Students to Read
From InstaNovels to enticing ‘Book Nook’ reading spaces in the library, we have to constantly come up with approaches to encourage our students to acquire and nurture the wonderful habit of reading. Read more
Mamdani Talks About his Research Legacy and Work at Makerere
Professor Mahmood Mamdani was the executive director of the Makerere Institute of Social Research at Makerere University, Uganda, from 2010 to the end of February 2022. During this time, he has revamped the institution’s mission and established a robust PhD programme. Read more
More Women Researchers Needed to Tackle Climate Change
Challenging the gender bias within educational institutions, in research and even in the media has been identified as a fundamental component to open up spaces for women to participate in and make an impact in the emerging field of climate change. Read more
NMU Project Part of an ‘African Solution to the World’s Problems’
The US acting consul general to SA last week hailed an innovative aquaponics partnership when he visited Nelson Mandela University’s Missionvale Campus. Read more
Preprint Servers Gain Prominence Despite Peer Review Concerns
While they have been around for the past five decades, preprint servers, repositories that allow access to original manuscripts to the public before they have undergone peer review, have gained more prominence over the past two years, owing to the sheer volume of research on COVID-19 that needed to be communicated. Read more
Protests Over Higher Education Funding Raise Questions Over Loan Scheme
As protests over mandatory vaccines dominate student-led protests, the growing crisis over finance in higher education has also contributed to a difficult start to the academic year for some students.In recent years, the country has seen student-led demonstrations… Read more
SADC Education for Sustainable Development Framework on the Horizon
The dialogue is one of UNESCO’s responses to the aspirations enunciated in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030 of SADC, that is to develop and implement programmes, in order to improve human capacities for socio-economic development… Read more
SA’s Education Equity Gap and Those Aiming to Bridge It
SA is nearly 28 years into democracy yet the right to education, which is a constitutional right, is not a reality for many pupils in this country, with the SA education system still facing many challenges. Read more
SA Varsities Intent on Pursuing Millions in Unpaid Fees
Amid a troubled start to the 2022 academic year during which student protests erupted on several campuses over financial exclusions, debt-ridden South African universities have said they have no intention of writing off unpaid student fees… Read more
Science and Race in SA: Lessons From ‘old bones in boxes’
In this edited extract from the introduction of his new book, Bones and Bodies: How South African scientists studied race, published by Wits University Press, Alan G Morris examines the discipline’s South African history. Read more
Scientific Diplomacy and Cooperation in this Time of War
As the vice-president of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) responsible for membership matters, I have been involved in formulating a position for the IUPAP about scientific cooperation with Ukraine and with Russia in this extremely difficult time of war. Read more
Scientists, Policy-Makers and Activists Should Work Together
Higher education stakeholders recently gathered to discuss how solutions emanating from the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) can be applied in various contexts, including higher education, to support society’s recovery from COVID-19 consequences. Read more
South Africa Could be Ready to Ease COVID-19 Restrictions Further…
Former head of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19, Salim Abdool Karim, says that South Africa could be ready to ease pandemic restrictions further as infection rates have declined. Read more
Space Science Capabilities Depend on Quality Education
In December 2019, Ethiopia became the 11th African country to have launched a 72kg remote sensing microsatellite (ETRSS-1) into space, joining the ranks of Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Sudan. In East Africa, Ethiopia was third after Kenya and Rwanda. Read more
Stellenbosch University Launches Online Learning Platform, Funders Urged to Help
Stellenbosch University has launched SU Advantage, an innovative online learning and teaching solution focusing on supporting high school pupils and teachers from Grade 10-12. Read more
Stellenbosch University Accused of Forcing Vaccination on Ill Students
Stellenbosch University has been accused of endangering students’ lives, after allegedly forcing ill students to get COVID-19 vaccines. Two weeks ago, a second-year medical student from KwaZulu-Natal passed away after contracting the coronavirus. Read more
The Long Journey Back to Campus After COVID’s Disruptions
For the past two years, students in South African tertiary education institutions have had to negotiate the choppy waters of emergency online tuition. In 2022, thousands of students at universities across the country have been returning to the shores of face-to-face learning. Read more
Time to Protest Criminality Disguised as Student Protest
It is becoming increasingly difficult for institutions of higher learning in South Africa to maintain the delicate balancing act of finding sustainable funding solutions amid mounting pressures caused by rapidly altering learning and teaching environments, dwindling government subsidies, and the massification of higher education. Read more
‘Tripartite Curriculum Strategy’ Bridges Work-Academia Gap
Higher education institutions in South Africa are at the helm of building an innovative, knowledge-rich, and resilient society. Yet, they are often criticised for producing graduates who are not ‘fit for purpose’ because of a disconnect between industry requirements and university curricula. Read more
UCT to decide Vaccine Mandate
THE University of Cape Town is one step closer to making a decision on a vaccine mandate policy after it wrapped up a public participation process. On Saturday the university’s Council is expected to receive recommendations… Read more
UJ Students Protest at Auckland Park Campus Against Vaccine Mandate
University of Johannesburg (UJ) students have on Thursday staged a protest at the Auckland Park campus in Johannesburg against the institution’s vaccine mandate. Read more
UKZN and DUT Team up to Help Feed Starving Students
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the Durban University of Technology (DUT) established feeding scheme programmes to fight food insecurity among students in higher institutions of learning. Read more
UKZN Hosts Colloquium on Womxn in the Academy and Shaping Futures Beyond
The University of KwaZulu-Natal is expected to host a Colloquium on Womxn in the Academy and shaping futures beyond Covid-19 on Thursday.The event is being hosted by UKZN’s College of Humanities in partnership with Is’thebe Mentoring and takes place during International Women’s Month. Read more
UKZN Students in Pietermaritzburg Campus Still Facing Issues with Accommodation
Students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Pietermaritzburg campus, who slept outside the main gate while awaiting residences, are still concerned about their accommodation issues. Read more
‘Uncomfortable Conversations About Universities Needed’
African universities must experiment with radically different models of access and funding if they are to create new identities for themselves as decolonised institutions, according to former student activist and now lecturer at South Africa’s University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Rekgotsofetse Chikane. Read more
UNESCO and Partners to Hold Social Knowledge for Policy Uptake Workshop
The UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa in collaboration with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the South African Department of Social Development (DSD) will hold a workshop on social knowledge for policy uptake… Read more
Universities can Build Relationships with Industry by Inviting People to Networking Events
The first session of the two-day Executive Leadership Workshop (ELW) on Commercialisation of Research, held in Cape Town last week – featured two speakers from abroad. Read more
University Council Chair has no Degree
Central University of Technology (CUT) council chairperson Matthew Rantso, who leads PhD holders with only a certificate in hand, is the only such council chairperson among South Africa’s 26 universities. Read more
‘Universities Must Grasp the Opportunity to Change’
If African universities are to meet their mandate to support development on the continent, they must change with the times and restructure, said Reitumetse Obakeng Mabokela, the vice provost for international affairs and global strategies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the United States. Read more
Universities Must Find Ways to Fast-Track the ‘Brightest’
“There is an abundance of human talent in Africa, but it has not been coming through into advanced technical fields,” says Professor Neil Turok, who founded the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in Cape Town in 2003. Read more
University of Pretoria Points the Way for the use of 3D-Printing in Medicine and Science
The University of Pretoria’s (UP) Forensic Anthropology Research Centre (FARC) is setting up a comprehensive facility to help other departments in the University’s Faculty of Health Sciences with the 3D-printing of replicas of bones and organs. Read more
Universities Can do Better in Democratising Their Research
For many, participation might be intrinsically valuable. Not surprisingly, as human beings living as part of our societies, we want to be heard and be active within our communities. However, seeing the social fabric as compendiums of communities might bring light into those groups or communities where we have nothing or little to say as citizens of our global world. Read more
Universities with Unique Identities
South Africa’s youngest universities, Sol Plaatje University (SPU) and the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) are making good strides in growing the institutions by giving them a unique identity and footprint in higher education landscape. Read more
UWC’s DNA Profiling Kit to Fight Crime
A University of the Western Cape’s recent creation of a new DNA profiling kit could help solve sexual assault-related crimes.Researchers from the institution have partnered with two biotech companies to assist in commercializing the project. Read more
Vice-Chancellors Tasked to Lobby for Better Internet Access
Vice-chancellors have a vital advocacy role to play in promoting national research and education networks (NRENs), to advance the digital transformation strategies of African universities. Read more
Vigorous Intercultural Democratic Debate on Science Needed
Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) must be incorporated in African university curricula across the continent in order to help resurrect nation-building and decolonisation projects that have been put on hold, according to Ugandan higher education thought leader Catherine Odora Hoppers. Read more
‘We Need Local Solutions to Local Climate Change Problems’
“As a continent, we must move from climate theory to climate action and, therefore, it is critical to build alliances and partnerships between different role-players in terms of climate change. This calls for the inclusion of local contexts and indigenous knowledge in climate adaptation strategies.” Read more
Why are Black Women Under-Represented in Senior Academe?
In South Africa, the number of black women who acquire undergraduate degrees has increased more than any other population group. Read more
Work Integrated Learning Strategy Aims to Advance 4IR Skills
Universities must stop churning out students for careers that may no longer exist and, instead, produce ‘adaptive’ graduates fit for purpose and ready for the 21st century and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), said Professor Thandwa Mthembu, the vice-chancellor of the Durban University of Technology (DUT), South Africa. Read more
WSU Convocation Calls for Transparency from Varsity…
The Walter Sisulu University convocation has called upon university managers to address the concerns about the validity of some of the institution’s degrees directly, truthfully and immediately to avoid irredeemable damage to the university. Read more
WSU Students Strike After Eeing evicted for Outstanding Rental
About 1 000 students from Zamukulungisa WSU Campus in Mthatha were left stranded after their landlords allegedly evicted them from their place of residences yesterday, March 14. Read more
Youths from Africa and the Arab World Commit to Advancing Cooperation in agriculture…
The Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC) in partnership with the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) organized a youth dialogue under the theme, “Enhancing food security through innovations and planetary health: the role of youth.” Read more
28 February 2022
Academic Publishing Needs Creative Solutions to Grow
COVID-19 has dampened academic research productivity even though virtual conferences and webinars have become an antidote for visa denials and a shortage of travel funding. Where academic publishing is concerned, there may be solutions to promote development in African countries as well as increase international support. Read more
Advancing Transformation as the University’s Strategic heart
Transformation in higher education is complex and multifaceted. It involves integrated processes of continuous institutional change in all aspects of the university’s functioning. Read more
Africa Needs ‘Pluriversities’ to Respect More Ways of Knowing
Universities on the continent are so dominated by frameworks for understanding that were established in the Global North that they cannot be considered authentically ‘African’ in terms of what they teach and the kinds of knowledge they produce, says South African philosopher Mogobe Ramose. Read more
‘Data Literacy is as Important as Any other Literacy’
Computational and data science is a new essential language, and all students and graduates today need to be versed in computational thinking and data-handling skills. Read more
Does Your University have a Student Affairs Directorate?
Student affairs directorates within universities have unique roles to play in ensuring quality in higher education by maximising opportunities for students to graduate equipped with a high level of success and holistic development and allowing them to acquire those graduate attributes that prepare them to contribute better in society. Read more
Durban University of Technology’s City Campus Petrol-Bombed
The Durban University of Technology’s City Campus was petrol-bombed in the early hours of Tuesday morning.A group of approximately 15 unknown people hurled petrol bombs on the City Campus, which is situated in Anton Lembede Street, … Read more
DUT Announces Closure of Campuses on Friday Ahead of Protest March
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) has said it will temporarily close three of its campuses in the CBD on Friday before a planned protest by the EFF Student Command. Read more
DUT’s 2022 Back to Campus: Teaching and Learning Plan
Should the lockdown level allow and the council approved policy choices on COVID-19 are met, the university may offer mask-to-mask teaching and learning to students exiting the system. Read more
DUT’s Dr Mavela Nominated for Illustrious Science and Tech Awards
Dr Mavela works in the Student Support Development Unit under the Centre for Excellence in Learning at Teaching (CELT) at the DUT and is also pursuing her PhD in health sciences under the Faculty of Health Sciences at the university. Read more
DUT Staff Evacuated Following Violent Protests
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) abruptly closed its doors on Tuesday after violent attacks by student groups, which resulted in four faculty staff cars set alight. The protest comes after some students alleged they were struggling to register for the 2022 academic year. Read more
DUT Upholds Mandatory Vaccination Policy …
Despite mounting reluctance from students and student organisations, universities across the country are steadfast in implementing the Covid-19 mandatory vaccination policies which prohibit students from entering campuses without producing proof of vaccination. Read more
Higher Education Minister Reveals R47 Billion in Funding
Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande revealed on Saturday that R47 billion in student funding has been disbursed for the year through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to aid more than 700 000 students. Read more
Higher Education Proposes 4.23% Fee Increase
The Department of Higher Education and Training has proposed an increase of 4.23% for tuition fees for the 2022 academic year, and a maximum of 6.23% for accommodation at all 26 universities. Read more
How to Connect Your Research with Policy-Making Agendas
African academic researchers have been urged to stop writing long, dry and complex research papers that are meant for other scholars only, but to also consider best practices of sharing their research with lay audiences to increase their use in policy- and decision-making agendas. Read more
Institutions Brace for Protests as Funding Cuts Loom
Following the first reports of student protests, South Africa’s 26 public universities and 50 technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges are expected to start the 2022 academic year on the back foot with a ZAR10 billion (US$650 million) shortfall for student funding. Read more
Man Gets 18 Years for Stealing R1.2m Meant for Walter Sisulu University Students, Staff
An Eastern Cape man who stole R1.2 million meant to financially support needy Walter Sisulu University students has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. Read more
New Immigration Rules Leave Foreign Students in the Lurch
South Africa has withdrawn a blanket waiver granted to foreign students studying in critical skills areas following changes to its immigration policy. Read more
Protests Called Off After Agreement Reached
The Nelson Mandela University’s student representative council and management ironed out an agreement on Monday evening after protesting students blocked entrances to the north and south campuses in Gqeberha, along with the one in George. Read more
Private and Public Universities Should Collaborate in Africa
Private universities became popular and increased exponentially in Africa around the 1990s. Read more
Project to Translate Research Articles into African Languages
A platform that publishes African research immediately and free of charge, with the aim of providing increased regional and international visibility for scientific work, has partnered with like-minded open access African portals to translate 180 research articles from English to six African languages. Read more
Protests Halt First Day of University Lectures
Lectures were brought to a halt on Monday, the first day of the academic year at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) in Gqeberha, by students protesting over difficulties with registration. Read more
‘Queen of Science’ Keeps Breaking Barriers for Women
She started school at the age of four and, at the age of 11, a lesson on astronauts in a geography class sparked a lifelong love for and dance with the sciences. Read more
Ready for a Career Change? Swallow Your Pride, Push Through
At times, passion drives people to great lengths and, as they travel the path to their highest ideals, they discover themselves along the way. Read more
SA Universities Mlaim to be Multilingual Yet have Monolingual Websites;…
With South Africa’s new Language Policy Framework for Public Higher Education Institutions set to enhance the role and status of marginalised languages scheduled to kickstart this year, a scholar’s insights into what universities’ websites reflect now, are apt. Read more
Science Output Rising, but Some Countries’ Yields Still Low
Despite numerous challenges, Africa has made notable progress in the production of scientific knowledge in the past two decades, with a total share of 7.6% of contributions to the world of science and one-third of all international publications in tropical medicine. Read more
Space Technology to Measure, Monitor Climate Change Impact
Five African countries are working with Egypt to launch a pan-African satellite project dubbed the African Development Satellite Initiative (AfDev-Sat) to study the impact of climate change across Africa and what space technology can offer in this area. Read more
Top 10 Best Universities in Africa
Africa is home to many universities that rank amongst the top universities in the world. Scattered across the continent, they stand tall in educational excellence. Read more
TVET Colleges as Good as Universities
As Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges prepare for prospective students, the issue of unemployed graduates looms large. Read more
UCT Ikeys Come from Behind to Beat NWU Eagles in Varsity Cup Opener
UCT Ikeys produced a spectacular comeback in the first Varsity Cup match of the year to beat NWU Eagles 35-26 at the Fanie du Toit Stadium on Monday. Read more
UCT Professor, Jack Fletcher, Shortlisted for Africa Prize in Engineering Innovation
Dr Jack Fletcher has been shortlisted for the 2022 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation (APEI) with the Hyena Power Pod, a fuel-cell based hydrogen generator that converts LPG gas into usable electricity, all within one device is one of the technologies that have been shortlisted for the 2022 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. Read more
UCT Students Protest Amidst SRC Rape Allegation
Accusations of sexual harassment and rape levelled at the president of the University of Cape Town’s Student Representative Council (SRC) have led to students protesting at several locations on UCT campuses today (Wednesday 2 February). Read more
UCT Suspends Student Following Sexual Assault, Rape Allegations
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has suspended a student following sexual assault and rape allegations, which surfaced more than a week ago.”Since the matter was brought to our attention on 1 February, the survivor continues to receive support from UCT,”… Read more
UFS’ Planned #Covid19 Vaccination Policy to be Argued in Court
A court date for an argument against the University of the Free State’s (UFS) planned mandatory #Covid19 vaccination policy, which will deal with the merits of the case, has been set for 23 March 2022. Read more
UKZN Lecturer Launches IsiZulu COVID Animation Film for Children
The film is based on the university’s social work senior lecturer Dr Maud Mthembu’s book about COVID-19 titled ‘Uhambo lwami ngesikhathi sekhovithi – My journey during COVID-19.’ Read more
UKZN Students Continue Fiery Protest Over List of Demands
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has condemned alleged violence and destruction of property after fresh protests broke out at its campuses.The university said on Monday there were protests at the Westville and Pietermaritzburg campuses… Read more
UKZN Students Vow to Continue with Their Protests
Students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal have vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met. Read more
UKZN Study Reveals Benefits of Moringa Leaf for People with HIV
A University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) study has found that the moringa oleifera leaf supplementation can have major benefits on the health of people living with HIV. Read more
UKZN Suspends Academic Programme After Violent Protests
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) suspended academic activities on Monday after protests at campuses.Normah Zondo, UKZN’s corporate relations executive director, said in a statement on Monday that the decision was taken after “incidents of violence and intimidation”… Read more
University of Pretoria Allocates R500 Million in Bursaries to Deserving Students
The University of Pretoria (UP) allocated an estimated R500 million to about 8 000 students in 2021 in the form of University-managed and external bursaries.Due to historic debts and financial challenges, many students find themselves having to abandon their studies,… Read more
University’s Covid-19 Vaccination Policy now Fully Active
The University of the Free State (UFS) has confirmed that its Covid-19 vaccination policy and the regulations in relation to this were effective from Monday (14/02).This came after the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein struck off the roll an urgent application by Free State for Choice (FS4C)… Read more
University Systems in 45 Countries have Barely Been Studied
Higher education in Africa has become a frequently researched topic from 2000 onwards, but the systems in 45 out of 54 countries on the continent have barely been studied and 20 countries lack internal higher education expertise. This is a matter of concern, states a new study. Read more
UP in Top Five of SA Universities at Number 474 in World
University ranking by Academic Performance (URAP) has placed Vaal University of Technology at the bottom of the top 21 of South African universities and the UCT as number one in the country. Read more
Women Need to Upskill to Join the Digital Transformation Revolution
She grew up in Limpopo, in a township called Namakgale, but her parents never let her forget that “home” was the village. It is why Dr Stella Bvuma, Head of the Department of Applied Information Systems at the University of Johannesburg, has an acute sense of the wider technological gap in rural areas…Read more
31 January 2022
Academic Community’s Work Transcends Travel Bans, Politics
While most of the travel bans that were placed on several Southern African countries, including South Africa, under the auspice of containing the new COVID-19 omicron variant, have been revoked, Read more
African Scholars Concerned Over Biases in Review Processes
Ongoing concerns over geographical biases in the evaluation of scientific research that could be disadvantaging Africa scholars remain and suggest the need for ongoing and targeted efforts to address inequalities in knowledge production and publication. Read more
Covid-19 Screening and Vaccination Help Mitigate Virus in Tertiary Institutions
A new study has found that integrated vaccination and routine screening are key in allowing the safe reopening of ‘face-to-face’ classes at tertiary institutions. Read more
Covid-19: Universities, Student Bodies Could be Headed for Showdown Over Vaccination
Mandatory vaccination policies have taken centre stage in the tertiary education sector as thousands of pupils and staff at these institutions prepare for the start of the 2022 academic year. Read more
Degree Programmes Needed to Boost African Film Industry
African universities lag far behind when it comes to training professionals for the blossoming African film industry that could create more than 20 million jobs and generate US$20 billion in annual revenue, according to UNESCO. Read more
DUT Students to Compete in Regional Finals of Huawei ICT Competition
Three Durban University of Technology (DUT) students have been selected to compete in the Huawei ICT Competition Regional Finals, which is to be held online, next month, February 2022. Read more
Engineering TVET Lecturers ‘Not in Tune’ with Tech Changes
More than half the technical engineering lecturers at technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges in South Africa, who participated in a recent study, are unaware of any technological advancements in their area of specialisation. Read more
Financing and Making University Education Better in Africa
Perhaps to demonstrate the importance of education to human endeavours, academics, founders, donors and all those concerned with higher education in Nigeria and other parts of Africa were assembled for two days from January 6- 7, 2021, Read more
Government Grant for Research and Development Activities Increases
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, has welcomed the increase in government funding for research and development (R&D) activities. Read more
How to Bolster Hybrid Teaching and Learning Competencies
Despite many people’s concerns about the state of education, I am optimistic about the future of our universities. Read more
How to Set the Scene for First-Year University Success
Entering university for the first time will be a culture shock for many matriculants. An education expert says first-year dropout rates have historically been – and remain – a problem in South Africa. Read more
Miratho Project Finds Universities Could do More to Enable Black Working-Class Students to Participate and Succeed …
A research project by the Higher Education and Human Development (HEHD) group at the University of the Free State (UFS) concluded that the inequalities and exclusion of the labour market and pathways to further study must be addressed by wider economic and social policies… Read more
Mathematics in Crisis in SA Despite it Being a Gateway Subject for Higher Education
Among the almost 600 000 candidates who wrote matric in 2020, a meagre 5.3% scored 60% or more for Mathematics. Given that the required pass rate is just 30% – something that only 125 526 candidates achieved. Read more
Message of Condolences to the Family of Dr Archbishop Desmond Tutu
On behalf of the Vaal University of Technology’s Council, Management, Staff and Students we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Dr Archbishop Desmond Tutu on his passing. Read more
NDLOVU Focuses on Contributing Towards Gender Equality in the ICT Sector
Winning accolades comes naturally to Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Fanie Ndlovu, a Masters Student in Information and Communications Technology, (ICT) and brainchild of VarsityGenie, a student leadership platform. Read more
Poor Planning for Online Learning Created Disparities
The COVID-19 pandemic-driven transition to emergency remote teaching and online learning has been met with controversy in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) region, as a significant number of students from underprivileged areas in the countries were deprived of a fair and equal opportunity to complete their academic year…Read more
Powering Marine Pollution Busting with Engineering Excellence
Engineering has the biggest role to play in making fundamental societal change – this is the motivation of the team at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Department of Electrical Engineering as they embark on a new project that aims to locate and monitor ocean pollution in waters off Cape Town. Read more
Private and Public Universities Should Collaborate in Africa
Private universities became popular and increased exponentially in Africa around the 1990s. Before then, however, universities such as the American University in Cairo, founded in 1919, functioned amid the popularity and seeming intimidation of public universities. Read more
Programme Aims to Build Bridges, Bring Academics Together
A new partnership programme involving academics and administrators in Africa as well as Black African diaspora scholars in the United States aims to nurture research, teaching and outreach collaborations, yielding academic outcomes that are set to support the nurturing of globally competent faculty and students. Read more
South Africa has Lost a Human Rights and Social Justice Giant
As South Africa contemplates a future without Archbishop Desmond Tutu, it must be with an understanding that she has lost another giant, a lodestone, an unwavering voice for human rights and social justice. Read more
South Africa to Launch Three Nanosatellites as Part of R27 Million Space Project
Higher Education, Science and Innovation minister Dr Blade Nzimande has announced the launch of three locally-produced nanosatellites from the US on Thursday (13 January), as part of South Africa’s new Maritime Domain Awareness Satellite (MDASat) constellation. Read more
South African University Students Fight COVID Vaccine Mandates
South African university students are fighting mandates that require they be vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to the classroom on February 14. Even students who are vaccinated,…Read more
‘The COVID-19 Crisis Has Taught Us How Tertiary Education Needs to Change…
It is not possible to think about the future of tertiary education, in South Africa and globally, without considering the direct and significant impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the landscape. Read more
The DUT Community Engagement Donations Handover to the Baby Home
The DUT Community Engagement Office under the DVC Research, Innovation, and Engagement in partnership with The Division of Corporate Affairs reached out to the DUT community to help with the donation drive for The Baby Home. Read more
‘Thinking the Future’: Clem Sunter Presents 2022 in a Nutshell
“When you’re thinking the future, you’ve actually got to look around you. It’s not just about having great thoughts from within about what can happen; it’s really trying to observe what’s going on around you and projecting that into the future,” … Read more
TVET Qualification No Golden Highway to a Job, Students Say
A study among 113 South African engineering students from the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college sector has revealed that the majority (79) believe that their qualification is “undervalued and does not guarantee employment”. Read more
UB and UPENN Embark on Antimicrobial Stewardship Practices Study for Southern Africa
The University of Botswana through the Faculty of Medicine and in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania will embark on a study titled Investigating Antimicrobial Stewardship Practices in Southern Africa (MOSAIC) covering Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Read more
UCT Master’s Student Creates Vambo Academy, an Educational Technology Tool…
Chido Dzinotyiwei, a Master of Commerce at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB), has created an educational technology tool called Vambo Academy to provide digital resources in support of language learning and translation. Read more
‘UCT Open Textbook Journeys’ Provides Access to Locally Relevant Learning Materials
Lecturers at the University of Cape Town (UCT) are adopting innovative pedagogical and content production approaches to provide students with more accessible and locally relevant learning materials. Read more
UFS Vice-Chancellor Pays Tribute to the Late Archbishop Tutu
The University of the Free State awarded world human rights icon and anti-apartheid activist, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an honorary doctorate in Theology in January 2011. Read more
UKZN Apologises for Blunder with Acceptance Offers
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has apologised after a technical glitch resulted in the institution mistakenly sending firm acceptance offers to rejected applicants. Read more
UKZN SRC Hopes the Public Can Help Raise R6 Million to Assist Students…
The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has urged the public to assist in raising R6 million to assist students in financial debts.The idea was born due to the increasing debts of students which led them to be blocked from the university system. Read more
UKZN Threatens Legal Action Against ‘Illegal’ Matric Upgrade Centres
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) says it will institute legal action against illegal matric upgrade centres claiming association with the institution. Read more
UKZN Warns of Fake Social Media Accounts
UKZN warns the general public about fake Facebook accounts that could be used to misguide students. Read more
University Fee Hikes on the Cards
University students will be paying more for tuition and residence.The Higher Education Department is proposing that the country’s 26 universities increase fees for this year by 4.3-percent for tuition and 6.3-percent for accommodation. Read more
University of Pretoria-Led Study Reveals COVID-19 Delta Variants Transmitted from Humans to Animals
A team of scientists from the University of Pretoria (UP) has published the only study from Africa that entailed genomic One Health investigations which reveal that Delta variants of COVID-19 were transmitted from humans to animals… Read more
University of Pretoria on Mission to Vaccinate Undocumented Communities in Gauteng
Pretoria – As health professionals work to increase the number of vaccinated people, to create herd immunity and reduce the chance of prolonged infection, the University of Pretoria has stepped in. Read more
University of the Western Cape Buildings Lit in Purple
In honour of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and his legacy at the University of the Western Cape, the Main Hall has been lit in purple every evening this week. So too has the Life Sciences Building on campus. Read more
UWC Staff ‘Turned Away’ Over Vaccines
A UWC employee who was allegedly turned away after failing to produce vaccine certificates on campus, claim unfairness and say no clear communication has been given, especially for those awaiting exemption decisions. Read more
31 December 2021
Academics from 12 Universities on Global Citation List
A total of 16 academics from five countries in Africa and working at 12 universities have been recognised as influential researchers. Read more
COVID-19 in SA | UJ Adopts Mandatory Vaccination
The University of Johannesburg has adopted mandatory vaccination, following a trend in the higher education sector. Staff, postdoctoral research fellows and students will need to provide proof of vaccination before entering campus. Read more
Creating an Environment for Intellectual Capital Remittance
African diaspora scholars – individuals born, raised and educated in Africa and who now work in foreign universities – have for years established links and worked with institutions in their mother countries as a way of ‘giving back’. Read more
Creating Vibrant and Stronger Research Communities
Diaspora academics have called for the continued and expanded support of a programme that has enabled them to contribute to the strengthening of higher education in Africa through conducting joint research, supervising graduate students, mentoring junior faculty and co-authoring grant proposals and research papers. Read more
CUT and Namibia University of Science and Technology Discuss Current and Future Collaborations
The Central University of Technology hosted the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) as part of expanding collaborations between the two universities. Read more
CUT Researcher is Validating the Significance of Traditional Medicine…
African indigenous medicines have throughout history received scorn, even though they are essentially the source of many boxed medicines we consume today. Read more
CUT, Women in Science – Chemistry Lecturer Dr Ritu Bhagwandeen Shares Her Views …
The imbalance between men and women in the science and technology sector is unlikely to be remedied unless organisations, schools and universities work together to change entrenched perceptions about the tech industry. Read more
Do You Want to be More Employable? Learn Coding Skills
Students in African universities and other tertiary institutions on the continent should learn coding skills, even when they are not enrolled as students at departments of computer sciences, as a way of preparing themselves for well-paying jobs in the digital sector and for career change directions. Read more
DUT’S Professor Sibusiso Moyo Scoops the Entrepreneurial Development in Higher Education (EDHE) DVC Award 2021
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Professor Sibusiso Moyo was recently awarded the Entrepreneurial Development in Higher Education (EDHE) DVC Award at the EDHE 2021 Awards ceremony held at the Premier Hotel, in Johannesburg on the 19th of November 2021. Read more
High Gear Aligning TVET System with Industry Demand
Positioning South Africa’s public TVET college system to meet the needs of employers has been hampered by limited industry involvement in curriculum design and delivery, but that is changing thanks to a collaborative initiative that is aligning TVET courses with the automotive component manufacturing sector’s evolving needs. Read more
Kagame Praises Cape Town as a Reputable University in Africa
President Paul Kagame has lauded the University of Cape Town as among reputable Universities in Africa that has shaped both South African and Rwandan students as well. Read more
New Medical School to Absorb Students Returning from Cuba
The Nelson Mandela University (NMU) medical school has committed to absorb the returning Cuban cohort of about 50 medical students. Read more
NWU Academic Aims to Boost Environmental Sustainability Through Industrial Engineering
Meelan Roopa, a lecturer in the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Industrial Engineering, is currently conducting research on new ideas and strategic ways of achieving environmental sustainability for developing countries through industrial engineering. Read more
Omicron: Academics Voice Their Dismay Over Travel Ban
African academics have expressed dismay at the move by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries to block flights from several African countries following the sequencing of a new, potentially more transmissible variant of COVID-19. Read more
Over 50% of Tertiary Student Doubtful that They’ll be Employed After Completing Studies
Over 50% of tertiary students in South Africa, say that they’re doubtful that they’ll be employed after completing their studies. This is according to a study conducted by the Professional Provident Society (PPS). Read more
Paradigm Shift in EU’s Collaboration with HE in Africa
As policy-makers gear up for a summit on 17-18 February 2022 where a new multi-year strategic agreement (2021-27) between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) will be introduced, research universities sent a clear message that enhanced African-European university collaboration should be a key component of the agreement. Read more
Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Required to Register at Four Western Cape Universities
Proof of vaccination against the coronavirus will now be required to register at all four major institutions of higher learning in the Western Cape. Read more
Reflections on Academics and Agency During COVID
As South African universities continue to grapple with the changes to teaching and learning wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council on Higher Education (CHE) says that, while the tertiary education sector has demonstrated incredible responsiveness amid the disruptions experienced over the past 20 months, this agility has not been without costs,… Read more
Review of Science Journals Shows Strengths and Weaknesses
Of the 22 journals in the mathematics and science disciplines evaluated by a review committee of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), three were recommended for removal from the accredited list of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Read more
SA Cautioned Following Increase in Fake Honorary Degrees and Qualifications
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande says people should not be quick to receive qualifications and honorary degrees without verifying the credentials of the institution that is honoring them. Read more
Scientists Urge Leaders to Up Spending on Health Education
A group of nine African academics from South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, Nigeria and Mali have called on governments and other funders for increased local investment in health research and development with a special focus on developing scientific and production capabilities, …Read more
Sexual Violence Rampant on College Campuses, Say MRC Researchers
Female students in higher education face “pervasive” sexual violence, according to researchers who interviewed 1,293 young women. One in five told a team from the SA Medical Research Council (MRC) they had experienced sexual violence in the past year,… Read more
Stellenbosch University Approves use of Afrikaans, English and isiXhosa
The Council of Stellenbosch University has approved the proposed new language policy for the institution with an overwhelming majority. The policy provides for the use of Afrikaans, English and isiXhosa in learning and teaching at the university, as well as in communication. Read more
Stellenbosch University Honours Arts Cape First Female CEO Marlene le Roux…
First woman to be CEO of the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town, Marlene le Roux, will be receiving an Honorary Doctorate form Stellenbosch University (SU) this week.SU will confer honorary doctorates on six outstanding individuals who have made valuable contributions in the fields of medicine, Read more
Student Mobility Between Africa and US Falls During COVID
The COVID-19 pandemic has decreased the number of international students from Africa who are studying in universities in the United States, as their numbers fell from a high of 48,679 students in the 2019-20 academic year to 45,343 students in 2020-21, a drop of 6.85%. Read more
The Mine of the Near Future Needs More ‘Imagineers’
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is now in full play, forcing big industry to either adapt or go under. For the adaptable, it has opened many opportunities, with the mining and minerals industry rapidly pursuing the exploration and implementation of innovative technologies and processes. Read more
Two 80+ Year Olds Graduate from Stellenbosch University with Master’s and PhD
Two graduates in their eighties have embodied the words “you are never too old to dream a new dream” after enrolling in postgraduate academic programmes and successfully completing them.Antoinette Swart (83) has received the degree PhD in Ancient Cultures at the SU Konservatorium in Stellenbosch,… Read more
UCT Researchers Honoured in L’Oreal-Unesco Programmes for Scientific Excellence
Three PhD candidates from the University of Cape Town (UCT) have been recognised by the L’Oreal-Unesco For Women in Science programme for their excellent contributions to science in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Read more
UKZN Academic to Serve on SA Planning Commission
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed UKZN town planning lecturer Professor Hangwelani Magidimisha-Chipungu as a member of the National Planning Commission (NPC) for the next five years. Read more
UKZN Hosts Cadaver Ceremony to Pay Homage to those Who’ve Donated Their Bodies…
The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s College of Health Sciences last week held a funeral service for those who had donated their bodies to science. The dedication ceremony honours both the donor and the deceased for their act of donation. Read more
UKZN’s Liquid Propellant Rocket Engine ABLE Proves to be a Success
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has successfully tested a liquid propellant rocket engine through its Aerospace Systems Research Group (ASReG). Read more
UWC Adopts Mandatory COVID Vaccine Policy with Some Exemptions
The interim policy – which makes provision for certain exemptions on a case-by-case basis – will be reviewed at the end of the first semester next year. Read more
UNESCO Concludes Training of African Judicial Institutions on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists
UNESCO in partnership with the African Court of Human and Peoples Rights conducted a 5-day Training of Trainers (ToT), organized between the 29 November to 3 December 2021,… Read more
Universities are Front-Runners in Start-Up Support Programmes
Universities, among others, are leading Egypt as a tech powerhouse for Africa as the country now rivals – and even sometimes surpasses – more established start-up ecosystems such as South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya for levels of entrepreneurial innovation and investment. Read more
University of Johannesburg and I-DAIR Collaboration Set to Advance the Health Sector in the 4IR Sphere
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) recently signed a strategic agreement with Fondation pour l’institut de hautes études internationales et du développement acting through The International Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence Research Collaborative (I-DAIR) who are based in Geneva, Switzerland. Read more
Universities Must Do Away with Deployment of Police and Security Forces on Campuses…
South African Union of Students (SAUS) has called on higher education to create a single coordinated education system to deal with police brutality occurring on campuses. Read more
University of Venda Implements Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
The University of Venda in Thohoyandou Limpopo has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy for students and staff. University Spokesperson Takalani Dzaga says the policy will be effective from January 1, 2022. Read more
UP the Largest Producer of Research in SA
According to the vice-chancellor Professor Tawana Kupe, the University of Pretoria, which is the largest producer of research in South Africa, has no intention of resting on its well-recognised laurels. Read more
UP and Apolitical Academy Southern Africa Join Forces to Train Ethical Leaders…
The University of Pretoria (UP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Apolitical Academy Southern Africa (AASA) to collaborate on the training of ethical leaders in the country and the region. Read more
Vaccinate – or Say Goodbye to Your Studies
Students who fail to get vaccinated against Covid-19 and fail to get an exemption may not be able to register for courses and could even be deregistered. Those are among the measures several universities are adopting as they impose mandatory vaccination for staff and students from next year. Read more
WITS Offering R9K Short Course for Free to Those Affected by COVID-19
The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is now offering a Certified Short Course in software development to those who have lost their jobs or have found it difficult to find employment, both as results of the pandemic. Read more
Wits SRC Warns Mandatory Vaccination Policy May Sow Divisions on Campus
The Wits University student representative council (SRC) has hit back at a mandatory vaccination policy set to be implemented next year. Read more
Women in HE: ‘We Either Rise Together or Sink Together’
Nurturing girls’ education at basic and secondary levels of learning, and offering increased support to women already in academia are some of the strategies that will ensure greater inclusivity in the African research sector. Read more
WSU Graduate Wins Merit Award at Sasol Art Competition
Walter Sisulu University fine art graduate, Sibaninzi Dlathu (25), walked away with a merit prize of R10 000, after making the top seven in this year’s Sasol New Signatures art competition, held on November 11, at the Pretoria Art Museum. Read more
30 November 2021
All Universities Must Strive to Reach the Pinnacle of the Annual EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity
A total of 18 of South Africa’s 26 public universities were represented at the EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity 2021 finals last week – and the address delivered virtually by Ms Mandisa Cakwe, Acting Chief Director:… Read more
British High Commission Plans Partnership to Develop Youth Technical Skills
The British government will invest up to £75-million of official development assistance, globally, for skills development across nine fast-growing economies; with the South African portion being dedicated to addressing the skills gaps, skills mismatch and quality training for unemployed youth and youth in post-school education and training. Read more
Circular Thinking Education Will Aid Sustainable Development
Inefficient management of the abundant natural resources in Africa prompted experts to call on universities on the continent to join the ‘education for circularity’ movement to equip students with knowledge and skills in circular thinking. Read more
Contact or Online? Moving Away from Binary Approaches
The coronavirus pandemic has presented us with an opportunity to hit the reset button – to reorganise, intentionally redesign and rethink teaching and learning as we know it. Read more
COVID-19 is Advancing a New Architecture of Knowledge
South Africa, according to World Bank data, is the world’s most unequal society, divided by forms of racialised and gender inequality that emerge from its history of colonialism and apartheid. Read more
Creating Engaged, Student-Centred and Responsive Universities
Professor Puleng Lenka Bula, Chairperson of the Transformation Strategy Group (TSG) and Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of South Africa, reported that she had found the three TSG breakaway sessions exciting. Read more
DUT Launched 4IR Centre of Excellence
The state-of-the-art equipment installed in the high-tech laboratories for the Internet of Things and robotics is fully equipped to support postgraduate research in IoT, drone-based computing systems, robotics programming, and computing networks. Read more
DUT Launches the Groundbreaking Innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
A two-day hybrid launch of the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) newly named Innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation was held at DUT’s Indumiso Campus in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday, 04 November 2021,… Read more
DUT’s Level Six Edumove Gives Learners the Chance to Bring their Architectural Ideas into a Reality
The Community Engagement Office [CEO] under the DVC Research Innovation and Engagement in collaboration with the Level Six EduMove, partnered with The Umkhumbane Schools Project [USP] to host an Architecture Showcasing on 14 October 2021. Read more
DUT to Reopen Campuses on Wednesday After Violent Protests
Durban University of Technology (DUT) says it will reopen three of its campuses after protest action, allegedly by the EFF-lead student representative council (SRC), led to the shutdown of the Steve Biko, Ritson and ML Sultan campuses on Monday. Read more
Grassroots Research Gives a Voice to the Plight of Men at Risk of a Silent Killer: Prostate Cancer
While discussing mother and baby health at a community gathering in the rural Vhembe District of Limpopo, one of the male traditional leaders asked when we are going to do something for men. Read more
First mRNA Vaccine Technology Transfer Hub Gets to Work
The World Health Organization and the COVID Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) initiative announced in mid-2021 that they were working with a consortium to establish the first COVID messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine technology transfer hub on the African continent, in South Africa. What does this work entail? What will it mean for the continent? Read more
How a Giraffe and Lightning Generated in a Wits Lab have Lit Up Forensic Science
New research at Wits University could help forensic investigators determine whether people or animals are killed by lightning based solely on an analysis of their skeletons. Read more
How Wits University’s New “Light Beam” Tech Can Bring Fibre to Informal Settlements
The tech has been described as a beam of light “from a fibre-connected suburban home to a 3D-printed wireless communication system to a school in an informal settlement across the road, providing learners with instant high-speed, reliable internet access.” Read more
Innovation for African Unis Program Launched
The British Council has launched a program seeking to foster and strengthen universities support for entrepreneurial ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa.The Innovation for African Universities program comprises 24 project partnerships with universities… Read more
Judgment on Student Theft Case Postponed Owing to Exams
Judgment in the trial of the Walter Sisulu University student, accused of the theft of ZAR14 million (US$900,000) of National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) money in South Africa, has been postponed to 14 December because she is writing exams, … Read more
KZN School of Law Raises R18 Million in Research Funding
An innovative legal research project, led by Prof Donrich Thaldar of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) School of Law, has been awarded R18 million in funding by the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH). Read more
Mandela Uni Open Education Advocate Receives Global Award #R2bP
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Open Education community, Academic Developer and leader of Mandela University’s Open Education Influencers Project, Gino Fransman, has been recognised with a global Open Education Award for Excellence. Read more
N$170m Climate-Change Windfall for SADC
To achieve this goal, Namibia has established a graduate school on integrated water resources management at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), which is expected to be transformed into a Centre of Excellence for the SADC region. Read more
NMU Set for Official Launch of Medical School
The ground-breaking group of aspirant medical doctors at the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Medical School are putting their newfound knowledge to the test with examinations now under way. Read more
PhD Graduate Reaches for the Stars
Twala is a project manager for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag). She started at the organisation as a volunteer in 2017. Read more
Professor Ncoza Dlova Becomes the First Black Female Full Professor at UKZN…
The renowned dermatologist has been busy since she last spoke to us. Starting a haircare business, winning international awards and making history once again – it seems like it’s all in day’s work for Professor Ncoza Dlova, but the journey has been long. Read more
Projects Pave Women’s Way into Data Science Fields
Data science has been playing a critical role in tackling real-life challenges across African communities and sectors such as health and urban development. Despite a steady increase in data scientists in Africa, gender parity and equality in the field has yet to be achieved. Read more
Protesting UKZN Students Burn Westville Campus Guardhouse, Stone Building and Cars
A group of University of KwaZulu-Natal(UKZN) students protested at the Westville campus yesterday, demanding that public transport be allowed onto the premises. Read more
Rhodes Places Lecturer Accused of Rape on Special Leave
A Rhodes University lecturer who was accused of rape by a student has been placed on special leave. The court case was closed by the NPA, according to the university, who issued a statement on Friday. Read more
Scientists Find Fossil of Early Hominid in South Africa
The fossil remains of an early hominid child have been discovered in a cave in South Africa by a team of international and South African researchers. Read more
Something Amiss in Engagement with Student Leaders
During the first two weeks of November, South Africa’s Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, in collaboration with the South African Union of Students (SAUS) and Polisee Space, a public policy consulting organisation, … Read more
South Africa’s Best Universities to Study These Top Subjects
Times Higher Education (THE) has published its annual ranking of the top universities for 2022 by subject, featuring 10 South African universities in four key fields of study. Read more
School of Law Publishes Its First Peer-Reviewed Law Journal
The School of Law has recently published its much-anticipated peer-reviewed journal titled ‘’Turf Law Journal’’, which seeks to create a platform for high quality research on transformative and developmental perspectives on law in South Africa and beyond. Read more
Telegram App Used to Teach Student Entrepreneurs
Homeboy Mthembu is a jewellery design and manufacturing student at Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) City campus. When he isn’t juggling his demanding studies, he is working on his jewellery brand, BigHomie and Co, designing attractive pieces for his growing customer base in his rental studio. Read more
The Quest for Collaborative, Ethical and Impactful Research
As she reported on the three breakaway sessions of the Research and Innovation Strategy Group (RISG), Professor Thoko Mayekiso, Chairperson of RISG and Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Mpumalanga, said the three sub-themes that they had unpacked,… Read more
Top 20 Best Universities in AFRICA – US World News Ranking System (2021)
The rankings are based on, Global research reputation (12.5%), Regional research reputation (12.5%), Publications (10%), Books (2.5%), Conferences (2.5%), Normalized citation impact (10%), Total citations (7.5%), Number of publications that are among the 10% most cited (12.5%), … Read more
UCT Fees Hiked by Almost 400% in Almost 100 Years
Inflation-adjusted tuition fees at the University of Cape Town (UCT) increased by an average of nearly 400% from 1923 to 2020.Most of the increase in tuition fees happened after 1970. Read more
UCT GSB MBA Ranks Top in Africa on Sustainability Performance
The University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) has been ranked 22nd in the world for its MBA programme on the Corporate Knights’ 2021 Better World MBA list of the top 40 global business schools. Read more
UCT’s Professor Lynette Denny Honoured by the President with National Order
Cape Town – Close to three decades of research on cervical cancer was recently recognised when University of Cape Town Professor Lynette Denny received the Order of the Baobab in Silver. Read more
UCT’s Rebecca Ackermann Appointed to Prestigious Journal
Professor Rebecca Ackermann has been appointed to the editorial board of the prestigious scientific journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. Professor Ackermann is a biological anthropologist, professor in the Department of Archaeology, and the deputy director of the Human Evolution Research Institute (HERI) at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Read more
UCT Students Should Remember 3rd January for Appeals to Continue Studying
Students at the University of Cape Town (UCT) have been urged to remember the date of 3rd January 2022, as it is the deadline to submit an appeal to continue to study. Read more
UJ Warns Against Fake Funding Message Doing the Rounds
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has issued a warning to students that false information is being circulated that should not be engaged with. Read more
UKZN’s Engineering Master’s Student Outdoes Herself
Durban – Giselle Pillay graduated cum laude for her Master of Science in Engineering degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She specialised in waste and resource management, a new master’s programme now offered by the university. Read more
UKZN Pietermaritzburg SRC Chair to Focus on Students’ Rights
The newly-elected student representative council (SRC) chair at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Pietermaritzburg campus is determined to champion students’ rights. Read more
UKZN Professor is a Leading Diabetes Researcher
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) professor Shahidul Islam was named in Expertscape’s top 0.1% of scholars, this week, for his expertise, experimental and research work in a particular aspect of diabetes, especially over the last decade. Read more
UKZN Students Slam Decision to Close University Residences by November 30
Student leadership at the University of KwaZulu-Natal have vowed to challenge the decision by the institution to require them to vacate residences by November 30. Read more
UKZN Students Take Second Place at 2021 Youth Innovation Challenge
A group of young and talented University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) students secured second place in the 2021 Youth Innovation Challenge (YIC). Read more
Unisa Multidisciplinary Team Wins the NRF Science Team Award
The National Research Foundation (NRF) has recognised a multidisciplinary team of Unisa researchers with the prestigious NRF Science Team Award. Read more
Universities are as Transformed as they Positively Change the Environments in Which They are Located
Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln in England, and one of the contributing authors to the book The Responsive University and the Crisis in South Africa, Professor Mary Stuart, says universities stand to maintain relevance if they evaluate and work with the needs of communities in which they exist. Read more
Universities Granted Millions to Develop Covid-19 Vaccine
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and North West University (NWU) have been granted R3.5m to support locally made candidate vaccines, including one for Covid-19.A memorandum of agreement between WSU and the Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (Chieta) was signed in November… Read more
Universities Put Measures in Place Amid Load Shedding and Exams
Tertiary institutions in the province are in discussions with their students about the impact of load shedding on their studies and how to support them with exams underway. Read more
University of Free State Student Abducted and Robbed at Gunpoint
A University of Free State student was allegedly kidnapped by two men travelling in a car with a Lesotho registration number. Read more
University of Pretoria Expert to Lead WHO Group Probing Origins of Novel Pathogens Including COVID-19
Professor Marietjie Venter of the University of Pretoria (UP) has been selected to chair the international scientific advisory team appointed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to probe the origins of novel pathogens including SARS-CoV-2. Read more
University of Pretoria Honours its top Researchers at Annual Academic Achievers’ Awards
The awards are hosted annually by the university to acknowledge the work of UP’s academics, who increasingly ensure that their research helps to solve “real-life problems” and has a transformative impact on South African and global society. Read more
UP’s Centre for Human Rights Publishes Photobook Highlighting the Stories of LGBTIQ+ People Living in South Africa
The Centre for Human Rights (CHR), Faculty of Law, at the University of Pretoria (UP) has launched a photobook series, titled Looking through the prism: Narratives of queer dignity in South Africa, featuring photographs and narratives of the lives of LGBTIQ+ people living in South Africa. Read more
UP’s Zoology Programme Ranked 45th Globally in University Ranking…
The University of Pretoria’s (UP) Department of Zoology and Entomology in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences has been ranked 45th globally for its research and impact by the University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP). Read more
Vaccine Inequity: Countries Fail at ‘Global Solidarity’
Sub-Saharan Africa has no shortage of public health challenges: as a region, it carries the highest burden of disease in the world and boasts some of the lowest allocations of public funding to deal with that burden. Read more
WSU Men Pledge Solidarity Against GBV
Over sixty male students at Walter Sisulu University’s Komani Campus recently took a binding pledge to immortalize their solidarity with South African women burdened by the scourge of gender-based violence. Read more
Young African Universities Take the Lead
Having long played the role of collaborators with other, more renowned, institutions, historically disadvantaged South African universities are now challenging the status quo — and emerging as leaders. Read more
31 October 2021
6th Africa Council for Distance Education Conference Ends Successfully
The 6th African Council for Distance Education (ACDE) conference ended successfully with a call to stakeholders within the education space to consider the enormous potential of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in changing the face of pedagogy in Africa. Read more
11 Universities in South Africa Ranked Among the Best in Emerging Economies
Times Higher Education (THE) has published its annual ranking of the top universities in emerging markets for 2022, listing 11 South African universities among them. Read more
Agricultural Universities as Enablers of Entrepreneurship
The Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev) initiative is helping students to translate their research into viable businesses and universities to become enablers of entrepreneurship. Read more
Almost One in Four Female African Entrepreneurs Have Innovated, According to a UNESCO Survey
At least half of the women entrepreneurs held at least a bachelor’s degree in nine of the ten countries studied. These findings contradict a misconception in Africa that women launch their own business for lack of education or other career options. Read more
Community Engagement in the Context of Academic Capitalism
Universities currently negotiate a marked tension between market orientation and addressing community needs. But there is growing concern that, if universities do not work for the benefit of society or in response to community needs, the inequities that plague the current generation will be more readily reproduced in the next. Read more
Constitutional Court Resets the Narrative on Afrikaans
In its long-awaited decision in Chairperson of the Council of UNISA v AfriForum NPC, the South African Constitutional Court recently struck down the policy, adopted by the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 2016, … Read more
Council ‘Has Dismally Failed UNISA’, States Damning Report
In a damning report, the governing council of South Africa’s largest public distance-learning institution, the University of South Africa (UNISA), has been severely criticised for its lack of good governance and failure to safeguard the academic future of the institution. Read more
Countries Take Steps Towards Harmonised TVET Qualifications
Countries in the East African region are to benefit from a harmonised framework for the recognition of qualifications and certification in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions. Read more
COVID-19 Continues to Marginalise Women in Rural Areas
The Covid-19 pandemic has stripped naked the severe marginalisation of women seeking access to educational opportunities in rural Eastern Cape communities, according to a Walter Sisulu University research study. Read more
DA, Student Organisation to Haul Stellenbosch University to Court Over Its Language Policy
The DA accused the university of using Covid-19 as a ploy to do away with Afrikaans, saying it planned to launch court action against the management of the university this week. Read more
Emergency Online Remote Learning’s Unintended Consequences
In 2020, the higher education sector, notoriously known for reacting slowly to change, was forced to ‘pivot’ towards the emergency online remote learning space. Some did it well, others did not. Read more
Edinburgh to Collaborate on Academic, Research and Innovation Projects
Wits University and the University of Edinburgh (Scotland, United Kingdom) have renewed a partnership and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-operate on teaching, research and community outreach activities and projects, … Read more
Engaged Universities can Produce Graduates Who Stand for Peace, Social Harmony and Development
Three distinct takes were offered on Universities and Democracy at the recent higher education conference. The first, from Professor Catherine Odora Hoppers, offered a fresh reading of our understanding of democracy. Read more
Engagement is Transformation: The University and Community Engagement
The mutual inter-dependence of transformation and community engagement was the grounding question for this engagement hosted by the Council on Higher education. Covering a range of policy drivers, different interpretations of “communities”, Read more
Focus on Kindness, Positive Citizenship Critical in HE
‘Knowledge curatorialism’ is the process through which contemporary universities shape students’ learning journeys. Read more
Improving the Plight of the Postdoc During COVID and Beyond
Postdoctoral research fellows or postdocs make a valuable contribution to the research outputs of higher education institutions, produce new knowledge using innovative techniques, and generate much-needed research income. Read more
Indigenous Languages at Forefront of New Higher Education Policy…
The New Language Policy Framework for Public Higher Education Institutions gazetted in October 2020, is a mere three months away from its implementation. While its imperatives are laudable, an implementation strategy must be set and grey areas need to be cleared. Read more
Internationalisation – A Step Towards Quality Higher Education
African universities have been urged to internationalise their curricula as a first step towards strengthening and marketing African higher education and graduates in a rapidly changing world. Read more
KZN Universities Weigh in on Mandatory Vaccination, Students not Forced but …
Although Western Cape universities are considering mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations for their staff and students, KwaZulu-Natal universities say the move is not being considered for their institutions. Read more
Makerere University to Host Kings of Africa Rugby Sevens
Makerere University will this weekend host the Kings of Africa Rugby Sevens. The tournament will see Universities from Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Botswana and Libya fight look to book a ticket to the World University Games in Kazan, Russia next year. Read more
Mandatory Vaccinations: Wits University Reveals Plan for Staff and Students
That’s the talk going on in countless countries, businesses, and even places of learning around the globe. In an email sent out to Wits University staff and students, a proposed vaccine plan has been revealed. Read more
Millions for Regional Programme in Oceanography
The Nelson Mandela University in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province has a new programme on ecological connectivity and oceanography in the south-west Indian Ocean that is anchored on linking marine studies in Mozambique, Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Comoros and South Africa. Read more
Nine Universities to Help Build Pan-African Network
The British Council has announced the names of nine South African universities that were awarded grants under the Innovation for Africa project, which is part of its Going Global Partnerships programme. Read more
NWU Among the Best in Engineering Studies
The North-West University (NWU) is one of the top institutions in South Africa in engineering studies. This is according to the latest rankings by subject by Times Higher Education (THE) that list the NWU in the third position (the same as last year) among nine local higher-education institutions in the field of engineering. Read more
Porsches for Professors? Debates About Entrepreneurship Continue
Over the past decade or so, the debate primarily taking place within business schools about whether entrepreneurs are ‘born’ or ‘made’ has been overtaken by the idea that all students across all faculties and at all universities can and should benefit from being exposed to some form of entrepreneurship training. Read more
Restoring a Sense of Pride in University’s Academics
When she was appointed to the role of vice-chancellor at Walter Sisulu University (WSU), in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, in December 2020, Professor Rushiella Songca joined the ranks of the few female-led universities in South Africa. Her mission is to get the previously disadvantaged institution back on track. Read more
SA Universities Scored as World’s Best Computer Science and Engineering Institutions are Named
Times Higher Education today released the results of its World University Rankings 2022 by subject for computer science and engineering. Read more
Several Universities Require COVID-19 Vaccination Passes
Several South African universities are to require a vaccine pass from staff and students from 2022. South Africa’s 26-member vice-chancellors’ body, Universities South Africa (USAf), has emphatically declared that vaccination is a must. Read more
Should Universities Offer Free On-Campus Covid-19 Tests for Students Who Don’t Wish to Get Vaccinated?
The Wits University Student Representative Council (SRC) wants the institution to provide free, on-campus Covid-19 tests for students who do not want to vaccinate against Covid-19. Read more
South African Universities Heading in the Right Direction by Mandating Covid-19 Vaccination
Arguing against mandatory vaccinations using human rights as a point of reference has been largely divisive and disingenuous. Not all arguments hold water. Does our Constitution, read properly, allow anyone as a right to go into a crowded lecture hall or workplace unmasked, unvaccinated, untested amid pandemics? Read more
South Africa’s Universities Must Shed Their Dominant Modern/Colonial Imaginary Character…
South Africa’s universities must shed their dominant character and orientation that is trapped in a modern/colonial imaginary, to truly transform and become more responsive to their contexts, … Read more
Stellenbosch University Wine Researcher Rises Above Many Challenges to Achieve Global Recognition
Cape Town – Stellenbosch University researcher Dr Erna Blancquaert was motivated to embark on in a career in the wine industry “to combat prejudice in the wine industry and academia’’. Read more
Stellies Student’s Hard Work Receives Highest Honour
The hard work and dedication of a young man who aims to improve the lives of those around him has landed him an award. Read more
Tertiary Institutions Should Consider New Approaches of Learning and Teaching
The recommendation comes after a study by researchers from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) found that a vast majority of 672 first-year students questioned in the survey said they only attended between one and four lectures over a three-week period. Read more
The Entrepreneurial University is an ‘Emergent Space’
Universities are the sites where smart people converge and where innovation thrives. From this, universities are fertile ground for instilling entrepreneurship skills in every student and graduate to contribute to economic development. Read more
The University as an Incubator Versus the University with an Incubator
Higher education institutions need to evolve from merely being places of teaching, learning and research to drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship. With nearly nine million South Africans currently unemployed and 73 percent of these being below the age of 35, the need to drive entrepreneurship is more urgent than ever. Read more
Towards the Intellectualisation of African Languages
If intellectual giants in history – legendary names such as Sigmund Freud, Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, Karl Marx and many others – had been instructed in isiZulu to the exclusion of their mother tongue, would they have attained the intellectual milestones for which they are now renowned around the globe? Read more
UCT Student Turns Urine into Fertiliser
It’s been described as the “liquid gold” of wastewater. Every day, millions of litres of urine are flushed away but it is a valuable waste stream, according to environmental engineer Hlumelo Marepula. Read more
UFS Wants All Staff and Students to be Vaccinated by Feb 2022 to Gain Access to Campus
The University of the Free State (UFS) wants all its staff and students to be vaccinated and be able to provide vaccination certificates from the first of February 2022. Read more
UKZN Student Entrepreneur’s Novelty Crayons a Winner
A UKZN student entrepreneur has made it to the finals of the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) national challenge. Read more
UKZN Students Protest Over the State of Kingswood Residence in Pinetown
Approximately 100 University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) students living at a leased residence in Pinetown protested outside the Kingswood residence yesterday morning. Read more
Universities Can Use Their Influence to Fight Inequality
Universities are the single most influential institutions in societies all over the world. They are centres of ideas, discoveries, technological development and culture and engines of local, national and global economics. Read more
Universities Must Make Learning African Languages a Condition for Completing a degree
Is there anything that you can call African multilingualism? The idea of your identity, the nature of who you are when you are at university and what the university does in shaping human language, is the critical part of who we become. Read more
Universities Must Rethink How They Do Research to Imagine a Better Trajectory for the Future
Professor Laura Pereira did not exaggerate when she said she would be a giving a presentation from “a slightly different angle”. Billed as one of the international plenary speakers at Universities South Africa (USAf’s)…Read more
Universities Need to Re-Think Their Use of Resources and Modes of Engagement…
South Africa is standing at a crossroads, facing an unprecedented set of challenges where ‘business as usual’ will not work; where universities must find new ways to do things differently – especially in the context of the pandemic, a crisis that presents serious challenges and new opportunities. Read more
UP Co-Hosts Lekgotla on Challenges and Gains of Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education
The University of Pretoria (UP), Universities South Africa (USAf) and other stakeholders recently sat down with the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme to discuss the challenges of business and start-up development in higher education, … Read more
UWC’s Water Project to be Presented at Berlin Science Week in November
A University of the Western Cape (UWC) academic and her team working on a Water Research Commission (WRC) project has been shortlisted for a prestigious international award. Read more
Why Students Don’t Attend Lectures
The main reason students gave for not attending classes was that they were busy studying for tests or completing assignments. Some students relied on PowerPoint slides (instead of using prescribed textbooks) to study, and some spent a lot of time travelling to campus because they used two or even three transport modes to get there. Read more
Working from Home Makes Women’s Academic Guilt Worse
Academic guilt is well-established in literature on the work of women scholars who are simultaneously mothers and lecturers, homemakers and researchers, nurturers and administrators. Read more
WSU’S Indigenous Knowledge at the Center of COFIMVAMBA Science Exhibition
As Walter Sisulu University rebrands as an African university, a team of researchers from the Anthropology Department and Chemistry Department recently unveiled an Indigenous Knowledge Systems exhibition stand at the Cofimvaba Science Centre. Read more
30 September 2021
11 New Subjects Planned for Colleges and Universities in South Africa
The Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) has developed 11 new qualifications aimed at addressing the shortage of skilled labour in South Africa’s IT sector. Read more
AAU and UNISA Discuss on Areas of Common Interest for Collaboration
Addis Ababa University (AAU) and University of South Africa (UNISA) hold discussion on areas where they have common interest to collaboration in their future at the Office of the President of AAU… Read more
Academic Raises Funds from the Street to Help Needy Students
In 2015, the University of Mpumalanga public administration senior lecturer and programme leader for bachelor of administration founded Thusangwanageno, a non-profit organisation raising tertiary education funds for needy students. Read more
Appointing Women in ‘Significant Positions’ Matters
South Africa’s 2019 Post-School Education Statistics showed there were 727 more men than women employed in the instruction and research category in South Africa’s higher education institutions compared with 5,758 more females employed in administrative categories within the higher education sector. Read more
Book on Decolonisation Reflects on Difference, Oppression
The end of the colonial and apartheid regimes in South Africa and other African countries might have been a big step towards the liberation from slavery and other forms of human oppression,… Read more
Covid-19: How Africa’s Top Scientists Have Tracked Emerging Variants, Ensuring We’re Not Left Behind
Africa has stepped up its surveillance of emerging variants of the Covid-19 virus, and a detailed paper shows how the work of hundreds of scientists and public health officials from the continent is ensuring that Africa does not get left behind in the global response to the pandemic. Read more
Defining Micro-Credentials: Opportunities and Challenges in Shaping the Educational Landscape
Professor Oliver’s presentation was followed by a live discussion amongst a panel of experts representing organizations from Canada, Germany, South Africa, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The experts’ insights and viewpoints drew on their own experiences with micro-credentials in their countries or institutions. Read more
Dream of Authentic SA Universities Yet to be Realised
South Africa has failed to produce a higher education system that meets its fundamental social and developmental needs in the democratic era, according to a new book, Understanding Higher Education: … Read more
DUT Management Snub Protest Held by Ex-Lecturers and Unions
Union officials and retrenched Durban University of Technology (DUT) lecturers were left fuming when the institution snubbed their picket on Friday. Read more
DUT Offers Career Guidance to High School Learners
Grade 10 learner, Zamandosi Ngema said she enjoyed the interactive sessions and expressed her interest in what DUT offers and the process on how to apply for such programmes. Read more
ECRLF Helping to Co-create the Future of African Academic Leadership
Makerere University in partnership with University of Pretoria on 14th September 2021 hosted the Future Africa’s Early Career Research Leader Fellowship (ECRLF) Dissemination Workshop in the Central Teaching Facility 2 (CTF 2) Auditorium and virtually. Read more
Extract of Press News on Higher Education in Africa
Student entrepreneurs tend to be obsessed with writing business plans, how to access money, register their company, set up a bank account, and with buzzwords such as “business modelling”. Read more
Full Impact of COVID-19 on Education May Only be Evident in 10 Years’ Time…
Socio-economic researcher at Stellenbosch University and analyst at the Department of Basic Education, Professor Martin Gustafsson says COVID-19 has drastically affected the teaching and learning process for 2020, however, its full impact may only be evident in 10 years from now. Read more
HERA Telescope to Unravel Epoch of Reionisation Mysteries
The Hydrogen Epoch of Reionisation Array (HERA), a US$25 million radio telescope in South Africa dedicated to observing large-scale structures during and prior to the period of reionisation, has opened research opportunities weeks ahead of its completion. Read more
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Fulfills Its Role in Post-COVID Economy
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology, Ms Nompendulo Mkhatshwa says Covid-19 has raised the importance of investing in science, technology, research and innovation. Read more
Hip Hop was My First Academic Qualification
In 1994, I started grade 8, my first year of secondary education, when less than 10% of the school population was black. It was a great time in a new world. Democracy was on the horizon and, as South Africans, we were in a fishbowl being studied. Read more
HyperionDev Joins Forces with Unisa to Boost Tech Skills
Pioneering Riaz Moola, South Africa’s inspirational founder of coding boot camps which have gone global, is about to get another feather in his cap – his skills innovation efforts at bridging the gap between higher education and technology have led to an exciting partnership with Africa’s largest distance-learning institution. Read more
Institutions in SA, Egypt, Kenya Ranked for Graduate Skills
Two South African universities have been placed in the top 200 institutions in the world for their work towards the production of graduates with the skills and knowledge required for the modern workplace. Read more
Journalism Schools Should Teach Peace Modules
The Sunday Mail Online Reporter Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has urged institutions of higher learning to consider adopting peace studies as a module taught to journalism students. Read more
MBA Rankings: Schools in Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa on List
Five African business schools are among 286 institutions globally that offer the world’s best Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree programmes, according to QS Quacquarelli Symonds, a major ranking provider of analytics and other insights on the higher education sector worldwide. Read more
Medical Student Uses Rap, Hip Hop, to Fight COVID-19
A fifth-year medical student from the University of Pretoria (UP) in South Africa and the dean of the faculty of health sciences have come up with a novel science communication strategy to promote COVID-19 vaccinations and dispel myths about the jab. Read more
Mentorship is a Powerful Tool to Open up STEM to Women
Martin Canaan Mafunda is a PhD researcher in the physics department at South Africa’s University of KwaZulu-Natal, working in the field of machine learning. Read more
New Test to Diagnose Vaginal Inflammation Could Help Reduce Risk of HIV Infection
A team of researchers from the University of Cape Town (UCT) have found a new way to test for asymptomatic vaginal infections in women in resource-poor settings. Read more
New Variants: Africa Needs to Strengthen its COVID Response
Genomic surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic by public health officials and scientists across Africa has shown that it was introduced to the continent predominantly from Europe. Read more
NWU Keeps Business Community Up to Date
As South Africans brace for a likely fourth wave of Covid-19 around November, the North-West University (NWU) is keeping the channels of communication open in a sea of confusion. Read more
Postdoctoral Fellowships: The Power of Peer Teaching
The postdoctoral fellowship can be a wonderful way to kick-start an academic career. Read more
Postgraduate Training: The Art of Study Supervision
For an academic to supervise a postgraduate student’s research toward a masters or doctoral degree is a complex and demanding responsibility. Read more
President of the Association of African Universities Participates in the Inauguration and Investiture of UNISA’s First Female Vice Chancellor
The President of the Association of African Universities (AAU), Professor Bakri Osman Saeed received a kind invitation from Professor Puleng LenkaBula, the new Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Africa (UNISA), to participate in her inauguration ceremony. Read more
Rankings: African Universities Have Made Progress Since 2018
African universities at last may be shaking off the longstanding unenviable characterisation of not measuring up to their counterparts in other parts of the world when it comes to providing high-quality teaching, research output, knowledge transfer and international outlook, … Read more
Reflections on Engaged, More Responsive Universities
For far too long, two core missions of universities, of teaching and research, have enjoyed superior importance over the third mission of community engagement. Read more
Researchers in Africa Unite to Tackle Challenges (Africa)
Africa’s researchers from the humanities and natural sciences have resolved to combine efforts and implement solutions unearthed from their findings to tackle major challenges that plague the continent. Read more
SA’s Quantum Technology Initiative, Led by Wits University, to Side-Step Competitors
The South African Quantum Technology Initiative (SA QuTI), headed by the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), does not intend to directly take on the major international quantum technologies competitor countries. Read more
SA Universities Weigh Mandatory Jabs for Staff and Students
As the debate about mandatory vaccination policies intensifies, some of SA’s leading universities are mulling making it compulsory for staff and students to get jabs against Covid-19 to ensure the academic programme is not disrupted. Read more
South African Schools are Falling Behind in Math and Science
The Department of Basic Education plans to boost its maths and science capabilities after schools fell further behind in these subjects due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more
Stellenbosch University and Imperial Collaborate on Real-World Healthcare and Climate Change Challenges
Stellenbosch University (SU) has embarked on a high-level collaboration with JSE-listed Imperial Logistics (Imperial) to address real-world problems related to healthcare, as well as climate change in Africa. Read more
Targeted, Proactive Efforts Needed to Strengthen Physics
The need for a proactive effort to improve the teaching and researching of physics in Sub-Saharan Africa as a foundation for critically important scientific work has been highlighted in a new report from the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and the UK-based Institute of Physics (IOP). Read more
The Covid-19 Pandemic and its Strain on Women
Not only has the Covid-19 pandemic put significant strain on the global economy and public health systems, but it also contributed to greater inequality and discrimination against women. Read more
Turnover is High in South Africa’s Higher Education Sector: What Could Turn the Tide
“Why are my employees leaving my organisation?”. “What can I do to make my valuable employees stay at my organisation?”. “What makes employees stay in their employment?”. Read more
UCT Historian Unearths the Influence of the Ottoman Empire on Present Day Cape Malay Culture
Historian and postdoctoral research fellow in African Studies at UCT, Halim Gençoğlu who made headline for uncovering UCT’s first black medical doctor, is again in the limelight, for unpacking the influence and legacy of the Ottoman Empire and its influence on present day Cape Malay culture. Read more
UCT Still Highest Ranked in Africa Despite Covid-19
University of Cape Town (UCT) vice-chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng is pleased with the institution’s latest Times Higher Education (THE) ranking, which sees it retain its top spot in Africa and come 183rd out of the more than 16 000 international institutions ranked. Read more
UCT Under Fire for ‘Hurtful’ Seminar on LGBTQA+ Individuals
The Gender Diversity Coalition has called for the University Of Cape Town (UCT) to act swiftly, alleging that the university’s recent seminar on science and LGBTQA+ was hurtful to the transgender and intersex community, who are vilified daily by some medics. Read more
UCT Vice-Chancellor Apologises to LGBTQIA+ Community
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (UCT) Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng apologised to the LGBTQIA+ community for a seminar she co-hosted on Sunday, September 4. Read more
UFS Scientists Involved in Revolutionary Protein Structure Prediction
The team of researchers recently contributed to an influential paper describing new methods in protein structure prediction using machine learning. The paper was published in the prestigious scientific journal, Science. Read more
Universities Called Upon to Lead Political Engagement
African universities have been called upon to be engaged in political and social activism and take leading roles towards improving the human condition on the continent by exposing inherent dangers of inequalities, exclusion, oppression, racism and other forms of coloniality in society. Read more
Universities Mull Mandatory Vaccination Policies
Some university students and staff could be compelled to vaccinate against Covid-19 before they are able to return to in-person classes. Read more
UWC Partners with WHO on a New Genomic Surveillance Centre to Monitor Disease Outbreaks Beyond Covid-19 in Africa
The World Health Organization Africa, together with South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), University of the Western Cape (UWC), is launching a new Regional Centre of Excellence for Genomic Surveillance and Bioinformatics (RCEGSB) in Cape Town. Read more
Vitamin D Deficiency is Not Responsible for TB in Children
Vitamin D deficiency has long been considered a risk factor for tuberculosis in adults as it impairs the immune response to the TB bug, but a new study by the University of Cape Town has found that low levels of the sunshine vitamin in children doesn’t necessarily make them susceptible to the illness. Read more
Why Student Mental Health Should be a Priority for Universities
Over 30% of university students have experienced a common mental disorder in the past year, according to the World Health Organisation. In South Africa, statistics show that 20.8% of first-year students had experienced anxiety and 13.6% had experienced depression. Read more
Wit’s Student Shortlisted for Prestigious International Student Award
A Wits University student has been selected in the top 50 for a new award given to one exceptional student that has made a real impact on learning, the lives of their peers and on society beyond. Read more
31 August 2021
A Missed Opportunity to Rethink Internationalisation
After centuries of colonial subjugation and decades of apartheid brutality and oppression – both rooted in white supremacy and racial capitalism – South Africa emerged ‘free’ in 1994. Despite the freedom and democracy, deeply entrenched structural inequalities continue to wreck South African society, economy and higher education. Read more
Can ARUA Lead Africa on the Path to Research Excellence?
The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), driven by a need to establish a culture of publishing verifiable data about African universities, has launched a report titled Research Profiles of ARUA Universities… Read more
Cape Town Student’s Story of Overcoming Family History of Drug Abuse…
Born into a family of drug abusers, 20-year-old Monique Tolken was determined not to let her circumstances define her. Read more
Chemical Industry Training Authority Launches Two TVET Initiatives for SMMEs
The Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (Chieta) on August 23 announced two technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college initiatives, which are set to stimulate small, medium-sized and microenterprise (SMME) activity and economic opportunities for individuals in the Western and Northern Cape provinces. Read more
Covid or not, Academic Programmes are Booming at Gibs
Cutbacks? What cutbacks? Pretoria University’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (Gibs) is working flat out to prepare for a return to business education normality – even if no-one knows when that will be. Read more
Documents Implicate UJ Officials Involved in Attempted Embezzlement of Millions…
Hundreds of millions of rands in taxpayers’ money from the Department of Science and Technology, the Industrial Development Corporation of SA (IDC) as well as funding from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) went down the drain as senior UJ executives colluded to embezzle the intellectual property… Read more
DUT Trains Students on Keys to Excellence
The office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Research Innovation and Engagement has worked with IQRAA TRUST and the Young Leaders Academy (YLA) to pilot a new training programme called Keys to Excellence. The training was designed by the Young Leaders Academy and IQRAA TRUST fully funded the pilot session with the students. Read more
Emoticons Enhance Communication Between Lecturers, Students
The use of emoticons or emojis in communication between students and lecturers in virtual learning spaces during COVID-19 has helped to fulfil students’ socio-emotional needs which developed as they were forced to migrate from brick-and-mortar venues to online classrooms, a study has shown. Read more
Experts Unpack ‘the Engaged University’ in Challenging Times
The notion of the engaged university is far removed from its historical definitional identity. Read more
Higher Education Ready to Get 18-to-35-Year-Olds Vaccinated
Following the Department of Health’s announcement that 18-to-35-year-olds may register to get vaccinated, the Department of Higher Education has revealed its readiness plans in assisting all public and private institutions to vaccinate eligible staff and students. Read more
High Level Accreditation for UKZN’s Acclaimed Science Centre
The Science and Technology Education Centre at UKZN (STEC@UKZN) has received accreditation from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), … Read more
Infectious Diseases Research Clinic in Cape Town Hit by Cluster of Covid-19 Cases
Even people working in the highly sanitised clinic research environment are prone to contracting Covid-19. This emerged after eight people who work at Stellenbosch University’s Family Centre for Research with Ubuntu (FAMCRU) came down with the virus. Read more
Investment Opportunities in Education are Beckoning
Africa has one of the strongest opportunities for growth in tertiary education globally despite sloppy quality credentials, a new survey shows, riding on sustained economic expansion. Read more
Mandela University and AIDC Partnership Aims to Boost EC Automotive Industry
Nelson Mandela University has partnered with the Eastern Cape Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC-EC) towards the provision of relevant industry-aligned degree programmes and other capacity building initiatives aimed at bolstering the manufacturing sector and provincial economy. Read more
Most Repair Work is Now Completed, Says Vice-Chancellor
Cape Town – Salvage activities have been concluded at UCT’s Jagger Library, and the special collections basement has been cleared of materials. Read more
Nafasi Water Steps in to Help UNAM Students
The University of Namibia and Nafasi Water Technologies, a South African water technology and water utility service company, have joined hands in crafting the university’s new curriculum for the Centre for Innovation in Learning & Teaching (CILT). Read more
NWU Researcher and Fulbright Scholarship Holder Shares his Tricks of the Trade
To get a Fulbright research scholarship is easier than he anticipated, says North-West University (NWU) academic Dr George van Zijl, who recently returned from a research visit to the University of Florida in the United States of America (USA). Read more
PhD Students Who Study in South Africa Tend to Return Home
The common view at the top level of government and among vice-chancellors has been that African international doctorates would seek employment opportunities in thriving economies abroad. Read more
Prestigious Fellowship for ‘Luminary in a Fractured World’
Professor Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela of Stellenbosch University (SU) in South Africa has won the 2020 Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Fellowship Award worth ZAR2 million (about US$138,000). Read more
Rhodes University and Nupsaw’s Negotiations over Union Rights Reach a Deadlock
Rhodes University management and the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) are locked in a stand-off over the union’s demands to be given organisational rights. Read more
SA Narrows the Gap of Women in STEM Careers, …
While South Africa may be scoring below the global average of 30% of women pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers, the country was still leading in Sub-Saharan Africa. Read more
SA Professor Agrees with FDA Warning Issued Against Use of Ivermectin to Treat Covid-19…
The Food and Drug Administration in the US has urged the public to stop using livestock drug ivermectin to treat Covid-19. In South Africa, ivermectin is registered for use in animals. Read more
SA Universities, International Institutions Partner on Project to Preserve African Languages
Rhodes University has collaborated with local and foreign universities in an effort to revive and preserve indigenous African languages. Read more
SMU Adopts a New Culture for Excellence
In what is invariably a significant occasion in the history of SMU, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Peter Mbati hosted a round table discussion with University stakeholders on the Road map to Culture Change at the SMU Sports Hall on 11 August 2021. Read more
Stellenbosch University Paving the Way for Becoming a Smart Sustainable Campus
In using their division as a living laboratory, Stellenbosch University’s Facilities Management (SUFM) has since 2015 been implementing systems and processes to start paving the way for the Institution to become a smart campus where data-led decision-making will result in solving problems and providing solutions for the future. Read more
Stellenbosch University Professor Crafts 3/4 Violin from Wood of African Trees
South African researcher Dr. Martina Meincken is investigating the potential of alternative tone-woods for use in instrument construction… Read more
SU Launches COVID-19 Vaccination Site
On Tuesday 10 August, Stellenbosch University (SU) will launch a vaccination site for its staff and members of the public who have registered on the official South African COVID-19 vaccination portal. Read more
There is an Urgent Need to Redefine the Future of Education
Education experts and business leaders explored the theme of Redefining the future of education at the 7th annual Future of Education Summit held by CNBC Africa in partnership with Forbes Africa. Read more
Tokyo Olympics: What is the Role of Universities in Sport?
frica’s poor performance in the recent Olympic Games in Tokyo highlighted the role that universities on the continent could play to help prepare sports stars for the international sports stage, similar to the work done by institutions in other parts of the world, notably the United States. Read more
TVET Intervention Aims to Boost Engineering Skills Pipeline in Eastern Cape
In intervention launched with public technical vocational education and training (TVET) colleges in the Eastern Cape is expected to aid the output of engineering training and boost the pipeline of skills required by South Africa’s automotive industry. Read more
UCT Named Top Varsity in Africa by a Global Ranking
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has been ranked the highest on the continent in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2021. It has been ranked in 201-300 band by ARWU 2021, published on Sunday. Read more
UCT’s New Disciplinary, Anti-Bullying Policies are Now in Force
UCT SRC chairperson Declan Dyer said the student council noted the implementation of the disciplinary policy and the policy addressing bullying. Read more
UJ Provides Two Free, Online Open Courses for Students and Citizens
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is offering two free massive open online courses (MOOCs) – one on artificial intelligence (AI) in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the other on African insights – to the public. Read more
UJ’s Virtual Reality Hub to Advance STEM Education
The Department of Science and Technology Education within the Faculty of Education at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), has introduced a virtual and augmented reality (AR) research hub to accelerate innovation in the education field. Read more
UKZN Academic Part of Ground-Breaking Language Research
Professor Jochen Zeller, … discovered that iconic vocalisations can convey a much wider range of meanings more accurately than previously supposed. Read more
UKZN Medical Student Says Covid-19 Vaccine ‘Benefits far Outweigh Any Risks’
Mohamed Hoosen Suleman, who attends the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, said the benefits of being vaccinated far outweighed any risks. Read more
UKZN Student Found Dead in His Room on Campus
Although the details are sketchy at the moment, the university believes the student may have died of natural causes. Read more
Universities Collaborate to Promote Indigenous Languages
A group of subject specialists will be appointed at four SA universities to receive training on how to teach students in indigenous African languages. Read more
University Communities Reject Israel’s AU Observer Status
Several student unions and organisations representing faculty from African countries such as Tunisia, Algeria, Libya and South Africa have voiced their opposition to awarding Israel observer status to the African Union (AU), a move that has been rejected by African countries for nearly two decades. Read more
Universities Set up Vaccination Sites Amid Vaccine Hesitancy
Several South African universities have set up vaccination centres on their campuses as part of supporting the country’s national COVID-19 vaccine programme, which aims to reach 40 million South Africans. Read more
Universities Support Insect-Based Food and Feed Systems
Universities are contributing to the upscaling of insect-based food and feed systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, which have economic, environmental and social benefits that could support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Read more
University of Johannesburg to Host Virtual Conference on Safeguarding Sports
UJ head of the department for sport & movement studies Dr Heather Morris-Eyton says sports federations around the world are becoming more aware of the challenges faced by athletes. Read more
UP Launches Diabetes Research Centre
The University of Pretoria (UP) has launched South Africa’s first exclusive Diabetes Research Centre at a public academic institution. Read more
UP Pilots New Software to Make Digital Content More Accessible
The University of Pretoria (UP) has launched a pilot of software among a small group of subtends and academics, which aims to make digital courses more accessible to all students. Read more
UP’s Digital Twin City Aims to Improve Metro Management
The University of Pretoria (UP) has created the Hatfield Digital Twin City, a new initiative that aims to boost service delivery with the help of smart technology. Read more
UWC Researcher Helps Analyse over 2 000 Galaxies with MeerKat Radio Telescope
Using early science data for the MIGHTEE project on the MeerKAT radio telescope, a researcher at the University of the Western Cape – with collaborators from eight countries, including four other South African institutions… Read more
Vice-Chancellors Key in Growing ‘Fourth-Stream Income’
The sustainability of universities revolves around three income streams: a government subsidy, tuition fees and industry research funds. But, over the past decade, South African universities have experienced significant changes. Read more
Wits DigiMine to Host Annual Digital Mining Seminar
Mining’s digital future comes under the spotlight again at the University of the Witwatersrand in September, with the Wits Mining Institute’s annual digital mining technology seminar. Read more
Women in Science and Tech are Left Out in the Cold During Pandemic
The pandemic has turned our world upside down and affected every sphere of society. That includes the disproportionate impact on women who participate in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Read more
Years of Training Ensures Alumna a Spot on SA’s Olympic Hockey Team
“When I was in Stellenbosch for training for the World Cup, I absolutely loved it. I decided to come to Stellenbosch University because of hockey,” says Glasby. Read more
31 July 2021
A Constant Travel Partner on Students’ Career Journey
It is hard to be young. It sounds like an anomaly. But at this point in the world’s collective history, it is becoming increasingly clear that to be a young person standing on the verge of entering a career and making your own way in life can be extremely daunting. Read more
Can Internationalisation Promote Inclusion, Social Justice?
We live in an unequal world. On a global scale, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made this abundantly clear. Read more
CPUT Graduate Proves That One is Never Too Old to Learn
Despite being older than her whole class, Nokwanda Popiel defied the odds as she graduated with a National Diploma in Office Management and Technology from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) this past week. Read more
CUT Students Frustrated Over Unpaid NSFAS Allowances
Students sleep at the gates of Umgungundlovu TVET College’s Msunduzi Campus in Pietermaritzburg after being evicted by landlords because they are unable to pay rent due to outstanding payments from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. Read more
Department of Higher Education Launches the 2021 State of the Nation Book
Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Buti Manamela has launched the 2021 edition of the State of the Nation, a flagship publication of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). Read more
Digital Education Here to Stay, and Institutions Must Adapt
The pace of digital progress waits for nobody, and the education sector cannot allow itself to fall back on its old ways post-pandemic, said Dr Stanley Mpofu, CIO of Wits University. Read more
Do Degree Detractors Have a Point?
In one of his many famous talks, and without elaborating, the late legendary motivational speaker Jim Rohn spoke of leaving college after one year as one of the major mistakes he made in his life. Read more
DUT Features in Top 100 in International Ranking
The international rankings were recently announced by the World’s Universities with Real Impact (WURI). Read more
DUT Joins the Fight Against Homophobic Hate Crimes
The Faculty of Arts and Design at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) joined the fight against the recent homophobic killings by hosting a webinar on South Africa’s Homophobic Hate Crime Crisis last Friday, 25 June 2021, via Microsoft Teams. Read more
DUT Ranked 2nd in SA and 102 in the World by the Young University Rankings
Another global ranking is in the bag for the Durban University of Technology (DUT) after it was recently ranked 2nd in South Africa and 102 in the world by the 2021 Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings. Read more
Health Professionals Work in Teams: Their Training Should Prepare Them
Good communication and understanding of the roles of other disciplines in a health care team has been found to result in fewer medical errors, reduced medical costs and a better patient care experience. Read more
HE Sector Concerned Over Turmoil in Department
Despite the appointment of three senior leaders in May, the South African national Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is in “tatters”, with projects falling through the cracks, an extended vacancy list that has not been addressed and low morale among staff, many of whom are looking for other jobs. Read more
“Higher Education Needs to Adapt to People’s Needs”: IIEP International Policy Forum
Flexible learning pathways (FLPs) are an important new policy direction in higher education systems worldwide. Read more
How Top Young Academics Secure ‘Currency’ from the Start
At the beginning of their careers, academics find the odds stacked against them. They lack a track record of success, most proven through research outputs like journal articles. Read more
Institutional Support Needed for Professional Development
Continuing professional development for higher education cannot be treated as an individual responsibility. Dedicated institutional support is essential, according to Tony Lelliott, a programme specialist at the non-profit educational trust the South African Institute for Distance Education, or Saide, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Read more
Media Monitoring: Extract of Press News on Higher Education in Africa
Dr Tabane was moderating the second session of the recent youth-centred Africa Day symposium hosted by the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the African Union, in collaboration with the University of Cape Town (UCT) and its Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance. Read more
Natural Product Library at UP’s Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences a Unique Resource…
The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS) at the University of Pretoria is at the forefront of biodiscovery research, allocating R26m in funding from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) to create a library of natural products. Read more
Political will Needed to Create the Ideal Post-Pandemic University
Digital infrastructure and connectivity, capacity-building for academic staff and students to use digital learning tools, quality assurance in the online study environment and stronger leadership from governments to bring about these changes are some of the measures that are required to create the post-pandemic African university. Read more
Questions About Unaccounted Funds for Skills Development
A project to use ZAR866 million (US$60 million) for skills and infrastructure development, including the construction of a state-of-the-art technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college in one of South Africa’s poorest townships, has been derailed by COVID-19… Read more
R866m College Dream Deferred
A project to use R866 million for skills and infrastructure development, including the construction of a state-of-the-art technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college in one of South Africa’s poorest townships, has been derailed by Covid-19… Read more
Racism in Medicine is ‘a Horrible Injustice’
Underpinned by national and international research, as well as personal experience – were placed under the microscope during a recent academic seminar hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand’s School of Public Health. Read more
SADC Needs Experts to Mitigate Climate Change
Specialists in every ministry and organisation in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region should be trained to adapt to and mitigate climate change, according to Professor Heila Lotz-Sisitka, who holds the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) chair in global change and social learning systems. Read more
SA Consortium Wants to Produce Covid-19 Vaccine at a Far Cheaper Price
A South African consortium made up of experts in public health, medicine, academia, vaccine technology, technology transfer and the economic sector has set its sights on producing a Covid-19 vaccine at one-fifth the price of Pfizer’s. Read more
SA Students Struggle Without Stipends in Cuba
Some of the nearly 500 South African medical students stranded in Cuba are demanding that their stipends be paid so that they can pay back loans and get passports and clothes they used as collateral. Read more
Students with Disabilities Activism
The Social Justice and Transformation Unit at the Vaal University of Technology held a webinar under the topic “Students with Disabilities Activism in Higher Education”. Read more
Successful Coexistence Between Wildlife and Urban Communities
Baboons spending more time in their natural habitats and suffering fewer human-caused injuries and deaths is cause for celebration, writes Professor Justin O’Riain, the director of the Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Read more
The EDHE Programme is Poised to Succeed in Creating Entrepreneurial Universities…
A study undertaken to evaluate the partnership between Universities South Africa’s Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Programme and the British Council (South Africa) has found that in the three years of this relationship (2018 – 2021),… Read more
‘Think Like a Girl’: What Sex-Pest Lecturer Told TVET Student When She Failed Maths
A lecturer who was fired for advising a student who failed maths to “think like a girl” if she wanted a pass mark has had his reinstatement bid rejected. Read more
UCT Joins Forces with NASA for Biodiversity Survey
Regarded as one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, South Africa’s Greater Cape Floristic Region is set to be the subject of a first-of-its-kind biodiversity survey conducted by NASA. Read more
UCT, Oxford Launch 2021 Fair-work South Africa Ratings Report
Launched on Thursday, 8 July, during a webinar, the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of Oxford have released the Fairwork South Africa 2021 Ratings report which evaluates the working conditions in 12 digital labour platforms in South Africa, including Uber, Bolt, SweepSouth and MrD. Read more
UCT Policy Tackles Bullying
Council members at UCT have approved a bullying policy after repeated calls for rules to hold staff accountable when addressing such complaints. Read more
UCT Student Council Boycotts Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Lecture and Hosts Its Own
After the University of Cape Town said it wouldn’t cancel its open lecture with acclaimed novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who faced a backlash after being accused of transphobia, the university’s Students’ Representative Council hosted its own webinar. Read more
UCT Suspends Two Students Following Sexual Assault Allegations
The University of Cape Town has suspended two students with immediate effect following allegations of sexual assault, which surfaced earlier this week. Read more
UJ Condemns Violence and Looting in SA
Over the last few days, we have witnessed some of the ugliest scenes in our country because of the spate of rampant looting and destruction of property. Marauding masses went on the rampage, looting shops and stores. Read more
UJ Facebook Fan Page One of the Most Popular in the World
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) embraces the latest 2021 Facebook University Ranking, released on 7 July 2021, in which it once again received global salutation to be listed in the top 200 Universities on Facebook, taking position at number 80. Read more
UKZN Tops List of Young University Rankings in SA
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) took the top spot in South Africa, and was placed 61st out of the 475 universities world-wide on the 2021 Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings. Read more
Universities See Steep Rise in Cheating, Misconduct with Move to Online Assessments
Universities have been experiencing a sharp increase in academic misconduct attributed directly to the move to online assessments since last year. Read more
UP and Ghent University Strengthen Academic Partnership
Professor Tawana Kupe, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria (UP), recently engaged with representatives from Ghent University (UGhent) in Belgium to discuss further strengthening the academic and scientific research collaboration between the two institutions. Read more
Vaccinations Going Strong at New Rhodes University Site
Rhodes vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela encourages staff and students to get vaccinated at the university’s on-campus site. Read more
Virtual Learnerships Offer International Work Opportunities
Higher education institutions that require students to complete workplace-based learning programmes as a formal building block of their qualifications have been compelled to come up with innovative strategies for virtual or remote internships during COVID-19. Read more
Why Lockdown in Africa Doesn’t Work as a First COVID-19 Response
In an African pandemic it is more productive to consider lockdowns, after using other non-medical measures first. Especially in countries with high levels of poverty and corruption, … Read more
Wits Embarks on R15.7m Water Research Programme
The new water research programme will find solutions to water challenges faced by the country and African continent. Read more
WSU Researcher Invents ‘Green Machine’ for Low-Cost Pothole Repairs
A Walter Sisulu University researcher and lecturer has designed a cost-effective solution for road maintenance and repairing potholes with a machine he developed using recyclable materials. Read more
30 June 2021
AUDA-NEPAD Launches Centre of Excellence to Upscale Home-Grown Innovations in Africa
The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), in partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Stellenbosch University (SU), have launched a Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation to upscale and commercialise home-grown innovations on the continent. Read more
Budget Cuts Hold Back Transformation and Hurt Innovation
The key takeaway from the last global financial crisis was that countries with weak innovation systems suffered more from the downturn in economic activity, after the crisis. Read more
Call for Fund to Strengthen Staff Capacity
Universities on the continent are calling for the establishment of a Higher Education Fund for Africa to aid in the strengthening of teaching capacity in the institutions. They argue that such a fund would also help to boost the number of women faculty and researchers engaged in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also known as STEM fields, in higher learning institutions. Read more
Challenges of Learning During a Pandemic: Stellenbosch University is Responsive to the Needs of Students
Stellenbosch University is very much aware of the plight of many of our students, such as Ms Sehlomeng Sefali, to study successfully during Covid-19 – and to have made the switch to online learning. This was of course a universal challenge for students the world over. Read more
Could Audit Committees Help Address Governance Challenges in Municipalities?
Could audit committees help address governance challenges in municipalities? This is the question Dr Mariaan Roos from the Department of Accounting and Auditing at the Faculty of Military Science tried to answer in an opinion piece published by Cape Times recently. Read more
COVID-19: Study Augurs Well for Research Output
Four South African universities – the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of KwaZulu-Natal – led 15 institutions that contributed most to the science of COVID-19 in Africa during the first year of the pandemic,…Read more
CPUT Vaccination Site Gets Thumbs-Up from Nzimande
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande gave the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s (CPUT) vaccination centre a thumbs-up after his oversight visit on Monday. Read more
CUT Gets Interdict
Despite the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, attaining a court interdict against the South African Student Congress (Sasco) due to recent unrest, the volatile on-campus situation has evolved. Read more
CUT Students Stage a Protest
Students at the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Bloemfontein have once again expressed their grievances. Read more
DUT and TVI Host a Successful Luban Workshop…
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) in collaboration with Tianjin Vocational Institute (TVI) of China hosted the Luban Workshop Innovation and Entrepreneurship Appointment Ceremony and Seminar which took place on 15 June 2021 via Zoom. Read more
Higher Education to Distribute 50 000 Laptops to NSFAS-Funded Students
Higher Education Minister Dr Blade Nzimande says his department will distribute close to 50 000 laptops to National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)-funded students at colleges and universities, with 22 000 arriving in the country by the end of the month. Read more
How Universities can Foster a Scientific Research Culture
Scientific research has become a powerful buzzword in the vision and mission statements of all African universities. Some African universities have even stated that their vision is of becoming research-intensive institutions in the near future. Read more
How Universities Can Play a Role in Solving South Africa’s Almost Unsolvable Challenges
These are our wicked problems, said Professor Eugene Cloete (right), Vice-Rector: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at Stellenbosch University — instantly clarifying what is meant by these complex, difficult-to-solve social problems. Read more
Huawei Awards 17 Bursaries to UCT Students
Huawei has awarded bursaries worth R2.76-million to 17 University of Cape Town (UCT) undergraduate and post-grad students as part of its ICT skills development programme in South Africa. Read more
‘Humanise Online Teaching and Learning’
There is a pressing need to critically evaluate and monitor higher education’s responses to the lockdown in Africa, especially in relation to teaching and learning remotely, says Daniela Gachago, an associate professor in the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Read more
Javett-UP Equips Interns with What it Takes to Enter the Art World Through UNICEF Programme
The Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP) has partnered with UP’s School of the Arts as participants in the UNICEF Youth Empowerment Under Health/Economic Crisis programme, based on the enhanced wellbeing, humaneness and resilience derived from appreciating beauty and aesthetics. Read more
Pandemic Demands Innovation in Internationalisation
The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down the internationalisation of higher education at a time when it was gaining momentum in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and Africa at large. Read more
Rankings: Strong Performance
A total of 31 African universities are on a list of 1,300 universities in the world that have been ranked based on indicators including academic reputation, citations per faculty, employer reputation, faculty to student ratio, ratio of international faculty members and ratio of international students. Read more
Researchers Note 20 New Species
Researchers at the National Museum in Bloemfontein have described 20 new species of terrestrial invertebrates in the last financial year. Read more
SADC Urged to do More About Digital Transformation in HE
The Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) policy for cooperation on education and training lacks the necessary force to inform transformation in the region’s higher education… Read more
SA Science in Peril as Lack of Funding Severs Lifeline for Research Students
Academics have expressed concern over the fate of thousands of students who were denied funding by the National Research Foundation (NRF) to pursue postgraduate studies this year. Read more
SA Students Wrote a Book About ‘a World Gone mad’
South African student voices have largely remained unheard in formal discussions around COVID-19. A pandemic that should not be put to waste, COVID-19, on some podiums, is seen as laying the groundwork for the germination of seeds of change. Read more
Staff Cuts Hamper SAQA’s Ability to Provide Skills Assurance
There are growing concerns over the ability of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) fulfilling its role as the foremost statutory body registering qualifications, fighting qualification fraud and corruption through verification of national qualifications… Read more
Students Concerned About Covid-19 Non-Compliance at UCT
UCT’s student representative council president Declan Dyer said they are aware of the situation and they have been engaging with the university since before the third wave hit. Read more
‘Undo Fear’, Says Chair in African Feminist Imaginations
The South African Research Chairs Initiative, or SARChI, launched a chair in ‘African feminist imaginations’ at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa, on 5 June, headed by Professor Pumla Dineo Gqola from the university’s Centre for Women and Gender Studies. Read more
Universities Must Prioritise Student Success, Staff and Curriculum Development
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has called on universities to prioritise student success, staff development and curriculum development plan. Read more
University Students Hold Street Graduation in Durban
The students were from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban University of Technology and Mangosuthu University of Technology. Read more
UP Hosts Discussion on Role of Media and Social Media in Research
Scientists should try to “make use of simple language and avoid using jargon” when using the media to disseminate research findings. This was according to Primarashni Gower, PR and Events Manager at the University of Pretoria (UP), during a recent online panel discussion hosted by the University’s Faculty of Health Sciences on the role of media and social media in research. Read more
UWC Nursing Students Upset Over Exclusion from Exams, Citing Impact of Covid-19
Nursing students at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) are up in arms over the institution’s refusal to relax the examination entry requirements due to Covid-19. Read more
Wits Health Faculty to Picket Over Gauteng ’Humanitarian’ Health Crisis
Staff and students from the University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences will hold a five-day picket to raise awareness about the healthcare crisis in Gauteng and to put pressure on stakeholders to take action. Read more
Women Rise to the Top of the UKZN Class
Women have emerged top of the class at the University of KwaZulu-Natal with 68% of the top achievers being female. Read more
WSU Invention a Solution to SA Road Costs & Safety
Bumping and grinding teeth may be a thing of the past following the invention of a road pavement analysis device that should reduce the occurrence of potholes on South African roads. Read more
31 May 2021
20 Unisa Postgraduate Students Charged with Plagiarism Still in the Dark About Way Forward
Challenges continue to plague the University of SA’s (Unisa) decision to conduct exams only online last year as close to 20 postgraduate students remain in the dark about their academic prospects. Read more
African Language Experts Set Up Committees to Explore Sharing Resources…
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed several systemic forms of inequality in the higher education system. Read more
Builing Accessibility, Excellence Through Online Education
Amid ongoing student protests and the funding crisis in higher education, innovative solutions are needed to meet the demands and pressures for study spaces at South African universities. Read more
Capetonians Unite to Save Priceless Library Materials
Volunteers from across Cape Town put on their (sanitised) hard hats the past two weeks to assist with the recovery of the archival materials housed within the Jagger Reading Room at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Read more
Grads’ Community Involvement an Upside During Lockdown
For original-equipment manufacturer Weir Minerals Africa, a positive consequence of the Covid-19 lockdown last year was that graduates in the company’s graduate programme were introduced to more community work than they otherwise would have been. Read more
Hard Times Turn into Good Times Through Study at UKZN
PhD Chemistry graduate Siyabonga Ndlela helped his grandmother sell fruit and snacks to commuters at a taxi rank in Newcastle from the time he was in Grade 3 until matric. Read more
How COVID-19 is Hurting University Students’ Mental Health
Institutions of higher education worldwide are undergoing unprecedented change because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Universities and colleges have been forced to switch to online teaching and learning. Read more
Institution Appoints First Black Woman Dean in Engineering
Tshwane University of Technology’s first black female executive dean for the faculy of engineering and the built environment, Dr Mukondeleli Grace Kanakana-Katumba, intends to implement sweeping changes to position the faculty as South Africa’s leading school of engineering. Read more
Institutional Viability Threatened by Student Debt Crisis
The institutional viability of South African universities is under threat from a mounting student debt crisis, leading to calls from top officials and university leaders for fundamental reform of the way in which the public higher education sector is funded. Read more
More Programmes, Awareness Could Launch Africa into Space
Africa is lagging behind when it comes to space activities and the root cause is a lack of space higher education in many countries on the continent, according to an Africa space industry expert. Read more
More SA Girls Need to Enter Math, Science Fields
Since moving to Southern Africa in 2019, I have had the great privilege of meeting many impressive women working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM-related) fields.VUT students go hungry as they wait for NSFAS. Read more
Natural Sciences at UFS Receives R65m Equipment Injection
The University of the Free State is at the forefront of research with new state-of-the-art equipment. Read more
New SOAS Director May Return to Work After N-Word Probe
Adam Habib, the newly appointed director of the School of Oriental and African Studies or SOAS University of London, has been cleared of racism over the use of the n-word during a meeting with students in March, but investigators recommended several corrective steps to be taken in the aftermath of the incident. Read more
Nobel Laureates to Probe ‘the Future of Work’ in Dialogue
The first Nobel Prize dialogue to be hosted in partnership with an African institution will include five Nobel laureates and will focus sharply on the extensive disruption that COVID-19 has brought about in the workplace. Read more
Publishing Should be for Social and Disciplinary Impact
“Plan S is a grand plan, but the devil is in the detail,” says Professor Robin Crewe of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) in a blog. Read more
Racism Remains Deep-Seated and Prevalent in Institutions
In 2004, the final year of my bachelor of social science degree, majoring in political science, I did something I heard journalists feared to do because of consequences of inadequacy. Read more
Rhodes University Encourages the Intellectualisation of African Languages
Rhodes University in Makhanda in the Eastern Cape has hosted a webinar to mark Africa month, with the aim of encouraging the intellectualisation of African languages. Read more
SARUA to Reflect on its Role in Regional Development
The Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA) will be hosting a colloquium series for eight weeks following the cancellation of its virtual conference… Read more
Stellenbosch University Vice-Chancellor Denies English-Only Policy as SAHRC Inquiry Starts
Stellenbosch University Rector and Vice-Chancellor Wim de Villiers on Monday reiterated his denial that Afrikaans is banned on the campus, saying the institution’s approach to language means, “… students have more choices, broader access and a better future… Read more
Targets and Indicators Necessary to Track Progress on SDGs
African universities have been called upon to start contributing effectively to the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that the continent is lagging behind on. Read more
The Access Funding Challenge: A Combined Effort Needed Now
You should have seen it coming. In the wake of the recent student protests and the resulting suspension of tuition on some higher education campuses throughout the country, management teams from public universities have become used to having this bit of stinging criticism levelled against them from various fronts. Read more
The Right to Privacy in the Digital Age in Africa
The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, with the support of Google, is presenting a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the right to privacy in the digital age in Africa. Read more
Thousands of Graduates Needed to Echo Technology Boom
A virtual meeting on the status of coding and robotics in South African educational institutions hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa has highlighted the need for higher education institutions to produce more graduates with the necessary skills and competencies in a sector with about 20,000 vacancies. Read more
Towards the Regeneration of the University and Public Policy in Africa (Part One & Two)
… Prof Firoz Khan, specializing in development studies at the School of Public Leadership (SPL), explores the origins and evolution of the university in Africa… Read more
UKZN’s Oldest Autumn Graduate, Bonginkosi Mshengu, 69, Proves You’re Never Too Old to Study
When 69-year-old Bonginkosi Mshengu graduates with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Political Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday… Read more
UKZN Optometry Graduate Plans to Set Up Eye Clinics for the Less Privileged
A UKZN student who will graduate summa cum laude plans to use her Bachelor of Optometry degree to help those less privileged. Read more
UKZN’s Poku Joins Frontline AIDS Board of Trustees
UNIVERSITY of KwaZulu-Natal’s vice-chancellor and principal has been recognised as one of the world’s leading experts in research and policy on the political economy of health and HIV/ Aids in sub-Saharan Africa. Read more
UKZN Scientist: We May be on the Cusp of a Third Wave in South Africa
A University of KwaZulu-Natal scientist says with the recent rise in Covid-19 infections, we may be on the cusp of a third wave in South Africa. Read more
Unisa Warns of Scammers Falsely Advertising University Services
Some companies and social media pages have been falsely advertising Unisa online information and various services to assist students. Read more
UP Hosts Africa’s First Nobel Prize Dialogue
The University of Pretoria (UP) recently hosted Africa’s first Nobel Prize Dialogue, the theme of which was ‘The Future of Work’. Read more
University of Pretoria Partners with the African Genius Awards
Steve Biko, who was one of South Africa’s most significant political activists and founder of the Black Consciousness Movement, is one of the nominees for the African Genius Awards. Read more
VUT Students Go Hungry as They Wait for NSFAS
Mthoko was thrilled when his National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) application was approved as he was going to further his studies at Vaal University of Technology (VUT). Read more
30 April 2021
Alumni Form Music Duo and Launch New Single
UKZN alumni Mr David Smith (pianist), and Co-ordinator of the Jazz Centre at the University Ms Thulile Zama (vocalist) have formed a musical duo called N’den. Read more
Global Impact Rankings Include 2 African Universities in Top 100
Two African universities – the University of Johannesburg in South Africa and Aswan University in Egypt – are placed in the top 100 institutions in the world for their work towards the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)… Read more
Graduates’ Skills do not Match the Available Jobs
Labour markets around the world are undergoing significant changes – particularly in non-tech sectors. South Africa has not been spared from this wave of change. The country has high unemployment rates by global standards, both at national level and among the youth. Read more
Humanising Pedagogies to Facilitate Digital Learning
While online education providers were generally better positioned to adapt to periods of national and international lockdowns, the entire higher education landscape was affected by the unavoidable necessity to rethink ways of educating, researching and working in general. Read more
Language of Race Needs Engagement
I have deliberately chosen not to use the full n-word in this piece as I would like the detractors of the former vice-chancellor and principal of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Professor Adam Habib, to contemplate a little more deeply their position and think more about the consequences of their actions. Read more
More Questions than Answers About Viable Funding Model
The recent spate of student protests in South Africa’s institutions of higher education brought to the fore, yet again, the desperate calls for a better funding model. Read more
Parliament Asked to Probe Race-Gender Row at UCT
South Africa’s parliamentary oversight committee on higher education has been asked to summon the University of Cape Town to explain its controversial interim appointment of a 72-year-old retired white male in charge of transformation, replacing a black woman who was allegedly ousted from the role before her contract was up. Read more
Professor Christof Heyns: A Giant in Human Rights Education
The monumental contribution that Professor Christof Heyns has made to advance human rights in Africa and beyond emerged this week from a memorial Facebook page created to honour the former director of the Centre for Human Rights…Read more
Professor Salim Abdool Karim’s Talk Opens PRIS 2020 Online Symposium
South Africa currently has the highest number of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases in Africa recording over 700,000 cases and 19,000 deaths by the end of October. Although the South African government’s mitigation strategies initially slowed the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections, it had substantial adverse economic and health impacts. Read more
School of Business Concludes Training of Trainers in Entrepreneurship…
The School of Business on Friday 16th April 2021 successfully concluded the ARUA EIMEC training of trainers in entrepreneurship and Innovation program. The 12 day training brought about participants from universities in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Nigeria. Read more
Significant Archives are Under Threat in Cape Town’s Fire. Why They Matter so Much
A wildfire on the slopes of South Africa’s Table Mountain has wreaked havoc at the University of Cape Town (UCT) campus. Among the sites of historical significance that have been damaged is the Jagger Library. Read more
South African Graduates May be Mostly Employed, but Skills and Jobs Often Don’t Match
Labour markets around the world are undergoing significant changes – particularly in non-tech sectors. South Africa hasn’t been spared from this wave of change. Read more
South Africa’s Higher Education Funding System can be More Realistic Without Betraying Ideal
Ongoing student protests in South Africa have once again highlighted various problems with higher education funding. They boil down to challenges of affordability and sustainability. Read more
Tap into Your Creativity During World Creativity Week
UKZN Extended Learning (UEL) will host two webinars to celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Week (WCIW) between 15 and 21 April, and World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID) on 21 April. Read more
Technology Universities’ Project Focuses on Teaching Modalities
Can the Higher Education Reform Experts South Africa (HERESA) project be used as a tool to re-conceive South Africa’s higher education sector in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and post-pandemic world? Read more
Two UP Researchers Receive R5,6m in Grants to Aid Research into Improving Food Security…
Two University of Pretoria (UP) researchers have received grants of up to $200 000 (R2,8m) each from the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP), as part of the Partnerships for Innovative Research in Africa (PIRA) grant programme. Read more
Transformation? Impossible if Word Remains Undefined
A failure to define what ‘transformation’ means and how it may be measured is blocking prospects of broader change at South Africa’s public universities. Read more
UCT Celebrates Formal Launch of Panel for Responsible Investment
The University of Cape Town (UCT) celebrated the formal launch of the University Panel for Responsible Investment (UPRI), and the university’s Responsible and Sustainable Investment Policy on 22 April. Read more
UCT Professor Heads Law and Society Association’s Global Activities Portfolio
The LSA is an international organisation that brings together scholars from across disciplines who share a common interest in the place of law in societal, political, economic and cultural life. Read more
UCT SRC Member Matthew Field Says the Student Community is Traumatized…
Hundreds of students have been displaced after a fire spread on the upper and middle campus on Sunday.A number of hotel groups are currently offering temporary accommodation for the students. Read more
UCT Remains Among top 1.4% of Universities Globally
The University of Cape Town (UCT) ranks 269th out of nearly 20 000 universities worldwide according to the 2021–22 edition of the Global 2000 List by the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR). Read more
UKZN Hosts Online Teaching and Learning Workshop for Staff
The Human Resources Division at UKZN organised a five-part teaching and learning workshop series for academic staff. Hosted virtually, the workshop was held in November, providing staff with the tools and skills needed to actively engage with students during online lectures. Read more
UKZN PhD Student Opens Detergents and Cosmetics Plant
A twenty-eight-year-old University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) PhD student opened a detergents and cosmetics manufacturing plant in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday. Read more
UKZN Press Books Win 2021 NIHSS Awards
UKZN Press is proud of its authors who were presented with 2021 NIHSS Human and Social Sciences (HSS) awards at a ceremony at Maropeng Cradle of Humankind on 31 March. Read more
UP Academics Receive Training to Enhance Teaching and Boost Student Employability
University of Pretoria (UP) academics were part of a group of 40 academics that received the first training through a project aimed at equipping them with additional skills to enhance the teaching experience and increase student employability. Read more
UP’s Department of Mining Engineering Celebrates its Diamond Jubilee
The Department of Mining Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology at the University of Pretoria (UP) is proud to celebrate its diamond anniversary in 2021. Read more
University of Cape Town’s Fire: A Day of Flames, Fear, Faith
Imagine this. You are in your room studying for the upcoming test week or catching up with your sleep or favourite Netflix series. The next thing, you are startled by the sounds of helicopters and sirens in your vicinity. Read more
University Still Assessing Destruction After Devastating Fire
Volumes of African literature, including archives of the liberation struggle history and the mid-19th century Cape San people, hosted at the iconic African Studies Library, as well as several historical buildings have been destroyed by raging fires… Read more
31 March 2021
Are Black Vice-Chancellors Poor Leaders?
A controversial statement made by an African National Congress member of parliament in the South African National Assembly who claimed that black vice-chancellors were not carrying their weight as leaders compared with other race groups at institutions of higher learning was dismissed by the South. Read more
Best SA Universities for Finance, Engineering and Law…
South Africa’s mining and mineral engineering courses were rated among the best in the world, with Wits at position 13 worldwide, and the University of Pretoria at number 48. Read more
A Radical Change Effort is Needed…
Earlier this month we concluded the University of Pretoria’s inaugural Africa Week, where we assembled some of the finest minds and most tenacious champions of higher education from across our continent. Read more
Black Vice-Chancellor: Politicians Fuel Campus Turmoil
The vice-chancellor of the iconic University of Fort Hare (UFH), South Africa, an institution that has produced presidents, princes, pop stars and poets, has rubbished claims by a ruling African National Congress member of parliament… Read more
Dean Talks About Traversing Tragedy and Racism
A year into his role at one of South Africa’s renowned health science faculties, which has been under severe pressure since the tragic death of its previous incumbent, the new dean, Professor Lionel Green-Thompson, has had to swiftly navigate several minefields in his path. Read more
Escalating Student Debt Deepens Universities’ Funding Crisis
Spiralling student debt that has reached almost ZAR14 billion (about US$948 million), a government that is financially crippled and political battles within the ruling African National Congress (ANC) have been affecting a growing higher education financing crisis… Read more
Food Security and Socio-Economic Development…
The economic and agricultural landscape in southern Africa has undergone considerable change in the past few decades… Read more
Free Higher Education: Crises that Could have been Foreseen
South African universities opened belatedly during the week of 15 March, due to the complications of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the preceding Friday, 12 March, there was already turmoil on many campuses. Read more
HERESA Seeks to Revitalise Teaching and Learning Strategies in Technology
In partnership with OBREAL-Global Observatory, Technological Higher Education Network South Africa (THENSA) is proud to announce the official launch of the ‘Higher Education Reform Experts South Africa’ (HERESA) project… Read more
Higher Education Unable to Clear All Student Debt
Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, says the department is not in a financial position to be able to support institutions to clear all the debt of fee-paying students. Read more
New Game, New Rules in the Post-COVID-19 World …
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant change to all sectors and spheres around the world, and the higher education engineering field has not been spared. Read more
One Dead, Several Injured as Students Clash with Police
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa led the chorus of outrage from the country’s politicians following the death of a government employee during a student protest outside the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) on 10 March. Read more
Probe into Allegations Against Vice-Chancellor
As South African higher education institutions grapple with increasing challenges over a tardy and tumultuous start to the academic year, legislators in the South African National Assembly have spent the past three weeks grilling an embattled university boss on sexual harassment claims and other charges he had already been cleared of. Read more
Public Universities are Ready to Receive the NSC Class of 2020 into Higher Education…
As public universities gear themselves to receive the National School Certificate Class of 2020 on their various campuses, Universities South Africa has assured the new entrants to higher education that universities are ready to welcome them into their next study adventures and to enable them to succeed. Read more
Recollecting COVID-19 – 365 Days Under Lockdown
26 March 2021 marks a year since the University of Pretoria closed its gates under the COVID-19 national lockdown regulations. Classes went online and university life as we knew it ceased to exist. Read more
Regional Education Visa Mooted in SADC Strategic Plan
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is considering a regional visa for students, researchers, scientists and academics in a development that could see them enjoying benefits such as customs exemptions, if it is approved. Read more
Science, Innovation Dept Invests R18.9m in Nanosatellites
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) has invested R18.9-million in the development of two nanosatellites that will be used to improve maritime domain awareness in South Africa. Read more
South Africa’s UKZN Breaks Africa’s Rocket Launch Record – Reached 18km
UKZN’s affiliated AeroSpace Systems Research Group recently launched Phoenix-1B Mk II rocket, with a technology demonstration objective. The project was used to train students on vehicle design, test operations, and to inspire the younger generations. Read more
SU Welcomes Human Rights Commission Investigation
Stellenbosch University remains committed to multilingualism and for that reason Management welcomes the investigation by the SAHRC as well as the opportunity to respond to clear up matters with regard to the use of Afrikaans in residences and social spaces. Read more
Tertiary Education Needs a Funding Model That Caters for All Students…
Every year students take to the streets to protest against the exorbitant cost of university fees and the resulting financial exclusion. To escape this annual quandary, SA needs a viable funding model perceptive to the needs of all students in the higher education system… Read more
Tertiary Institutions Across SA Brace for Planned National Shutdown Today
The threats come after days of protests at various universities across the country last week. Read more
Tertiary Institutions Should not Exceed First-Year Limit
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has urged institutions of higher learning to only enrol the number of first-year students they are able to accommodate. Read more
UFC Awarded for Excellence in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
The year 2021 is the first time that this is a joint venture between Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and Universities South Africa (USAf) who have come together to celebrate the outstanding contributions in the social sciences and humanities… Read more
UKZN Nursing Students Shine
The level of acceptance of UKZN Nursing students in different clinical facilities has improved significantly. Evidence of this new-found respect and high regard are the glowing reports from the clinical settings.’ Read more
UKZN’s Welcomes First Year Students Back on Campus
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has confirmed that all registered first-year students would be allowed to come to campus for the first semester of the 2021 academic year. Read more
UNESCO Convenes Webinar to Reflect on Impact of COVID-19 on Higher Education
The main objective of the webinar is to share outcomes of the case studies conducted in 4 SADC countries on the impact of COVID-19 on Higher Education. Read more
UNISA Moves Towards Fully Online Learning, Teaching
The University of South Africa (UNISA) is making its way towards a digital future, with plans to have all learning and teaching services online, says Poppy Tshabalala, vice-principal for ICT and CIO. Read more
Universities Need to Infuse Entrepreneurial Thinking to Solve Funding Crisis
While student debt to universities has ballooned to approximately R14 billion, calls for more collaborative efforts have become louder. Read more
Universities of Technology to Build Network of Experts
South African universities of technology are set to benefit from a project, funded by the European Union, which aims at strengthening and revitalising the country’s technology-based institutions of higher learning. Read more
UP Part of Global Team that Reveals Behaviour of Magnetic Fields Around Black Holes
The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration – which produced the first-ever image of a black hole and of which the University of Pretoria (UP) is an associate institute – has revealed a new view of the massive object at the centre of the M87 galaxy: what it looks like in polarised light. Read more
What South Africa’s Universities Have Learnt About the Future from Covid-19
The Covid-19 pandemic put unprecedented stress on students across the country. Campuses that had been hubs of learning for decades were empty. Universities had to find ways to continue while not leaving anyone behind. Read more
28 February 2021
Complaints, Probes at Some Health Science Faculties
Despite throwing their weight behind COVID-19 research initiatives, four of South Africa’s best-known institutions offering health science education, which are producing many of the country’s doctors and dentists, have been wrestling with internal challenges. Read more
Computer ‘Glitch’ Deregisters ‘Underperforming’ Students
More than 120 students at Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, could not finish their studies in 2020 after the institution wrongfully deregistered them due to a computer glitch…Read more
Contributions in Fight Against COVID Praised
The contribution of scientists who made the breakthrough on the efficacy of the vaccines against the 501Y.V2 variant found in South Africa has received praise from South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa for their contribution to the fight against COVID-19. Read more
COVID-19 Financial Woes Threaten to End Dreams of Thousands of Students
Many students don’t qualify for NSFAS funding and Universities South Africa’s CEO Ahmed said there needed to be more assistance for the so-called missing middle. Read more
DUT’S Agri-Hub Launch a Huge Success
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Midlands Entrepreneurship Centre and Student Desk in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development; Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) and the Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA) hosted a virtual launch of their Agri-Hub via Microsoft Team… Read more
New Continental Platform for Open Access Publishing
A new continental platform for the open access publishing of journals, monographs and textbooks in Africa has been developed by South Africa’s University of Cape Town (UCT) through its library service. Read more
Open Access Directory Added to Accredited Journal List
The South African government has included a directory of open access journals in its officially recommended list of subsidy-bearing publications, opening up much greater access and sharing of information in higher education. Read more
Pretoria University Vets Perform Heart Surgery on Two Dogs…
Two University of Pretoria (UP) veterinary surgeons have performed life-saving heart surgery on two dogs by using a ground-breaking technique. This is a first in the 100-year history of the Faculty of Veterinary Science in Onderstepoort… Read more
Private Education in SA Growing Fast, Maturing Rapidly
A combination of factors have led to education in South Africa moving more and more into the privatisation arena, according to Dr Morne Mostert, director of the Institute for Futures Research at Stellenbosch University Business School. Read more
SA COVID-19 Vaccine Trials: Lessons for the Future
COVID-19 vaccine supplies are available in various parts of the world. But it’s clear that distribution is not symmetrical. High-income countries have access to disproportionate quantities of limited supplies. Read more
Science Minister Nzimande Outlines Govt Plan to Boost Scientific Research in SA
His department has so far spent R69.4 million funding COVID-19 research and innovation. About 21 projects are sustained through this investment. Read more
SME Development Programme to Benefit the Local Chemicals Sector
Chemicals sector education and training body the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (Chieta) and the University of Johannesburg Centre of Entrepreneurship have launched a small business development programme… Read more
South Africa’s Education Minister Says ‘an Educated Man Won’t Rape’
South Africa’s Education Minister has come under fire for her remarks that “an educated man won’t rape” while trying to explain the importance of education. Read more
Tertiary Institutions Struggling with Demand for Places
Tertiary institutions said they don’t have enough space for all the students that want to study and will finalise their admissions this week. Read more
Time for New Ideas on Higher Education Provision
The impact of COVID-19 on global higher education systems revealed the deficiencies of the current system and underlines the urgency for new ideas. Read more
UCT’s Energy Systems Research Group Weighs in on SA’s Nuclear Plan
Nuclear energy will cost the fiscus more, produce fewer jobs and take longer to meet South Africa’s energy needs than other energy options. Read more
UKZN Begins Phased-In Return to Campus
“Students who are at high risk of infection due to health issues, including comorbidities, are encouraged not to return to campus but rather to continue with remote online learning. Read more
UKZN Sets the Record Straight on ‘Operation Clever’ Probe into Fraud at Medical School
The University of KwaZulu-Natal has slammed the media reporting on matters in relations to ‘Operation Clever’, an investigation into allegations of fraud at its medical school. Read more
UKZN Spends R73m on ‘Cash for Places’ Investigation
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) says it has spent more than R73m on Operation Clever — a four-year investigation into allegations of “places for sale” at its medical school and other corrupt activities. Read more
UKZN SRC Fundraises for Students in Need
The university will provide the necessary support to the SRC with the collection and administering of donations through the auspices of the UKZN Foundation. Read more
University of Pretoria Researchers Receive Prestigious Grants…
Two University of Pretoria (UP) researchers are among nine researchers in South Africa who have received funding grants from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) as part of the Strategic Health Innovation Partnerships (SHIP) programme. Read more
Universities of Technology Join Hands in Elite Network
A rigorous application process has culminated in the membership that has rendered the Central University of Technology (CUT) the first South African university to collaborate with the prestigious US-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)… Read more
UWC Academic Takes Mobility Research to New Heights…
Professor Bradley Rink, Associate Professor in the University of the Western Cape’s Department of Geography, Environment Studies and Tourism, has been awarded a 2021 Royal Geographical Society Wiley Digital Archives Research Fellowship. Read more
Winning PhD Highlights African Indigenous Knowledge Systems
University of Cape Town (UCT) PhD graduate Dr Cecilia Durojaye’s doctoral thesis has won the African Studies Review 2020 annual prize for the best Africa-based doctoral dissertation. Read more
WSU Academics Get Top Honours for Research Innovation
WSU’s office of the Vice-Chancellor had handsomely rewarded three of the institution’s most exceptional academics in the areas of Research, Teaching and Learning as well as Community Engagement at the annual Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards. Read more
31 January 2021
Decolonisation Through Inclusive Virtual Collaboration
“There is an urgency to rethink internationalisation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have to ensure that all students can participate in internationalisation and prepare them for a world in which they have to navigate unknown spaces.” Read more
Distance Linstitution Told to Reduce New Enrolments
Thousands of students hoping to enrol to study at the University of South Africa (UNISA) will not be able to realise their dreams after the university council was instructed by the Minister of Higher Education… Read more
French, Portuguese Should be Encouraged for Postgraduates
The majority of the population is conversant in multiple languages, and people code-switch comfortably, depending on the circumstance (English-speaking South Africans are the general exception). Read more
Online Learning Set to Continue, Financial Outlook Gloomy
South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Blade Nzimande, has outlined plans for the reopening of tertiary institutions amid the COVID-19 pandemic… Read more
Outgoing UCT Ombud Tells of Threats, Suspension and Censorship in Parting Letter
The outgoing University of Cape Town (UCT) Ombud’s parting letter to the institution reveals a tense relationship with management. Read more
Space Science Boost as MeerKAT Leads to Two New Galaxies
Africa’s space science may not be ready to send a manned craft to the moon, but the recent discoveries of two new giant radio galaxies using South Africa’s powerful MeerKAT telescope have served as a reminder of the continent’s growing space scientific capacity. Read more
Thought Leaders Discuss Design’s Role Towards a More Sustainable Future
According to Botes, who is also the President of the Design Education Forum of Southern Africa (DEFSA), the new-year presents the ideal opportunity to think about the ebbs and tides of the past, and arising opportunities ahead, and, with this, what influences design, past, present, and future. Read more
UCT Alum’s Book Chosen for South Africa’s World Read Aloud Day
Nal’ibali, the South African reading-for-enjoyment campaign, is inviting caregivers across the country to partake in World Read Aloud Day, where the chosen book was authored by a University of Cape Town (UCT) alum. Read more
UCT’s Herman Wasserman Leads Global Study on Disinformation
The scoping study aims to map the actors currently working in the counter-disinformation space and identify current frameworks upon which interventions are based; to learn from current approaches, tools and methods of countering disinformation… Read more
UCT Libraries’ New Platform Supports Publishing of African-Centric Research
The University of Cape Town (UCT) Libraries has developed a new continental platform for open access publishing in Africa. Read more
UKZN Community Assists Staff Affected by Fire
The UKZN community has assisted 23 staff members affected by a fire at Umgudulu Road, an informal settlement in Reservoir Hills in Durban. Read more
UKZN Suspends 2021 Reopening Due to Covid-19 Second Wave
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has announced that it will be postponing the reopening of its campuses on the 4 January 2021 in the best interests of the university community and their families following the recent presidential address. Read more
UJ Maths Guru Prof Michael Henning Receives Coveted A1 Rating…
University of Johannesburg (UJ) expert mathematician Professor Michael Henning has received a much-coveted A1 rating for the third time. Read more
Union Calls on Universities not to Abuse Workers by Calling them Back to Unsafe Campuses
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande is expected to receive an updated report of how many staff members and students got infected by and died from Covid-19. Read more
Unisa Student Designs Innovative Bin to Solve Food Waste Problem
The frustration of seeing tons of food ending up as waste at many Tshwane dump sites compelled a Unisa education student to think out of the box. Read more
UP’s Faculty of Law Celebrates Youngest Current UP Professor
The Faculty of Law (UP Law) at the University of Pretoria (UP) recently announced the promotion of colleagues to higher academic rank. Among the successful candidates is UP law alumnus and scholar, Dr Joel Modiri, whose promotion to associate professor as from 1 January 2021 will also make him the youngest professor… Read more
Why I Choose COVID-19 Vaccination Based on Verifiable Evidence
A COVID-19 vaccine is on the way, but a huge hurdle will be to convince vaccine-hesitant people to receive it. Read more
Wits Scientists Artificially Infect Mosquitoes with Human Malaria to Develop Treatment
Wits University has partnered with local and global scientists to develop a treatment for malaria by infecting mosquitoes with human malaria. Read more
31 December 2020
Analysis Reveals Ivory Origins on 16th-Century Shipwreck
An international multi-institutional study initiated by the University of Cape Town (UCT) involving the scientific and historical analysis of elephant tusks found in the cargo of a ship wrecked off Namibia in the 16th century revealed some “remarkable” findings. Read more
Code of Conduct to Deal with Personal Information Use
Researchers fear that new legislation which restricts access to personal information in an effort to protect people’s privacy may exclude South Africa from the global academic mainstream. Read more
Fine Art’s Kieswetter Hold Virtual Exhibition as Part of Her Master’s Thesis
Durban based multi-disciplinary visual artist and Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Fine Art graduate, Sarah Kieswetter recently held a virtual exhibition as part of her Master of Technology in Fine Art thesis. Read more
First Certified Foundational Khoekhoegowab Course for SA
The intergenerational transmission of the indigenous Khoekhoegowab language will be essential to its survival, activist and teacher Bradley van Sitters said at the culmination of the University of Cape Town’s (UCT)… Read more
Glimmer of Hope for Vaccine that Could Eradicate TB Reinfection
Tuberculosis reinfection may be a thing of the past if a vaccine that is being developed by the University of Cape Town researchers proves successful. Read more
Employing People with Disabilities is Good for Everyone
As 2020 draws to a close, and with the end of the COVID-19 pandemic not yet in sight, this is a useful time to reflect on lessons we may draw from our experiences of it. Read more
I had Sleepless Nights Trying to Meet Deadlines’
When South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the closure of South African schools and universities in March in response to the pandemic…Read more
Matrics University Applications Under Threat by Leaked Exam Papers
The Department of Basic Education said matric pupils’ applications to study at tertiary institutions may be affected if the results of the two leaked matric exam papers are not certified by Umalusi. Read more
Professor Salim Abdool Karim’s Talk Opens PRIS 2020 Online Symposium
Professor Salim Abdool Karim opened the PRIS 2020 online symposium with a talk about the current state of Covid-19 infections in SA and its implications for 2021. Read more
Recovering SA’s Economy Starts with Improved Access to Education
But for many young South Africans tertiary education is restricted – often seen to be expensive or out of reach for those who can’t get funding through NSFAS, bursaries or student loans. Read more
Rhodes Students Left in the Lurch: Exams Delayed, Funding not Extended…
Students attending classes at Rhodes University claim they have had to resort to begging and prostitution just to avoid starving during the exam period. Read more
S/Africa Sets Up 10th Medical School
South Africa’s 10th medical college will commence classes under the umbrella of the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) in Port Elizabeth… Read more
Shrimp-like Tanaids Mimic Hermit Crabs
University of Cape Town (UCT) marine biologist Dr Jannes Landschoff describes it as “an intriguing little animal” that lives like a hermit crab but isn’t a crab. Read more
Standard Bank-Sponsored Laptops Help…
Sheer gratitude is the sentiment shared by four students drawn from the 83 recipients of laptops at the Sefako Makgatho University of Health Sciences (SMU), that were recently purchased through a R 500 000 donation from the Standard Bank Group. Read more
S. African Minister Reiterates Call for Critical Skills for Development
South African Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande on Tuesday called for the prioritization of the high demand jobs which would help develop the country. Read more
S/Africa’s Disrupted Varsity Calendar Extended to March 2021
South Africa’s higher education authorities “are working tirelessly to salvage what is left of the academic year” following the coronavirus pandemic disruption of the university calendar for the greater part of 2020. Read more
UCT VC Among Times Higher Education’s 10 People of the Year
University of Cape Town (UCT) Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng has been named among the Times Higher Education’s (THE) 10 People of the Year. Read more
UKZN Hosts Online Teaching and Learning Workshop for Staff
Director of Human Resources Development Mrs Busisiwe Ramabodu says the online teaching and learning series was a planned intervention by her division in response to COVID-19. Read more
UNISA Appoints First Female Vice Chancellor in 148 Years
The Council of the University of South Africa (UNISA) is proud to announce that, in a move unprecedented since the establishment of the university 148 years ago, it will have its first female Principal and Vice Chancellor… Read more
Wits University Refunds Students for Some Services Not Used in 2020
Wits University has agreed to a fee reduction for a number of services not used by students due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Read more
30 November 2020
A Meeting on Decolonisation of Pedagogy Raises Fierce Debates Among Academics
A robust engagement around pedagogy in higher education institutions ensued on Friday, 30 October 2020, during the Transformation Managers’ Forum (TMF) webinar. Read more
A UWC Panel Believes South Africa Needs More Women Techpreneurs
Women needed to be encouraged to consider a future career in tech and entrepreneurship. This view was expressed by three women in a panel discussion on the viability of techpreneurship as an option for the future. Read more
COVID-19 Prompts Calls for Library-Friendly Copyright Laws
COVID-19 is taking its toll on libraries since teaching and learning moved online earlier this year. Shortages of textbooks and other printed material, exorbitant textbook prices and copyright problems have proved especially challenging. Read more
COVID-19 Proves to have been a Game Changer in 2020 Public
When CoVID-19 froze contact meetings and sent organisations scrambling to find alternative modes of engagement, Universities South Africa and its programmes were not spared. Read more
Era of Language Changes Planned for Universities
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has published a new language policy framework for public higher education institutions in South Africa. Read more
Ethiopian Doctoral Graduate Described as a “Success Story”
Dr Zelalem Getahun Dessie, who was awarded a PhD degree in Statistics during the UKZN Spring Graduation virtual ceremony, was described as a ‘success story’. Read more
Gamification of Education Could Engage Students During COVID-19
African universities are starting to join the movement towards digital game-based learning (DGBL) and are recognising its potential in developing skills and enhancing motivation. Read more
Gender-Based Violence
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a term that constitutes various forms of abuse, and which could occur in teaching and learning spaces, workspaces, residences and public spaces, including at the University of Pretoria (UP). Read more
IHE Policy that Could be a Model for Developing Countries
On 6 November, the South African Policy for Internationalisation of Higher Education was promulgated and became legally binding. This is a milestone for South African higher education. Read more
Inconsistent Pay for Varsity Heads and Executives Probed
South African vice-chancellors’ salaries are under the microscope following a request from parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology for a probe on the inconsistent levels of remuneration for varsity heads and executives. Read more
Lobbying for Equitable Vaccine Access at G20 Summit Welcomed
South Africa’s plea to G20 leaders to help ensure equitable and affordable access for all countries to a suitable COVID-19 vaccine once it is developed, has been welcomed by a group of local academics who has been lobbying for this cause. Read more
Labour Unrest Grows Amid Sector’s Increasing Money Troubles
While the strike action of academic staff in Nigeria has entered its eighth month, rumblings of discontent from faculty and students in other countries have been emerging and growing louder amid increasing financial difficulties in the higher education sector. Read more
Men, Gender Equality and the Search for Gender Harmony
They prevent societies from optimising their human resources, and they impose on men expectations which ultimately limit them as people while making broader societal equality and harmony impossible, said University of Cape Town (UCT) gender scholar Dr Robert Morrell. Read more
Mentorship Aims at Enhancing Graduate Employability
The transition from student to employee can be daunting, and frequently there’s a lack of work-readiness and guidance, which can place young graduates at a disadvantage as they enter the world of work. Read more
New Proposals to Get More South Africans into University
The Department of Higher Education and Training is considering a new ‘articulation policy’ which aims to better align the country’s universities, technical colleges and other education institutions with one another. Read more
NSFAS Employees Say Administrator’s Friends were Irregularly Appointed
Members of Parliament (MPs) expressed their horror about alleged mismanagement at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)… Read more
Police Investigating After Student’s Body Found on Campus…
Western Cape police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 25-year-old man on Friday afternoon… Read more
Search for Ways to Avert more Covid-19 Infections at Universities
Failure by students to adhere to lockdown safety regulations by hosting parties and carelessly mingling is of great concern and needs urgent action. Read more
The Culmination of Six Years of Work for Emeritus Professor
Emeritus Professor Poobhalan Pillay of the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science (SMSCS) has written an e-book, 1000 Mathematics Olympiad Problems, to help pupils from Grade 7 to Grade 12 improve their mathematics skills.
Trainee Doctors from Cuba Perceived as ‘Foreign and Incompetent’
Universities are stigmatising and alienating South African medical students who have been trained in Cuba as part of a bilateral programme which currently trains about 40% of the country’s future doctors when they return to complete the last leg of their degrees. Read more
Transforming Higher Education Landscape is Prof Puleng LenkaBula top Priority
Unisa’s newly appointed vice-chancellor reflects on her new job and what she hopes to achieve. In a historic first, the University of South Africa (Unisa) has appointed a woman as its principal and vice-chancellor. Read more
Uncertain Financial Outlook for Tertiary Sector in 2021
Amid the prospect of subsidy cuts brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, South African universities are facing significant financial hurdles in 2021. Read more
University of KwaZulu-Natal’s InQubate Showcases its Success Stories…
At the three-day national Student Entrepreneurship Week (#SEW2020) that was hosted by Universities South Africa’s Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme last week, the audience got to hear that the KwaZulu-Natal’s InQubate has, in the past two years since its launch, approved 50 student-owned businesses for funding. Read more
Vice-Chancellors Concerned Over Super Spreader Students
Despite over 19,500 COVID-19 deaths to date and an average of 1,200 new infections reported in South Africa every day, university students on several campuses seem to be partying up a storm and disregarding safety precautions. Read more
Virtual Staff Onboarding the ICTS Way
The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown have presented everyone with challenges at home and in the workplace. Read more
31 October 2020
Archives Can Help Transform our Tertiary Institutions
Archives, in particular music archives, can help with curriculum reform and transformation at tertiary institutions, writes Dr Lizabé Lambrechts from the Africa Open Institute for Music, Research and Innovation… Read more
Bullying is ‘Rife’ at Higher Education Institutions
Bullying is rife at tertiary education institutions throughout South Africa and does not only affect women, according to Brightness Mangolothi, the director of Higher Education Resource Services South Africa (HERS-SA). Read more
Campuses Open to All, Including International Students
International students can now join the nearly 245,650 or 40% of South African contact students who have already obtained permits to return to their university campuses. Read more
Coping with COVID-19: It Is Okay to Seek Help, Says VC Prof Kupe
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in our lives. It is not only a disease crisis; it is a crisis of society, the economy, sustainability, of governance on the continent and globally – and of well-being. Read more
Hard Work and the Right Attitude is What Employers Want …
A good attitude and hard work will indeed get you far in life – and there’s empirical evidence of that. This is according to the results of a study that was led in part by Professor Berendien Lubbe of the University of Pretoria’s… Read more
International Relations and Cooperation Hosts Virtual Global Cyber Policy Dialogue…
South Africa and the Netherlands in partnership with the EastWest Institute and Research ICT Africa will co-host a virtual Global Cyber Policy Dialogue for Southern Africa… Read more
Just Transition Transaction Case Study – Towards Energy Equity
Three University of Cape Town (UCT) climate change experts have carried out a case study to understand what a just transition of South Africa’s energy landscape into a low-carbon environment could look like. Read more
Living Life Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Fear, stigma and poverty remain the fiercest enemies in our fight against COVID-19. Yet, when considered within the South African context, these are hardly new phenomena. Read more
National Geographic Society Profiles UP Researcher Who Traces Ancient Human Diseases
Dr Riaan Rifkin, a Research Fellow at the University of Pretoria (UP), was honoured with a profile in a recent edition of National Geographic Society for his work on tracing the DNA of ancient human diseases. Read more
Online as the ‘New Normative’ Will Damage Public Interests
Teaching practice at universities across South Africa has been radically changed following the COVID-19 pandemic and the cessation of contact sessions. Students have been unable to attend lectures, stay in university-managed residences or enjoy normal campus life. Read more
Publish, Profit, Predate, Perish and Peer Review
From the COVID-19 ‘infodemic’, dubious practices from peer reviewers to academics and predatory publishers, the South African Journal of Science’s latest edition sets out to detail the measures in place to mitigate against ‘bad, fast science’ and ensure the integrity of critical academic citizenhood. Read more
Ramaphosa, African Union Should Lead to Get COVID-19 Waiver
A group of more than 40 South African academics who have thrown their weight behind the proposal that global intellectual property rights should not apply to COVID-19 medicines has called on South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to provide an urgent ‘substantive’ response to a letter they wrote to the presidency. Read more
Test on the Bench as School-Leavers Vie for Available Places in 2021
The national benchmark test that many South African universities have been using for undergraduate student admission into some disciplines has been put on hold because of the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic to the 2021 testing programme. Read more
UCT Rises in Research Rankings
UCT moved from 121st to 103rd position in the 2021 US News & World Report Best Global Universities rankings… Read more
UCT the Only Financial Times Ranked MBA School in Africa
The University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) is the only business school in Africa to feature in the prestigious Financial Times rankings for its groundbreaking Executive MBA programme. Read more
UKZN Ranks #332 in the Latest Best Global Universities Rankings
The Best Global Universities rankings measure academic research performance, such as highly cited research papers, and the global and regional reputations of nearly 1 500 of the world’s top universities from more than 80 countries. Read more
Universities Say Policies Protect Victims
More than half of the universities in South Africa have indicated that they have policies in place and are proactively dealing with complaints of bullying at their institutions. Read more
UP Students Revamp Hartfield Community Park
The students did the project as part of their 40 field hours for the community-based project module (JCP). Read more
Vice-Chancellor, Ombud Battle on About Bullying
The University of Cape Town (UCT) Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng has broken her silence on the ongoing controversy involving UCT’s ombud, who has reported staff allegations of bullying against Phakeng and has been critical of UCT’s handling of the matter. Read more
What to Do as a Final-Year Student During a Pandemic
In all probability 2020 will be remembered as a year filled with challenges, agony, new possibilities and a sense of globality – we were, after all, ‘stuck in this together’. At times, this year has left us uncertain and perhaps even dumbfounded. Read more
Women Continue to Dominate Rhodes University SRC
In an unprecedented follow-up, Rhodes University Student Representative Council (SRC) was this year dominated by women yet again. Read more
30 September 2020
Battling a Pandemic: An African Perspective
Researchers from the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) faculties of Health Sciences and Science have recently published a paper describing an African perspective on global approaches to the fight against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2… Read more
Can Black Academics be Supported in Toxic Institutional Cultures?
In two recent reports about black academics, there are a number of underlying issues which need to be addressed from a broader sociological/higher education studies perspective, going beyond merely describing the obstacles and problems that they confront. Read more
COVID-19 Highlights the Need for Universities to Evolve
In times of crisis we are compelled to change our strategies and move away from conventional approaches. Read more
Decolonisation of the Humanities – No Easy Answers
“The decolonisation of the humanities curriculum in South Africa is a process, not an event,” according to Professor Vasu Reddy, dean of the faculty of humanities at South Africa’s University of Pretoria. Read more
Design Thinking During a Pandemic
The three p’s essential to design thinking are people (collaboration among teammates), process and place. But as the COVID-19 pandemic hit South Africa, the d-school, like other institutions of learning in the country, was forced to reinvent their courses and their set-up. Read more
Enactus Team Ranked Top 16 in the World
This is a huge achievement as the team has now positioned UKZN on the top one percent globally when it comes to social entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable impact by Enactus teams in higher institutions. Read more
Engineering 4.0 – A Road to a Smart Future
Consider that South Africa is 18th in the world in terms of the longest network of paved roads. By ‘paved’ we mean bitumen-surfaced and concrete roads. We have 158,000 kilometres of paved roads and a total road network (paved and gravel) of 750,000 kilometres. Read more
Graduates Face an Increasingly Uncertain Future
Graduate under-employment is not new; neither will it disappear any time soon. In fact, it is bound to worsen as the economy declines and with it, employment. Read more
Healthcare’s ‘Toxic’ Working Conditions Exposed in Student’s Documentary
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of the South African healthcare system and highlighted the need to protect the country’s frontline workers and its limited healthcare resources. Read more
HE Gender-Based Violence Plan – Milestone or ‘Soft Nudge’?
Efforts to end the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) at institutions of higher education in South Africa have often been marred by inefficient coordination and inadequate budget provisions. Read more
Human Connection in a Time of Digitised University Education
The global pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to every aspect of societal engagement. Read more
Internationalisation Must Go On, even if Borders are Closed
Amid travel bans and social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, universities have had to find innovative ways to remain part of the global knowledge economy and continue their efforts in internationalisation, Read more
Is Internationalisation in Jeopardy?
Given the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns and travel restrictions, internationalisation at universities is said to be in jeopardy. Read more
Many Students Lack Adequate Resources for Remote Learning, UCT Study Reveals
Amidst the covid-19 pandemic, tertiary education institutions moved lectures online in a bid to save the academic year. Read more
New Network of Experts will Focus on Supporting HE Reform
The South African Technology Network (SATN) and its local and international partners have been successful in applying to the European Commission to establish a South African chapter of the network for Higher Education Reform Experts (HEREs). Read more
Racism in Academia – Reports Call for Tangible Interventions
Universities and academic science are riddled with racism, according to present and former vice-chancellors at two of South Africa’s leading higher education institutions. Read more
Reclaiming Optimism in a Shifting Higher Education Landscape
COVID-19 has served as a non-negotiable change agent in higher education, leaving universities with little choice but to migrate to online technologies. Read more
South-South Partnership to Boost African Research Capacity
A new partnership between South Africa’s University of Pretoria and the Kenya-headquartered Partnership for African Social Governance Research (PASGR) will boost capacity-building, especially for postgraduate students and early- to mid-career researchers in Africa. Read more
SA Higher Education Must Ensure no International Student is Left Behind…
South Africa has established itself as a regional higher education hub, which has until the recent Covid-19 pandemic been hosting increasing numbers of international students. Read more
Student Success Initiative Extends Its Reach with ‘Network 2.0’
Student success initiative Siyaphumelela recently launched the Siyaphumelela Network 2.0 which carries forward the work, achievements and learning from the first phase of the initiative focused on using data analytics to improve student experiences and success. Read more
The WiL to power – Addressing gender Inequality in HE Leadership
Gender inequality within our universities is a pervasive issue permeating higher education across Africa and internationally. Read more
UCT Alumna’s NPO Delivers Learning Material During Lockdown
Headed by Dr Heidi Segal, a University of Cape Town (UCT) alumna, Outliers is a network of 200 after-school tutoring programmes that supports thousands of learners from under-resourced communities. Read more
UCT Medical Students Make a Difference on the Frontline
Students from the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Faculty of Health Sciences have spent the past few months on the frontline, playing their part in the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
UCT Sorry for Nonracialism Clanger in Article About Transformation
The University of Cape Town apologised on Thursday for an article on its website which said it was opposed to nonracialism. Read more
UKZN Among Top 400 Universities in the World
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has for the first time ever been ranked among the top 400 best performing universities in the world according to the latest 2020/2021 Times Higher Education (THE) rankings. Read more
UKZN and AgriSETA Collaborate for the Good of Agriculture in SA
UKZN’s School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences (SAEES) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Agriculture Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSETA)… Read more
Universities Join Forces to Strengthen Teaching Practicals During Covid-19 and Beyond
For the first time in South Africa’s history, universities that offer teacher education programmes have joined forces to produce a practice-focused module available to all institutions that offer pre-service teacher education programmes. Read more
University Rankings Don’t Measure What Matters
International rankings of universities are big business and big news. These systems order universities on the basis of a variety of criteria such as student to staff ratio, income from industry, and reputation as captured through public surveys. Read more
Wits Students Design Drone that can be Used for Covid-19 Screening
Growing up in Soweto, Wits University student Xolani Radebe had no idea that he would one day design a drone with his business partners that could be used for Covid-19 screening. Read more
30 August 2020
Artwork Outside of Stellies Law Faculty Brings SA’s Constitution to Life
Cape Town – An artwork depicting the preamble of the Constitution of South Africa is being erected in front of Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Law Faculty building, the Old Main Building. Read more
Career Guidance and Psychosocial Learner Support at Diepsloot Combined School
Every year, a large number of matriculants from disadvantaged communities exit school with little to no information about how to pursue their studies at institutions of higher learning and other available opportunities due to lack of career guidance at schools. Read more
Concern Over Cuts to Higher Education, Science Budgets
Budget cuts and the diversion of resources to ameliorate the effects of COVID-19 are set to negatively impact higher education in South Africa, as well as national science and research systems, casting doubt over the system’s ability to meet postgraduate and PhD targets,… Read more
Fascination with the Microscopic Drives Ground-Breaking Research
…UKZN’s College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science is honouring its female scientists through a Wonder Women in Science campaign, highlighting women who are passionate about their fields, pioneering innovative research and development, … Read more
Free State TVET Students Register Highest Covid-19 Deaths
Free State has recorded the highest number of deaths from Covid-19 among students in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges. Read more
Lockdown Highlights Need for Holistic Approach to Educating SA’s Township Youth
“The last four months have thrown open the playbook on how we should be addressing the educational challenges facing [orphaned and vulnerable] learners and students in our townships,” … Read more
More Black Students at University, But Still Starting at a Disadvantage
The number of enrolments at universities increased by 40% in 12 years and, on average, white students performed better than black, coloured and Indian first-time undergraduates. Read more
No Jobs for Graduates in Struggling Economy
Despondent university graduates, who are without work, are demanding action from the government. A few dozen members of the Unemployed Graduate Movement gathered in Pretoria for a March to the Union Buildings. Read more
The Long-Term Goal for Universities – Quality Blended Learning
In South Africa, switching to online teaching and learning has in some instances presented anxiety and uncertainty among academics and students. Read more
Three South African Vice-Chancellors Paint a Post-COVID Picture for Universities
The Conversation Africa’s Nontobeko Mtshali asked vice-chancellors from three South African universities to share their insights about what these changes could mean for the country’s higher education landscape. Read more
Overseas-Trained Doctors Blocked from Practising in SA
The latest regulations by the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) could leave many internationally-trained South African doctors unable to practise medicine in the country. Read more
Sibanye-Stillwater and Wits University Collaborate for Health Workers
Sibanye-Stillwater and the University of Witwatersrand have collaborated to produce face shields for frontline health workers in communities around the Group`s South African operations and in the Eastern Cape Province. Read more
South African Higher Education’s Opportunity to Embrace Digital Transformation
New models for online learning can help reduce inequality and improve access, say experts. Read more
Transformation at UCT: Statistics Paint a Bleak Picture
Johannesburg – Amid ongoing tension over the controversial leadership of Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, vice-chancellor of UCT, is a constant unsubstantiated suggestion of an anti-transformation force on campus – but the university’s 2019 report on change shows that the problem may reside with nobody but Phakeng and her executive team. Read more
UKZN Helps Source Generous Donation of Masks for SA Medical Students
UKZN was among the Higher Education Institutions in South Africa which benefitted from a Solidarity Fund donation of hundreds of thousands of masks for final-year Medical students who recently returned to campuses to resume studies after the easing of the national lockdown restrictions. Read more
UKZN Rocket Scientist Shoots into Top 10
Durban – While Durban rocket scientist Kai Broughton, 27, would jump at the chance to go into space, it’s the engineering behind space rockets which drives him. Read more
University Cancels Event Featuring Mbongeni Ngema
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has cancelled an event in which playwright and seasoned actor Mbongeni Ngema was to be a main speaker. Read more
University Education is Key to Preventing Future Outbreaks
A spotlight has been placed on the role of scientific research and the study of viruses and diseases, due to the outbreak of Covid-19. Read more
Universities’ Response to GBV Could be More Effective…
A shortage of resources and inadequate policies were last week presented as main obstacles in fighting the scourge of gender-based violence in institutions of higher learning. Read more
Universities Given Deadline to Complete 2020 Academic Year
Universities in SA have been given until February to complete the 2020 academic year with the 2021 calendar set to start between March and April. Read more
UP and South African Women in Dialogue Make Long-Standing Partnership Official
The University of Pretoria (UP) has signed a game-changing agreement with South African Women in Dialogue (SAWID) to collaborate on projects to improve the lives of women. Read more
UP and University of Leeds Collaborate on Digital Project to Teach Kids About
The University of Pretoria (UP) and the University of Leeds are working together on a project to determine if children between eight and 12 years old can learn about COVID-19 through a storybook and/or by playing an online game. Read more
UP Campus Tours Team Offers Virtual Tours for you to Experience from the Comfort of Your Home
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought disruptions that require industries to be innovative and think of new ways to do things. This was significant to the University of Pretoria Campus Tours (UP Campus Tours) team that had to change their game plan and leverage on the global innovation and drive the rich heritage and promising future of the University of Pretoria to greater heights. Read more
UP Hosts First Ever Virtual Women in Science Symposium to Celebrate
Professor Thuli Madonsela, former Public Protector and current Social Justice Chair at Stellenbosch University, was the keynote speaker during the virtual Women in Science Symposium hosted recently by the University of Pretoria. Read more
UP Malaria Expert on the Tiny Animal
Mosquitoes are found virtually anywhere on Earth. They are annoying with their itchy bites and incessant buzzing at the most untimely moments, but there is more to them than the nuisance factor. Read more
31 July 2020
3 Fundamental Ways Technology is Changing Education
The introduction of the fourth industrial revolution has already been transforming the education sector over the past two decades, with technology allowing students to access education from anywhere at any time. Read more
Business School Embraces Training on Agriculture Management
The name says it all, remarks director Kobus Jonker. The Tshwane School of Business and Society reflects the fact that business education should be about more than helping the formal sector deepen its established well of knowledge. Read more
Concern Over Cuts to Higher Education, Science Budgets
Budget cuts and the diversion of resources to ameliorate the effects of COVID-19 are set to negatively impact higher education in South Africa, as well as national science and research systems, casting doubt over the system’s ability to meet postgraduate and PhD targets… Read more
Convalescent Plasma – a Possible COVID-19 Therapy
Investigators at the University of Cape Town (UCT) are working with the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) and the Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) to conduct the PROTECT-patient trial. Read more
Court Orders Distance University to Retain Afrikaans
South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled that the removal of Afrikaans as a language of instruction by the University of South Africa (UNISA), the largest open distance education institution in Africa, was unlawful and unconstitutional. Read more
Covid-19 and Its Impact on South Africa’s Higher Education Institutions…
As we continue to witness the massive impact Covid-19 has on life as we knew it, education, academic and personal development must continue… Read more
COVID-19 info for Africa by Africans
ARI cofounder Thabo Mabuka, a chemical engineering graduate from UCT’s Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment, said his organisation brings essential information about issues that affect the continent to its people. Read more
Covid-19: Higher Education Academic Year Likely to End in March 2021…
The academic year in the higher education sector will probably only end in March next year, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande said. Read more
COVID-19: ‘This is not the End of Contact Teaching’
“If the higher education sector believes that digital education should replace contact teaching and learning, it runs the risk of producing highly qualified people with severely underdeveloped human or social skills. They will just be robots.” Read more
First Female Council Chair, Deputy at University of Cape Town
South Africa’s University of Cape Town has for the first time in its history elected two females to its council chair and deputy positions. Read more
International Research Collaborations: How Can We Shift the Power Towards Africa?
The higher education sector globally has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Academics have been discussing various aspects of the disruptions in a series of webinars organised by the University of Cape Town. Read more
Is the Rhetoric of Research ‘Excellence’ Holding Us Back?
Opting for a broader and fluid concept of excellence requires developing measures able to capture multiple dimensions where we expect research to deliver social value. Read more
New Wits University Leader – A Choice Widely Welcomed
The appointment of nuclear physicist Professor Zeblon Vilakazi as the new vice-chancellor of one of South Africa’s premier institutions, the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), has received widespread support from stakeholders and industry representatives. Read more
Online Learning Must Remain a Key Component of Teaching Systems
A music teacher says she has composed a song to express what she feels about transitioning to online teaching and learning. Read more
Providing International Experience Virtually
The number of undergraduate students travelling for part or all of their degrees has increased dramatically in the last few years. Read more
South Africa’s Destination Reputation is on the Line
South Africa has established itself as a regional higher education hub, which has until the recent COVID-19 pandemic been hosting increasing numbers of international students. Read more
Student Accommodation: Designing for the New Normal
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to create uncertainty for the country’s higher education sector. In addition to the cost of shifting to online learning, massive losses in revenue and unpredictable 2021 enrolments will see universities face increasing financial strain. Read more
The Impact of Covid-19 on Employability in Higher Education
As South Africa celebrated Youth Month, we all know that youth unemployment is one of the country’s greatest challenges. This has all been unfortunately amplified in our current Covid-19 context. Read more
Three Saving Hacks for Higher Education
Saving is a lifestyle choice. Like most things, saving takes practice and discipline. The Savings Institute of South Africa has designated July on the South African calendar as “Savings Month”, to promote a culture of saving in South Africa. Read more
Transformation as a Contradiction at UCT
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has released a report which looks at various contradictions, but also moves towards transformation. Read more
UCT to Finish the 2020 Academic Year Through Remote Teaching
The University of Cape Town has taken a decision to finish the 2020 academic year through remote teaching. Read more
UKZN Secures COVID-19 Rapid Tester
The College of Health Sciences (CHS) at UKZN has secured an advanced instrument called the ILEX Genehecker (ultra-fast pcr) valued at $10 000 to conduct rapid testing for COVID-19. Read more
Universities are Learning to Change – Together
A recent webinar involving senior leaders of higher education from South Africa, France, Switzerland and Germany revealed that institutions across the world faced some similar challenges in the shift to online learning during COVID-19-induced lockdowns. Read more
Universities of Technology in the Post-COVID-19 Landscape
Similar to commerce and industry, universities have in recent times had to revert to coping and turnaround strategies to address economic, geo-political, societal, technological and environmental demands… Read more
30 June 2020
A ‘Scientific’ Approach to Pandemic Lacking Transparency
The South African government has been praised for its comparatively rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing a strict lockdown within three weeks of its first recorded case. Read more
An Inclusive Approach to a Post-Pandemic Future
While the South African government took early strides to contain the spread of the coronavirus, a group of academics and civil society actors are now turning their collective thinking to how the country should be managing its socio-economic recovery in a post-pandemic dispensation – using the wealth of expertise available in the country to do so. Read more
Attorney Threatens Legal Action to Get Universities Reopened
Prominent attorney Comfort Ngidi is threatening legal action against three top universities in the province of KwaZulu-Natal if lectures do not resume soon under alert level three. Read more
Boost for E-Waste Recovery Project
A University of Cape Town (UCT) project focusing on the recovery of valuable metals from e-waste through small-scale, local recyclers is among six recipients of the 2020 German-African Innovation Incentive Award (GAIIA). Read more
Face Masks During Exercise: UP Experts Weigh in on What You Should Consider…
Two University of Pretoria (UP) researchers have offered useful tips to gym bunnies and sports enthusiasts hoping to get back into action as the world adjusts to a new normal caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Governments to Bail Out Struggling Universities
Governments should provide financial assistance to those universities that are experiencing loss from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
How 2020 May Equip Students to Make an Impact Beyond Expectations
The Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly disrupted life as we know it. Crucially, it is disproportionately affecting our youth and driving up our already dire youth unemployment rate. Read more
In Repurposing Education, Leave No Student – or University – Behind
Improving access to higher education is not only about opening doors to more people, says Professor Mpine Makoe, director of open distance e-learning at the University of South Africa. Read more
It’s Time to Rethink the Global University
The pandemic has disrupted higher education international activities and the financial models on which universities increasingly depend. But the previous model was already problematic, contributing to global warming and benefitting rich universities more than poor. Read more
…How Our Universities can Turn the International Student Crisis into an Opportunity
The impact of Covid-19 on New Zealand’s international education sector can hardly be overstated. Almost overnight, the global travel ban thwarted the plans of thousands of international students. Lecture theatres, halls of residence and private accommodations stood empty. Read more
Making the Most of an ‘Equal Opportunity Pandemic’
A wide-ranging webinar on COVID-19 and higher education in Africa revealed that while higher education leaders recognise the challenges ahead, particularly in the shift to greater reliance on digital education, they are determined to see the pandemic as an opportunity for positive change. Read more
National Peer Review Weighs up Quality of Education Journals
An evaluation by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) of South African educational journals has recommended that three out of 17 of those assessed be removed from the Department of Higher Education and Training’s (DHET) official list of accredited journals. Four others were ‘conditionally’ accepted for the list. Read more
Party Political Meddling Threatens Future of Universities
Patronage student politics at South African universities has stoked a fierce debate about the future of post COVID-19 higher education in the country, as campuses increasingly become strategic sites in a national contestation for material resources and social capital. Read more
Post-COVID-19: South Africa advised to Invest in Water Security Infrastructure
The South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE) has written to President Ramaphosa to advise him to focus infrastructure investment in the Post-Covid19 period on projects that will support jobs and the economy. Read more
PMR.africa Ranks UKZN’s Business School Third Best in SA
The Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L) has been ranked third in South Africa based on a survey conducted between March and May this year by the Professional Management Review (PMR) of South African Accredited Business Schools. Read more
Six UCT researchers are ‘Science Oscars’ finalists
Also known as the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa, the NSTF Awards were established in 1998 to recognise outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology and innovation by professionals, teams and organisations in South Africa. Read more
Some Universities Admitted Students Illegally in 2019 Session
Some universities in the country did not comply with the rules set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in the 2019 session in the admission process. Read more
Sparks Fly Over Study on Black Students and Biological Sciences
The council of the Academy of Science of South Africa has defended the editorial independence of its flagship journal – the South African Journal of Science (SAJS) – and the right of any academic to submit for publication the results of research in the scholarly journal subject to editorial review processes. Read more
South African Technology Solution Brings Hope to Events Industry
While the moratorium on large events and gatherings imposed by COVID has wreaked havoc with the multi-million rand events industry in South Africa, 3D, interactive, virtual exhibition software created in the country is cause for hope. Read more
Taking the Covid-19 Message to Communities
Dr Prudence Kayoka-Kabongo of Unisa’s Department of Agriculture and Animal Health in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) explains that one of the ways that the university plays its part during lockdown is through community engagement. Read more
The First Covid-19 Vaccine Trial in South Africa Begins
The first participants in South Africa’s first clinical trial for a vaccine against Covid-19 will be vaccinated this week. Read more
UCT Pays Homage to COVID-19 Frontline Workers
Conceptualised and produced by UCT’s video production unit in the Communication and Marketing Department (CMD), the video features the UCT Choir and campus essential workers, such as cleaning staff and Campus Protection Services. Read more
UKZN Brings Open Day to the Public
UKZN’s College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science has not let the national COVID-19 lockdown stand between it and its customers. Instead, it has moved its Open Day online! Read more
UP’s Own ‘Bones’ and MakerSpace Hopes to Print Replicas of Human Bones in 3D
…UP’s Forensic Anthropology Research Centre in the Faculty of Health Sciences, is working with the Department of Library Services’ MakerSpace Centre to print replicas of human bones in 3D. Read more
University of Pretoria Food Safety Expert Warns Food Safety Crisis…
One of South Africa’s top food safety experts, Professor Lise Korsten, has warned that the country cannot afford another food-borne outbreak like the listeriosis crisis of 2017/18 in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
What Do Former Student Leaders Think of #FeesMustFall?
A quarter of a century into democracy – and with the dust barely settled from the #FeesMustFall student protests which rocked the country in 2015 and 2016, South Africa’s higher education institutions still face numerous challenges. Read more
31 May 2020
A Global Scientific Alliance Uniting Genomics and Public Health (PHA4GE)
The South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) was asked to play a leading role in the coordination of national research of infectious viruses like Covid-19. Read more
Already on the Back Foot, Can Fort Hare Save its Academic Year?
As some universities around South Africa hone their lockdown plans to move to online teaching, there are increasing indications that 2020 could become an academic write-off for the already beleaguered University of Fort Hare. Read more
COVID-19 – Academy Joins Calls for Multidisciplinary Approach
The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) has called on the government to include social scientists and humanities scholars in its advisory bodies in recognition of the fact that the pandemic is not only a medical problem but a social problem as well. Read more
COVID-19 is Changing How We Talk to Each Other
If Covid-19 has a silver lining, it may be this: it is making humans around the world realise how much we all share, how much we all stand to lose, how much we need to work together, and how we lead each other without physical contact…Read more
Covid-19 Update (30) – Wits Prepares for the return of some students
Final year students and other identified groups of students expected to return to campus from 8 June 2020. Read more
COVID-19: UP Prioritises Access to Online Learning and Mental Health…
Effective online learning is about more than just compiling slides and sending them to students, says the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Tawana Kupe. Read more
Doing Research in Isolation – A Guide to Thriving
When South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a nationwide lockdown on 23 March, academic institutions were faced with a new reality and concerns about how to resume the academic year. Read more
Drug Programme Showcases Benefits of Multidisciplinarity
When the sciences and humanities collaborate, exceptional work is possible. Read more
Dubious Remedies will not Decolonise Africa
So-called African solutions that are often uncritically accepted as ‘good’ do nothing for the continent. Read more
EMC Approval of SOP Carves a Way Forward for Laying a Foundation for the Return of Staff
Working under pressure and online; the MUT COVID-19 Task Team has developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) document. Read more
EMS Student Heroes: Fighting Covid-19 on the Frontline
As the global community continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic, our health workers have emerged as the heroes of this crisis. Among them are many of our very own CPUT students who are working selflessly to help others. Some are risking their own lives at the frontlines. Read more
Going Online – Psychological Support is Also Needed
Many universities pledged to begin officially teaching online on 4 May. Many are currently assessing the availability of ‘physical’ resources like laptops, data, etc to ensure their students’ preparedness to participate in online teaching and learning. Read more
HE Department Unveils Plan to ‘Save the Academic Year’
The 2020 academic year, involving 27 weeks of contact learning, is likely to spill over into next year, drawing to a close either at the end of January, February, March or April 2021, depending on when students can safely return to campuses. Read more
How a Post-COVID-19 Revival Could Kickstart Africa’s Free Trade Area
The COVID-19 pandemic, notwithstanding its devastating impact on the health and economies of Africa, could be an opportunity to advance the free trade area in a more developmental, inclusive and mutually beneficial way for African countries… Read more
Medical Students Forgo Recess to Join War Against COVID-19
On Friday 13 March, Luné Smith, a fifth-year medical student at South Africa’s Stellenbosch University, attended the last of her lectures before students were expected to return home for an early recess in accordance with the government’s coronavirus lockdown rules. Read more
Medical Students Volunteer to Step out of the Classroom into the Coronavirus Pandemic
Hundreds of health science students have organised themselves into volunteering groups to assist medical staff at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town during the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more
Minister Blade Nzimande Calls for African Solutions to Coronavirus Covid-19…
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, assured Africa’s scientific community that just as the continent had defeated colonial and racial oppression, so too would it overcome the novel coronavirus. Read more
Minister Denies Threat to Academic Freedom of Medical Scientist
South Africa’s Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize this week denied there had been any interference with academic freedom in the case of Professor Glenda Gray, head of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC),… Read more.
NSFAS Students Urged to Use Allowances to Buy Learning Devices
Students receiving aid from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have been urged to use their learning material allowances to purchase learning devices so they could learn remotely during lockdown. Read more
Pandemic Launches Rhodes University into New Method of Teaching and Learning
Although the concept of remote teaching at Rhodes University is not new, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought this form of teaching and learning sharply into focus. Read more
Programme to Connect Future South African Leaders to Global Conversation in a Post-Covid-19 World
The University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business has become the first business school in sub-Saharan Africa to join CEMS – Global Alliance in Management Education. Read more
Support Staff and Long Shadow Implications of COVID-19
How prepared are university administrators to keep pace with the new (intangible) normal? Can we, as suggested by the director of the Academic Cooperation Association, Bernd Wächter, find smarter ways of living, working, learning and moving? Read more
Social Science Shows it Can Contribute to COVID-19 Policy-Making
In recent weeks, University World News has published a number of articles about universities and their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. These included an article on the multiple and the many-faceted contributions by the 16 members of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA). Read more
The Struggle to Save and Remake Public Higher Education
Public higher education is at serious risk. Universities premised on knowledge creation and dissemination for the public good are on shakier terrain than before. Read more
UKZN Establishes Hardship Fund to Address Food Insecurity and …
As South Africa and the rest of the world continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that there is an urgent need to establish programmes of increased social support… Read more
UKZN Professor Collaborates on Diagnostic Tool for COVID-19 Using X-Rays
Academic Leader for Research and Higher Degrees in the School of Life Sciences Professor Evariste Bosco Gueguim Kana, has collaborated with researchers in South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroon and the UNESCO regional office for Southern Africa to develop a web-based diagnostic tool… Read more
UKZN to Hold Virtual Graduation that will be Broadcast on National TV
For the 2020 University of KwaZulu-Natal graduands the reality of the pandemic has forced the university to hold a virtual graduation on Friday that will be broadcast on national television. Read more
University of Free State Catalysing Quality and Increasing Profitability of the Wool Value…
The Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Development and Extension submitted a proposal, “Building Competitiveness for communal farmers through developing the wool value chain in the Free State Province of South Africa”, as a bid for a project to The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture. Read more
Universities to Open in Phases from 1 June – Minister
In a bid to save the 2020 academic year, South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande announced at the weekend that tertiary institutions would gradually be reopened from 1 June. Read more
Worldwide Universities Network Backs UCT’s San and Khoe Research Unit
Through its Research Development Fund, the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) has thrown its weight and funding behind the establishment of the San and Khoe Research Unit at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Read more
30 April 2020
Africa Must have Research and Treatment Tailored to its Reality
Africa is often described as the “next frontier” in the global economy but malaria — both driven by and causing poverty — still chokes economic growth. Yet we have made advances to break that cycle in recent years. Read more
After COVID-19 – ‘Nothing Will be the Same’
Diminished high-level research funding and fewer face-to-face conferences and collaboration – these are some of the potential consequences from the coronavirus pandemic as it affects higher education in Africa. But there may be a host of benefits too. Read more
A Lesson in Giving: Academics Dig Deep to Keep Students Afloat
A university’s vice-chancellor has opened his heart — and his wallet — to battling students and their families “who are in despair because of the lockdown”. Read more
A Tale of Two Crises
Make no mistake, we are living through the worst of times. To think twelve months ago “coronavirus” hadn’t entered the public lexicon. Now we are in the midst of a legitimately existential threat. Someday we will look back on this period with the same sorrow reserved for the darkest days in bygone eras. Read more
Beyond a Bio-Medical Fix – The Value of ‘People’s Science’
Paul Richards’ 2016 book Ebola: How a People’s Science Helped End an Epidemic provides a powerful reminder of the limits of epidemiology and bio-medical fixes, as well as coercive state measures such as lockdown, in the long-term control, management and elimination of diseases like COVID-19. Read more
Can SA’s Achievement in Containing COVID-19 Lead to Sustained Success?
South Africa has been recognised globally for its success in flattening the curve, which came as a result of President Ramaphosa listening to experts and responding quickly with social distancing… Read more
Commencement of Blended Learning
Senate, at a special meeting yesterday, 21 April 2020, discussed the academic implications of the nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic and assessed the University’s readiness to offer teaching and learning through a blended mode. Read more
Complexity and the Modern Curriculum
The curriculum operates in a space where knowledge is recontextualised and organised for various pedagogical purposes. It also exists as a compelling site of personal, social, cultural, political and symbolic reflection. Read more
Concerned Academics Call for Halt to Online Learning
Academics from several universities throughout South Africa have demanded an immediate halt to formal online learning at universities, warning that continuation would result in an “academic disaster” and compound the effects of the pandemic. Read more
COVID-19 has Put HE Internationalisation Under Review
In South Africa, we are in the middle of a national curfew that has been described as one of the strictest globally. We have been occupied with finding new ways of organising everyday life and work in response to the global crisis caused by COVID-19 and ever-increasing restrictions. Read more
COVID-19 Response – Where Are the Social Scientists?
Leading South African social scientists are calling for greater engagement in shaping the mitigation policies being produced by the government to manage the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Read more
Cyber-Threat Reality Highlighted in UKZN Presentation
The cyber-threat situation in South Africa and its potential to become more serious as the country pursues technological growth to compete in the Fourth Industrial Revolution was the subject of a presentation delivered in Durban…Read more
‘Fake News’ and COVID-19: How Have we Performed?
The fight against the spread of false information began long before the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and experts such as the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Professor Herman Wasserman have been researching fake news for years now. Read more
Fake News, Lockdown and Unintended Consequences
Fake news is news that consists of deliberate misinformation or hoaxes spread using traditional or social media. With most of the world’s population under lockdown and with easy access to smartphones. Read more
Going Online – What Cost to the Social Justice Agenda?
The unprecedented crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has evoked a plethora of responses from philosophical, political, financial, economic, social and medical quarters. Read more
More than 12,000 NSFAS Applicants Must Check Documents Soonest
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is urging 12,882 students with outstanding and incorrect documents to resubmit their forms as soon as possible. Read more
Navigating Uncertainty in the Move to Online Learning
Stellenbosch University (SU) in South Africa, like many other higher education institutions across the world, is navigating a profoundly uncertain period. Read more
New Centre Tracks COVID-19 Social Fracture
The Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change, incubated by the Allan Gray Centre for Values-Based Leadership at the University of Cape Town (UCT) Graduate School of Business, has launched a six-month project that will use social media analytics and advocacy to combat the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus in South Africa and beyond. Read more
New Publishing Model Pins Hopes on ‘Unity of Purpose’
Higher education leaders in South Africa are looking to move to a European model for open access (OA) publishing of scholarly articles as soon as possible, according to the body that coordinates the country’s public universities. Read more
NSFAS Students Urged to Open Bank Accounts
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has urged qualifying students to open bank accounts to ensure a more efficient disbursement of funds from institutions. Read more
Online Learning – The Pandemic Cannot Change Reality
Universities in South Africa are facing several challenges due to the high enrolment of first-year students from diverse social backgrounds. Read more
Post-COVID-19 – An Era of Withering Dependency?
The late president Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, that country’s independence icon, died in a hospital in Singapore in 2019, aged 95. Ethiopia’s late prime minister Meles Zenawi died in 2012 in Brussels from an undisclosed illness, aged 57. Read more
SA Scientists on Breaking the Covid-19 Code
A team of world-renowned scientists based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal has launched a fundraising campaign to support the analysis of Covid-19 data – which could provide vital research and insight on… Read more
Should Universities Receive a Stimulus Package from Government During Covid-19?
The Covid-19 pandemic has created profound disruptions in our economy and society. Due to these new challenges, most universities have decided to move from face-to-face classes to online teaching (more accurately defined as emergency remote teaching and learning) so as to complete the 2020 academic year, and to prevent the spread of the virus. Read more
Student Bodies Say E-Learning is Unaffordable and Elitist
The adoption of e-learning as an innovative means to continue teaching and learning during the national lockdowns affecting many African countries has been rejected by a number of students organisations, which argue it is unaffordable, impractical and elitist. Read more
The Case for Using Open Textbooks in HE is Growing
In South Africa, textbook costs have proven to be a barrier to accessing or completing tertiary education, despite the government’s provision of subsidies and financial aid. In other countries, there is growing momentum to allocate funds to the production of open textbooks, which present a more sustainable and affordable solution. Read more
Tips to Teaching Remotely: Focus on Essentials, Less is More
“As educators adapt to teaching remotely and online, there may be an attempt to mimic what a school day would normally look like, by filling learners’ days according to pre-lockdown timetables, and pace and content of learning,” Read more
UCT Academic Authors Free COVID-19 Children’s Book
Oaky and the Virus is one of seven books in the series, all of which were written by Athol Williams, senior lecturer at the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business (GSB), and illustrated by management consultant Taryn Lock. Read more
UFS Chancellor Warns of Online Teaching Costs
The Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State, Francis Petersen, has warned that the novel Coronavirus can, and will probably, have a severe impact on the university. Read more
Universities Mull Scenarios in Bid to Complete Academic Year
Universities in South Africa have committed themselves to completing the 2020 academic year and are working with three possible scenarios in the uncertain terrain presented by the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Universities Prepare for Online Teaching and Learning
South Africa, physically shuttered since 16 March owing to the nationwide lockdown, are doing their best to honour their pledge to complete the 2020 academic year…Read more
Universities, Scientists in Major COVID-19 Push
South Africa’s tertiary education sector has delivered a resounding response to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
UP Expert on Keeping Up the Fight Against Malaria Amid COVID-19
Malaria remains a major public health concern globally and, despite COVID-19-related challenges, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stressed that malaria services continue as usual. Read more
UP Students Create App to Help Homeless Shelters Speed up Service
Two University of Pretoria (UP) students from the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (EBIT) have developed a mobile app for homeless shelters to access assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Women Take Top Spots in Civil Engineering
For the second year in a row, women have taken most of the top spots in the final-year civil engineering class at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Read more
Zero-Rating Online Learning – Not as Simple as It Sounds
Recently published South African government regulations which call for telecommunication companies to provide free access to educational websites to support online teaching and learning are currently the subject of intense negotiation between mobile network operators and universities. How much room for manoeuvre do the regulations actually give service providers? Read more
31 March 2020
A Glimpse into the Heart of Student Unrest
Top South African academics have blamed the ongoing strife at several universities on a longstanding failure to address the issue of student funding, and in particular, the “missing middle” – students who do not qualify for funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Read more
Are ‘Professional Students’ Bringing Down Universities?
One of South Africa’s most outspoken academics, Professor Adam Habib, vice-chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), has called for a national solution to tackle ‘professional students’ on campuses throughout the country – some of whom he claims are permanent organisers for political parties. Read more
COVID-19 and How to Manage Your Mental Health
As a result of the global outbreak of COVID-19, many are struggling to adjust to what will be our “new normal” for the foreseeable future: social distancing (or social solidarity), self-isolation, quarantine and … Read more
COVID-19: Most WC Universities Evacuated Ahead of Lockdown
Universities across the province have chartered buses to ensure that students make their way home safely ahead of the lockdown. Read more
COVID-19: New App to Avoid Future Lockdowns
As South Africans commence a 21-day lockdown, a group of researchers from the University of Cape Town (UCT) is working tirelessly on a smartphone app that could play an important role in managing future outbreaks of COVID-19 and economic recovery. Read more
DUT’s Prof Davidson and Buraimoh’s Paper Wins Third Prize at…
Earning a third place award for an outstanding conference paper at the 17th Clemson University Power System Conference (PSC) is Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Professor and Chair… Read more
Gauteng Universities Disable Biometric Access Systems
The University of Johannesburg and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa are in the process of suspending the use of their biometric access control systems as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19. Read more
Government Announces Plan for Student Housing
South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training aims to raise ZAR64 billion (US$4 billion) through private sector participation to address student housing needs. Read more
Higher Education Institutions Close for Early Recess
All higher institutions of learning will close for early recess with effect from Wednesday, 18 March 2020. Read more
Lockdown: How to Survive Working from Home
Differentiating between work and home life will be important as more people around the globe work and study from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Message from the VC: Coronavirus update
The University of Pretoria is closely monitoring the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. Read more
Minister Announces Closure of All Universities, Colleges
In further measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, all universities and post-school institutions in South Africa are to close for early recess today, 18 March, according to a statement by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology. Read more
Minister Blade Nzimande on NSFAS Covid-19 Contingency Plan and Disbursements…
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation statement on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Covid-19 contingency plan and disbursements. Read more
Some Relief for Zimbabwean Students Still in China
Zimbabwean students trapped in Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic, which has been in lockdown since 23 January, are receiving extra funds from their government to help them cope with their indefinite isolation. Read more
Study Shows Need for Policy on Entrepreneurship in HE
“In the absence of policy – because there is definitely a policy vacuum in terms of entrepreneurship at university – what is it we need to know [to] inform the development of policy?” Read more
Survey to Assess Universities’ Online Learning Capabilities
The South African Department of Higher Education and Training has asked all universities and colleges to participate in a survey to assess their capability to offer online learning should educational institutions be forced to extend their closure beyond the early recess. Read more
The Target Group Index (TGI) Data Set – Empowering Students and Business Leaders of Tomorrow Alongside the University of Pretoria
The TGI (Target Group Index) survey, of which Ask Afrika owns the South African rights, is the global standard for integrated and rich consumer profiling. Read more
UKZN Removes 2,000 ‘Professional Students’ Who’ve Taken Eight Years…
The University of KwaZulu-Natal has removed 2,000 students who had been studying for eight years or more for their three-year degrees. Read more
UKZN Staffer Tests Positive for Coronavirus
A staff member at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has tested positive for the coronavirus – the first confirmed case at the university. Read more
UP Law Alumna’s Book on Human Rights in the Fight Against Terrorism, Based on Thesis, Wins Prestigious International Prize
A book by a University of Pretoria (UP) Faculty of Law alumna, titled Peremptory Norms of General International Law (Jus Cogens) and the Prohibition of Terrorism, has been selected as the winner of the American Society of International Law (ASIL)… Read more
Universities Halt Classes, Postpone Graduation Ceremonies
Classes at some universities around South Africa have been suspended and graduation ceremonies cancelled as the country moves to contain the spread of COVID-19. Read more
Universities in South Africa, Namibia Halt Classes
Classes at some universities around South Africa and in Namibia have been suspended and graduation ceremonies cancelled as the country moves to contain the spread of COVID-19. In most cases, there is a moratorium on work-related international travel. Read more
Universities Plan Online Classes During Lockdown
With the 21-day national lockdown beginning at midnight on Thursday, universities have already begun the process of planning online courses for their students during this period. Read more
University Launches War Room to Tackle Coronavirus
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in South Africa has launched a Campus Health ‘War Room’ in a bid to lend a hand in the international efforts to fight the deadly virus known clinically as COVID-19. Read more
University of Pretoria Launches Fully Online Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health
In an age where many 21st-century services have moved online, from banking to shopping to entertainment, higher education should not be the exception. Read more
University Shutdowns – What we Learnt from ‘Going Online’
Universities are “going online” on a scale never seen before because of COVID-19. Advice, tips and communities are springing up to support academics and students. Teaching and learning professionals in numerous roles are working flat out to be of assistance. Read more
UP Increases Number of NRF A-Rated Scientists to 16…
Two highly respected University of Pretoria (UP) academics, Professor Jean M-S Lubuma and Professor James Ogude have been awarded A-2 ratings by the National Research Foundation (NRF), bringing UP’s total number of scientists in this category to 16. Read more
You Don’t Need to be a Man to be an Engineer
Women engineering students were invited to come and listen to various views from the working engineers and be inspired to stand their ground in the industry. Read more
29 February 2020
Biochemistry Breakthrough for UCT Researchers
In a global first, three University of Cape Town (UCT) researchers have visualised – at a resolution close to that of individual atoms – the intact active site of a commercially important biological molecule. Read more
Cengage, Edge Learning Media Expand Access to Learning for SA’s Tertiary Students, Instructors
Cengage and Edge Learning Media are delighted to announce a new partnership in South Africa. This partnership will see Cengage representing Edge’s leading textbook catalogue within the South African public university sector, as well as in Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini. Read more
DUT’s Flight to Greatness
Notions of vision, progression, growth and change were expressed by the Durban University of Technology’s Vice- Chancellor and Principal Professor Thandwa Mthembu, during the second annual State of the University Address at Indumiso Campus. Read more
DUT Hosts the First Disability Rights Orientation for First Year Students
There were 40 first-year-students living with disabilities from the Durban and Midlands campuses, who were given an opportunity to learn and engage with various matters pertaining to disability at campus level, at the recent Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) first Disability Rights Orientation Day. Read more
DUT’s Lynton Julie Reaches for the Stars
Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Electrical Engineering student, Lynton Julie was recently given a wondrous opportunity to further his postgraduate studies, after receiving funding from the Apostle Victor Glenn Smith Foundation. Read more
Message from the VC on Coronavirus: UP Taking Proactive Steps with Action Plan
The University of Pretoria is closely monitoring the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. While South Africa is seen as a relatively low-risk area that has to date had no reported cases of the virus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that the outbreak has now become a public health emergency of international concern. Read more
Nehawu Claims Money for Disabled Students at Durban College Missing
R1.8-million meant to help students with disabilities register at a Durban college, has allegedly gone missing. Read more
New University to Advance Tech Innovation in SA
Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister, Blade Nzimande, has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on the establishment of a new University of Science and Innovation. Read more
Pioneering Research by University of Pretoria and University of Leicester Revolutionises Early Detection of TB
Researchers at the University of Pretoria (UP) and the University of Leicester are revolutionising the way tuberculosis (TB) is detected through the invention and application of a 3D-printed insert added to simple face masks. Read more
Reconfiguring Diaspora – From Brain Drain to Brain Gain
Traditional understandings of the African academic diaspora in terms of loss or ‘brain drain’ do not sit well with Patrício Langa, a sociologist and associate professor of higher education who straddles two academic portfolios in two African countries – one at the Institute for Post-School Studies (IPSS) of the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, and another at Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique. Read more
SA-UK Collaboration to Strengthen Research Capacity in KwaZulu-Natal
A cross continent collaborative project between the United Kingdom (UK) and South Africa (SA) has been awarded a R5 million grant from the British Council’s Newton Fund. Read more
Stanford Historian’s Southern African Childhood Spurred Lifelong Study of the Region’s Religions and People
Joel Cabrita’s research explores the politics of memory and the question of who gets remembered and who gets forgotten by history. It’s a theme that has captivated her since childhood. Read more
SU Partners with French Business School
Stellenbosch University (SU) has officially launched a partnership with world renowned French-based business school SKEMA, paving the way for the establishment of the SKEMA Business School South Africa at SU. Read more
SU, UCT Invest in New University Technology Fund
Stellenbosch University (SU) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) will be co-investing with the newly established R150-million University Technology Fund (UTF) that was set up by the SA SME Fund… Read more
UKZN a Centre for Kiwifruit Research
UKZN is now a centre for innovative research that will contribute to the country’s nascent kiwifruit industry as a result of a new project being led by Professor Samson Tesfay in the Discipline of Horticultural Science. Read more
UKZN Scholarship Yields More Results
Dr Manqoba Zungu is the fifth Talent Excellence and Equity Acceleration Scholarship (TEEAS) recipient to be appointed as a lecturer at UKZN and the second recipient of this scholarship to become a lecturer in the School of Life Sciences. Read more
University of Pretoria Becomes the First South African Institution to Partner with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research
The University of Pretoria (UP) has partnered with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), in Russia, in order to strengthen the University’s research efforts into nuclear sciences and related disciplines. Read more
University Rebuffs Civil Society Crisis Committee Efforts
Several civil society leaders, including respected churchman Bishop Rubin Phillip, have been rebuffed in their efforts to help find a solution to the violent disruptions by students and to restore normalcy at South Africa’s University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Read more
University Technology Fund a First for Africa
Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town are coinvesting through a newly established ZAR150 million (US$10 million) University Technology Fund (UTF), set up by the SA SME Fund in its endeavour to partner with South African universities… Read more
University Transformation at the Crossroads
Whatever transformation may mean to universities and their publics and the officials within the South African higher education system, somewhere in its intent is the advancement of social justice and human rights. Read more
UWC Gets the Ball Rolling but UKZN Remains Engulfed in Student Protest
After the first academic week of the year got off to a false start, with lectures being disrupted at various colleges across the country and the academic schedule being pushed back a week, student leaders have agreed to suspend protest. Read more
What Connects Shaka Zulu, Decolonisation and Maths Models?
Some researchers argue that it’s not. They cite numerous reasons why. Two include the fact that decolonisation is extremely difficult for the ‘pure sciences’ such as mathematics. And that the concept of decolonising is “poorly defined and contentious, in this domain”. Read more
Women Narrow Gender Gap at Tertiary Institutions
The gender gap in attendance of tertiary education institutions has narrowed from 8.4 percentage points in 2002 to 4.8 percentage points in 2018, with females outpacing men during that period. Read more
31 January 2020
Criminal Acts of Violence and Vandalism on Campuses Condemned by Varsity, Nzimande and Student Union
…Management is deeply perturbed by the incidents of violence and vandalism both on the Alice and East London campuses ever since the launch of the call by the South African Union of Students (Saus) to shut down campuses across the country. Read more
Dismal Maths Performance – How Can Universities Help?
South Africa’s Department of Basic Education recently released the country’s National Senior Certificate results for the class of 2019. These are commonly known as the ‘matric results’ and they determine school-leavers’ admission and placement into tertiary level study. Read more
Eastern Cape Universities Brace to Join National Shutdown
This came after the SA Union of Students (Saus), student representative presidents and secretaries-general met at the weekend and resolved they should embark on a national shutdown until their demands are met. Read more
HE Sector Readies for 2020 Amid Threats and Challenges
At a media briefing in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 3 January, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Student Command President Mandla Shikwambana threatened “radical and militant” nationwide public disobedience unless universities agreed to allow walk-in registrations, provide free student registration and cancel historic student debt. Read more
Higher Education PS Urges ISAB Find Alternative Sources of ACEs Funding
Ministry of Higher Education Permanent Secretary, Mrs Kayula Siame, has called upon the International Scientific Advisory Board to assist the Africa Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals (ACEIDHA)… Read more
How Climate Change Threatens our Farms
In this episode of Pasha, Peter Johnston, a climate scientist and researcher at the University of Cape Town, discusses how climate change might affect farming in South Africa and what can be done about it. Read more
Medical Students Present Their Innovative Solution to a Panel of International Experts in Geneva
Medical Students, Kapil Narain (5th year) and Mohamed Hoosen Suleman (1st year) were selected by the World Health Organization and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to present their strategic intervention to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)… Read more
NUSAS Declares Shutdown of Universities Over Funding, Accommodation, & Safety
The National Union of South African Students (Nusas) sent a list of 15 demands to Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande over a week ago on issues relating to student funding, accommodation, and safety. Read more
Police Fire Stun Grenades at Protesting Unisa Students in Durban
Protesting Unisa students were fired on by police when they blocked Stalwart Simelane Street in Durban during a protest about funding and registration issues. This photo is of a previous protest by students. Read more
Social Media – Vice-Chancellors Who ‘Go Where Students Are’
South African university leaders need to become digitally savvy, embracing social media to stay in touch with students and staff, according to Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, vice-chancellor of the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Read more
Study Unpacks the ‘Hidden Racism’ at Stellenbosch
Ignored, alienated and erased — these are the feelings of black students at Stellenbosch University (SU), who say the institution and people there are riddled with hidden racism. Read more
Tertiary Registrations Affected by Funding Scheme
The students who wish to continue with their studies in 2020, will be required to pay a portion of their outstanding debt. Read more
Tshimologong Precinct Launches Software Development Internship
Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, has launched of an AppFactory internship programme, sponsored by Samsung South Africa. Read more
UCT Honours Professor Bongani Mayosi Through Legacy Project
UCT has celebrated and honoured the legacy of the late cardiologist Professor Bongani Mayosi through a collection of projects under the banner of the Bongani Mayosi Legacy Project. Read more
UKZN’s Howard Campus Suspends Orientation Programme After Day of Protest
SRC chairperson Mphathi Majola claimed the university refused to allow all students with historic debt to register. Read more
UKZN Law Professor Imparts Knowledge in Indonesia
Professor David McQuoid-Mason of the UKZN Centre for Socio-Legal Studies had a busy time at the recent 10th World Wide Global Alliance for Justice Education (GAJE) Conference and Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop in Bandung, Indonesia from 4 to 10 December 2019. Read more
UKZN Students Continue Fiery Rampage as Minister Denounces Violence
Students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN’s) Howard College campus continued to disrupt the registration process on Thursday in an attempt to have their grievances heard. Read more
UKZN Teacher Educators Jet off to Study at Columbia University
Teachers College, Columbia University, the oldest and most prestigious graduate school of Education in the US, have partnered with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), University of Zululand (UNIZULU), and Durban University of Technology (DUT)… Read more
Unisa Staff Barricade Campuses to Demand a Wage Hike
Registration and academic activities will not resume at Unisa until management yields to the demand by workers for a salary increase, workers say. Read more
Unity in Africa – Focus of Luthuli Lecture
It is time Africans stop seeing each other as foreigners, says Ms Samia Nkrumah, daughter of Ghana’s first president, the late Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Read more
Universities are a Decisive Battlefield of Our Time
An article published last week by Times Higher Education announced that Spain’s new left-wing coalition government was planning to restore university funding after austerity and introduce wide-ranging sector reforms, with “intellectual giant” and critic of “statist uniformity” Manuel Castells as universities minister. Read more
Violence Forces North West University Closure
Cases of students being assaulted have rocked the NWU Mahikeng campus since yesterday, and have affected student registration processes and NSFAS applications. Read more
WC Students in Talks with Universities’ Management Before Deciding on Shutdown
This as students in KwaZulu-Natal and the North West this week launched protests focusing on several grievances, including fees and student debt. Read more
31 December 2019
A Black Christmas for Unisa’s Unpaid Contract Workers
It will be a black Christmas for at least 50 independent contractors from the University of South Africa (Unisa) after the institution failed to secure payment for services rendered. Read more
AFDA in on the Act with a Higher Certificate in Performing Arts for 2020
AFDA is delighted to announce the introduction of a Higher Certificate in Performing Arts on our Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth campuses. Read more
AFDA Launches a Collaboration-Driven Postgraduate Diploma in Innovation for 2020
AFDA is proud to launch a one-year, full-time, Postgraduate Diploma in Innovation for 2020 on our Johannesburg and Cape Town campuses. Read more
African Diplomats Visit Future Africa Institute at UP to Forge Research Alliances
More than 30 African ambassadors and high commissioners to South Africa were recently given an introduction to research institute and campus Future Africa at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Hillcrest Campus. Read more
AIDS Researcher Ranked Among the World’s Most Highly Cited Researchers in 2019
Professor Salim Abdool Karim is on the 2019 list of the worlds’ most Highly Cited Researchers published by the Web of Science’s Clarivate Analytics. Read more
Architecture and Informality in Africa
Architect and former director of the School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics at the University of Cape Town (UCT) Professor Tomà Berlanda explains why more research is needed into informal urban spaces in Africa. Read more
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Data Lifecycle
Professor Catherine Ward of UCT’s Department of Psychology is working on the South African piece of an eight-country longitudinal birth-cohort study led by Cambridge University which seeks to understand violence against children. Read more
Centre for Human Rights, DIRCO and Global Campus of Human Rights Launch UN Global Study…
The sub-regional launch of the Global Study took place at the Future Africa Campus of the University of Pretoria (UP) on Monday and was hosted by the University’s Centre for Human Rights in collaboration with the South African…Read more
Chinese Archaeology Acclaim for African Value Systems
The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Professor Shadreck Chirikure has won one of the ten 2019 Shanghai Archaeology Forum Research Awards for his work on Great Zimbabwe, beating 116 nominations from around the world. Read more
Clinical Supervision Workshop at UKZN
UKZN’s Department of Behavioural Medicine, in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal branches of the South African Society for Clinical Psychology, Psychological Society of South Africa, as well as Durban Practising Psychologists Group (DPPG), hosted a workshop on clinical supervision. Read more
Ethics Central to Genetics Research in Africa
The potential of genomics research to boost healthcare in Africa could be a game-changer for improving medicine and health outcomes on the continent in future. But it must be done with ethics top of mind. Read more
Financial Literacy Project Aims to Inform and Empower
The Stellenbosch University Law Clinic’s Financial Literacy Project (FLP) seeks to empower local communities by sharing knowledge about financial matters and informing people about their rights as consumers. Read more
From Somaliland to UCT: Journey of a Scholar at Risk
Mohamoud Farah is about to embark on a long journey home on a foreign passport. From the continent’s deep south, he will travel for two days, via Johannesburg to Ethiopia, and then across the border to Somaliland where he is a professor of law at the University of Hargeisa. Read more
Inspiring 64-Year-Old Woman Graduates in Electrical Engineering
Randeka Constance Nghonyama from Malamulele, Limpopo, is proof that perseverance pays off and it will get you somewhere in life. Randeka received a national diploma in electrical engineering at Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) spring graduations in October this year. Read more
Meet the Woman Who Finished Her Master’s Degree in Just 5 Months
From a very young age, Msa Mesatywa would watch the evening news and grew an interest in financial issues and the economy. Read more
New Partnership Offers Conservation Technology Training
The Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) has partnered with Vulcan Inc. to expand the local capacity to train, deploy and provide ongoing support of Vulcan EarthRanger, a data visualization and analysis software for Protected Area Management. Read more
‘Technology, Data and Human Literacy are Necessary Skills for the Future’…
The role of universities is to create knowledge and train a highly educated workforce that is able to use that knowledge to transform lives, communities, sectors, societies and the world,… Read more
‘There Will be No Uneducated Person in My Home’, Vows NMU Campus Security Guard Graduate
The thrill of walking across the stage in graduation attire, being capped and looking out into the crowd to see family and friends beaming with pride is one to which Kwanele Mlinganiso does not mind getting addicted. Read more
Two UP Professors Named on 2019 Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher List
Two internationally renowned researchers from the University of Pretoria (UP), Professor Mike Wingfield and Professor Pedro Crous, have been included on the 2019 Web of Science list of the world’s most highly cited researchers. Read more
UKZN Launches New Research Commons
A high-level research facility, the Research Commons is intended for the exclusive use of master’s, doctoral and PhD students, as well as researchers and academic staff. Read more
Unisa Extends African Footprint with Book Donation to the Somali National University
The University of South Africa (Unisa) donated more than 30 000 books to the Somali National Library and the Somali National University (SNU). Read more
Unity in Africa – Focus of Luthuli Lecture
…‘Have we forgotten so soon that we stood together as one to defeat colonialism and apartheid colonialism? We are one people with a common heritage and a common destiny.’… Read more
UPSA Partners University of Johannesburg
The University of Professional Studies, Accra has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for academic collaboration with the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Read more
Using Big Data to Solve Genetic Riddles
Using machine intelligence tools and big data is at the heart of pioneering work spearheaded by Associate Professor in the Division of Human Genetics, Emile Chimusa. Read more
Waste to Art: The Neptune Project to Help Tackle Pollution
UKZN hosted a unique fashion show on the Howard College campus as part of a cocktail evening themed: Waste to Art: the Neptune Project, in aid of tackling pollution, especially plastic that is infesting South Africa’s oceans. Read more
Why PhDs are Good – for Individuals, and for a Country
What is the value of a PhD? Is there a need in a developing world country to undertake a PhD study? It’s expensive (around R1 million per graduate) and in many regards a luxury for students from poor families. Read more
30 November 2019
Conference Confronts Migration Issues on its Doorstep
Such events brought a sense of urgency to the 10th Young Scientists’ Conference held on 28 and 29 October at the Future Africa campus of the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Read more
Gender Equality – A Key Aspect of University Transformation
Traumatised students and academics are struggling to cope at South African universities plagued by a ‘rape culture’ and the failure to overcome the legacies of past and present discrimination. Read more
Gold Medal for Leading Cervical Cancer Researcher
UCT Professor Lynette Denny’s 25-year body of research on cervical cancer, the magnitude of which is significantly higher among black women in South Africa, has won a prestigious South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Gold Medal in its golden jubilee year. Read more
Govt to Implement Anti-GBV Pogramme at Universities, TEVT Colleges – Nzimande
The minister was reacting after a Capricorn TVET College student, Precious Ramabulana, was found dead in her room off-campus on Sunday. Read more
HIV Factor in Kidney Transplants: Research Sheds New Light on Risks
Over the past 10 years 51 kidneys from deceased HIV positive donors have been transplanted into HIV-positive patients in Cape Town, South Africa. Read more
Honours Students Lock Horns with UKZN
Honours students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal believe they have been given a raw deal by the institution after the name of their degree was changed, leaving them concerned about future employment. Read more
Inside Growing Brains
Recent growth in availability of safe and non-invasive techniques for visualising the brain has had a huge impact on how we study children’s brains. UCT researchers Professor Kirsty Donald and Professor Ernesta Meintjes explain what they have learnt about how young brains develop in high-risk contexts. Read more
More ‘Control Measures’ in Place Following UNISA Exam Leak
The University of South Africa (UNISA) said last Wednesday that it had introduced additional control measures at all examination centres after reports of papers being leaked… Read more
Plan S – How Scholarship is Under Threat
South African researchers could be priced out of the mainstream of global scholarship under new, expensive plans for open access publishing being considered by the government in Pretoria. Read more
Reflections of a ‘Lazy’ Student
Many students take longer to complete their degrees for a variety of reasons. In many cases these students are wrongly labelled as ‘lazy’. Read more
Stellenbosch University Team Helping to Save Europe’s Fruit
Involving experts from 15 countries, the university’s research group of Prof John Terblanche, … are involved in the “in-silico boosted, pest prevention and off-season focused integrated pest management against new and emerging fruit flies” project. Read more
Taking Steps to Assure the Quality of Doctorates
Around the world there has been a massive increase in demand for doctoral education. Read more
The Challenging Environment for Science in the 21st Century
Successful universities the world over are deeply connected with the social, economic and political environment in which they serve. Read more
TVET Colleges Set Lose Some Funding Due to Poor Pass Rates
Public technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges will soon lose part of its state funding, amounting to millions of rand, due to poor pass rates. Read more
UCT’s Executive MBA Programme Cracks Prestigious Global Top 50 Ranking
The UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB) is ranked 47th in the world, and the best in Africa, for its MBA specialising in Executive Management (EMBA) according to the Financial Times (FT) EMBA Rankings for 2019. Read more
Using data to Boost Research Capacity
The ongoing data initiative of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) will help Africa develop its research capacity by giving a clear understanding of the research landscape on the continent, said Dr Gerald Ouma, director of institutional planning at South Africa’s University of Pretoria. Read more
31 October 2019
African Moot 2020 Launched in Dakar with Signing of MOU
Preparation for the 2020 African Human Rights Moot Court Competition were launched formally when the Director of the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, and the Rectors of the Virtual University of Senegal and the University Cheikh Anta Diop, signed the Memorandum of Agreement in Dakar, Senegal. Read more
Cities and Their Universities – Partnering for Development
Redress and transformation processes in most African cities have created new sets of challenges which may have complicated efforts to restore historical development imbalances. Read more
Court Moves Beyond the Past in favouring English
The South African Constitutional Court’s recent unanimous decision upholding Stellenbosch University’s policy favouring English is important in both substance and tone for its evolving narrative on language, race and historical wrongs. Read more
Curriculum Transformation Should Extend Beyond the Classroom’:…
“The idea of curriculum transformation should extend beyond the classroom,” he said, adding that transformation should be a “lifelong learning process”. Read more
Duchess Announces Study Grants in Surprise University Visit
Four students from the African continent and three female academics in South African universities are set to receive a royal seal of approval to pursue studies through two separate grants… Read more
All Surgery Students from Five Universities Fail Exam
An investigation will be launched in South Africa to look into whether there was anything irregular in the common final examination that has been ‘shockingly’ failed by all would-be surgeons from five universities, writes Bongani Nkosi for IOL. Read more
‘Historic’ Partnership to Turn Graduates into Job Creators
As South Africa faces catastrophic unemployment rates, the South African Technology Network (SATN) and various stakeholders are partnering to ensure that graduates “are no longer job seekers but job creators”. Read more
Minister Wields the Rod, Academics Shine Light on Future
South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande warned the country’s vice-chancellors not to talk to the president behind his back… Read more
Moderation Shows Surgery Exam Marking was Fair – CMSA
The surgery exams failed by most of the country’s final-year students were fairly marked, the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) has said – after the results of an international moderation process were released. Read more
Nehawu Strikers Stop Unisa Staff from Entering Campuses
The nationwide strike by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) at the University of SA (Unisa) entered its third day on Thursday. Read more
NWU Students Host Cultural Day to Celebrate Diversity
The North-West University (NWU) is home to more than 65 000 students, representing a demographical footprint across more than 70 countries with diverse cultures. Read more
Pharmaceutical Award for Senior Lecturer
Senior lecturer in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mr Andy Gray received the Joseph A Oddis Award for exceptional services to the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)… Read more
Preparing for Life on Mars
Marais, who is currently pursuing a second PhD in economics in resource-constrained environments at the University of Cape Town (UCT), is preparing for life on Mars using Earth’s most extreme conditions. Read more
Rediscovering the Pedagogy of Possibility
Universities are confronted by renewed privatisation, intensive marketisation and a challenge to the very notion of the university as a mechanism for addressing social inequality and facilitating the circulation of knowledge. Read more
South Africa ‘Punches Above its Weight’ in Research, Says Study
Despite low levels of investment in research and the country’s limited researcher capacity, South Africa’s research performance is disproportionately high and the country clearly “punches above its weight in this area. Read more
Taking Research to New Heights Through Partnership
From space science and robotics to circular economies and food security – scientific research can contribute significantly to keeping countries sustainable and at the cutting edge of technology. Read more
The Danger of ‘the Anti-Immigrant Narrative’
The award-winning poet, writer and cultural activist was one of two speakers at a panel discussion, “Race and transformation in higher education”, part of a series titled “Resilience, colonialism, xenophobia and femicide”… Read more
Task Team Established to Improve Safety at SA Universities
Johannesburg – Minister of Police General Bheki Cele has engaged with the vice-chancellors from the country’s 26 universities in Johannesburg on improving campus safety and new approaches to policing that may facilitate this. Read more
UCT Best in Africa in World Rankings
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has been ranked 121st globally – and top in South Africa and on the continent – in the sixth edition of the US News Best Global Universities rankings. Read more
University Wins Court Battle Over Language Policy
The Constitutional Court of South Africa has dismissed the appeal by Afrikaans lobby group Gelyke Kanse against the 2016 language policy of Stellenbosch University which saw English being elevated above Afrikaans as a medium of instruction. Read more
UP and Wageningen University Collaborate on Issue of Food Security in Africa
Professor Tawana Kupe, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria (UP), recently visited Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands as part of a tour of several European universities. Read more
VUT’s Troubles Further Exposed
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) is in a dire-situation and requires an emergency response, before it crashes financially and academically. Read more
30 September 2019
100 Days in the Job – What Should the Minister be Doing?
Some of South Africa’s top vice-chancellors and sector leaders have outlined the most pressing challenges facing the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Dr Blade Nzimande who last week marked 100 days in office in a period marked by national outrage over the violent murders of two female students and the death of a third from suspected food poisoning. Read more
Academics Warn Against ‘Cannibalisation’ of Science Funding
South Africa’s Higher Education Science and Technology Minister Blade Nzimande has been urged by the country’s vice-chancellors to keep the Budget vote for the recently merged higher education, and… Read more
At a Glance’ – Tertiary Education Needs More Investment
A recent report on global tertiary education from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that while South Africa has made significant progress in growing the number of people in secondary education, the country’s investment in the tertiary sector still has a way to go before it meets global standards. Read more
CUT Embarks on a Mission to Strengthen UB Partnership
A delegation from Central University of Technology (CUT) in South Africa visited the University of Botswana (UB) on September 10, 2019 to explore specific research areas that can lead to strong collaboration between the two universities. Read more
DUT Staff, Students Call for Sacking of Vice Chancellor Mthembu
The university was struggling with violent student protests as well as safety and security problems in recent weeks. Read more
DUT to Spend R30m on Fixing Security Gaps
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) has set aside R30million for security upgrades and the introduction of security technology. Read more
From Prisoner to Student – Hope in the Life of a Refugee
In 2007, I began an undergraduate degree in geophysics at Ain Shams University in my home city of Cairo, Egypt. In my third year, I wanted to switch to theoretical physics, but with only a year left to graduation, I decided to continue my geophysics degree and pick up physics again after graduating. Read more
Gender Violence – ‘Universities Need to Lead the Change’
The heads of 26 public universities, along with the Commission for Gender Equality, have called on South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa to act decisively in addressing violence against women amid growing national anger over the horrific murders of two university students. Read more
Join UJ Cloudebate on Tech Opening Doors for People with Disabilities
Bionic limbs. Exoskeletons. Stair-climbing wheelchairs. Eye-tracking. Lomak. Sip and puff. Walking-navigation apps. These are part of a rapidly developing and creative branch of what is known as assistive technology (AT). Read more
Minister Addresses Issue of Safety on Campuses
Blade Nzimande, South Africa’s higher education minister, said there is a fine line between keeping universities safe and turning them into prisons, and engagement between his department and members of the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) is vital in dealing with the issue, writes Orrin Singh for the Sowetan Live. Read more
Research Shows Students are Victims of Campus Crime
University campuses are generally perceived to be relatively secure places; however, results from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) research in South Africa showed they were not immune to crime. Read more
South African Scientists Puzzled by Rising Malaria Cases in Winter
Researchers from the University of Pretoria are conducting a study in the country after recording a rise in the number of malaria cases in parts of the country, during winter. Read more
Stellenbosch University Law Clinic Goes After Online Loan Companies
Stellenbosch University law clinic has filed papers in the Western Cape High Court in a proposed class-action lawsuit against more than a dozen online loan companies. Read more
Tapping Collective Strengths to Create a Smart University
Cape Town is firmly entrenched as the design hub of South Africa since it was awarded World Design Capital status in 2014. Read more
Towards a Prosperous Africa – Partnerships for Impact
Investments in higher education yield high returns of up to 21% in Africa, the highest in the world. Data shows that a one-year increase in average tertiary education levels would eventually yield up to a 12% increase in gross domestic product. Read more
UCT Staff Feel ‘Bullied, Anxious’
UCT’s inclusion index survey showed that some staff members felt bullied, while others were still dealing with the trauma experienced during the “tumultuous” years of 2015 to 2017 during the #FeesMustFall protests, suffering from depression and anxiety. Read more
University Split over ‘Racist’ Academic Promotion Criteria
Africa’s largest open distance learning institution, the University of South Africa (UNISA), is embroiled in an internal struggle between staff unions and executive management over its so-called “transformational” academic promotion criteria that some view as a legitimate way to boost the numbers of senior black academics and achieve equity, but others see as “lowering the bar” and “racist”. Read more
UniZulu Res Needs Inkosi’s Signature
Extra student residences should have been built eight years ago at the University of Zululand (UniZulu). Read more
Using Partnerships to Bring Innovative Benefits to Society
Working closely with partners in industry, government and communities, the Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM) at the Central University of Technology (CUT) in South Africa is using its social and technological innovations to help solve societal problems in Africa and beyond. Read more
31 August 2019
Africa Needs More Science, Less Fiction’ – UJ Vice-Chancellor
University of Johannesburg Vice-Chancellor Tshilidzi Marwala says that “Africa must start doing science and not fixate on fictional stories.” Read more
Celebrating Women’s Strides all Way Long
I can’t help but feel enabled and privileged to be working for a rural based university that champion’s women’s issues through written literature and through demonstrable platforms. Read more
Entrepreneurship Week Provided Students with Alternatives
The Department of Business Management at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) recently held a campaign for entrepreneurship development, which is aimed at supporting all students considering entrepreneurship as a potential career. Read more
SATN Joins Forces with Government to Boost PhD Capacity
The South African Technology Network (SATN) has partnered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to launch a Staff PhD Capacity Enhancement Programme designed to raise the number and quality of PhDs coming out of universities of technology and previously disadvantaged universities in South Africa. Read more
Toxic Politics Push ‘Welfare’ Universities to the Brink
Political parties should be banned from university campuses in South Africa, according to a number of leading academics and senior administrators, including vice-chancellors who attended a recent academic round-table discussion… Read more
UCT Medical Research on the World Stage
Three researchers from the University of Cape Town (UCT) recently hosted an IdeasLab on innovative research into infectious diseases at the World Economic Forum’s 13th Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2019 in Dalian, China. Read more
UCT Tops in Africa in all Five Major Rankings
The University of Cape Town (UCT) took the top spot in South Africa and jumped back up into the 201–300 band in the latest Shanghai Ranking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2019, published on 15 August. This year, the best 1 000 universities are listed. Read more
UKZN Astrophysics Student Tanko Moso is a Women in Science Star
A University of KwaZulu-Natal astrophysics masters student who has a deep interest star gazing and exploring the origins of the universe has been honoured by the Department of Science and Technology who gave her a Women in Science award. Read more
Universities Hit by Crime as Research Shows Students are Robbed, Hijacked
University campuses are generally perceived to be relatively secure places; however, results from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) research showed they were not immune to crime. Read more
Universities Join Forces for PhD Research Programme
South Africa’s University of Cape Town (UCT) has joined forces with the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom to launch a new and exciting ‘Researchers without Borders’ PhD programme, writes Sisonke Mlamla for the Cape Argus. Read more
UNIZULU Academics Scoop Researcher of the Year Award
Two of the University of Zululand’s (UNIZULU) renowned scientists walked away each receiving an award entitled Researcher of the year. The ceremony was recently held in India Trichy. Read more
UP in Top Three of South African Universities as it Improves its Researchers’ Rating
The University of Pretoria (UP) has significantly improved its international standing and ranking by strengthening its position within the 400 – 500 band of the top universities in the world. Read more
Wits Takes Quantum Leap for Africa’s 4IR Aspirations
Africa must participate collectively as a continent and not miss out on the potential of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR)… Read more
Women in STEM Receive Academic Boost
At the 2019 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA), six women in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) industries were awarded scholarships worth over R500,000 – sponsored by Tata International in Africa. Read more
31 July 2019
CUT Student Named 2019 Enactus SA Excellence Student Leader
Thembisile Tyopo, a second-year electrical engineering student and Enactus Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) projects manager, has been awarded the 2019 WV de Wet Student Leader Excellence Award at the Enactus South Africa national competition in Sandton, Johannesburg. Read more
Designing an Institutional Framework for Student Success
The University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa has begun working across organisational structures to establish an institutional framework for student success, according to Senior Director of Academic Affairs, Professor Diane Grayson. Read more
Education Programme Offers Lessons for Future US Graduates
Postgraduate education students from New York University (NYU) and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in the United States are learning invaluable lessons in the teaching sector through a one-month programme based in South Africa. Read more
HE as a Scientific Field of Study – Examining the Absences
Higher education as a field of study and scientific inquiry is emerging in Africa. Yet this field of study might also be the least understood compared with others. Read more
How Can Disadvantaged Universities Attract More Funding?
It is five years since Inyathelo, with the support of the Kresge Foundation (a primarily domestic American foundation), first asked Dr Sean Jones of EduActive Solutions to conduct the Annual Survey of Philanthropy in Higher Education (ASPIHE). Read more
In Search of a New Ecosystem for Student Success
While gains has been made in respect of student numbers passing through the South African tertiary system over the past two decades, too much young potential remains wasted, making it crucial for a new ecosystem to be created for student success… Read more
More Protests if Universities Withhold Certificates
The South African Union of Students (SAUS) said that the country must expect more protests if universities continued withholding certificates from students with outstanding fees, reports iAfrica. Read more
New Large-Scale Collaboration for the Ocean
Researchers from three departments at the University of Cape Town (UCT) – environmental & geographical sciences, biological sciences and commercial law – are part of a new multinational, interdisciplinary project called One Ocean Hub. Read more
New Solar Panel Research to Address SA’s Growing Energy Challenges
The University of the Free State (UFS) in South Africa and Ghent University in Belgium has conducted research on a new transparent solar panel which could provide power cheaply from the sun to homes, factories and cities. Read more
SATN Joins Forces with Government to Boost PhD Capacity
The South African Technology Network (SATN) has partnered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to launch a Staff PhD Capacity Enhancement Programme designed to raise the number and quality of PhDs coming out of universities of technology and previously disadvantaged universities in South Africa. Read more
The Power of Data in Achieving Student Success
Data sits at the heart of understanding South Africa’s diverse student mix and can provide the best chance for students to succeed at universities, according to professors Ahmed Bawa and Francois Strydom, authors of a presentation at the Siyaphumelela 2019 Conference held in Johannesburg last month. Read more
UCT and Bristol Launch Researchers Without Borders Programme
The University of Cape Town (UCT) together with the University of Bristol are launching a new ‘Researchers without Borders’ PhD programme. Read more
UKZN Lecturer Nominated for Film Award
Film and Media Studies lecturer in the School of Arts Mr Mzwandile Makhanya has been nominated for a 2019 Simon “Mabhunu” Sabela Film and Television Award in the Best Student Film category. Read more
Universities in South Africa Need to Rediscover Their Higher Purpose
For over two decades South African higher education has been dominated by three successive and contending waves of thinking and organisation. They are: neo-liberal managerialism the decolonialisation of knowledge and, most recently, the idea of a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Read more
University Robot ‘Libby’ Brings the Future Library Closer
We need to move beyond talking about the fourth industrial revolution and translate this into action. If we don’t embrace it, we’ll ultimately fail. Read more
Wits Takes Quantum Leap for Africa’s 4IR Aspirations
Africa must participate collectively as a continent and not miss out on the potential of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), warned Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, deputy vice-chancellor for research and postgraduate affairs at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa. Read more
30 June 2019
Are Universities in Transition or Becoming Obsolete?
Imagine there are no longer universities, where the spaces of higher education are no longer producing knowledge. Imagine these institutions were to become obsolete. This was the issue historians were grappling with during one of the afternoon sessions on the second day of the Southern African Historical Society conference at Rhodes University, entitled: “Universities: Politics and Policies.” Read more
Critical Mandela Studies – A Unique Intellectual Exploration
A new Transdisciplinary Institute of Mandela Studies (TIMS) based at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa aims to position the iconic figure of Nelson Mandela as a lens through which to grapple with societal challenges and generate workable solutions. Read more
How an Open Letter to the HE Minister Bore Some Fruit
An open letter from 12 female South African academics sent to the Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Naledi Pandor earlier this year has played a key role in galvanising the ministry into taking a more interventionist stance in the crisis of sexual harassment and abuse plaguing the country’s universities. Read more
ISFAP Assisting 1 700 Students of the ‘Missing Middle’
The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme was launched in 2017. Its aim is to assist young students who qualify for university academically, but are too poor to afford to pay university fees, but not poor enough to qualify for government funding – also known as people who are “the missing middle”. Read more
Professor Nana Poku: Vice-Chancellor of UKZN
Chair of Council, Dr Letticia Moja congratulates Professor Nana Poku on his appointment as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of KwaZulu-Natal after the Council of the University made the announcement. Read more
SU Hosts Student Leader Global Summit
Leadership and mental health came under the spotlight when more than 50 student leaders from all over the world met on the main campus of Stellenbosch University. Read more
UCT’s Academic Reputation Best on the Continent
The University of Cape Town (UCT) remains the top university in Africa, according to the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings which saw UCT move up two places to 198th position, placing the institution among the top 20% of universities worldwide. Read more
UKZN Opens Historic Buildings Named after Struggle Icons
The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Education recently opened three of their new buildings on the Edgewood campus in Pinetown. The state-of-the-art facilities are proudly named after renowned struggle icons and educators Ellen Kuzwayo, Phyllis Naidoo and Dulcie September. Read more
Universities ‘Captive Platforms’ for HIV Interventions
Higher education institutions should be viewed as “captive platforms” for innovative interventions that could stop the spread of HIV, with the fourth industrial revolution and its technologies needing to be embraced in the process, reports African News Agency. Read more
Universities’ Forum – The Only Way Forward Is Collaboration
Co-operation was the buzzword as academics from South Africa and Japan pledged to work together, not only cementing academic ties between the two nations but also finding solutions to current local challenges – and global problems. Read more
31 May 2019
Africa First for UCT’s Cybersecurity
The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) focus on cybersecurity has seen the institution honoured as the first of its kind in Africa to be granted full membership of the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), the recognised global leader in incident response. Read more
Collaboration and Partnership Receive Unanimous Support at THE 4th SAJU Forum Conference in Pretoria
Day One of the South Africa-Japanese Universities (SAJU) Forum Conference saw all parties declaring a deeply-felt belief that collaboration between academics, institutions and nations is the way to go if the world’s problems are to be tackled and if the United Nations’ sustainable development goals are to be realised across the globe. Read more
Edureka Makes it Possible to Get a Machine Learning Degree Online
The business of online learning has been absolutely exploding in the past several years, with growth of as much as 300% over a three-year span in the last decade. Innumerable new companies and entrepreneurs are jumping into the foray with new (or tried and true) business models and learning opportunities. Read more
Executive Education – Why Lifelong Study Enhances You’re Career
The scale and breadth of technological innovations is dramatically reshaping the way in which business is done. Advances in technology trends including artificial intelligence and machine learning helps make operations within businesses more efficient, while digital fabrication technologies like 3D printing enables companies to bring manufacturing closer to customers. Read more
Guest Lecture Series Merges Theory and Practical Information
The Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L) is committed to training and developing ethical leaders who are not only versatile and successful in all spheres of life, but passionate about social and local economic development. In order to fulfil this mission, the School hosts a series of guest lectures on topical issues by prominent leaders from the public and private sectors. Read more
Innovation in the Age of Information
How can businesses and universities co-operate to foster innovation, create value and build more resilient communities? This was the central topic of discussion, led by Prof Piet Naudé, Director of the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) at the recent Technopark SRA/Stellenbosch University partnership breakfast. Read more
Midlands State University to Partner North-West University
The Midlands State University (MSU) and North-West University (NWU) of South Africa have begun talks to establish a relationship that will see the two institutions collaborating in a number of areas. Read more
New Academic Council for Honoris
Private pan-Africa higher education network, Honoris United Universities has established the ‘Honoris Academic Council’ and appointed a new independent board member in an effort to boost the sharing of academic best practices and to develop a broad ’employability agenda’ designed around entrepreneurial and workplace skills and credentials. Read more
NSFAS Slammed for TV Show: ‘Put the Money Where It Is Needed’
Free higher education, unemployment and unapproved applications has dominated the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s (NSFAS) social media pages. Read more
Plotting Policy Pathways Across Landscapes of the Past
With some scientists claiming that we have only 12 years to save the planet, the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) may has chosen an opportune time-frame for its evaluation of scholarly publishing, the keystone system used by scientists to communicate and verify truth claims. Read more
The Former Public Protector will be Honored with an Honorary Doctorate on Thursday at the University.
“The honorary degree is further inspired by her exceptional services to and achievements for South Africa, and her exceptional contributions in the sphere of justice, society, corporate governance and government. These contributions align with the NWU’s dream, purpose and values. Read more
Transformation is Heart Work
That was the subject of a panel discussion held at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Graduate School of Business (GSB) as part of its Africa Month events, which addressed this concern and highlighted some of the lessons learned through efforts to implement diversity over the past 25 years. Read more
What’s it Like to Study While Black at University?
South African tertiary education institutions are embroiled in a process of change and transformation motivated by the need to overcome past inequalities and find their own voice. In the midst of dis ferment, a five-year study has been researching the core of the student experience. Read more
30 April 2019
Agri SA Survey Confirms Structural Shift in Research Spend
Agri SA released its 2019 survey which shows the agriculture sector has undergone a discernible structural shift in research spend. The survey indicates that the spend is moved away from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and towards a variety of private institutions, universities and other government agencies to an estimated 75% of agricultural research spend. This is in drastic contrast to the traditional position of the ARC serving as the nexus of South African agricultural research and presents a set of urgent policy questions. Read more
Busting the Fast-Food Myth Among Undergraduate Students
In an increasingly pressured world, fast and easy is the way to go, especially when it comes to undergraduate students who, like me, always seem to be battling against an excessive workload, endless studying and pending exams. These, as well as other factors such as stress, make students much more likely to spend their limited funds on quick, convenient, and less healthy fast-food options, than use their precious time to cook a healthy meal. Read more
Building Platforms for Scientific Excellence
A focus on institution-building rather than individuals is key to growing the next generation of African scientists and ensuring the sustainability of scientific research, according to South African epidemiologist Professor Salim ‘Slim’ Abdool Karim, whose election to the Royal Society, the world’s oldest science academy, was announced this week. Read more
Future Africa Campus – Revolutionising Knowledge Creation
A new transdisciplinary research centre, launched at the University of Pretoria in South Africa last week, aims to unlock the potential of Africa and is based on the premise that Africa can and should be leading the transformations needed by the continent. Read more
Global Recognition for GSB’s ‘Unique’ EMBA
The University of Cape Town (UCT) Graduate School of Business’s (GSB) Executive MBA (EMBA) programme has been named the best in Africa and rated in the top 50 worldwide in the 2019 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Global EMBA Rankings. Read more
Investing in Climate-Change Protection
How do investments in ecological infrastructure protect society against hydroclimatic risks including droughts and floods? And to what extent does this kind of investment translate to livelihood benefits and social upliftment? Read more
Pandor Disbands Fort Hare University Council
Higher Education Minister Naledi Pandor has dissolved the council at the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape. Read more
Psych Society Denounces Study Claiming Coloured Women have Low Cognitive Functioning
The Psychological Society of South Africa’s (PsySSA) Division for Research and Methodology (DRM) has denounced a study that claims coloured women in South Africa have an increased risk of low cognitive functioning, owing to low education levels and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours. Read more
UCT Researcher Awarded Global Professorship
Professor Shadreck Chirikure, head of the University of Cape Town (UCT) Archaeological Materials Laboratory, has won a Global Professorship from the British Academy for his work dating historical artefacts and the study of pre-colonial urban societies in Africa. The award provides the opportunity for internationally recognised scholars working in the social sciences and humanities to relocate to the United Kingdom (UK) for four years and continue their research at a British university. Read more
UKZN Pays Tribute to Resistance Artist Willie Bester for Life’s Work
Resistance artist Willie Bester has been awarded an honorary doctorate in literature in recognition of his ground-breaking work and the active role he played in the anti-apartheid movement. The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) commenced its 2019 graduation ceremony by making the award on Monday. Read more
University of Pretoria Tops Ranks in New DHET Report on SA Research Outputs
A recently released Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) report reveals that the University of Pretoria (UP) produced the most weighted research outputs per capita for 2017, as well as the highest number of published research outputs in South Africa. UP also produced the most weighted research outputs per capita in 2015. Read more
UP Researchers Lead Project to Develop Africa’s Doctoral Graduates into Future Intellectual Leaders
The University of Pretoria’s (UP) Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe recently opened the first workshop of the Peer-Learning for Emerging Researchers’ Knowledge and Advancement (PERKA) initiative, held at the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa. Professor Frans Swanepoel of UP’s Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship is the project lead and Dr Melody Mentz-Coetzee, its senior researcher. Read more
31 March 2019
Academic Spearheads Collaborations with US Universities
Kumalo was invited to the University of Rochester in New York to deliver the Frederick Douglas Lecture as part of the Frederick Douglas Centre for African-American studies. The lecture was titled Religion and Governance: A Necessity or Public Nuisance? An African Perspective. It focused on the interface between religion and politics or governance in Africa. Read more
Enactus Members Recognised for Inspiring Greatness
Every year, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) recognises 40 students whose contribution goes beyond their academic achievements. This year of these 40 students, five of them are from Enactus UKZN. Read more
In the Drive for More Researchers, Do We Neglect Teaching?
With the current focus on the need for more early-career researchers, has South African academia lost sight of the importance of teaching? Read more
Meet Baleka, Africa’s First Two-Legged Robot
This jumping bot is setting the stage for the future of robotics research led by Dr Amir Patel’s team at the UCT Department of Electrical Engineering. It is work that can not only improve the way robots move, but also influence sports science and inspire young minds. Read more
Miss SA Helps Break the TB Stigma
Six months after revealing that she had beaten tuberculosis (TB), current Miss South Africa (SA) Tamaryn Green returned to the place where it all began: the University of Cape Town (UCT). Read more
“Quality at UP will be Uncompromised”, Stresses Newly Inaugurated VC, Prof Tawana Kupe”
As the University of Pretoria (UP) moves ahead in its transformation agenda, it will focus on providing access to its high-quality education to as many South Africans and Africans as possible. This is because high-quality education contributes to the improvement of African futures. Read more
Retired UCT Academic Wins ‘Nobel’ Water Prize
Two South African women have been honoured globally for protecting the planet’s precious water resources and helping to prepare action plans on global climate-change. Read more
UP Academic Makes Significant Headway to Better Diagnose Multidrug-Resistant TB
Despite the global decline in new infections, the emergence of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), a virulent strain that has developed an immunity to the antimicrobial drugs used to treat TB, means the disease remains a public health crisis. Read more
Young Academics Fly UKZN
College of Law and Management Studies lecturers, Ms Hlengiwe Ndlela and Dr Nomkhosi Luthuli, are leading from the front as they recently participated in the 2019 Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit that took place at the Durban ICC. Read more
28 February 2019
Deal with Japanese Power Utility Clinched
Tokyo Electric Power Services Company (TEPSCO), a subsidiary of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), recently visited UKZN to conclude a deal for the development and utilisation of UKZN’s PowerLine Inspection Robot (PLIR) technology on power lines in Japan and Asia. Read more
Experts Gather at Stellenbosch for Cyber Warfare Conference
Academics, military and government professionals from around the world will gather and share research on cyber warfare at Stellenbosch University (SU). Read more
FMHS Expands Training to Northern Cape
In an exciting step, Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) has expanded its footprint in the Northern Cape. This year, a small group of medical students will be completing their final year in Upington, contributing to much-needed medical services in the area. Read more
Foreign Language Classes Becoming More Scarce
Of all the skills that a person could have in today’s globalized world, few serve individuals – and the larger society – as well as knowing how to speak another language. Read more
How to Train Data Scientists
The world is inundated with data. There’s a virtual tsunami of data moving around the globe, renewing itself daily. Take just the global financial markets. They generate vast amounts of data – share prices, commodity prices, indices, option and futures prices, to name just a few.
Mandela University Launches Centre for Philosophy in Africa and SARChI Chair
“How can South Africa, and Africa as a whole, realise communities that are both aware of, and responsive to, their troubled past while remaining committed to social cohesion?”This question emerges as one of the focus areas of the newly launched SARChI Chair in Identities and Social Cohesion in Africa (ISCIA) at Nelson Mandela University. Read more
Mapping Future Climate Pathways in Sub-Saharan Africa
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is working to create “safe spaces” where researchers, decision makers, industry and civil society can join forces to co-produce knowledge that supports efforts to reduce poverty and inequality, without relying on traditional fossil-fueled development. Read more
Matrics: Why You Should Decide What and Where to Study, Now
University choices may feel like a distant priority for this year’s matrics who are currently settling into the rhythm of their final year at school. But now is in fact the optimal time to be investigating what they want to study and where, because making the right choice takes time, and will ultimately impact on study success and employability four years from now, an expert says. Read more
Minister Defends HE Fee Policy Against World Bank Report
South African Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor had an opportunity to defend the government’s fee-free policy for poor students against recent suggestions by the World Bank that, while attractive, the policy will strain the fiscus and is “ultimately unsustainable”. Read more
New Tarantula Species from Angola Distinct with a One-of-a-Kind ‘Horn’ on its Back
A new to science species of tarantula with a peculiar horn-like protuberance sticking out of its back was recently identified from Angola, a largely underexplored country located at the intersection of several Afrotropical ecoregions. Read more
Protests Continue to Disrupt Lectures at Some Campuses
Lectures at a few South African universities were disrupted this week after protesting students demonstrated their displeasure over allowances, accommodation woes, the denial of funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and some students being turned away from registration. Read more
South African Students are Protesting – Again. Why it Needn’t be This Way
It’s the beginning of South Africa’s academic year and once again, campuses have been brought to a standstill by students protesting against a host of issues that have plagued the country’s universities. These include registration fees, student accommodation, food and other issues, compounded by the inefficiency of the country’s student financial aid scheme. Read more
Taking Stock of Postgraduate Students in Open and Distance Learning Institutions
High graduation rates are essential for innovation in modern industrialised societies. This is particularly true for postgraduate degrees. That’s because people who hold postgraduate qualifications have acquired the skills and knowledge that underpin the modern knowledge economy. They also have the capacity to produce new knowledge. Read more
The 4IR is Coming, and SA Needs to Up-Skill Workers for Automation
People need not fear the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as it’s an opportunity for job creation – as long as companies recognise the need for automation and upskill their workforce. Read more
The Judgment Ends a Period of Anxiety for More Than 400 Law Students and for The IIE
The Pietermaritzburg High Court has ruled in favour of the Independent Institution of Education’s LLB Degree and has given the minister of justice and constitutional development, Michael Masutha, one year to change the Legal Practice Act. Read more
TVET Trainees Sitting at Home
A group of frustrated Plessislaer TVET College graduates, who hold an Educare Diploma (ECD), say their qualifications are gathering dust as they are unable to get jobs. The students say their three-year qualification, achieved after 18 months of attending classes and 18 months practical training, was a waste of time and money. Read more
UCT Back in Top 10 for Development Studies
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has moved up two places to reclaim its position in the top 10 in the 2019 QS World University Rankings by Subject – placing among the top 100 universities in a total nine disciplines. Read more
31 January 2019
5 Wi-Fi Mistakes in the Connected Classroom
Higher education has paved the way for many of the technologies we use today. With a unique set of demands and workloads comes a unique set of problems. Read more
Appointment of Council Members on the Basis of Expertise and Experience
The University of Pretoria plays an important role nationally and makes a significant contribution to South Africa’s international standing. The University Council governs the University in terms of the Higher Education Act of 1997 (as amended) and the Statute of the University of Pretoria. Read more
Dismantling Colonisation’s ‘Pedagogy of Big Lies’
More than two decades after the end of apartheid, historical and structural inequalities, rooted in the racist colonial and apartheid oppression and dispossession, remain part and parcel of the South Africa’s social fabric. The country’s higher education institutions are no exception. Read more
Embracing the Town and Gown Revolution
In one of the final events of the University of Stellenbosch’s centenary year, the rector of the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, Professor Wim De Villiers, convened a ‘town and gown’ conference on 29 and 30 November 2018. Read more
Free Higher Education Model Unsustainable – World Bank
The World Bank has flagged the South African national treasury’s funding of a phased-in approach to fee-free higher education as unsustainable, saying it should move to a contingent loan income system instead, writes Tehillah Niselow for Fin24. Read more
How Universities can Play a Leading Role in their Cities
South African higher education policy is generally failing to tackle the issue of how the country’s universities can play a leading role in the evolution of the cities in which most of them are based. Read more
North West Raises Alarm about Bogus Institutions
“There is an increasing number of unregistered private institutions that are attracting young people through their marketing strategies, especially during the month of December and January,” said the department on Wednesday. Read more
Public Financial Management Crisis – What Role for Universities?
Shortly after the establishment of the new democratic order in 1994, South Africa embarked on a process of public management reform in which public sector financial management was given particular attention. Read more
Think Global, Act Local: Business Education for Disruptors, Innovators and Entrepreneurs
Disruption. Innovation. The Fourth Industrial Revolution. These aren’t just platitudes at the Johannesburg Business School (JBS), they’re the bedrock of the various courses and programmes on offer. Read more
Time for a New Kind of Learning
“It’s no longer what you know … it’s about what you do with that knowledge,” Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (UCT), said during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland Read more
UKZN Sits Pretty in Yet Another International University Ranking
In the Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging Economies Rankings 2019, the University of KwaZulu-Natal made it into the list of 100 best universities in emerging economies; securing 49th place. UKZN was bested by UCT which came in at nine, Wits at 11 and Stellenbosch at 24. The University of Pretoria followed at 78th place while UJ secured a spot at number 99. Read more
What can South African Educators do to Truly Improve Learning?
ITSI, the pioneering provider of educational tools based on established research in the field of educational neurosciences, has announced that it will be hosting the second annual seminar in Africa on Mind, Brain, and Education. Read more
31 December 2018
200 Scholarships on Offer from Pearson Institute for 2019
The Pearson Institute of Higher Education (PIHE) has launched a scholarship programme to provide 200 worthy applicants the funds to study in any of the foundation’s courses on offer at PIHE (including Higher Certificates and Pre-degree Foundation Programmes). Read more
Nanjing Audit University Strengthens Ties with UP
A delegation from China’s Nanjing Audit University met recently with representatives of the University of Pretoria to discuss extending the institutions’ exchange agreement, which has been in place for eight years. Read more
R&D is the Pipeline for Science Jobs in Africa
There’s a critical need to invest in a research & development (R&D) industry that could create a pipeline of jobs for science graduates in Africa. Read more
Shaping Creative Business Minds for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
With smart technologies disrupting industries and changing the way we see and experience the world, the future workplace looks very different to the past. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, or ‘Industry 4.0’, is upon us, and the graduates of 2018 and beyond need to be prepared for what this new wave of change brings. Read more
Study Finds No Link Between Bursaries and Student Success
A new study challenges much of the received wisdom about what it takes for students to succeed at university, concluding that there is no link between bursary funding, or money awarded on the basis of need, and student success. Read more
Two UP Professors Make Web of Science’s Highly Cited Researchers List for 2018
Two internationally renowned researchers from the University of Pretoria (UP), Prof Mike Wingfield and Prof Bernard Slippers, have been included on the 2018 Web of Science’s list of the world’s most highly cited researchers. Read more
UKZN Hosts SAFSAS Summit
In an effort to strengthen collaboration and identify best practices in student affairs and services in Higher Education Institutions, University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Student Support Services in the College of Health Sciences, led by Dr Saloschini Pillay, hosted and co-ordinated this year’s Southern African Federation for Student Affairs and Services (SAFSAS). Read more
World University Debating Championships Opens in CT
Over 1,000 students from 50 countries have descended upon the University of Cape Town to partake in the World University Debating Championships, which kicks off today, 27 December 2018. Read more
30 November 2018
After Campus Rapes, a National Plan to Tackle Scourge
In the aftermath of close to 50 incidents of rape and sexual violence on South Africa’s campuses, the country’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, will launch a national strategic plan to tackle gender-based violence. Read more
Communication from Council…
As pointed out by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wim de Villiers, in his report, 2018 has so far been another exceptional year for SU, even though it had its share of challenges. Council is satisfied that the University is on course to become Africa’s leading research-intensive university, globally recognised as excellent, inclusive and innovative, where we advance knowledge in service of society – as SU’s new vision indeed states. Read more
Norwegian-UKZN Partnership to Internationalise Teacher Education
Leading the delegation, HVL Rector Dr Berit Rokne said the purpose of the visit was to meet their South African partners to find ways to produce quality education and to discuss the current collaborative initiatives in place between the two universities. The visit was also used to explore possibilities for further engagements between the two institutions. Read more
Open Access: How Digital Open Textbooks Could Save Students Billions
The creation of digital open textbooks in higher education creates new opportunities that can facilitate curriculum transformation and the inclusion of student voices in open forms of content generation. Read more
South African Universities Shouldn’t be Playing the Global Rankings Game
Once again, Times Higher Education’s annual global university rankings have drawn a lot of attention from the media and in the higher education sector. In South Africa, this has focused on the four institutions from the country that made the top 500 on the 2019 list. Read more
Surgeons Spread Joy During Smile Week
It was a case of smiles all round earlier this year, when the division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, supported by the German NGO, Big Shoe, performed 11 reconstructive procedures during the Tygerberg Academic Hospital Smile Week. Read more
Teaching and Learning Workshop Explores Decolonisation in Higher Education
“Decolonisation of the Curriculum within Institutions of Higher Learning” was the topic of discussion at a first of its kind workshop recently organised by the Dean of Teaching and Learning in the College of Law and Management Studies. Read more
Top Academic in Ambitious Bid to Groom Future Scholars
The former vice-chancellor of South Africa’s University of the Free State, Professor Jonathan Jansen, has launched the Future Professors Group, an ambitious fortnightly seminar for postdoctoral fellows and young academics that aims to accelerate their paths to professorship. Read more
UKZN Researcher Elected Society of Neuroscientists of Africa Representative
Human Physiology Lecturer and Neuroscientist based in UKZN’s School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, Dr Lihle Qulu, has been selected as a Southern Hemisphere Region Representative for the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA). Read more
UKZN Vehicles Steal the Show at Cars in the Park Exhibition
The six vehicles students and staff of UKZN’s School of Mechanical Engineering exhibited at the annual Cars in the Park event in Pietermaritzburg were all massive crowd pullers! Read more
University of Cape Town (UCT) Researchers from the Industrial Computational Fluid Dynamics (InCFD)…
The group’s novel CFD software Elemental – with its unprecedented accuracy – enabled Airbus to effect a design improvement to their A320 aircraft that won the research team the Best Innovations in Flight Physics award for 2017/18. Read more
University Warning After Government Made It Even Easier to Get Matric Bachelor’s Pass
Experts are warning that the government’s decision to make it easier to get a National Senior Certificate (NSC) Bachelor’s pass will mean universities will be flooded with applications. Read more
UP Fellow Dr Osmond Mlonyeni Appointed to The Innovation Hub Board
As the first accredited Science and Technology Park in Africa, the hub aims to be an innovation agency of choice, and build Gauteng’s competitiveness by providing incubation programmes in the high technology, green economy and bio-economy sectors. Partnerships between government, industry, and academic and research institutions are important to drive innovation, and foster skills and enterprise development Read more
31 October 2018
Doctoral Qualification Standard Gets Favourable Review
Academics have given the thumbs-up to a draft document that aims not only to increase the number of doctoral degrees in South Africa but to improve national standards by providing a watertight system that rigorously guarantees quality. Read more
Four new Fellows for UCT
“In my culture we have the concept of elders. These are people who have walked the road ahead of us. We respect them because they do not impose their ideas on us, but they take time to listen and engage in our ideals and dreams as young people who are not as experienced as they are … In chaos, they are the voice of reason, and in wars and battles, they bring peace. Read more
Medical Students Upskilling Communities
A group of fourth-year University of Cape Town (UCT) medical students who are helping empower Mitchell’s Plain residents by teaching them basic first-aid skills are themselves benefiting from the experience as they learn the essential of community-oriented primary care (COPC). Read more
Naledi Pandor and why SA can’t afford to sleep on the job crisis
Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor says while SA is gaining ground on solving its skills crisis, there’s still lots to do. Here, in this edited Q/A, is what she considers some ways of solving SA’s job crisis. Read more
New Free Online University by Tari Labs
With the aim to help incubate open source projects and train blockchain developers, both locally and globally, Tari Labs has launched a free online university. Tari Labs is a contributor to Tari, the South African-based blockchain protocol. Read more
Partnerships – A Grand but Rewarding Challenge
South African higher education institutions should demand respect from prospective partners and ensure that partnerships are mutually beneficial and reciprocal, the recent South African Technology Network conference heard. Read more
Promoting Technical Colleges
Improved education is widely regarded as one of the key dimensions needed to address South Africa’s pervasive legacy of poverty, inequality and youth unemployment. Improving access to higher education, and to technical colleges, in particular, has a special place in this debate. Read more
Recognising Meaningful Contributions and Engaged Citizens
Over the last year, 810 well-trained students have volunteered weekly in 76 community partner organisations, which has made a meaningful contribution to the areas of academic support, sports coaching, wellness interventions, food security, IT support and leadership programmes. A further 820 pupils have been involved through disciplines in the various academic departments. Read more
Renewing the bonds between industry and universities
South African Technology Network (SATN) member universities last month secured an invitation to visit Saab Grintek Defence (SGD), South Africa’s leading defence and security company, with a view to understanding how to foster a mutually-beneficial working relationship between the industry and universities of technology. Read more
Research Helping Rural Community
A guesthouse in the remote Riemvasmaak conservancy area in the Northern Cape now has cost-effective access to water. This is thanks to a solar pump station developed by Nelson Mandela University’s Advanced Mechatronic Technology Centre, in collaboration with the merSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training). Read more
Showcasing the best emerging African talent – The AFDA Graduation Festival 2018
Our third- and fourth-year students are showcasing the hottest new talent coming out of South Africa from our Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth campuses. For the first time our pioneering AFDA BCom students will also be part of the festival, showcasing their innovative, disruptive, and monetised businesses they have created in their final year. Read more
Spotlight Shines on Universities Role in Agenda 2063
Discussions on universities role in achieving Africa’s Agenda 2063 has taken centre stage at the 6th Africa Higher Education Week and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) Biennial Conference. Read more
UP Academics Make Up Eight of 20 New Members of Top National Science Academy
Eight academics from the University of Pretoria (UP) are among 20 of the country’s leading scholars and scientists recently inaugurated as members of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). Read more
South Africa Needs to Find More Money to Fund Poor, Deserving Students
Is free higher education to the poor feasible? Is free tertiary education to needy and deserving students feasible in the current economic climate in South Africa? Read more
UKZN Entrepreneurs Venture to Hydroponic Farming
The University of KwaZulu-Natal ENSPIRE programme is proud to introduce another ground-breaking and innovative project that is set to make a difference in the lives of South Africans. Read more
30 September 2018
Awards for Wits Researchers Advancing Science for Society
The National Research Foundation has recognised Wits researchers for advancing their fields. Read more
Be Your Own Boss: Entrepreneurship 101
Would you like to change your life by putting your skills and knowledge to good use? Do you have the ability to think creatively? Would you like to be your own boss? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may have what it takes to become an entrepreneur. Read more
Committed to Healthy Communities
To signal the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) renewed commitment to cultivating inclusivity on and off campus, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng spent a day visiting a number of the health sites and community projects on the Cape Flats with which the university is involved. Read more
Fourth Industrial Revolution – Keeping People at the Core
Is the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) merely the latest buzzword describing inevitable technological advancements, or is it a phenomenon that will fundamentally change the way the world works, the way we educate students, and what it means to be human? Read more
Graduate Employability: UCT Top in Africa
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has maintained its top position in Africa for graduate employability, and is placed 18th in the world for graduate employment (in work after one year), the 2019 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Graduate Employability Rankings show. Read more
Launch of IPCC Technical Support Unit Office at UKZN
The launch of the Durban office of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Working Group II Technical Support Unit (WGII TSU) at the Smart Grid Research Centre on UKZN’s Westville campus attracted more than 60 guests drawn from a broad spectrum of academia, and representatives from local and national government and the media. Read more
Ledumahadi Mafube – South Africa’s New Jurassic Giant
A team of international scientists, led by Professor Jonah Choiniere from Wits, described a new species of a giant dinosaur that has been found near Clarens. Read more
New Book on SDGs Calls for Closer Research-Policy Link
A government policy-maker needs to find a solution to a water sanitation problem. Simple, tap into the latest research. Problem solved. If only. A new book addresses the frequent disconnect between research producers and policy-makers – a disconnect in urgent need of a solution if the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are to be achieved. Read more
On the Front Line Against Rape and Sexual Assault
A research development manager at UCT, Ramon is one of 11 staff members who recently completed standby adviser training for cases of sexual assault and rape. Their trainer was Rashieda Khan, who heads up the Survivor Support Office in the Office for Inclusivity and Change (OIC). Read more
PhDs in Just Three Minutes
It was a case of “ready, steady, go” on 13 September when 14 PhD students taking part in the 3MT® – or Three Minute Thesis – competition at the University of Cape Town (UCT) were given just three minutes to explain their entire PhDs to a public audience. Read more
Rain for Africa AgriCloud App Roll-out Hosted at Ukulinga Research Farm
The Agricultural Research Council – Institute for Soil, Climate and Water (ARC-ISCW) launched its Rain4Africa App at Ukulinga Research Farm. Read more
Researcher Receives National Award for Science Communication
Dr Rehana Malgas-Enus, an emerging researcher in the Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science at Stellenbosch University, on Wednesday (26 September 2018) received an award from the National Research Foundation (NRF) for her outstanding contributions to public engagement with science and for making science and technology more accessible to the public. Read more
Siyanqoba UKZN Maths Stars Shine at National Competition
Two senior and two junior UKZN’s Siyanqoba Maths teams competed in the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) annual Mathematics team competition. Read more
SU Again Among World’s Top Universities on Times Higher Education Rankings
In the 2019 version, which has just been released, SU is placed in the category 301-350. This is a significant improvement on last year when it was ranked in the category 351-400. Read more
UCT Scientists Shine at NRF Awards
The University of Cape Town’s top scientific minds dominated at this year’s National Research Foundation (NRF) Awards ceremony, accounting for 11 of the 37 academics honoured at the prestigious annual event. Read more
UKZN Turns Up the Heat on Research through Research Flagships Launch
In a bid to strengthen its research outputs and become a world-class and cutting-edge institution, the University of KwaZulu-Natal launched its four research flagships on Wednesday, 5 September 2018. Read more
UP Academic Wins Global Young Researcher Award
The University of Pretoria extends its congratulations to Dr Taryn Bond-Barnard of the UP Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM), who’s been honoured with this year’s Global Young Researcher Award in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Read more
Using Computers to Improve Lives
The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Department of Computer Science is set to enjoy a major boost with the naming of Dr Melissa Densmore, senior lecturer and Information and Communications Technologies for Development (ICT4D) staff member, as a recipient of the prestigious $500 000 National Academies Keck Futures Initiative (NAKFI) Challenge grant. Read more
31 August 2018
Addressing Unequal Power Relations in an Unequal Society
“… living in South Africa as a white person I cannot but engage critically with racism and its effects, including how I have benefited from apartheid and colonialism due to false values attached to the accident of skin pigmentation.” Read more
Advancing the Science of Measurement
The Metrological and Applied Sciences University Research Unit (MeASURe), officially launched in the University of Cape Town’s Department of Physics, will play a crucial role in boosting the prominence of measurement-based research in South Africa. Read more
A Medical Solution Aimed at Malnourished Children
It may not be the kind of thing people choose to discuss over the dinner table, but faecal transplants are gaining increasing acceptance as medical procedures as scientists learn more about the significance of the multitudes of bacteria inhabiting the human body. Read more
A National Multilingual Resource for Higher Education Developed at UP
The Department of African Languages and the Unit for Academic Literacy at the University of Pretoria (UP), in collaboration with Prof Mbulungeni Madiba of the University of Cape Town have developed an Open Educational Resource Term Bank (OERTB). Read more
African MBA Students Pursuing Positive Global Change
Master of Business Administration (MBA) students – particularly in Africa – are displaying a heightened sense of citizenship and responsibility, pursuing the skills necessary to bring their social impact and innovation priorities to life. Read more
First Runner Up in DST South African Women in Sciences Awards
Professor Pragashnie Govender was awarded 1st runner up in the Department of Science and Technology South African Women in Sciences Awards, in the Distinguished Young Women Humanities and Social Sciences category, held in Polokwane on 23 August 2018. Read more
Minister Steps in to Resolve Funding Problems
Universities South Africa says that it is pleased with the steps taken by Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor in an attempt to resolve the problems which the National Student Financial Aid Scheme has been battling with, writes Michael Pedro for Eye Witness News. Read more
National Science Week Inspires Learners
The Science and Technology Education Centre (STEC@UKZN) on UKZN’s Westville campus hosted the annual three-day National Science Week (NSW). Read more
Talent Equity and Excellence Scholarship Accelerates Research Dream for Plant Pathologist
Mr Sfiso Gumede is one of the recipients of the Talent Equity and Excellence Acceleration Scholarship awarded to Black South African students who have achieved academic excellence and aim for a career in academia. Read more
South Africa’s University Students Face a Crisis: Nearly a Third Go Hungry
There is a common perception that students represent the elite, and so cannot possibly suffer from hunger. Read more
UKZN Working Overtime to Advance Statistics Education
Building strength and capacity in statistics education has been an ongoing priority for the Discipline of Statistics in UKZN’s School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Sciences (SMSCS) and events planned by the Discipline for the remainder of 2018 will continue along this line. Read more
UP Signs Agreement with The University of Western Australia
The University of Pretoria (UP) and The University of Western Australia (UWA) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), that seeks to enhance relations between the two universities by developing academic and cultural interchanges in teaching, research and other activities. Read more
7 Ways to Save SA’s STEM Education Before the 4th Industrial Revolution Hits
With the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) looming, a solid STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) is imperative to bring about the ability to problem-solve. Read more
Wits Lifetime and Emerging Research Recognised
Four scientists in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Wits last night won South African Medical Research Council Scientific Merit Awards. Read more
30 June 2018
Only one South African University Climbed the Latest Global Rankings
The latest QS World University Rankings has been released for 2018/19, showing that only one South African university managed to improve its position among the best in the world from last year – while the others on the list declined. Read more
UP Scientists Honoured at NSTF Awards
The University of Pretoria Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC), headed by Prof Tiaan de Jager, has won a prestigious National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Award at a gala dinner last night. Read more
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) announced in April that it will spend 4 million Rand towards furthering the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) in South Africa. Read more
Op-Ed: Foreign Doctorates are Attractive – But Don’t Write off Homegrown PhDs
Introducing more skilled employees into the economy is an important path to development for many middle income countries. That’s why increased and improved training at the top end of the education level – PhDs – is considered so vital. Read more
Professors Should Earn their Status, Not be “Made”
South Africa’s professoriate needs to be “transformed” to “reflect its population as fully as possible”. He offers no other premises/goals/criteria/standards. Read more
Staff Transformation at UCT
Transformation is a challenge for all South African higher education institutions. In response to recent discussions on this important topic in the media, UCT Vice-Chancellor Dr Max Price outlines what UCT is doing to advance employment equity. Read more
UKZN Academic Conducts Medical Law and Ethics
Professor David McQuoid-Mason from the UKZN Centre for Socio-Legal Studies recently conducted a Medical Law and Ethics workshop for Ghanaian health professionals. Read more
Using Data to Understand Students’ Needs and put them on the path to success
In Africa Features, we cover the recent Siyaphumelela conference held in Johannesburg, South Africa, which highlighted some of the challenges – material and otherwise – facing students and impeding their success at universities. Read more
31 May 2018
University writing groups provide an unexpected space for change
In a seminal paper on what constitutes quality in education, scholars Lee Harvey and Diana Green argue that a “quality education” is one in which a student experiences a “personal transformation” as a result of enhancing and empowering mechanisms. Read more
South African universities losing their credibility
The credibility of higher education at South Africa’s top institutions is on a decline while other BRICS countries like China‚ India and Russia are improving their standards. Read more
Collaboration sees the birth of the STEM Academy at CUT
The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) launched the STEM Academy in collaboration with the Free State Department of Education (FSDoE), University of the Free State (UFS) and TVET colleges in the province on 30 May 2018. Read more
Highest graduate numbers revealed
False Bay TVET College hosted its annual Awards and Diploma Ceremony to acknowledge students who excel in their respective programmes and celebrate those who have graduated. This year the event was hosted in College’s Khayelitsha Campus, Main Hall. Read more
UCT law student wins Yale University Fellowship
Elkanah Babatunde, Law PhD candidate from UCT has been awarded the prestigious Yale Fox International Fellowship by Yale University in the United States… Read more
R934m to be spent on university capacity development
Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor says the department will spend R934 million on the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP) to improve student development and decolonise the curriculum… Read more
Mamdani rejoins UCT
In marking Africa Day, the Centre for African Studies (CAS) at UCT announced the appointment of esteemed Ugandan professor Mahmood Mamdani as Honorary Professor. Read more
The top university in Africa
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has leapt up 36 places to 223rd in the world, according to the latest report from the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR). UCT placed first in the country and on the continent. Read more
SU signs collaboration agreement with Oudtshoorn
Municipality Stellenbosch University (SU) values the opportunity to collaborate with local governments through formal Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). The University has MOUs in place with the Western Cape Government (WCG) and the City of Cape Town through its membership of the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC). Read more
Invitation to attend the annual AIPLITL Conference hosted by the Centre for IP Law at the University of Pretoria
The Centre for Intellectual Property Law in the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria is hosting the annual conference of the South African Association of Intellectual Property Law and Information Technology of Law Teachers and Researchers (AIPLITL) Conference from 4 to 5 July 2018 at the CSIR Centre in Pretoria. Read more
Assessing the Impact of Ranking Systems on Universities
The impact ranking systems have on universities around the world was discussed at a UKZN gathering which featured visiting United States academic, Professor Luc Beaudoin. A Vice-Provost for Internationalisation and Associate Professor at the University of Denver, Beaudoin said university rankings undoubtedly had a major influence on how each institution was perceived and could be […] Read more
KRISP Cautions about Intellectual Property when Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Understanding Intellectual Property (IP) allows people and businesses to harness creations of the human mind and realise their economic potential through commercialisation. It is important to know what constitutes intellectual property, who owns the intellectual property and what protection and advantages are afforded to intellectual property owners. This was the focus of the fourth breakfast […] Read more
30 April 2018
Emphasizing the IP Gender gap
Commemorating World Intellectual Property (IP) Day, UCT not only joins the global community to acknowledge the key roles women play in research, innovation and creativity, but also takes the opportunity to examine gender bias within the IP system Read more
UCT in Times Higher Education Top 60
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is one of eight universities belonging to the World University Network (WUN) to have been ranked within the top 60 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings’ list of the world’s most international universities. Read more
UKZN Graduating Ceremonies 2018
It’s time for celebration on all campuses of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) as thousands of students reap the fruits of their studies and hard work at the 2018 graduation ceremonies. Read more
Distinguished Teacher Uses Web 2.0 Technologies to Enhance Teaching
Professor Guegium Kana has been awarded a Distinguished Teachers’ Award for 2017 in recognition of his innovative teaching methods and harnessing of information technology. ‘This prestigious award from an institution of UKZN’s ranking comes with great honor, and high expectations to further improve teaching and impact the community,’ said Kana, of the School of Life Sciences. Read more
Statistics PhD Graduate Earns Plaudits for Women in Science
Ugandan-born Dr Justine Nasejje graduated with a PhD in Statistics for research that has drawn international attention in her field and earned her invitations to a number of scientific meetings, including one in June in the United States. Read more
Citizenship, Racism and Campus Culture
Condemnation by the local and international media of racist initiation practices at the University of the Free State raised very serious and interesting questions about the state of, and the responsibilities of, higher education in South Africa. The media – ranging from local print and television to BBC, CNN and The Economist – with one or two notable exceptions beat a drum of outrage and ‘back to the old South Africa’. Read more
Pan-African Accreditation and Quality Council Agreed
Experts have agreed to set up an African Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council for Higher Education, to harmonize the approval of courses and activities of quality agencies among countries. Read more
Free State University Decries Financial Exclusion Article
The executive management of the University of the Free State (UFS) rejects the perception created by Rossouw that provisional registration is racially biased. The university does not discriminate in any way in considering students who wish to take advantage of provisional registration. Read more
Red tape is Alienating Academics from Their Own Research and Work
When South African academics want to set up a new degree module, they’re entering into a process that can take years to germinate. These modules must be approved through an incredibly cumbersome process – departmental, school, faculty, various university quality control committees, an institution’s senate, the South African Qualification Authority. Read more
30 December 2017
A New Era of Teaching at UCT
The education field, like many others, is constantly changing as technology evolves and opens up new possibilities. Read more
AAUN Africa Forum Brings Experts Together In Cape Town
Australia-Africa Universities Network (AAUN) brought together 55 Australian and African experts from academia, government, the diplomatic service, business and agencies to assess education and research partnerships in development, the engagement of stakeholders, and building sustainable research and exchange programmes. Read more
AFDA Offers Teaching Scholarships in Their Master of Fine Arts Programme
AFDA is offering graduate students a unique opportunity to realise their dream of mastering the craft of motion picture production by researching, developing and participating in the making of a feature film or television series. Read more
Business in Africa: The Case-Study Collection
The UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB) has announced the publication of its first collection of 10 case studies with accompanying teaching notes. Read more
Don’t Give Up On Studies Yet
If you have failed your first year of studies after school, review your options but don’t give up on of your dreams. Read more
Education Experts Advise Graduates on Job Search
With SA’s high unemployment rate and many candidates competing for limited opportunities, the job search can be a daunting task. Read more
Expulsion of Two Rhodes Protesters Triggers Outrage
Rhodes University has come under fire following the permanent expulsion of two women students who were involved in anti-rape protests at the campus in Grahamstown last year. Read more
Former UWC Rector’s Death A Loss to City
Tributes have been pouring in for Professor Richard van der Ross who died at age 96. Read more
HE Quality Council Defends Review of Law Degrees
The Council on Higher Education, or CHE, has defended its quality review of the law degrees of 17 universities in South Africa in the wake of what it claims are “wanton attacks on the CHE and its quality assurance processes in instances. Read more
LLB Recognition Boost for NMU
The faculty of law is one of seven faculties working together to support the institution’s vision of being a dynamic African university. Read more
New Study on Nitrogen Pollution In False Bay
Despite a wealth of research on False Bay, little is known about the chemical make-up of its water, how this varies seasonally and how its vigorous circulation prevents stagnation. Read more
Online Help for Matrics to Get Into Varsity
The Central Applications Clearing House (CACH) online application service for matriculants, who struggled to secure a place at the educational institution of their choice, will open from 5 January – 28 February 2018. Read more
Prof Lis Lange appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at UCT
Vice-Rector: Academic at the University of the Free State (UFS), has been appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at the University of Cape Town (UCT) as from 1 February 2018. Read more
Student Aid Scheme Unprepared For ‘Missing Middle’
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme has told members of parliament that it could encounter difficulties if President Jacob Zuma decides it should also cater for the so-called ‘missing middle’ in the 2018 academic year. Read more
UCT’s D-School Unlocks Creativity to Drive Innovation
The Hasso Plattner Institute of Design Thinking (d-school) at UCT is one of only three in the world. Read more
Windfall Helps Train Undergrads in Air Sampling
Atmospheric chemist Dr Katye Altieri will use her Claude Leon Merit Award, one of five awarded to UCT researchers in 2017, to teach oceanography and atmospheric science undergraduates the rudiments of conducting air quality analyses. Read more
30 October 2017
R11-Billion Set Aside For Extra Accommodation for Varsity Students
Finance Minister has set aside more than R11-billion to expand accommodation for university students in the next three years. Read more
Academic the Victim of ‘Black Purge’
After 23 years of a democratic and non-racial South Africa, the institutions of higher learning are still gravely and blatantly trudging in the wake of transformation. Read more
Black Students Held Back By Varsity Fees
The higher education system is constipated and, if left untreated, the number of black students who complete their studies will continue to drop. Read more
CAES Top Researchers Contribute to World-Class Research
The University of KwaZulu-Natal congratulated its top performing researchers for 2016. Of the 30 researchers honoured, 16 are based in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, where they are conducting important research in the Schools of Chemistry and Physics (SCP), Life Sciences (SLS), Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science (SMSCS), Engineering, and Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences (SAEES). Read more
Dr Mphahlele Puts UKZN on the Map with Cystic Fibrosis Study
The School of Clinical Medicine’s Paediatrics and Child Health Junior Lecturer, Dr Reratilwe Mphahlele’s poster presentation on Cystic Fibrosis (CF) in South Africa, made the top five at the 16th International Congress on Paediatric Pulmonology (CIPPXVI) held recently in Lisbon, Portugal. Read more
Education Minister Urges Students to Apply Early For Financial Aid
NSFAS does not require exam results for the application process, so learners are urged to apply before their exams start so that they know that their application has been submitted. Read more
Free Education Unfeasible, Says Leaked Report
The long-awaited university fees commission report is expected to be released by President Jacob Zuma this week, but a leaked version of it saying that free education is unfeasible has already sparked fear of more student protests. Read more
Funding Shortfalls Haunt Higher Education
National Treasury has painted a grim picture of the shortfalls in the funding of public higher education for the next three financial years. Read more
Higher Education Institutions Revenue Increased By 11%
The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) revenue has increased by 11% from 2015 to 2016, according to the Financial Statistics of Higher Education Institutions. Read more
Higher Education Institutions Spent More on Bursaries In 2016
South Africa’s public higher education institutions spent more on bursary funding for students in 2016 compared with 2015. Read more
Is This the Start of Fees Must Fall Protests
As universities prepare to announce fee increases for 2018‚ a swirl of unrest is engulfing some campuses over the proposed increments. Read more
Major Cost Pressure on Higher Education
Despite South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress, earlier this year vowing that free higher education could become a reality as early as 2018, Wednesday’s medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS) revealed glaring gaps in funding for the country’s students.
Protests Shut Down UCT
Classes were disrupted for a second day at the University of Cape Town as students calling on the President to release a report on tuition fees resumed their protest. Read more
Student Funding Body Fails To Meet Objectives
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) increased the number of students it funded by 9% in the 2016-17 financial year, but the technically complex roll-out of its student-centred model led to the organisation failing to meet nearly half of its strategic objectives and performance indicators. Read more
Study Now, Pay Later: The Rise of Income Sharing
Such income-sharing agreements are paving the way for less fortunate students to get on in life. Read more
Students Were Better Off In 1980s – Statistics Chief
The proportion of black students progressing at universities was higher in the 1980s than it was in 2017. Read more
Two Years and Counting – University Fees Frustration Mounts
With student protests beginning to flare up again at various campuses across the country‚ the University of Cape Town Vice-Chancellor‚ have expressed “grave concern” at the delayed release of the report of the Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training established nearly 24 months ago. Read more
UCT Fee Increases ‘Delayed By Zuma’
UCT pleaded with President Jacob Zuma to release, and make public, the report of the Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training (Fees Commission) to allow them to determine the fee hike for the 2018 academic year. Read more
Universities Collect R21bn in Tuition Fees
Public higher education institutions managed to raise over R21-billion through tuition fees in 2016‚ according to figures released by Statistics South Africa. Read more
University Education Can Never Be Free‚ Says SA’s Statistician-General
South Africa must not deceive itself with the idea of free higher education and should focus on finding a workable model. Read more
Varsities in Dark Over 2018 Fees Increase
National Treasury has painted a grim picture of the shortfalls in the funding of public higher education for the next three financial years. Read more
15 October 2017
Africa’s Largest Eagle In Free Fall
The population of Martial Eagles, Africa’s largest eagle species, is in free fall in South Africa and may be heading towards extinction. This is according to a new UCT study based on changes in sighting rates over the past 20 years. Read more
Curro Fledgling Stadio Buys Milpark Business School In With Brimstone
Stadio is buying Milpark Business School for R320m in partnership with Brimstone, the recently listed tertiary education group announce. Read more
Educor Hosts Its First Academic Advising Research Conference
Leading private education provider Educor Holdings hosted its first Academic Advising Research Conference. Read more
GSB Academic Conference Centre Takes Shape
Work has started on the construction of a R130 million state-of-the-art academic conference centre on UCT’s Graduate School of Business (GSB) campus. Read more
HE Conference Agenda Reflects Sector’s Topical Issues
The issue of academic decolonisation was a strong feature of the 11th annual University of KwaZulu-Natal Higher Education Teaching and Learning Conference held in Durban. Read more
Higher Education Transformation Network Calls For Release Of Fees Commission Report
The Higher Education Transformation Network (HETN) has called on President Jacob Zuma to “urgently” release the final report of the Fees Commission. The lobby group said the findings contained in the report were crucial to the immediate future of higher education. Read more
IRSJ Research Fellow Promotes Human Rights Transformation
In the book, she argues that the traditional ways in which human rights education is conducted often become an obstacle. Read more
New Medical School Slated For Eastern Cape
Nelson Mandela University (NMU) will open South Africa’s ninth medical school in 2020 when the school is expected to accept its first class of 100 aspiring doctors. Read more
New Research Informs Improved Treatment Of Brain Inflammation
Microbiologist Dr Adepemi Ogundeji has uncovered a new use for an old medicine that can potentially save lives and money. Read more
Outrage After Lab Rape Attack At NMU
The man who raped a student and stabbed another in a violent attack inside a Nelson Mandela University computer laboratory on Monday night later made the women help him carry out the equipment he stole. Read more
Umbrella Body Fears Student Funding Disaster
The Financial Aid Practitioners of SA (Fapsa) warns of further unrest and protest at tertiary campuses countrywide if the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) does not sort out its payment issues to institutions and students. Read more
University Has Become Place Where Students Fear Being Raped
A new name of the university was launched, a prestigious ocean science campus was unveiled, a new logo revealed, great speeches were made, red ribbons were cut, it was flowers and roses.Read more
30 September 2017
Canny Investors Buy Into Education
Two decades after Yusuf Karodia launched Mancosa, a distance learning school to teach South Africans business skills, he sold up to UK private equity firm Actis. Read more
Education Activist Is Out To Free Our Minds
One of the demands of the #FMF protesters during their fight for free education at higher education institutions across the country was the decolonisation of education. Read more
Focus on Equity and Success
In an address to members of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Loretta Feris, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Transformation, reflected on her nine months in the transformation portfolio and outlined her key focus areas for 2018. Read more
GIBS Again Tops Financial Mail Business School And MBA 2017 Rankings
The rankings place GIBS first in three categories: first choice for graduates, most reputable MBA programme among employers, and a commanding reputational lead compared to its competitors with regard to best overall reputation among employers. Read more
No Plan In Place For SA Youth, Statistician-General
Lehohla delivered a keynote address on the Demographic Dividend South Africa at the 11th annual Higher Education Conference, hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Read more
Postgrads Urgently Need Funding
Statistician general Pali Lehohla has said that tertiary education is the key to employing South Africa’s young people. However, the key to growing our economy is not just to put people into jobs, but to develop new business and professional sectors in which South Africans can apply their ingenuity to solving problems that can have a global effect. Read more
SA Is Skills-Hungry‚ Says Statistics Chief
In South Africa the number of skilled people are few‚ said Lehohla at the International Higher Education conference hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal where he released the Whither a Demographic Dividend South Africa‚ 2017‚ report. Read more
Shining A Light On Student Entrepreneurs
Between presentations from a number of student entrepreneurs, an entrepreneurial marketplace and a day-long entrepreneurship boot camp, the week brought the efforts of many future business leaders to the fore. Read more
Shortening the Distance with Damelin Correspondence College
With the emergence of new technologies developing exponentially in the education sector and the growing need to earn an income after graduating from high school, students have been driven towards distance education. Read more
State Pays Millions For Predatory Journal Articles
The South African government spent between R100 million (US$7.5 million) and R300 million (US$23 million) over a 10-year period in subsidies for academic articles published in predatory journals, according to a South African Journal of Science study. Read more
Suspended CPUT Head Still Draws A Salary
The Department of Higher Education and Training does not know why the suspended vice-chancellor of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, (CPUT), Dr Prins Nevhutalu, still draws a salary after almost a year of idling at home. Read more
UCT Launches MOOC Focusing On Practical Academic Writing Skills
Writing Your World’ is the latest massive open online course (MOOC) launched by the University of Cape Town (UCT). Read more
University Of Venda Splashes Out R5-Million On A Pool Students Can’t Use
A R4.9-million recreational swimming pool at the University of Venda has not been used since it was completed last year, because there are no lifeguards. Read more
Unpacking The Spatial Paradox
The collective brings together research centres at three Western Cape universities, including UCT’s African Centre for Cities (ACC), experts on urban development and planning, and civil society groups such as Reclaim the City and the Development Action Group (DAG). Read more
Varsities Get HIV Safe Pill
Truvada is an antiretroviral pill that reduces the risk of contracting HIV by at least 90% if taken daily. Read more
15 September 2017
Alumni Advance Excellence
Ten recent graduates from UCT’s Department of Chemical Engineering will be completing their master’s degrees abroad, with the bulk of students attending the University of Cambridge in the UK. Read more
Call for Shoprite Bursary Applications
The Shoprite Group is searching for bright, hard-working young people who need funding in order to continue their post-school education and have a better chance of finding jobs. Read more
Conspiracies behind student millionaire
It was revealed in the Portfolio Committee meeting on Higher Education that the student who received the R14.1 million incorrect payments must have conspired with vendors and administrative officials. Read more
Ebola Virus Study Generates PhD in Health Sciences
A novel study on the Ebola virus that produced four publications in just one academic year earned Dr Marissa Balmith a PhD in Health Sciences. Read more
Geological ‘Barcodes’: A Unique Way to Date Rocks
Geological time as recorded by sedimentary rocks can preserve distinct intervals in which biotic crises resulted in global mass extinctions. Read more
Government Answerable For R14m Student Case
The National Freedom Party (NFP) on Thursday called on the government to take full responsibility for the situation regarding the R14.1 million that was “accidentally” deposited into the account of a Walter Sisulu University student, and to stop shifting the blame. Read more
How Do Youth Find Their Place in The World?
In 21st century South Africa and Japan, young people have emerged as a significant community for analysing contemporary transformations, with their capacity to negotiate warmth and hospitality between social continuities and change in a globalised, interconnected world of local and global hierarchies. Read more
New Study Centre for PE
A unique tertiary institution, where there are no lecturers on campus and students attend classes after work with a lecturer who is more than 1,000km away, will open its doors in Nelson Mandela Bay next year. Read more
Proposed Collaboration Promises Great Results for Entrepreneurship
Creating opportunities and areas for collaboration between the Department of Small Business Development and the University of KwaZulu-Natal was the aim of a recent roundtable discussion championed by the School of Accounting Economics and Finance (SAEF). Read more
Student Surgeons Climb Kili for Dialysis Machine
UCT’s Surgical Society is planning to summit the daunting Mount Kilimanjaro this December to raise funds to buy a life-saving kidney dialysis machine for Groote Schuur Hospital. Read more
The Fall Strikes an International Chord
The much-acclaimed play The Fall returns to the Baxter Theatre this September in the wake of global events signalling the importance of decolonisation across the world. Read more
Tackling Seemingly Insurmountable Mountains is What the New Dean Does Best
As a trail runner he has tackled some of the toughest snowy mountains to be found in Poland and participated in gruelling challenges in rough terrains in South Africa, but perhaps the most challenging task that Prof Anthony Leysens will face over the next five years is how to build a sustainable arts and social sciences faculty at a time when higher education institutions in general are under immense pressure to remain financially sustainable. Read more
Transformed Many Lives for the Better at Varsity
As the term of Professor Derrick Swartz as vice-chancellor of Nelson Mandela University is about to expire at the end of this year, I would like to express my appreciation for the man who has played an important role in transforming many lives for the better and producing many graduates in his term as the vice-chancellor. Read more
Zuma Set to Make Higher Education Report ‘Public In Due Course’
President Jacob Zuma has received the final report of the Heher Commission on the feasibility of free higher education and would make it public in due course. Read more
31 August 2017
Artscape Celebrates SACM Musicians
Six talented instrumentalists and singers from the South African College of Music (SACM) are set to perform at the Western Cape Youth Classical Festival. Read more
Candidates Sought For Phd in ‘Leadership in Africa’s Development’
The University of Africa, a private university within JSE-listed ADvTECH, is on track to start producing new authorities on leadership on the continent and is calling for candidates from across Africa to join the programme. Read more
Cape Town Shows off Scientific Treasures
It was perhaps not so much teenage tomfoolery as it was scientific curiosity that drew the moths to the cloud of ammonia. While this writer didn’t stick around long enough to figure out what exactly the chap in the white coat was demonstrating, a fair number of the youngsters did. They were the guests of honour at this year’s Cape Town Expo for Young Scientists, after all. Read more
College of Business and Economics Launches Officially at UJ
The official launch of the new College of Business and Economics (CBE) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) takes place on Monday 21 August 2017. The College, combining the previous Faculties of Economic and Financial Sciences and Management, houses six schools focusing on management education in Africa. Read more
Competition Offers Free Student Accommodation in PE
CampusKey is running a competition offering free accommodation at its new Scarborough facility in Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth. The competition is open to students aged 18 or over, studying at the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) or a higher education establishment in Port Elizabeth, during the 2018 academic year. Read more
Goal Reached – A PhD at 69 Years Old
After five years of pursuing her PhD, 69-year-old Lulama Ngalo-Morrison is now a doctor of education after graduating from UWC. Read more
Higher Education Committee Slams ‘Dubious’ R14m #NSFAS Payment
Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has slammed the R14 million accidentally paid into a Walter Sisulu University student’s account as “dubious” and “unacceptable”. Read more
Honour for Innovative, Multifaceted Linguist
Professor Ana Deumert was in Berlin recently to receive the prestigious Humboldt Research Award for her work in general and applied linguistics. Her peers have described her as one of the world’s most distinguished and innovative thinkers in the field of sociolinguistics. Read more
How Severe Is the Drought?
The rainy season is about to finish and dam levels are at 34%, compared to last year’s 58%. Even if there are good late rains, our predicament is not going to change. Read more
Investing In Energy Entrepreneurs
The Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship is part of a project that is testing an innovative, outcomes-based funding mechanism, the Green Outcomes Fund, to catalyse investment into promising green small and growing businesses. Read more
Is Fee-Free Tertiary Education Viable In SA, Commissions’ Report Will Tell?
South Africans will soon know whether the country is ready for fee-free higher education and training or not. Read more
Mogoeng Appointed Chancellor at UKZN
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng is the new Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Chief Justice Mogoeng was appointed by Council at its meeting held on 7 August 2017 and will serve as Chancellor for a four-year term of office. Read more
Nzimande Condemns R14.1m Student Payment ‘Slip-Up’
Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande has condemned the incorrect payment of R14.1 million into the account of a Walter Sisulu University (WSU) student, whose studies were being financed by government. Read more
Own Your Future with UCT Careers Festival
The Careers Service presents the UCT Careers Festival, which includes everything students need to know to take the next step in their career development. Read more
Proposed Collaboration Promises Great Results for Entrepreneurship
Creating opportunities and areas for collaboration between the Department of Small Business Development and the University of KwaZulu-Natal was the aim of a recent roundtable discussion championed by the School of Accounting Economics and Finance (SAEF). Read more
Secret Life of the Dodo Revealed
Scientists are piecing together clues about the life of the dodo, hundreds of years after the flightless bird was driven to extinction. Read more
Short Two-Billion-Year History of SA
While the proposal to translate the book had been floated as far back as the first edition, Emeritus Professor Francis Wilson had his hopes realised only on publication of the third edition of Dinosaurs, Diamonds and Democracy. Read more
South African Universities Need to Rethink how They Invest Their Millions
Universities have to decide what to do with the pension fund contributions of their staff. They also receive large monetary donations from alumni and other private donors. This money – millions, sometimes billions of dollars – goes into university investment funds. Read more
Technology Will Disrupt Traditional Education System
The current education system is ripe for disruption. Historically, institutions have positioned themselves as knowledge leaders and the primary place to receive expertise to prepare students for the workplace. However, in the age of free online courses from the worlds top universities and part-time study sites, such as edX and Coursera, that information is becoming widely available outside the system. Read more
Think Tank Tackles Myth of Green Mining
Sustainability is key to the survival of the mining sector worldwide. But is green mining a pipe dream, or can the industry shift into a transformed and more sustainable paradigm? These questions absorbed participants during a recent one-day interactive workshop at UCT. Read more
UKZN Awards Academic and Sports Achievements
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has awarded prestigious scholarships and bursaries worth a combined total of more than R156 million to 5294 top achieving students at the University during the University’s Annual Scholarships Awards Ceremony. Read more
Zuma Set To Make Higher Education Report ‘Public In Due Course’
President Jacob Zuma has received the final report of the Heher Commission on the feasibility of free higher education and would make it public in due course. Read more
15 August 2017
Academic Adds Fun into Accounting
The School of Accounting, Economics and Finance academic has once again found a way to spice up Accounting by creating an educational game for his Accounting students. Read more
ANC Plays It Safe: Free Higher Education Soon
The ANC wants the government to provide free higher education for poor would-be students as early as next year. Read more
Leadership Comes Under the Spotlight at Imbokodo Workshop
What makes a good leader and what are the main challenges facing women in the workplace? Read more
Many Steps Face Mandela University
Through the Government Gazette No 40090, dated June 23 last year, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande determined that Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University would be named Nelson Mandela University from now on. Read more
M-Education Can Speed Up Learning, Participation
With many students using their mobile phones to access information, rather than laptop or tablet, South African higher education institutions – whether public or private – are encouraged to support the integration of mobile devices and apps in formal and informal learning environments. Read more
Mining the Power of Data to Boost Student Success
Data analytics is becoming increasingly important to improving the effectiveness of almost every profession and academia is no different, but knowing what data is important and how to use it is critical. Read more
Nursing Education Creates Empowerment
At our Life College of Learning, we are able to develop many South African women through our various nursing and health sciences courses. Read more
Overcoming Hurdles to Success
Not afraid to speak his mind about anything from politics to everyday life, former University of the Free State vice-chancellor Professor Jonathan Jansen had his audience in stitches when he launched his latest literary work, Song for Sarah: Lessons from my mother. Read more
Predator Alert! Credible Science Is Being Gobbled Up, Warn Academics
Predatory publishing – in which bogus journals publish academic research for a fee – threatens to undermine science in South Africa. Read more
Student Activist Slams ANC for Being Arrogant, Hypocritical
Student activist said the ANC was arrogant and hypocritical for granting free higher education despite a number of student leaders still facing charges related to Fees Must Fall protests. Read more
Student Digs Fund Targets JSE Niche
The listing of the first student accommodation group Inkunzi should encourage more companies focusing on student housing to go public. Read more
Students Not Prepared For Tertiary Education
Not being happy with their study choice and falling school standards are some of the reasons why South African students feel unprepared for tertiary education. Read more
UKZN Graduate Hones Skills in the Petrol Manufacturing Industry
School of Management, Information Technology and Governance (SMIG) alumni paid tribute to UKZN’s Supply Chain Department for providing him with the inspiration, dedication and motivation needed to pursue his career with confidence. Read more
UKZN Ranks Third In SA, and 369th Internationally
World ranking body, University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP), has placed the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) third among 16 universities in South Africa and 369th among 2000 higher education institutes across the globe. Read more
UKZN Team Involved In Baby Charlie Care
UKZN’s paediatric palliative care team, was involved in discussions around the care of Charlie Gard, an 11-month-old UK baby who was living with a rare condition. Read more
Universities Enter Partnership with Police to Curb Crime
In a bid to deal with crime plaguing South African campuses, South Africa’s universities have entered into a long-term partnership with the national police service that will see closer collaboration to ensure the safety and security of university communities across the country. Read more
Universities SA Wary of ANC’s Free Tertiary Tuition
The ANC’s proposal to provide free tertiary education for poor people from 2018 was unlikely to placate students, Universities SA warned. Read more
We Reject Free Education Offer, Says #Feesmustfall Leader
Student activist Mcebo Dlamini said on Tuesday that the African National Congress (ANC) was arrogant and hypocritical for granting free higher education despite a number of student leaders still facing charges related to fees must fall protests. Read more
15 July 2017
City University Linked To Malawian Prophet Being Investigated
The ownership of a city university, called Shepherd Bushiri University and linked to controversial Malawian prophet Shepherd Bushiri, is under investigation by the Department of Higher Education, which said yesterday that modules and courses offered were bogus and unregistered. Read more
Combine On-The-Job Training with Flexible Study Programmes
Are degree and certificate programmes in business education only for privileged few? Read more
Cut Out Distractions Before Matric Studies Start
As the Class of 2017 return to their desks for arguably the most important few months of their school careers, it is time for them to eliminate all distractions, and budget their time to ensure they stay in control of their revision and ultimate success. Read more
Free Education for the Poor Coming Soon
Free education for the poor may be implemented by next year, says ANC general secretary Gwede Mantashe. Read more
High-Ranking UJ Leaders Accused Of Swindling R25m
Two senior managers at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) have been accused of siphoning off at least R25 million from the university, which they allegedly channelled into their private business. Read more
Institutional Autonomy under Threat As Government Seeks To Increase Number of Black Professors
While it is essential to diversify the make-up of staff and students at tertiary institutions, the government’s current fixation with increasing the number of black professors further threatens institutional autonomy. Read more
Medical Students Blocked At Hospitals over Qualifications
Medical students who have studied in India and China have been dealt a major blow after a moratorium was placed on local universities preventing them from being placed at state hospitals. Read more
NMMU Becomes NMU
The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth has relaunched itself as the Nelson Mandela University. Read more
NSFAS Expenditure Rises Over 10 Years
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) loan system has risen by more than 600% for universities and a 17 900% for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in the past ten year. Read more
Officials Probe Suspected Bogus College
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is investigating the owners of a suspected fraudulent international university on allegations of operating an illegal private institution in central Pretoria. Read more
R3.5m Bursaries for Teacher Education In 2018
The Embury Institute for Higher Education is open for applications for its 2018 bursaries for teacher education, worth R3.5m. The bursaries are awarded through two initiatives, a full four-year tuition bursary scheme for high-performing but financially challenged students and the Triple 3 Campus Tuition bursary scheme. Read more
Relaunched Nelson Mandela University Must Live Up To Its Name
Staff and students at the newly-branded Nelson Mandela University have a “responsibility to cherish and defend Nelson Mandela’s name” and “be true Madibas,” Read more
Renamed university has big shoes to fill
Nelson Mandela University has big shoes to fill and expectations to meet, since it was officially renamed after the iconic late statesman. Read more
Student Funding Models Mooted
The type of funding model that South Africa comes up with in response to the #FeesMustFall student movement should not be one that compromises students. Read more
Students Must Sign Loan Deals or Lose Out On Funding
More than 200,000 students on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have not received their funding and are in danger of losing it entirely if they fail to sign loan agreements. Read more
Suburban High-Rise Student Digs Boon
The seven-storey CampusKey Scarborough development is nearing completion at a crucial time for Nelson Mandela University (NMU) with next year’s student intake looming and funding for a new on-campus residence not yet finalized. Read more
Varsity Clinics to Supply Arts to Students
The University of Zululand (Unizul) has become the first institution of higher education in KwaZulu-Natal to provide antiretroviral treatment (ART) in its health clinics. Read more
30 June 2017
Becoming partners in care
The Patient Partner Programme has been funded by the Erasmus+ capacity building programme of the European Union as part of the Caring Society 3.0 (CASO) consortium. Read more
Beware Bogus Colleges Offering ‘University’ Qualifications
There has been an increase in bogus colleges, exploiting the complexities of the regulatory environment for gain, and students and their parents must avoid unregistered and unaccredited colleges. Read more
Fee-Free Varsity for the Poor Examined
The minister of higher education’s task team believes it has finally solved the university fees crisis, but the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme is just another way for the private sector to benefit from the poor. Read more
Free Education Is Possible, Says Task Team Chair
While some 1 000 people had crammed into Jameson Hall to debate the feasibility of fee-free higher education, kicked off by a report-back from UCT’s Free Education Planning Group task team, the speakers made it clear that student and worker struggles at universities were intimately connected. Read more
Harnessing Technology to Drive Innovation
UCT alumnus Rapelang Rabana, who has achieved phenomenal success in her field, will be speaking about being a young entrepreneur at the Development and Alumni Department (DAD)’s Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series talk this weekend. Read more
Nhlanha Nene to Head Wits Business School
Former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene was named interim director of the Wits Business School (WBS) late Friday. According to a statement released to the press, he will hold the position until a long-term executive is selected next year and then go on to serve as an Honorary Professor and a Scholar in Residence. Read more
Research Indicates Universities’ Reliance on High Foreign Donations
Against the background of Youth Month and the national crisis in higher education, Inyathelo, the South African Institute for Advancement in Cape Town, has released its Annual Survey of Philanthropy in Higher Education (ASPIHE) in local universities. Read more
Stalemate in Education
In simple terms a policy is a statement of intent which guides the actions of an organisation. The shorter and more focused a policy, the clearer its intentions and the more likely its implementation. Read more
Standard Bank Develops Crowdfunding Platform For #Feesmustfall Challenge
Standard bank has created a crowdfunding initiative aimed enhancing access to higher education for students. Jayshree Naidoo, Interim CEO of Feenix Trust, said access to tertiary education remains a major challenge for many people with ability, but who lack funds. Read more
The Curriculum Must be about Change
Curriculum transformation and decolonisation are imperatives of our times and they will not go away. As someone who has dedicated 33 years of my professional life to the study of education, I believe it is our obligation to search for alternatives. Read more
Two Decades of Living on the Fringe
The Centre for Curating the Archive at the Michaelis School of Fine Art recently hosted an exhibition that shed light on the plight of the Tamboerskloof Farm. Read more
Upskill with a SETA-Accredited Digital Brand Analysis Workshop
DigitLab Academy will be launching a one-day SETA-accredited digital brand analysis workshop. Read more
Why Are There So Few Black Professors?
Ahead of the budget vote for 2017-2018 of the department of higher education and training, Minister Blade Nzimande expressed concern about the scarcity of black professors. Read more
15 June 2017
Absa Helps Wits Students Prosper
Absa Bank has donated over R15m to Wits University in aid of student funding. Read more
Association between Sjambok Injuries and Renal Dysfunction Examined in PhD Research
The relationship between injuries caused by being hit with a sjambok and renal dysfunction was examined in a paper by University of KwaZulu-Natal doctoral candidate, Dr David Skinner. Read more
Birds, Binoculars and Biodiversity
Where does it all begin for someone like Professor Peter Ryan, who leads a field at UCT that was recently ranked third in the world? It starts with a pair of binoculars and continues with the funding of the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology as a Centre of Excellence. Read more
Complementing Qualifications Leads to Candidate Differentiation
For graduates and current students, the need to differentiate themselves from their peers in the job market is leading to them extending their studies into alternate qualifications to their main field. Read more
Digsconnect: Safe Student Accommodation
UCT alumnus and founder of Digsconnect, took a look at the student accommodation issue and decided it was time for a fresh approach. She felt that a system needed to be built and implemented by the people who understand the situation intimately – students who had themselves struggled to find suitable accommodation. Read more
Former DVC Urges Alumni to Reflect On Protests
UCT Emeritus Professor Crain Soudien presented his audience with some food for thought at the fourth instalment of the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series. Read more
GSB Case Study Competition Win
A case study on the successful turnaround at K-Way won top honours at the annual Emerald / Association of African Business Schools (AABS) Case Study Competition. The results of the competition, which aims to encourage and promote the development of high-quality teaching case material from real-life situations in Africa, were announced in May. Read more
GSB Launches Sandton Satellite Campus
The UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB) has launched a satellite campus in Johannesburg. Based in Sandton, the campus offers a number of customised executive education programmes and short courses that are designed to develop African business leaders. Read more
Heading Out To Sea
Some might say that the buzzword for UCT during 2016 was ‘transformation’. The head of the Department of Oceanography, Professor Isabelle Ansorge, heard the call to action and answered with the creation and launch of SEAmester. Read more
Honorary Professorship for AU Development Advisor
There is a new honorary professor on campus. Dr Carlos Lopes is a Bissau-Guinean development economist, author, educator and civil servant who most recently acted as select advisor on African Union reform, reporting to Rwandan president Paul Kagame. His appointment, announced on 1 June, will run for a five-year term until 2022. Read more
Look to Rest of Africa for Solutions – Harvard Professor
South Africa needs to look at models and methods deployed by other African states to decolonise and fund higher education, according to a Harvard professor of African history. Read more
MEC Calls Education Imbizo to Deal with Problems
It is important that the department works with universities to ensure teachers are adequately trained in ICT. Read more
Media Postgraduates’ Sprint through Data to Tackle Spatial Inequality
Quick and dirty are not usually adjectives you want to associate with your research. But it has proven an apt description for the work of – and deliberate tactic by – postgraduates investigating the media’s role in tackling spatial inequality in Cape Town. Read more
More Universities Linked to Places-For-Sale Saga
As the University of KwaZulu-Natal medical school’s places-for-sale saga develops, more information has emerged regarding the alleged syndicate’s national links to other universities. Read more
New MSC Graduate Institute to Offer Degree Courses Online
The MSC Graduate Institute will be launching in July 2017 and will offer both a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree and a Diploma in Information Technology online. Read more
Probe into Attempted Sale of Med School Spaces
Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande has welcomed the continuing probe by law enforcement agencies of claims of people attempting to sell places to study medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Read more
SA Has Highest Blood Pressure in Southern Africa
A study by Wits scientists and peers has revealed that South Africa has the highest prevalence of hypertension in southern Africa. Read more
Super Microscopes to Zoom in on TB, HIV/AIDS
Two new super-resolution microscopes will help researchers take an unprecedentedly close look into the cellular processes that govern diseases like tuberculosis, cancer and HIV/AIDS. Read more
‘The Glass Ceiling Is Not Yet Shattered’
Women in Marikana play a critical yet unrewarded role in sustaining livelihoods in the mining town. Their struggles, and the struggles of women in patriarchal economies the world over, were in the spotlight at a recent colloquium at UCT. Read more
UKZN Vehicle Steal the Show at Cars in Park Exhibition
Students and staff from the School of Mechanical Engineering exhibit their projects at the Cars in the Park even. Read more
15 May 2017
A Boost for Student Food Programme
Wits alumni have donated a quarter of a million rand to the Wits Food Programme. Read more
“Be a Contender,” Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng Tells Mastercard Foundation Scholars
At every university, you get three types of students: spectators, pretenders and contenders,” Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, deputy vice-chancellor for research and internationalisation, told UCT’s MasterCard Foundation Scholars at their welcome reception in April. Read more
Bridging the Inter-Generational Chasm in Higher Education
Universities and their leaders have a “social and moral responsibility” to place inequality and social justice at the core of their public purpose concerns, and to address the “massive socio-cultural, inter-generational chasm” which currently exists between the current generation of students and university administrators. Read more
Embracing New Opportunities
At the age of 54, Nana Mashego is excited to be resuming her studies and has bundles of energy for what lies ahead. Read more
Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship
Flux is an entrepreneurship business game where teams of students are given real-world problems that they need to address and for which they need to present a solution. Read more
French Honours Leading Wits Cities Researcher
Emeritus Professor Alan Mabin has been awarded the French National Order of Merit. Read more
Gay University Students Feel Invisible
The Eastern Cape is South Africa’s most conservative province when it comes to attitudes about homosexuality. Even in spaces that might be considered more liberal – like university campuses gender non-conforming students and those who belong to sexual minorities face open discrimination. Read more
Inclusive Higher Education in South Africa
It is not just a policy project but also an ‘ethical project’ and social mission. Read more
Mathematics – A Gateway to Many Career Paths
About 70 percent of career paths need mathematics. Read more
Mining for Sustainable Development
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has sponsored a project dedicated to education for sustainable development in natural mineral resources management. The selected students’ research has a focus on gender equity. Read more
Minister Calls for ‘New Kind of Academic’
Calling for universities to produce “a new kind of academic”, the Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Blade Nzimande said his department would be implementing a capacity development programme prioritising historically disadvantaged universities and focused on student success, staff development and curriculum transformation. Read more
Multilingualism Is the African Lingua Franca
“There is a difference in understanding a concept and getting it.” explains Associate Professor Mbulungeni Madiba, who encounters this problem all the time with students whose mother tongue is not English. Read more
Not Enough Evidence To Back Europeans’ Claim
Africa is not the cradle of humankind: that’s the claim by a group of scientists who’ve just published what they describe as evidence of pre-human remains found in Eastern Europe (Greece and Bulgaria). The fossils in question belong to Graecopithecus freybergi, and are a little more than seven million years old. This would make them the world’s oldest hominin fossils. Read more
Nurturing Talent at Wits
Providing full first-year bursaries and investing in high school programmes ensures a stream of excellent results for Wits. Read more
Petersen and Buhlungu Inaugurated
Former UCT Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Francis Petersen and Dean of Humanities Professor Sakhela Buhlungu were inaugurated at the universities of the Free State (UFS) and Fort Hare (UFH) this month – a testimony to UCT’s commitment to developing a new cohort of leaders in higher education. Read more
Predatory Journals – A Threat to Academic Credibility
Predatory journals and their publishers, driven solely by profit motives, are posing an increasing threat to academic credibility and to individual reputations. Read more
Taking Theatre to the Kids
Drama for Life unveiled the world of theatre to children and young people at the 19th ASSITEJ World Congress and Performing Arts Festival in Cape Town. Read more
The Science behind Safe Tackling
Tackles are made almost every 30 seconds in rugby matches, often at high-impact, causing half of rugby-related injuries to both forwards and backs. But evidence-based tackle-contact training can make a difference at all levels of the game. Read more
Three Awards and the Presidency for Wits Anatomy
Wits academics scooped three awards at the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa Conference and Wits’ Head of Anatomical Studies was re-elected as President. Read more
30 April 2017
Absa Increases University Scholarships to R210 Million
The Barclays Africa Group’s 2017 CEO Scholarship Fund has increased to R210 million, allowing 3,000 university students, across its 10 African markets, to receive scholarships for the current academic year. The 2017 allocation is in partnership with 21 universities in South Africa and several others in the rest of the continent. Read more
Call to Decolonise Entire University, Education System
Wits University academic activist Leigh Ann Naidoo has called for the decolonisation of the country’s entire university and education system, saying it comes from a “violent and problematic” process. Read more
Education Needs to Update to Global Skills Inclusion in Curricula
The 2016 report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) revealed that educational institutions worldwide are failing to equip learners with the global competencies they will need to be employable in coming years. Read more
Four Tips to Survive and Succeed at University
The academic year is underway at South Africa’s tertiary institutions, but some of the most important lessons for students cannot be learned in the lecture hall or prac labs. Success at varsity depends on students knowing themselves, staying within their own boundaries and maintaining consistency. Read more
In the Age of the Internet, Censorship Has Acquired a New Face
Abandon the naive thought that, with the internet and free flow of information, governments are retreating from repression of the media. Read more
Mosquito Discovery Sheds Light on How Malaria is Spread in South Africa
The two most successful and widely used initiatives are indoor house spraying and the use of insecticide treated bed nets. These target mosquitoes that feed on humans inside their homes and then rest indoors. Hundreds of millions of bed nets have been distributed across Africa in the last 15 years. Read more
National Review Prompts LLB Changes
The aim of the review was to develop a qualification standard for LLB programmes. It found that 13 of the 17 universities that offer the programme met the required standard. The four universities that did not meet the required standard had issues with their LLB programme that needed serious attention, which has put them at risk of losing their accreditation. Read more
New Anti-malarial Drug Shows Promise
A new paper published today in the prestigious journal describes the discovery and biological profiling of an exciting new anti-malarial clinical drug candidate. MMV390048 is effective against resistant strains of the malaria parasite and across the entire parasite life cycle, and it has the potential to cure and protect in a single dose. Read more
NSFAS Funding for More Than 2 Million Students
More than two million students studying at South Africa’s public Universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges have been funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) since 2013. Read more
R7bn Boost for University Infrastructure
Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande has announced major new investment in university infrastructure, which will see government spending R7 billion on a range of projects countrywide. Read more
South Africa Needs More Than a Sugar Tax to Get to the Bottom of Obesity
South Africa has been wrapped up in public and parliamentary debates on the value of South Africa’s proposed sugar tax. These highlight that the growing obesity epidemic has been fuelled by people consuming high levels of sugar. Read more
The Education System Should Include More Subjects on Money Matters
An equation has two sides. When it comes to money there is a lot of focus on expenditure and not much focus is given on the making money side. Read more
The State Of South African Journalism: There’s Good News and There’s Bad News
Wits University’s Journalism and Media Studies Department have just published their latest State of the Newsroom report. Read more
UCT Denies Banning ‘Controversial’ Artworks after Protests
The University of Cape Town has denied media reports that it banned the display of 75 pieces of artwork on its campuses, following the destruction of paintings during student protests last year. Read more
Unmasking the Doctorate
The significance of the doctorate has been both overemphasised and underemphasised in dominant conceptualisations, with implications for how we understand the purpose and value of this important qualification. Read more
Wits to Offer Students Huawei Certification
IT students at Wits will gain ICT technology knowledge and practical training experiences through the Huawei Authorised Information and Network Academy. Read more
15 March 2017
Addressing Language Barriers Is Key to Student Success
By focusing on the quality of their note-taking in and out of class, researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand or Wits, South Africa, have established that poor English language competence is hindering the academic performance of a significant number of undergraduate students for whom the language is not their mother tongue. Read more
A Degree with a Difference: Using SA Sign Language Instead of the Written Word
Nyeleti Nokwazi Nkwinika acknowledges the applause after graduating with her Masters degree. Read more
Africa’s First Design-Thinking School Launched at UCT
In an era of intense change, where it’s difficult to predict which jobs will exist in the next 20 years, applying the same solutions to existing societal challenges will no longer work. Read more
Big Dreams, High Fees
In this, the third of a series, we speak to six students who are struggling to find the funds to pay their fees and so change their lives. Read more
Decolonising Law Series on the Cards
According to the dean of Law, Professor Penelope Andrews, she was approached by a group of students last year who wanted to explore the idea of “decolonising law” in depth and create opportunities for students and staff to engage in a dialogue about its meaning, content and application. Read more
Free Higher Education ‘Not sustainable’
Business Unity SA (Busa) says free higher education is not sustainable and business cannot carry its costs alone, given the low levels of economic growth. Read more
Language at the Centre of Decolonization
Knowledge of mother tongue is power, the lack of is enslavement says legendary author Ngugi wa Thiong’o. Read more
Malaria in Pretoria: Facts, Figures and Awareness
The recent deaths of two women in Doornpoort in the north of Pretoria due to malaria is causing panic among people living in Tshwane. Read more
No Such Thing as Free Education – Commission
There is no such thing as free education – someone has to pay‚ be it the state‚ firms‚ households or donors. Read more
Outstanding TVET College Results Will Be Released Within a Week
Outstanding academic results for students who have graduated from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges will be processed and released within a week. Read more
PhD Graduate’s Research Helps to Put International Seal on Karoo Lamb
When Sarah Erasmus graduates on 14 March 2017 with a doctorate in Food Science in hand, she’ll do so with the knowledge that her findings provided a scientific basis for widely-held claims that there is something special and quite unique about lamb meat from the Karoo region. Her findings helped to ensure that Karoo lamb received exclusive geographic “naming rights” last year in terms of European Union marketing legislation. Read more
Put Africa Back in Our Universities
It is important for us to engage with calls to “decolonise” and “Africanise” South African higher education because these address the very place and role of university in our society today. Read more
Ready for Work: Putting Your Best Foot Forward During an Interview
It is really exciting when you are close to finishing your degree and you have just landed a job interview at a company where you would love to work. You have put in the effort, applied for the job and now your hard work has opened a door for you. However, despite the initial excitement, the job interview is still a nerve-racking experience for most people. The best way to overcome this is adequate preparation. Read more
Society Can Find Solutions in Higher Education
The final engagement in the round of higher education crisis provincial engagements was concluded in the Western Cape. The engagements – convened by the Higher Education Crisis Forum and its partners – brought together student formations, parents, staff/academics, the clergy and university management. Read more
Student Wrestles Buffalo, Camps, to Earn Degree
Nearly 230 students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) were capped this week at Stellenbosch University’s March graduation. Read more
The African Renaissance’s Drum Major
Former president Thabo Mbeki could not have started his Unisa chancellorship at a more relevant time. Read more
The Needs of the Land and the Needs of the People Can’t be Separated
The national conversation about land, always simmering in South Africa, has come to the boil again. What’s often missing is a voice for the unrepresented party – the land. I’d like to be that voice. Read more
UCT Researchers Discover Heart-Attack Gene
The gene‚ called CDH2‚ is found in everyone, but a mutation causes a genetic disorder known as arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy (ARVC)‚ which increases the risk of heart disease and cardiac arrest. Read more
University under Pressure over Student ‘Spying’ Claims
The Right2Know Campaign is putting pressure on the University of Johannesburg to come clean about using private security firms to spy on student protesters. Read more
Unbundling Higher Education
The project will look at the “unbundling” of higher education and ask if the traditional university – offering a single package for many aspects of the student experience, including teaching, content and assessment – is undergoing changes in the nature of its provision. Read more
15 February 2017
Business Students Willing to Sacrifice Future Salary for Good Corporate Social Responsibility
More than 90% of business students in a study on corporate social responsibility said they would be willing to sacrifice some percentage of their future salary to work for a responsible employer. A surprising number of 14% are willing to sacrifice more than 40% of their future income to do so. Read more
Countering Complications of Starting ART in TB and HIV-Infected Patients
Untreated HIV infection is associated with progressive weakening of the body’s immune system. This predisposes a person infected with HIV to other serious infections. Read more
Degree Fraudsters to Face the Music
Higher Education and Training Minister says serious action will be taken against those who have fake qualification certificates. Read more
Graduates Spared From Tax – Finance Minister Says ‘We’ve Done the Best We Can for Universities’
Treasury appears to have put the nail in the coffin of a graduate tax‚ saying the funds raised would not be nearly enough to cover the running costs of South African universities. Read more
Heads To Roll Over Unissued TVET Certificates
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has called for disciplinary measures against the officials responsible for delays in issuing certificates to students who have graduated from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. Read more
Mbeki Is New Unisa Chancellor
There was consensus in selecting Mbeki, an outstanding African intellectual giant and the most recognisable 21st century proponent of the African renaissance, who is highly regarded internationally. Read more
NAPP Retreat Was No Sleepy Affair
The combination of small-group teaching, difficult conversations about transformation and “decoloniality” and well-received guest talks embodied NAPP’s new way of working. They are trying to personify the drive to create spaces for participants to think through such difficult issues, as they impact on burgeoning academic careers. Read more
R17m Skills Programme to Empower Youth
A newly launched R17 million skills programme is expected to enhance the employability of people, especially the youth, from poor backgrounds and those that are referred to as the missing middle. Read more
The Humanities – Looking the Past in the Eye
Given the disconcerting present, how can we explain our wretched past and understand our increasingly threatening future? This question continued to drift to the surface as I listened recently to presentations about the history of individual departments in Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Science – the name for the humanities faculty at that university. Read more
Transform Higher Education System‚ Do Not Destroy It
Instability is fast eroding the public higher education system‚ with applications to private institutions reaching an all-time high‚ parents sending their children abroad to study and academics turning down appointments at local institutions. Read more
UCT Fourth in Emerging-Economy Universities
Here’s something to consider in the future funding of higher education in South Africa: the Times Higher Education BRICS & Emerging Economies University Rankings 2017 has placed UCT fourth in its top 300. Read more
Universities to Improve Access for Disabled
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has invested about R175.6 million to ensure that students and staff with disabilities have improved access to university facilities. Read more
We’re Spending More on Debt than on Land and Tertiary Education
We’re spending more on servicing our debt — including interest repayments — than we are spending on tertiary education or land reform, two hot-button issues that have been major political talking-points in recent times. Read more
Zuma Promises There Will be an End to University Fee Uncertainty
President Jacob Zuma on Friday promised students that uncertainty about university fees will end this year. Read more
31 January 2017
Debt Call Left To Universities
The Department of Higher Education and Training has left it to universities to decide whether to register students with historical debt who are not funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Read more
Gender Fail for UKZN Managers
The number of female graduates at the University of KwaZulu-Natal outstrips that of males by at least 9000 annually, yet gender transformation at the educational institution still has a long way to go. Read more
Henley Open for MBA Scholarship Applications
Henley Business School Africa has opened applications for its 2017 MBA scholarships. Four scholarships are made available each year to potential students applying for the MBA. Read more
Lack of Space at Public Universities Needn’t Spell End of Degree Dreams
Every year in January, the media reports extensively on the desperate situation in which thousands of matriculants find themselves – that of having qualified for entry into a degree programme, yet not being able to enrol at a public university due to lack of space. Read more
NSFAS Pays R1.3bn for Student Registrations
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has paid R1.3 billion to 26 public universities for registration fees for qualifying students. Read more
New Funding Scheme for Missing Middle Students
More than 1,000 students from the “missing middle” stand to benefit from a new student funding scheme. Read more
NWU School of Business Achieves AMBA Accreditation
The NWU School of Business and Governance (NWU SBG) has been granted accreditation from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) for a period of five years. Read more
Open Learning Group Shortens the Distance in Distance Learning
In a bid to address students’ ongoing challenges with distance education, the Open Learning Group (OLG) has launched three ‘Learning Hubs’ in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban to support their current distance education offering. Read more
Principal Aghast at His Phoney College Bust
A principal of an unaccredited college in Johannesburg got the shock of his life on Monday when Department of Higher Education and Training officials paid him a visit and declared his college bogus. Read more
SA’s Universities Can Do More to Make Disabled Students Feel Included
It’s been a decade since South Africa signed and ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The convention is an international human rights treaty that’s supposed to protect the rights and dignity of people with disabilities. But not much seems to have changed for South Africans with disabilities since 2007. Read more
Strikers Close Unisa Over 10% Wage Call
Striking workers shut down the University of SA’s main campus in Pretoria over a wage dispute. Read more
Students Shut Down Colleges to Demand Better Governance
Over-enrolment has led to a standoff between students, colleges and the government, Higher Education and Training deputy director-general Firoz Patel said. Read more
Students Shut Down 15 Colleges over Unresolved Issues
Protesting students shut down about 15 of the 50 public technical and vocational education and training colleges earlier this month as a result of a host of unresolved issues with the department of higher education and training. Read more
TB: New Incurable Strains
The rise of drug-resistant tuberculosis has taken a new, horrifying turn. While various strains of TB, with varying degrees of resistance to drugs, have wreaked havoc on South Africans, a new strain of TB has been found to be simply incurable. Read more
The Role of African Universities in Achieving the SDGs
In September 2015, United Nations member states adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), designed to provide a pathway to sustainability. While the goals are wide-ranging, “it is striking how closely they speak to critical problems for the African continent”. Read more
Universities Hope for More Stable Academic Year
While it is unlikely that South Africa will escape student unrest at the start of the 2017 academic year, authorities are hoping such action will be moderated by the progress made in addressing some of the key challenges that sparked and sustained last year’s violent and highly disruptive protests over fee-free higher education. Read more
15 November 2016
A Regulatory Tweak Could Unlock Billions for South African Student Fees
A number of smart suggestions have been offered to plug South Africa’s higher education funding gap. One that’s been mooted involves innovative long term development bonds. Read more
Belgium Campus and Penn State Innovative Projects Resume
Belgium Campus students have now began their innovative projects with their Penn State counterparts. Students work together with students from the mechanical and electrical engineering faculties. Read more
Can We Eliminate Malaria in South Africa By 2018?
Malaria is an often lethal disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite and transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is endemic to large parts of Africa, including a few regions in the north-eastern corner of South Africa. Read more
Ecotourists Contribute to Elephant Conservation
While elephant populations are declining at unprecedented rates in Africa due to their illegal slaughter, many populations of the animal on the continent are stable or increasing, research by a UKZN team has revealed. Read more
Feesmustfall Leader Dlamini Back in Court
University of the Witwatersrand Fees Must Fall leader Mcebo Dlamini will appear again on Tuesday in the Johannesburg Central Magistrate’s Court. Read more
Higher Education Struggles in an Emerging Democracy
The evolutionary growth of the university in the 21st century is affected by enormous challenges and the possibility of problems being addressed is constrained by national politics, bureaucracy and resource limitations that threaten the equality of the global academy. Read more
Higher Education Ministerial Task Team Makes Progress
Progress has been made by the Ministerial Task Team appointed by Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande to develop a support and funding model for poor and “missing middle” students. Read more
Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In Your Genes?
Can post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) be passed down through generations in shared family genes? Could a simple blood test tell if you’re genetically predisposed to this? Read more
Prof Frans Swanepoel Recognised During the 5th African Higher Education Week
Prof Frans Swanepoel, recently appointed as Professor: Future Africa at the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship, was recognised for his significant contributions to capacity development in support of agricultural transformation and development in Africa during the 5th African Higher Education Week. Read more
Shedding Light on Animal Responses to Changing Environments
Climate change in southern Africa will have far-reaching effects on the activities and well-being of humans. Read more
Stellenbosch University Celebrates Internationalisation and Africa University Day
Proudly rooted in Africa, with a global reach, Stellenbosch University (SU) launched its new division, Stellenbosch University International (SUI). Read more
Student Funding Report Due For Release
Blade Nzimande’s department is due to table a report to Parliament that will reveal how the government will tackle the crises in higher education. Read more
SU hosts ‘Tastes of Nuclear Physics’ School
The sixth Tastes of Nuclear Physics School was hosted by the Department of Physics at Stellenbosch University. Read more
The Canary in the Coal Mine
Kelp forests provide Cape fur seals a place to hide when escaping from Great White sharks. Moreover, they provide essential food and shelter for large parts of the marine ecosystem. Read more
Thousands Qualify Through SETA Opportunities
Deputy President says Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) play an important role in identifying the skills needs of every economic sector in the country. Read more
Transformation of Higher Education Is Long Overdue
About a year ago, angry South African university students in the #FeesMustFall movement took to the streets and called for the immediate introduction of an Afrocentric higher education in their universities. Read more
Universities Face another Crisis: Shortage of Academics
The higher education sector will need to recruit at least 1,200 new academics per annum to respond to historical backlogs for staff attrition and to accommodate planned growth. Read more
University of Fort Hare Appoints Prof Sakhela Buhlungu as New Vice Chancellor
Professor Sakhela Buhlungu‚ the current dean of humanities at the University of Cape Town‚ was on Wednesday named as the new vice chancellor of the University of Fort Hare. Read more
Varsity Gears Up For Zulu
The university will, launch a Zulu spell-checker, a “term bank” of technical words and phrases, a Zulu lexicon mobile app and one of the biggest indigenous language corpuses in the world. Read more
We Can’t Wait for a Judicial Commission’ – UCT’s Price Said Action on Fees Is Needed Now
University of Cape Town vice-chancellor Max Price said a judicial commission is not the way to solve the fees crisis‚ pacify protesting students and stabilise universities. Read more
Will Sugar Tax Help Tackle Obesity and Diabetes?
Earlier this year the South African Minister of Finance noted in his budget speech that a 20% ”sugar tax” will be introduced during 2017. This has since raised considerable debate with proponents welcoming the announcement as a measure to counter obesity-related diseases, while the beverage industry responded that it will come at significant costs to the South African economy. Read more
Wrong Tactics Could Derail Students’ Struggle
Nagan said students must develop strategies of action that are constructive and enlightening. They should use their strategies to advance greater levels of governing transparency, responsibility and accountability. Read more
Zuma Receives Interim Report on Free Higher Education
The fees commission handed its interim report to President Jacob Zuma on 3 November, writes Jeff Wicks for News24. Zuma would study the report, compiled by the Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training, and give directions on the way forward, the Presidency said in a statement. Read more
31 October 2016
Adam Habib Delivers Keynote at Opening of Summit on Student Affairs
Adam Habib, Chair of Universities South Africa (USAf) and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Witwatersrand, delivered the keynote speech at the opening of the 3rd Global Summit on Student Affairs and Services, at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS). Read more
Barclays Africa to Double Education Support
In view of the crisis at universities, the bank will boost its 2016 financial aid by R57m. Read more
Laying Funding Problems at Government’s Feet
In order to show their solidarity with students and staff at UCT and at other universities across the country, the UCT executive invited participation in the various marches to Parliament today in the hope that this would refocus the campaign for affordable higher education on government and the national policy process. Read more
Over 800 Arrested for #Feesmustfall Protests
A total of 831 people have been arrested in the connection with the ongoing #FeesMustFall protests which have rocked universities and other higher education institutions across South Africa. Read more
Protest Takes a Turn for the Worst
FeesMustFall leader says the department of education has showed a lack of respect for them. Read more
SAERA Brings Together Academics to ‘Reimagine Education’
A group of 400 education academics gathered in Cape Town this week to deliberate a range of topics – from systemic educational reform to classroom pedagogy – at the South African Education Research Association (SAERA)’s 4th annual conference. Read more
Students Flush Away Our Varsity Millions
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande estimated in September that property damage was around R600-million since the beginning of the 2015 fees protests. Read more
Students Will Only Need to Apply for Funding Once on Mynsfas System
Students will no longer need to reapply every year for financial assistance and will apply directly from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Read more
The Power of Collaboration
UCT electrical engineer and senior lecturer Samuel Ginsberg has had a hand in inventing such diverse devices as a heat detector for informal settlements, an expandable surgical implant for children, a low-cost hearing aid and a wearable device that measures ambient CO2 levels. Read more
TUT Council Calls for Calm
TUT council says no decision has been made regarding fee increment at the university. Read more
‘You Can’t Study at the Barrel of a Gun’
The students, represented by legal NGO, the Socio-Economic Rights Institute, argued that the continued police presence on campus had led to an environment not conducive to studying. Read more
30 September 2016
At The Heart of E-Learning Connections, Disconnections
An earlier speaker said that mobile learning and mobile devices are a drug, they are addictive. I don’t know about that but trust me, these things are affecting our psyche,” said Robert Branch, professor of learning, design and technology at the University of Georgia. Read more
Bogus Teachers’ from University Of Zululand under Investigation
The South African Council for Educators has launched a probe into the qualifications of about 20 teachers who allegedly graduated from the University of Zululand and are suspected to have fake degrees. Read more
Building Innovation, Entrepreneurship in Universities
Are entrepreneurs born or made? That debate still rages, but for Central University of Technology Vice-chancellor the answer is clear: Entrepreneurs can indeed be made and it’s time to invest more seriously in that process. Read more
Data-Intensive Research Capacity Boosted Ahead of SKA
A consortium of institutions in South Africa has been formed to establish a Western Cape Data Intensive Research Facility as part of the country’s National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System. The aim is to dramatically increase data-intensive research capacity ahead of the global astronomy research initiative, the Square Kilometre Array. Read more
Education Needs a Sustainable Funding Model
SA should prioritise education right now and give it all the commitment, input, expertise and finances it needs. Read more
Effectively A 0% Increase in Fees’: What Nzimande’s Announcement Means
For the first time, students from so-called “missing middle” families, whose annual household income is up to R600 000 a year, will not be subjected to a fee increase at university next year. Read more
Free Education is Possible if South Africa Moves Beyond Smoke and Mirrors
South Africa’s universities are once again in uproar. Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande has outlined how higher education should deal with fee increments for 2017. His announcement sparked anger and a great deal of confusion. Read more
Free higher education: unrealistic expectations, unsustainable solutions
Free higher education is a myth. There is no such thing anywhere in the world, even in wealthy states like Germany, Finland, Norway and Sweden, which insist that their tertiary education systems are “free”. Read more
Free University – Online
A social entrepreneur has worked up a blueprint for a solution for the higher education fees crisis: the University of Everywhere, complete with a mass graduation party at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld stadium. Read more
Grants and Loans Are the Fee Answer, Says Max Price
In an ideal world, if South Africa were a rich country with little inequality and was already providing sufficient state funding to support socioeconomic rights such as universal fee-free quality primary and secondary schooling, universal access to early childhood development centres, health care, social welfare support for all elderly and unemployed, I would support a system of no-fee higher education. Read more
NMMU, Rhodes Lawsuit Threat
NMMU and Rhodes University could be facing a lawsuit from hundreds of angry parents whose children have been affected by fee-related protests. Read more
Restrain Yourselves‚ Ministers Tell Students and Police
The security cluster ministers have urged the police to act with maximum restraint and ensure their conduct is beyond reproach when dealing with protests – and warned students to not break the law. Read more
SA Universities’ Professoriate Needs More Women but Fares Adequately by Global Standards
Arguably, there are too few women professors at local universities – but the picture looks even bleaker at some overseas institutions. Read more
Students Protest Over 8% Tuition Fees Hike Decision
Several universities in South Africa shut down or faced disruptions as student protests erupted in the wake of last Monday’s long-awaited recommendation by Higher Education and Training to allow universities to raise fees for 2017 by up to 8%. Read more
Student Union Backtracks On Threat to Close Universities
The South African Union of Students (SAUS) president backtracked on the threat to shut down universities after Friday’s discussions with the ministers in the security cluster. Read more
Student Union Slams Poll on Reopening Wits‚ Accuses Habib of Avoiding Student Leaders
The South African Union of Students (SAUS) has accused the vice-chancellors of the universities of the Witwatersrand and Cape Town of avoiding meetings with student leaders. Read more
To Study or Not To Study
As several universities around South Africa remain shut this week, Wits University is planning to poll its students and staff over whether the institution should remain closed. Read more
University of Zululand Vice-Chancellor Splurges Millions While Students Suffer
The vice-chancellor of the embattled University of Zululand, Professor Xoliswa Mtose, received a hefty R478 000 performance bonus in December although there was no approved policy for it. Read more
Universities to Decide On 2017 Fees
Universities will individually decide on the fee increases for 2017 academic year, Higher Education and Training Minister announced. Read more
Unrest Could Damage Medical Schools’ Status and Healthcare Delivery
The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has issued a statement saying that the current unrest at universities could severely impact on healthcare service delivery as well as damage the accreditation status of medical schools in the country. Read more
Wits Outshines Oxford in UN Study on Gender Parity
The University of the Witwatersrand has more female professors than Oxford University in the United Kingdom. This is one of the startling facts to emerge from statistics furnished by Wits, Oxford and eight other universities to UN Women. Read more
15 September 2016
Alliance Partners Fight over Prospect of Student Fee Rise
A public relations spat has broken out between the African National Congress Youth League and its youth alliance partner in the South African Communist Party against the backdrop of rising tension at universities over the prospect of fee increases. Read more
Bill Will Pave Way for Private Universities
Minister of Higher Education and Training has a gift for private institutions offering degrees. Read more
Destruction of University Property Is a Criminal Activity
Minister in the Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation has called on authorities to deal “firmly” with all who damage university property. Read more
Higher Education Dept Pleads For Patience on Fees
Students must be patient and allow the fees commission to conclude its work, Deputy Higher Education and Training Minister said. Read more
How PhD Graduates Are Battling to Break into Academia
Academics staying in their university positions beyond retirement are good for mentoring younger scholars, but are hogging positions newly qualified researchers need to break into the higher education teaching and research space. Read more
IMPALA – Boosting Internationalisation in Universities
Internationalisation strategies and resources are being strengthened at universities across South Africa by a European Commission-supported initiative. Read more
King Zwelithini Hits Out At Parents of Students Burning Down Buildings in KZN
The violent student protests in KwaZulu-Natal paints a picture of a community that cannot sit down and negotiate. Read more
More PhD Graduates for DUT Peacebuilding
Four more Peace Building Programme students from the Durban University of Technology graduated during the University’s Spring Graduation Ceremonies. Read more
NSFAS Receives R373.3m Claims
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has received claims amounting to R373.3 million for 17,580 students. Read more
Parliament Should Solve Fees Crisis
Parliament, not President Jacob Zuma’s fees commission, should solve the growing university fees crisis in the country. Read more
Responsive Student-Centredness Garners Gifts and Goodwill
When two Unisa Department of Civil and Chemical Engineering lecturers, went out of their way to help one of their Survey students, they had no idea that living the Unisa value of responsive student-centredness would garner the university R100 000’s worth of surveying equipment. Read more
Rich Should Pay‚ While Poor Should Be Funded For Higher Education
Retired Deputy Chief Justice has put his views on the crisis facing higher education in the country‚ suggesting that the solution should be more nuanced in an unequal society‚ requiring the rich to pay while the poor should be fully funded. Read more
SA Varsities Drop in Rankings
South Africa’s top universities dropped several places in the QS World University Rankings as a result of “fee freezes” and “funding shortfalls”. Read more
South African Universities to Offer Bsc Witchcraft
The South African Minister of Higher Education and Training, has announced plans to have witchcraft included in the curriculum from 2018. Read more
Stellenbosch Students Warn Management: ‘Once We Decide to Burn S***‚ It’s Game Over
Stellenbosch University’s top priority cannot continue to be its focus on being an internationally renowned research institution‚ but instead needs to urgently rethink its role in righting the wrongs it helped create in SA. Read more
Stop Looting and Sneering At ‘Clever Blacks’, Find The Cash For University Fees
Government has done nothing to address the university student fee crisis for the last ten months only rhetoric and empty promises. Read more
Student Debt: Gloves Are Off
In a bid to recover billions in outstanding student loans the National Student Financial Aid Scheme has threatened to name and shame uncooperative companies that employ its debtors. Read more
UFS’ Jansen Steps Down: ‘I Have Always Been Ambitious’
Anyone who believes transformation is easy has never tried to change an old university, former University of Free State (UFS) vice-chancellor. Read more
Union Wants ‘Free Tertiary Education for Educator’s Children”
The National Teachers’ Union (Natu) is to demand “free tertiary education for educator’s children”. Read more
Unisa Teaching Qualifications Flunk In Qatar
South African teachers with qualifications from distance-learning institutions such as Unisa and web universities are no longer allowed to work in Qatar. Read more
University Fees Will Rise
Tension between students and universities is heading for boiling point after the department of higher education and training decided to allow tertiary institutions to determine their own fee increases for next year. Read more
Varsities: Where the Money Must Go
Having a university degree has become the minimum standard for those wanting to earn a good living and, more powerfully, has become the signifier of being a respectable person. Read more
31 August 2016
Chancellor and VC call for lasting solutions
The proverbial elephant in the room would always prove too massive to ignore – prompting WSU’s top brass to weigh in on the fee increment discourse currently raging in the country. Read more
Commission of Inquiry on Tertiary Fees to Submit Report to Zuma
The Commission of Inquiry into the feasibility of free education has heard that greater contributions from the private sector to South African universities will take some of the pressure on the state. Read more
DUT Warns 0% Fee Increase Will Push Varsity into Debt Spiral
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) is not in financial distress, but a 0% increase would push it into a debt spiral in the coming years. Read more
Exploring Complexity in Higher Education
Universities are devilishly complex spaces and there must be a conversation as to how to design them for complexity rather than leaving this up to chance. Read more
Extraordinary Women: Prof Veruscha Fester
Researchers are thinking out of the box and using their research to develop products, devices and services that can contribute to the development of all spheres of South Africa. Read more
Foreigners Must Contribute to Free Education
The Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) is calling for “foreigners” who own shops in townships to contribute to free education in exchange for the right to operate. Read more
Govt Should Never Have Intervened In Fees Crisis – Jansen
Outgoing UFS Vice Chancellor Jonathan Jansen says the government’s decision to institute a 0% fee increase at South African universities last year created the current funding crisis faced by 19 institutions. Read more
Honorary Doctorate for Mlambo-Ngcuka at Fort Hare
The University of Fort Hare today presented the first female Deputy President of South Africa, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, with an honorary doctorate in Social Sciences. Read more
Making Artisans Cool: Technical Education Gets a Chance to Shine
The Sasol Inzalo Foundation, in partnership with the VUT, hosted a three-day symposium. The Technical Schools of Excellence Network (TechSENet) programme is an initiative by the foundation which will contribute to the further development of technical vocational education in our country. Read more
Multi-Billion Rand Mother and Child Hospital to Be Built At UFS
A piece of land at the University of the Free State has been officially handed over for the construction of a multi-billion rand mother and child hospital. Read more
One, Two, Three – Is Your Thesis Done?
Next time you have three minutes to spare, try to formulate your master’s or doctoral thesis. The much anticipated Three-Minute-Thesis (3MT) Competition took place at the UFS Bloemfontein Campus. Read more
Online Courses Could Help Lower University Fees
With university education becoming more expensive, we should start looking at online courses to lower fees. Read more
PhDs Are Lacking Curiosity
The doctorate is the apprenticeship and starting point, the beginning of a serious scholarly pursuit and of learning the trade. Read more
Private and Universities Abroad Will Gain if Ours Buckle, Say Vice-Chancellors
Concern over the long-term effect of the university fees crisis is likely to push more wealthy parents to enroll their children to study at private and overseas institutions. Read more
SA University Reveals How Much It Needs To Survive – And Its Not Zero Percent
The current national debates on the financing of public higher education are critically important as they will shape the nature, quality and orientation of public higher education in this country. Read more
South West Gauteng College Shut Down By Disgruntled Students
The South West Gauteng College in Roodeport was shut down by dissatisfied students who voiced out concerned about irregularities at the Horison campus. Read more
State Scrambles to Pay Varsities Fees Shortfall – R2.2 Billion Needed To Cover Students’ Cost
Government is struggling to resolve the crisis of university fees as students demand that fees should not be increased for yet another year. Read more
Stop the War on Knowledge
There was some good news for South Africa’s tertiary education sector last week. Read more
UCT Proposes Wealthy Students Pay More in 2017
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is proposing that students who come from homes which earn R500 000 a year should pay increased tuition fees in 2017 while poorer students are exempted from the hike. Read more
UKZN fears 0% rule
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is battling with a R2 billion deficit, and if a fee hike is blocked, it would “prove tough” for the institution to function next year. Read more
Universities Now Public Spaces to Exercise Citizenship
In an attempt to promote common understanding on governance, leadership, and management processes at the University of the Free State (UFS), the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice (IRSJ) recently hosted a critical conversation on the Qwaqwa Campus. Read more
University Unrest Symptomatic of a Bigger Problem
Young people are justifiably frustrated at the slow pace of economic and social change. Read more
Without Govt Support, We’ll have No Choice but to Increase Fees
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has warned without government support it will have no choice but to increase fees. Read more
31 July 2016
Align Your Careers to Metro Economic Needs
Government has challenged learners to choose careers that are aligned to what the economy of the metro needs. Read more
Between the Lines
South African universities will decline to the level of teacher training colleges, according to Professor Jonathan Jansen, who leaves his job after seven years as vice-chancellor at the University of the Free State. Read more
Big Boost for Arts Incubator
The Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Faculty of the Arts has received written confirmation from the National Arts Council that it would receive funding of almost R1 000 000 for its Arts Incubator, which focuses on creative entrepreneurship and capacity building programmes. Read more
Bill Gates Delivers Nelson Mandela Lecture
Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates delivered the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Foundation lecture in Pretoria on the eve of the former statesman and president’s birthday. Read more
Court Sets Aside UFS’s New Language Policy
The Free State High Court in Bloemfontein has set aside the decision by the University of the Free State (UFS) to have English as the sole medium of instruction. Read more
Degrees-for-Sale Scam” At UNIZULU
Recent media reports on “Degrees-for-sale scam” at the University of Zululand raise questions regarding the integrity of University of Zululand qualifications. Read more
Developing the Next Generation of Leaders
Choosing a career is a daunting task, but a sneak preview into the future and a little bit of motivation is what learners require to steer them in the right direction of achieving their long- term goals and overcoming their anxiety of an uncertain future. Read more
Empowering and Protecting South African Youth Features at AIDS 2016
National post-school initiatives to reach, empower and protect South African youth were highlighted at the AIDS 2016 conference in Durban, KwaZulu Natal. Read more
Gauteng to Donate Land to Universities for Student Accommodation
The Gauteng government has signed a deal to donate land to the province’s universities to help alleviate a shortage of student accommodation. Read more
Insourcing Set to Cripple Universities
Universities are facing a crisis of enormous proportions that is likely to explode in August when the issues of insourcing and tuition fee increases collide. Read more
Let’s Not Wait For Student Housing To Become a Crisis
Students in SA need to speak out on “what needs to rise” and “not just what must fall”, as the country continues to grapple with solving students’ financial problems. Read more
Losing Calories While Raising Funds
The fundraising idea behind the Sweat100k for Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) is novel, but it is the organiser’s commitment to the cause that is really inspiring. Read more
Mandatory Medical Cover Discriminates Against Foreign Students
Some South African universities are demanding medical cover from SADC students before registering them, even when they already belong to a medical scheme in their own countries. Read more
Medical Student Held over Fake Matric Results
Heads are expected to roll at one of the country’s top medical schools after a fourth-year student who faked his matric results to get into the University of KwaZulu-Natal was arrested on Friday. Read more
New Era Dawns As SU Appoints First Woman Registrar
A new era begins at Stellenbosch University soon when, for the first time, a woman will hold the position of Registrar. Read more
NSFAS Reaches Out to Public
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will this week educate more than 3000 learners on not only the new application process but to also provide teachers with information on the admission requirements at tertiary institutions. Read more
Pressure to Publish Is Choking the Academic Profession
The obligation that academic staff must publish is invariably presented as a virtuous thing. It is right and proper for academics to expand and extend the boundaries of their respective disciplines by publishing in outlets, as approved by their peers. Read more
Research Opens Doors between Unisa and the AUC
A research initiative to train researchers on the objectives of Agenda 2063 is opening doors between the African Union Commission (AUC) and Unisa. Read more
Rhodes Struggling to Keep Afloat
Rhodes University appears to be in financial dire straits, struggling to meet its target budget to keep it running without difficulty. Read more
SA Scientists Join Global Initiative to Save Species from Extinction
Two South African scientists are part of an international panel set up to save species from possible extinction through climate change. Read more
“SA Students Have Dangerous Alcohol Consumption Habits”
A study published in the South African Journal found that most students did not drink because of stress but rather to feel good at social gatherings and maintain that feelings of excitement and joy. Read more
Sliding Doors – Securing Study Visas to South Africa
Study visas are essential yet often overlooked when it comes to higher education internationalisation policies and planning. Read more
South African University Website Hacked
A hacker by the Twitter name of @SinfulHazeCE has taken down the University of Limpopo’s website again, after previously taking down the site. Read more
Sweeping Changes to NSFAS Student Loans
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will start rolling out a new application system for students next month – a move which is set to speed up the allocation of funds and help ensure that money set aside for bursaries does not go unspent. Read more
Ten Commandments of Publishing in Top Tier Journals
The talk: Barriers to publishing in top tier journals, which largely centred on the Top Ten Commandments of Publishing in Top Tier Journals, was delivered by Professor Jürgen Kaehler from the Institut für Wirtschaftswissenschaft, Germany. Read more
Tertiary Institutions under Severe Financial Pressure
The Higher Education Minister says the Presidential Task Team is expected to release its findings into students’ demands for free higher education in a few weeks’ time. Read more
UCT Bans Guest Lecturer
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has stopped Flemming Rose from delivering the 2016 TB Davie Memorial Lecture. Read more
UCT Academics in Potential Malaria Treatment Breakthrough
Academics at the University of Cape Town have identified a molecule that could help in improving the treatment and prevention of malaria. Read more
UKZN Med School Quotas Biased
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal wants to meet the University of KZN’s Medical School over its quota policy, which excludes hundreds of Indian students each year. Read more
Unity Urged in Fighting HIV/Aids in Higher Education
Ahead of the 21st International AIDS Conference, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, together with the four KZN universities (DUT, UKZN, MUT and UniZulu) and the eThekwini Municipality, launched the Higher Education on Friday, 15 July 2016. Read more
Universities SA Expresses Solidarity with Turkish Academics in Distress
As a show of solidarity with academics in Turkey, Universities South Africa (USAf) has issued a letter to that country’s Ambassador to South Africa, expressing deep concern over punitive injunctions being meted out by the government of the Republic of Turkey against academics and leaders in that country’s higher education system. Read more
15 July 2016
Charges Against UFS Students Withdrawn Unconditionally
Charges against two students who were initially arrested on 24 February during protests at the University of the Free State (UFS) have been withdrawn unconditionally. Read more
Falling Down the Ethics Precipice?
Higher education has an unmatched obligation, which has not been adequately fulfilled, to help lay the foundations of a critical civil society, with a culture of public debate and tolerance which accommodates differences and competing interests. Read more
Fee-Free Policy Will Doom Varsities’
It would cost universities between R400-million and R2-billion to in-source all services – and if the country were to adopt a fee-free tuition regime some universities would collapse in a few months. Read more
From Promising Practice to Proven Student Success Models
We want to move away from promising practices into proven institutional models, to demonstrate that students from all types of background can succeed. Read more
Government Collaboration with HE Institutions
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal and the Management of the Vaal University of Technology held a meeting with the Gauteng Provincial Government and the local Emfuleni and Sedibeng governments. Read more
Grahamstown Comes Alive With Arts
The University town of Grahamstown will once again play host to the National Arts Festival. Read more
HERA Joins as SKA Precursor
The Hydrogen Epoch of Reionisation Array (HERA) was granted the status of SKA precursor telescope by SKA Organisation, joining the three other SKA precursor telescopes located on the SKA sites in Australia and South Africa. Read more
Higher Education Dept to Invest In Young Academics
Higher Education Minister says R184 million has been set aside for a programme that will see an increase in black academics in universities. Read more
Hundreds of International Students Start New Semester at SU
The students from countries such as Germany, Hong Kong, Poland, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, China, Germany, Belgium, Zambia, Switzerland, Australia, Guinea and the USA are the second intake of international students for the year enrolling for short-term and full-degree programmes. Read more
Ignorance, Denial Contribute To New HIV Infections amongst Graduates
Ignorance and denialism are contributing to new HIV infections amongst the “educated communities”, this is according to head of Higher Education and Training HIV/AIDS Program (HeAids). Read more
Improving the Lives of Families Affected By HIV
The Department of Psychology collaborated on the development of a family strengthening and HIV prevention programme for adolescents and caregivers. Read more
Interim Solutions to Address Possible Overcrowding
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) will use its official lunch period and offer duplicate lessons as a temporary solution towards possible overcrowding in the second semester. Read more
Lectures Resume
Lectures and all related academic activities will resume tomorrow when all support services are back in place. Read more
Monkey Research Attracts International Attention
The University of the Free State Department of Genetics focuses on research about the conflict between monkeys and humans in areas where monkeys are regarded as problem animals. Read more
New Wits Mining Institute to Focus on Innovation
Innovative technology solutions for the struggling mining sector will be the focus of a new unit at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), which brings together various disciplines under former School of Mining Engineering. Read more
NFVF Call For National Bursary Applications for Film and TV Studies
The National Film and Video Foundation’s (NFVF) bursary programme is aimed at stimulating and developing the skills of applicants who want to enter the film and television industry. Read more
NMMU Students Protest to Get Results
A group of NMMU students started a peaceful protest on Monday to demand that those unable to pay fees could access their results. Read more
Now You Can Learn Mandarin at the NWU
The North-West University´s (NWU´s) School of Languages has recognised a unique opportunity, and will soon offer the Mandarin language in different short courses and later, as modules in degree courses. Read more
NWU Researchers Receive Prestigious International Award
Four researchers of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Centre for Business Mathematics (BMI) recently received a prestigious award in London. Read more
Prof to Challenge UWC Suspension
Professor Brian Williams is set to take his expulsion from the University of the Western Cape’s council to court. Read more
Public-Private Partnerships Change Students’ Lives
Public-private partnerships play an integral part in changing the lives of pupils and students, helping them to attain higher education that might not have been possible before. Read more
Records Tumble for Rhodes Prof
Internationally renowned Rhodes University medicinal chemistry and nanotechnology expert and her students have been praised for their publication of 63 peer reviewed papers in one year. Read more
Researchers Urgently Needed to Drive Innovation
The Faculty of Applied and Computer Science hosted its very first public lecture: “Growing the next generation of researchers: The National Research Foundation (NRF) perspective”. Read more
Revamped Aid Scheme Gives More Support to More Students
South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme, or NSFAS, is being substantially overhauled to pave the way for assistance for a broader range of deserving tertiary students while recognising government’s responsibility to eliminate structures that lumber university drop-outs with loan repayments. Read more
SA, France Sign Several Agreements
South Africa and France have signed a number of agreements in areas such as agriculture, arts and culture, maritime and higher education. Read more
SA Universities Drop in Global Ranking
South African universities dropped in a global ranking published by the Centre for World University Rankings on Tuesday, with the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) emerging as SA’s best tertiary institution at 176 out of 1,000. Read more
Sasco Calls for Debt Relief for All NSFAS Students
All activities were suspended at the Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, with students and security staff barricading all entrances. Read more
SAP Skills for Africa Launch Trains Youth for Guaranteed Jobs
A partnership between CPUT, industry partners and global software company SAP Africa is set to provide critical training in scarce ICT skills. Read more
South Africa Takes Steps to Nurture Nascent Biomanufacturing Industry
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR’s) Biomanufacturing Industry Development Centre (BIDC), a biomanufacturing innovation hub aimed at supporting small, medium-sized and micro- enterprises (SMMEs) in entering the local bio- industry. Read more
Stellenbosch University Appoints its First Woman Registrar
Stellenbosch University will have its first woman registrar from the start of 2017. Read more
Staff Thanked For A Total of 2 680 Service Years
During a recent recognition event staff with a total of 2 680 years of service were praised for their years of service at the North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus. Read more
Talent Acquisition Imperative for Organisational Growth
Talent acquisition is rapidly becoming a challenge says a visiting Professor from the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras, Chennai, who gave a public lecture on “Talent acquisition and management” at the Faculty of Management Sciences. Read more
Teacher Smashes Stereotypes
The Wits Business School graduate and Soweto teacher, is eyeing the country’s top post in education. Read more
Thabazimbi College to Help Shrink Skills Gap
A state-of-the-art technical college has opened its doors to rural students in Thabazimbi in Limpopo. Read more
To Succeed, Students Need Funds, Food, Beds and Guidance
Resolving problems around student fees, accommodation, food and career guidance had to take precedence when discussing student success in South African higher education, as ignoring these issues only perpetuates an unequal society. Read more
Trevor Manuel and Max Du Preez among the Recipients of Honorary Doctorates at UFS Graduation
The UFS awarded four honorary doctorates at its Winter Graduation ceremonies. Read more
UCT Launches New Business Communication Diploma
University of Cape Town (UCT) has launched its first management diploma specialising in business communication, with a goal of attracting students across all fields, from the humanities to engineering. Read more
UCT Researchers Honoured At NSTF Awards
Five UCT researchers were honoured at the prestigious 18th annual National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Awards Gala Dinner which recognises and honours South African contributions to excellence in science engineering and technology. Read more
UJ Voltronics Electrical Car in Top 15 at Eco-Marathon Europe
The UJ Voltronics team with their Prototype Battery-Electrical vehicle finished in an astounding 15th place globally. Read more
UKZN to Deal Harshly With Staff Allegedly Involved In Sale of Student Places
The University of KwaZulu-Natal says numerous people have already come forward with concrete information following allegations a syndicate has been selling space to students wanting to get into its medical school. Read more
UKZN Called To Account over Bribery Claims
Parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education and training has asked for a report from the University of KwaZulu-Natal on what is going on in its Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine after allegations emerged that student places were up for sale. Read more
‘We Did the Burning For You’
There was no need to burn institutions of higher learning in a democratic South Africa. Read more
30 June 2016
Afrikaans Instruction to Be Phased Out
The Council of the University of Pretoria (UP), in concurrence with the Senate, supported the adoption of a new language policy in terms of which English will become the primary language of instruction and assessment. Read more
Cape Town Hosts Boffin Boot Camp
Once a year, for two months, the cream of the crop from some of the most prestigious universities around the world descend on Cape Town. Read more
Challenges Faced by Women in Research in Higher Education
Women are often the products of unequal, gendered education before we reach higher education. Read more
Court to Hear UFS Afrikaans Case
AfriForum and Solidarity are heading to Bloemfontein High Court over the University of the Free State’s language policy for 2017. Read more
CUT Collaborates With IEC on Civic Education Programmes
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) hosted a three-day training workshop at CUT Bloemfontein Campus on training of members of public who will be officiating during the upcoming local government elections on 3 August 2016. Read more
Dental Technology Innovation Showcase Programmes
The BTech Dental Technology class recently proved that thinking out of the box is doable. Read more
Durban College Working to Prevent Future Disruptions
eThekwini TVET College is working towards achieving complete stability within the institution. Read more
Engenamic, Wits Drive Electrical Energy Agenda for Africa
Sustainable access to energy can help assist in the development of related infrastructure, as well as contributing to industrialisation and economic growth. Read more
Equity and Accessibility at Universities Not up for Corrupt Sales
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, has noted with grave concern allegations of corrupt practices at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Read more
Feesmustfall ‘Is Far From Over’
Academic experts say the country needs a minister of higher education who will communicate rationally with students about a way forward. Read more
Former Students Owe NSFAS R21bn
Nsfas’ spokesperson has appealed to beneficiaries who are earning money to start paying their debts, as more cash is required to fund other students. Read more
Higher Education Dept Brings HIV, TB Education to Durban Students
The Higher Education Department is creating awareness around its “First things First” programme at one of the eThekwini Tvet College’s six campuses in Durban. Read more
How to Beat the MBA Crowd
The MBA may be losing some of its shine, according to the results of a report from executive search firm Jack Hammer. Read more
Improving Employability of CPUT Graduates
A unique and exciting programme which equips graduates with market-relevant skills that will improve their employability has been launched at CPUT in collaboration with SAP. Read more
Inaugural Mphil Graduates Have Key Role to Play in Shaping Africa’s Future
Nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of the group of inaugural graduates from the UCT Graduate School of Development Policy and Practice. Read more
Leading French University Explores Collaboration with UKZN
Insights and collaboration in the development of the Accounting field were shared at a recent meeting between academics of the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance and their colleagues from the University of Auvergne in France. Read more
New Generation Faces an Old Problem: Lack of Skills and Education
A generation of youth rose up, first against unequal education, later against the whole apartheid system. Read more
New Professors Share Journeys and Reflections
How long does it take to become a professor? Following UCT’s recent ad hominem promotions and as the university works to transform its academic cohort, this question is a moot point. Read more
NMMU Tests Healing Plants from Nigeria, Romania and Egypt
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Maryna van de Venter is testing the medicinal properties of plants from around the world, including Romania, Egypt and Nigeria, screening mainly for anti-diabetic, anti-cancer and anti-HIV/Aids activity. Read more
NWU Rolls up Its Sleeves for the Deaf
Most of us are normal. We can hear, see, walk and feel. This is such a matter of course that we do not even think about being different – until we come across someone who is not as fortunate as we are. Read more
Research Publication Highlights SU’s Societal Impact
This publication reflects on our research activities that contribute to a transformed society and also highlights our commitment to human capital development and the excellent work of some of our research-focused academics. Read more
Support for English at UFS from the Higher Education Transformation Network
The use of English for academic purposes at the University of the Free State was welcomed by the Higher Education Transformation Network (HETN). Read more
South Africa Needs Flexible Policies for Education
A bid for equal and quality education is challenging policymakers to formulate strategies that consider the lives and experiences of black children. Read more
Stellenbosch University and Security Watch Africa sign MOU
Representatives of Stellenbosch University (SU) and Security Watch Africa (SWA), a high-level Nigerian-based security NGO, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions. Read more
Stellenbosch University Council Member Quits as Language Policy Is Adopted
A Stellenbosch University (SU) council member resigned after the institution adopted a new language policy intended to support multilingualism. Read more
Stellenbosch University to Give Afrikaans and English Equal Status
Stellenbosch University is set to adopt a revised language policy, which will effectively give English and Afrikaans equal status. Read more
Student Debts Handed Over
Students failing to pay historical debts amounting to hundreds of millions of rands to local universities have been handed over to attorneys for collections as nonpayment was impacting on the cash flow of these institutions. Read more
The Technology for Youth Academy Launched
Education in Nelson Mandela Bay was given a much needed boost with the launch of an innovative Youth for Technology Academy. Read more
Trauma, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation Studies Attracts Global Attention
Research excellence is one of the major driving forces at the core of the University of the Free State (UFS). This striving for academic distinction has found embodiment within Trauma, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation (TFR) Studies. Read more
UCT Student’s Research on Sexting Gains Global Attention
UCT PhD student Melissa Meyer chats about her findings and upcoming trip to the UK, where she will share her knowledge and research on sexting as part of an elite panel. Read more
UKZN Academic Member of WHO Committee on Zika Vaccine
Professor of UKZN’s School of Applied Human Sciences has been appointed to a World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee to compile guidelines for the urgent development of a Zika vaccine. Read more
UKZN in Talks with SRC over Allegations
The University of KwaZulu-Natal is aware of fraud allegations levelled against the SRC president on its Pietermaritzburg campus. Read more
Universities of Technology Eye Rich Prospects in Waste
South African universities of technology are positioning themselves as critical partners in what is considered a fairly new but highly relevant area of research, innovation and job creation. Read more
Varsity Swotting Can Go To Your Head
Graduates are more likely to be diagnosed with brain tumours, a study has shown. Read more
Virginity Testing for Bursaries Is Unconstitutional – Commission for Gender Equality
The uThukela District Municipality’s Maidens Bursary Award is unlawful, unfair, unreasonable and unconstitutional, and should be discontinued. Read more
Wits’ Free Online Courses Will Boost Access to Higher Education
The University of the Witwatersrand announced that it had developed free, online courses to be made available over the next three years, as part of efforts to enhance access. Read more
Wits is first university in Africa to offer MOOCs on edX
Wits University has developed a suite of online course offerings that will be made available over the next three years to enhance access to higher education. Read more
World Business Schools Prepare For Inaugural African MBA Indaba
Some of the world’s top business schools are gearing up for the first African MBA Indaba due to be held in Sandton in August. Read more
15 June 2016
Afrikaans Must Go’
The University of Pretoria moved a step closer towards changing its language policy when the transformation lekgotla adopted a proposal that English be the only medium of instruction for lectures, assessments and tutorials. Read more
Back to Bush College of Discontent under ANC
That we do not learn from the past is among the oldest and truest of clichés. But that SA’s democratic government does not learn from the mistakes of its apartheid predecessor gives the cliché a new twist. Read more
Black Graduates Excel in Doctoral Degrees
The number of science, engineering and technology (SET) doctoral degrees awarded to black graduates in South Africa is slightly overtaking the number awarded to white graduates. Read more
Brave New Varsity World
A proposal to develop Pedi as an academic language, and the introduction of African studies as a major subject next year, are just two ways in which universities are tackling transformation. Read more
Call to Humanity
Former Constitutional Court judge who was the speaker at the second of the June graduation ceremonies, urged those present to fulfil their constitutional obligations by working to create a truly non-racial, non-sexist South Africa. Read more
Constrained Local Students Are Enjoying Opportunities Online Learning Offers
Online learning is becoming increasingly popular, particularly among students who cannot access traditional places of higher education due to various constraints, including financial, geographical and political. Read more
Department of Higher Education Blames #Feesmustfall for Arson
The Department of Higher Education has blamed student movements for recent incidents of arson attacks taking place in universities. Read more
Empower a Girl Child, Empower the Nation
The Vaal Triangle Campus of the North-West University (NWU Vaal) is dedicated towards finding innovative solutions to curb social injustices such as gender inequality. Read more
Equality and Equal Access to Health Care
A new clinic at Wits University’s Empilweni Services and Research Unit (ESRU) will provide high quality research, training and medical services. Read more
Forbidden Sex and Bribery in Hallowed Halls of Academe
A messy 10-year fight between the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a retired professor over a doctorate is headed for the Constitutional Court. Read more
Graduates Search for Work on Street Corners
Graduates desperate for work are taking to the streets to find employment because there’s no response to the hundreds of job applications they continue to send. Read more
Grub Cupboard Bare for Hungry Wits Students
Wits University students who are going hungry might have to find alternative sources of food. Read more
Industrial Physics Set to Take Industry by Storm
The Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Physics has produced its very first batch of Industrial Physics alumni at the autumn graduations. Read more
Killer Road: Students Take Action
When a student at Sefako Makgatho Health Science University was hit by a car on Molotlegi Street on Tuesday night, other students took action. Read more
Mafikeng Campus to Offer Two New Programmes in 2017
In striving to maintain and increase its academic activities and to sustain its relevance to the various communities it serves, the North-West University (NWU) will be offering two new academic programmes in 2017 in the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Commerce and Administration. Read more
Moodle Gets Thumbs Up from Students
Moodle is the official eLearning management system used at UKZN to communicate with students by uploading lecture notes, library resources, study tips and other educational resources on the site. Read more
Muslim and ZCC Students Forced to Remove Religious Head Coverings at NWU
In light of the #RespekTheDoek campaign, reports of two incidents of students being asked to remove their head coverings have emerged at the NWU Potchefstroom campus. Read more
New Chancellor Vows to Lead CUT to the Future
The Central University of Technology reached a historic moment when the first woman Chancellor, Madam Justice Mahube Molemela was inaugurated. Read more
New Generation Faces an Old Problem: Lack of Skills and Education
Today, 22 years into democracy, a new generation of youth, the so-called born-frees, face a different set of challenges, some as daunting as those faced by their parents, who risked death and imprisonment in the quest for freedom. Read more
NSFAS Opens Online Applications for Funding to Tertiary Students
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has opened online applications to selected colleges as well as Unisa for students who only need to register for the second semester or trimester season to complete or continue their studies. Read more
Number of Black Students at Tertiary Institutions Proportionally Lower Than Other Race Groups
Although 68.5% of the students who were enrolled at higher education institutions
were black‚ proportionally this group was underrepresented. Read more
Rhodes Must Fall Students Banned from Campus
The University of Cape Town is taking a tough stance against students who have been protesting under the Rhodes Must Fall banner. Students, who violated a court interdict, now face an uncertain future. Read more
SA on Track to Hit Annual Target of 30,000 Artisans
The government remains confident of meeting its target of producing 30,000 artisans per year in line with the National Development Plan, despite the challenges faced by some training institutions. Read more
Student Protesters Cost North-West University R85m in Campus Damage
North-West University (NWU) has revised down the estimated costs of damage to property caused during student riots‚ to R85m. Read more
The Dilemma Facing Technical Education in South Africa
In a time that sees South Africa battling a massive skills shortage in the technical sector, less and less grade 9 learners are taking the technical route when choosing subjects for grade 10, 11 and 12. Read more
UCT Moves to Tackle Inequality
UCT is poised to become a major player in a global programme to help create a community of leaders dedicated to eradicating inequality through changing policy, practice and public dialogue. Read more
UJ Raises R60m for ‘Missing Middle’ Students
The University of Johannesburg has raised R60 million for the ‘missing middle’ students this year. Read more
UL Whistle Blowers Hotline: Awareness Campaign
In an effort to stamp out fraud, corruption and unethical practices, the University of Limpopo has secured the services of an independent information gathering company. Read more
UKZN Royal Show Stand Wins Gold and the Trophy for Best Customer Service
UKZN has once again pulled the proverbial rabbit out of the hat at the annual Pietermaritzburg Royal Agricultural Show. Its stand, which highlights research done within the School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences and the School of Life Sciences at the Ukulinga Research Farm, not only won a Gold medal but also the Trophy for Best Customer Care. Read more
Waste as a Resource, Topic of Dean of Engineering’s Royal Society Lecture
Waste-to-energy technologies are becoming the “low hanging” fruit in Africa and an interesting vehicle to realise a Green Economy. Read more
15 May 2016
Anti-Discrimination Campaign Launched
In an attempt to fast track nation-building, national Chairman of the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM), urged universities to launch their own chapters of the movement. Read more
Astronomers Pinpoint Echoes of Ancient Exploding Star on Our Stellar Doorstep
A team of astronomers from UCT and the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) has identified a rare star that exploded around 1 500 years ago. Read more
Call for Submissions to the Fee-Free Higher Education Commission
Those in the higher education and training sector‚ students‚ parents‚ the business sector‚ the government‚ community organisations and others are invited to make written submissions to the commission. Read more
Controversial Higher Education Bill a Step Closer to Becoming Law
The controversial Higher Education Amendment Bill is one step closer to becoming law. Read more
Eastern Cape Universities Support SACO
A strong regional flavour is anticipated at the first ever South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) national conference. Read more
First Things First Launched in Mpumalanga
Thousands of students from the Ehlanzeni TVET College and other higher education and training institutions in Mpumalanga underwent HIV testing and were screened for STIs and TB. Read more
French for Professional Use
CPUT is involved in a number of mutually beneficial partnerships with France and recently further cemented ties with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the French Embassy to offer French for Professional purposes at the University. Read more
MPs Endorse Proposals to Clip Universities’ Wings
Parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education and training adopted the bill that critics say will give the state sweeping powers over universities and colleges. Read more
New Higher Education Amendment Bill Threatens Academic Freedom
The government struggles to come to terms with the idea that universities have autonomy, and that they take their obligations towards the constitutionally protected ideal of academic freedom seriously. Read more
No Mountain Too High for Medical Students on Quest to Change Lives
Adventurous and aspiring medical students from the Wits Students’ Surgical Society launched their quest to give children their smiles back in yet another venture to summit the highest free standing peek in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. Read more
R3.5bn to Be Spent On Afrikaans Education
The private Afrikaans university Akademia, established by the Solidarity Movement in 2012, has grown from 37 students to 413. Read more
Rhodes University Protests Threatened Lives
The vice chancellor of Rhodes University said they only approached the court to get an interdict against protesters when lives were threatened. Read more
SA, UK Join Forces to Fund Research Chairs
South Africa and the United Kingdom have established the first three bilateral research chairs to build innovation capacity between the two countries. Read more
State Backs Drive to Boost Research and Development
The Department of Science and Technology is hoping that an investment of millions of rand to help eight industry sectors become more competitive will spur companies to spend more on research and development. Read more
Students Forced to Live in Shacks
Poor students at the troubled Soshanguve South campus of the Tshwane North College (TNC) have been staying in shacks in the township since January. Read more
Students Grilled to Make Up for Lost Time Following Campus Shutdown
In the aftermath of violent protests that shut down the North West University Mafikeng Campus for a month, students are finding themselves snowed under with academic work to make up for lost time. Read more
The SKA Will Help Us Answer Questions We Have Not Even Asked Yet
Radio astronomers will use the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) to understand how stars and galaxies are formed, how they evolve over time and whether there is life elsewhere in the universe. Read more
Triumph in the Face of Adversity
Fourteen beneficiaries of the No Student Hungry (NSH) Bursary Programme received their degrees. This is an achievement they all feel they could not have reached, were it not for the support by NSH. Read more
UCT Students Hold Event against Rape Culture
People with placards and white T-shirts lined the area outside the University of Cape Town’s Bremner Building. Statements on the placards included “#EndRapeCulture”, “UCT Fails Survivors” and “Council’s Silence = Complicity”. Read more
UJ Students Aim to Curb Tender Corruption
The introduction of an e-tender portal and central supplier database (CSD) are efforts by SA’s government to stamp out tender fraud and make procurement more efficient and cost-effective. Read more
University Leaders as ‘Meaning Makers’
Universities globally are increasingly challenged by disruptive innovation that is revolutionary, unpredictable and moving at an unprecedented pace. Read more
30 April 2016
Adam Habib Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Adam Habib and Constitutional Court Judge Edwin Cameron are the only two South Africans who were elected among the 37 Foreign Honorary Members from 17 countries. Read more
Academic Excellence to be Celebrated at Autumn Graduation Ceremony
A total of 1 441 students will graduate during the upcoming Autumn Graduation Ceremony of the Vaal Triangle Campus of the North-West University (NWU Vaal). Read more
A Magic Chinese Characters Exhibition at DUT
The Confucius Institute at the Durban University of Technology (DUT CI) and the DUT Art Gallery recently held a Magic Chinese Characters Exhibition to showcase the excellent works created by the DUT CI staff and Mandarin students. Read more
CPUT Staff Threaten to Shut Down University
Striking Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) staff have threatened to completely shut down the institution if management does not meet their demands. Read more
EFF Leaders ‘Greedy to Graduate’, But Disrupt Varsities for Others
EFF’s leaders were greedy to graduate, but disrupted universities for everybody else, Higher Education Minister. Read more
Foreign Graduates of SA’s Universities Can Soon Apply for Permanent Residence
Foreign students will soon be allowed to apply for permanent residence once they have graduated from a South African university. Read more
Hypertension Researchers on Top of Their Game
Two researchers from the North-West University (NWU) are currently rubbing shoulders with world leaders in hypertension research at the 8th African Hypertension Teaching Seminar. Read more
I’m Not Going Anywhere, Says UFS’s Jansen
The University of Free State’s vice chancellor, Professor Jonathan Jansen, has denied rumours that he is quitting his job. Read more
It Is Not Easy Being a Leader in SA
It is very difficult being a leader in the new environment in South Africa, University of Free State vice chancellor, Professor Jonathan Jansen. Read more
Learning Lessons Abroad on Funding Research, Innovation
In South Africa universities contribute 2.1% of gross domestic product – more than textiles and forestry. Read more
Official Launch of the New Library Management System
Department of Library Services of the University of Pretoria together with Sabinet, officially launched its new library management system, OCLC WorldShare Management Services. Read more
Open Day Reveals Boundless Possibilities
It might have been the first day of the weekend, but thousands of prospective students descended on UCT’s upper campus to sink their teeth into the university’s annual Open Day. Read more
Our Varsities Need Transformation, Not Destruction – Nzimande
Parents need to be part of the solution for problems facing tertiary institutions, instead of condoning protests. Read more
Rhodes VC in the Line of Fire
With arms raised wide, Rhodes University’s vice-chancellor appeals to SAPS officers to stop shooting rubber bullets at anti-rape protestors. Read more
Research – Creative Responses in a Hostile Environment
When the students are at the gate, it’s too late for polite discussion. Read more
Satellite Campus for TVET College
The Motheo Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College has opened a satellite campus in Zastron in the Xhariep District, bringing about a new dawn in this Free State region. Read more
Stressed Students Turn to Suicide
Suicide is such a concern that the University of Cape Town is setting up a mental health team to work with the SA Depression and Anxiety Group. Read more
Solar Farm for NMMU
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University may soon have its own on-campus solar photovoltaics (PV) farm. Read more
Students Voice Concerns at New Hope Summit
The fifth annual New Hope Summit, a student lead gathering aimed at critical engagement on issues at tertiary institutions. Read more
Student Leaders at The Historical Fort Hare University Are Allegedly Renting Out Rooms in the Institution’s Residences
DA Student Organisation (Daso) leader and MP Yusuf Cassim claimed that leaders of the ANC-aligned SA Students Congress (Sasco) and its youth league at the university were selling rooms in residence to students who did not apply for space and were not paying the university for the rooms. Read more
Turbulent Times for Students but Also Positive Progress across SA Campuses
South African students have seen turbulent times in recent months, yet along with these challenges there has been significant positive change. Read more
Transformation Talk Addresses Moral Leadership
Under the current leadership, South Africa has become a country of very few possibilities from which only a few people can benefit. Read more
Young Theologians Honoured With Desmond Tutu-Gerrit Brand Prize for Debut Work
A debut volume with contributions from a number of UP theology students, titled Jong teoloë praat saam, was crowned as winner of the 2016 Desmond Tutu-Gerrit Brand Prize for debut work in an official South African language. Read more
15 April 2016
62.5% Women to Graduate at UKZN in 2016
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) will confer an impressive 10 015 degrees at its 22 graduation ceremonie. Read more
Black Graduates Battle to Get Work
No matter what you study or how well you do in your course, if you are black you have less chance of finding a job after graduating from Rhodes University. Read more
Boost for R&D in SA
SA has signed an agreement with the Eurostars-2 programme to ensure companies involved in research and development (R&D) form collaborations with European businesses. Read more
BRICS Universities Join Grad Programming
A network of universities has been formed with the aim of establishing joint graduate programmes across universities in BRICS countries. Read more
Cape Town to Change Contested Names of Key Buildings
The University of Cape Town has invited students, staff and the wider university community to contribute views on whether contested names of some key campus buildings and spaces should change. Read more
Country Needs Ubuntu Leadership Style
CPUT graduates were encouraged to adopt the values of ubuntu leadership style when interacting with their customers, colleagues and fellow citizens. Read more
Developing Staff Capacity in Online Teaching
DUT recently honoured staff members who completed courses in online teaching and facilitation with a certificate presentation Read more
Free Education for All Not Feasible
Higher Education Deputy Minister, says government can ill-afford to fund every student for higher education. Read more
Fee-Free Universities Would Reduce Quality of Tertiary Education
Making tertiary education free would reduce the quality of education and graduates. Read more
Higher Education Not Reducing Inequality
The higher education sector was not helping reduce inequality and poverty because it was not feeding enough competitive graduates into the economy. Read more
Honorary Degrees in 2016 at UKZN
The Senate and Council of the University of KwaZulu-Natal have approved nominations to confer honorary degrees in 2016 on the following four distinguished individuals, for their unique and outstanding contribution to society both locally and at a global level. Read more
Insurers Assess Damaged University
Investigations into the causes of the damage to the University of Limpopo’s multipurpose centre outside Polokwane are still under way. Read more
Internationalisation Policy for Universities on the Cards
Measures designed to facilitate the enrolment of foreign students and academics at South African universities and to eliminate current bureaucratic chaos centred around immigration regulations were announced at a Research and Innovation Dialogue. Read more
International Collaboration Advances Research
Monsanto South Africa is currently running a collaborative research programme with Enterprises University of Pretoria’s Research Solutions, as part of its ongoing commitment to be an innovative agricultural company that creates relevant solutions for growers, consumers and the environment. Read more
Minister Approves Infrastructure Funds to Universities
The Department of Higher Education and Training has allocated R1.9 billion (US$129 million) towards improving the infrastructure, student housing and maintenance, among other things. Read more
More Than 25 000 Qualifications Awarded
Unisa provided the country’s workforce with a healthy injection of newly qualified candidates during the autumn graduation period. Provisional figures indicate that a total of 25 065 degrees, diplomas, and certificates were awarded during the period, including 63 doctorates and 198 master’s degrees. Read more
NWU Academics Receive Prestigious International Scholarship
Two lecturers from the Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology at the Mafikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) received a top scholarship from a leading international university in the USA. Read more
Research Funding Boost
CPUT has received a welcome boost in research funding, which will ensure that researcher have access to a broad range of funding choices. Read more
SA Doctor Wins Trip to Singularity University with HIV Cure Idea
A South African scientist with a plan that could aid researchers working on a cure for HIV has won a trip to the exclusive Singularity University campus in Silicon Valley for an intensive 10 week Global Solutions Program that takes place this winter. Read more
SA’s First Prototype Hydrogen Fuel Cell Forklift Unveiled
Science and Technology Minister unveiled South Africa’s first prototype hydrogen fuel cell forklift and a refuelling station. Read more
SASCO Urge ANC to ‘Listen to Students’ Calls for Transformation
Student organisation The South African Students Congress (Sasco) has warned the African National Congress (ANC) to listen to students’ calls for transformation at institutions of higher learning. Read more
Student Complains About Overcrowded Lecture Halls
AN irate Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) student, complained about overcrowding during lectures and asked other NMMU students to share her Facebook comment. Read more
The Challenge of Decolonisation: UCT’s Transformation Journey
Since the removal of the statue of Cecil John Rhodes at the University of Cape Town, UCT has been in the midst of a far-reaching change that will see a fundamentally different university emerge. Read more
UCT Inks TB and Malaria Drug Development Partnership
The University of Cape Town’s (UCT’s) Drug Discovery and Development Centre, H3D, has entered into a strategic partnership with Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. Read more
UKZN Honours HIV/Aids Pioneer Scientist Gallo
The University of KwaZulu-Natal awarded an honorary doctorate to internationally renowned scientist, Dr Robert Gallo, who proved HIV caused Aids. Read more
UKZN Boasts First Black Woman with PhD in Town Planning
UKZN’s College of Humanities celebrated the graduation of Dr Hangwelani Hope Magidimisha – the first Black woman to be awarded a doctorate in the Discipline of Town Planning at the University. Read more
Universities Hinder Students from Accessing Funds, Says NSFAS
Universities will soon lose their powers to allocate National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funds to poor students as the government body tightens its grip on finances. Read more
We Need Educated Leaders
Retired judge and Chancellor of the University of South Africa (Unisa), says the country needs more educated leaders to take it forward. Read more
1 April 2016
Appointment of a New Dean in the Faculty Of Education
The University is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof Molatlhegi Trevor (Chika) Sehoole as Dean of the Faculty of Education with effect from 1 June 2016. Read more
Investing in Innovation Will Push Skills Development in SA
Deputy President says investment in innovation will help propel South Africa’s skills development initiatives to greater heights. Read more
Demand for MBAs Remains High
The majority of employers still regard the MBA as a high-value degree and are eager to hire MBAs, according to a new survey from the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). Read more
Fewer Black, Coloured Applicants for Maties
Stellenbosch University has recorded a “significant drop” in the number of black and coloured first-year student registrations compared with last year. Read more
Malema Applauded as He Gets His Degree
A rousing applause reverberated across the University of South Africa’s ZK Mathews hall as Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema walked in for his graduation last night. Read more
Several Injured as Armed Security Guards Clash at Walter Sisulu University
A clash between private and striking campus security guards broke out at the Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha, resulting in several injuries. Read more
Student Protesters Vow to Continue Their Struggle for Free Education
A group of student protesters who have been let off the hook after being arrested last year have vowed to continue their struggle for free tertiary education. Read more
Some Languages More Equal Than Others
The distinction between race and language in South Africa is a fine one, and given historical racial politics the line is blurred in many places. Student protests against the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in universities have sparked racial tension that cannot be categorised as strictly ‘black’ or ‘white’. Read more
University Ordered to Implement ‘Equal Language’ Plan
The High Court in the Western Cape has ordered Stellenbosch University to implement a plan for language policy developed in 2014 by the end of March that places English and Afrikaans on equal footing. Read more
Varsities Down on Women
Higher education institutions remain stubbornly resistant to gender transformation, with their top management male dominated and women perceived as “unproductive” or “not worthy” of senior positions. Read more
Why are South African Students so Angry?
South Africa’s universities have faced protests and disruption, linked by a strong common thread. Read more
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35883919
15 March 2016
Antiwhite Students Flirt With Race War
Hgher Education Minister has warned that “antiwhite” sentiments among protesting students could lead to “racial conflict”. Read more
Be Aware of Risks and Rewards of Co-Publishing With Students
Postgraduate students and their supervisors should be keenly aware of the risks and rewards of co-publishing papers. Read more
Be Prepared for a Different Higher Education Sector
The higher education sector is going through a tumultuous period and the world of academia is wobbling on its axis with unfathomable challenges. Read more
Biggest Fake Degree Scandals in South Africa
Net1 CEO is the latest high-profile South African who was found to have a fake degree. Read more
Bishops Call for Honest Attempts to End Student Violence
They have not done enough to promote an environment that enables open and honest dialogue to happen. We call for honest dialogue on the issues raised by the students at various campuses.Read more
Community Gives Bursaries to Needy Students
The community of Mahikeng has pledged an amount of R140 000 to the Mafikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) to be used as bursaries for needy and deserving students. Read more
Landscape Technology Project Set to Contribute to Food Security
A well thought out Service Learning project will contribute to food security, as well as promote entrepreneurship and sustainability on the Bellville Campus. Read more
Mbeki Adds His Voice To Student Protests
Former president Thabo Mbeki said students who have been protesting at universities must think about the universities they are trying to create, rather than simply trying to destroy things they don’t like. Read more
MUT Top Officials Placed on Special Leave
While there’s been violence at some institutions of higher education in the country, tensions of a different kind are brewing at Durban’s Mangosuthu University of Technology. Read more
New Masters Degree to Address Energy Needs
As part of an European Union Edulink consortium Programme on Energy Efficiency in Southern Africa (PEESA) that includes African and German partners, CPUT has introduced a new Masters degree. Read more
NWU Faculty of Education Introduces Digital Technology in Classrooms
The Faculty of Education and Training at the Mafikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) recently introduced digital technology in classrooms. The first stage of the programme was implemented for students in the Foundation Phase. Read more
Research & Innovation Week Opens on a High
Once you move beyond the rhetoric how do you decode what it means to transform and decolonise? This was the query posed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand and panelist at the opening ceremony of the fifth annual Unisa Research & Innovation Week. Read more
Stop Acts of Violence, Premier Tells UFS Protesters
Students at the University of Free State should return to classes and stop acts of violence with immediate effect. Read more
Thorny Issue of University Autonomy and Transformation
While most stakeholders agree that South Africa’s higher education sector needs more transformation, what form transformation should take is still a matter for debate. Read more
UCT Innovators Invited to Pitch for Seed Funding
Graduate School of Business (GSB), with support from the SAB Foundation has set up a fund that allows student social entrepreneurs to access seed funding to tackle challenges specifically faced in low-income communities. Read more
UJ Investigating Alleged Registrations Scam
The University of Johannesburg has launched an internal investigation into claims about an ex SRC member who has scammed students into paying nearly R2,000 each for a place at the institution. Read more
UJ Receives R1.7m Investment
The educational agreement between UJ and the French multinational corporation forms part of Schneider Electric’s sustainable growth strategy. Read more
UJ Will Continue to Assist Students With NSFAS Top-Up
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) recognises that many students cannot afford university fees and will thus continue to support many of them through the top-up to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to the value of R20 million. Read more
Unisa Obtains Second Interdict Against EFF SC & Co.
The University of SA (Unisa) has obtained a second court interdict following violent protests, the institution said. Read more
Universities Spend Millions In Beefing Up Security
Universities countrywide are digging deep to secure their campuses by spending millions for additional security. Read more
UP Veterinary Science Students Make a Difference
A group of 125 veterinary science students from the University of Pretoria (UP) recently went to Makapanstad village in the North West province, where they had the opportunity to gain first-hand experience handling farm animals without the aid of standard animal-handling facilities. Read more
VUT Finds Opportunities For Collaboration
Based in the southern-most tip of Gauteng, the Vaal University of Technology continuously seeks new opportunities for collaboration beyond our borders. Read more
Wits And Erasmus University Launch a New Phd Law Degree
Wits and Erasmus are championing a socio-legal approach that critiques the social working of law over studies that simply examine the content and implementation. Read more
29 February 2016
Blade to Meet Top Cops Over Varsity Violence
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, will meet Police Minister and acting national police commissioner at the University of Witwatersrand to discuss the role of police in protecting universities. Read more
Call to Almost Double Funds Spent on Higher Education
The government should allocate an additional R30-billion annually towards universities and colleges, a policy and research expert said as a fresh student protests this week again highlighted the difficulties many face when it comes to paying fees. Read more
Department Condemns Violence at Universities
The Department of Higher Education and Training said the acts of violence at universities, especially the University of Pretoria (UP) and the University of the Free State (UFS), show that there are fringe elements seeking to destabilise institutions as part of a “perverse political agenda”. Read more
Embattled SA Universities Should Take the Same Advice Given to Business Leaders
South Africa’s embattled institutes of higher learning could find long-term solutions to the current crisis in education by applying the principles of business model innovation. Read more
Higher Education Act Amendments Could Hinder Distance Learners
The proposed amendments to the Higher Education Act are necessary, director of The Independent Institute of Education, says that they could seriously affect distance education students and their chances of success. Read more
Mixed Responses to Education Bill
South African vice-chancellors are concerned the Higher Education Amendment Bill will encroach on autonomy at a time when institutions have been rocked by a series of student protests calling for radical change. Read more
New Student Accommodation Development Targets Growing Need
Student accommodation across the country, and in the Western Cape in particular, is in high demand with new developments needed to match the growing numbers of students entering tertiary education each year. Read more
NWU Management Dissolves SRC
The university has accused the SRC of damaging campus property and delaying progress at the institution. Read more
Plagiarised Promotion’
A seasoned academic has said that a high-ranking KwaZulu-Natal Department of Correctional Services official “plagiarised” his work to obtain a master’s degree from the University of Zululand. Read more
Protest-Hit University of Pretoria Proposes New English Language Policy
The University of Pretoria has proposed that all its lectures be offered in English only, according to a statement on its Facebook page on Monday morning. Read more
Safety and Security at Wits
The University will take action against anyone involved in acts of violence on our campuses, in line with our rules, policies and procedures. Read more
SA Gets New Qualifications Board
The Ministry of Higher Education and Training on Monday appointed twelve education experts to sit on the board of the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). Read more
SA Varsities On A Knife’s Edge
South Africa’s higher education system was standing at the edge of a precipice and could implode, Rhodes vice-chancellor has warned. Read more
South Africa and The Illusion of Free Higher Education
Demands for free higher education and other social services such as health and basic education in Africa date back to the 1960s. Read more
Stellenbosch University Retains Afrikaans Language
Afrikaans and English will enjoy equal status as medium of instruction at the University of Stellenbosch, after AfriForum Youth and the university came to an agreement in the High Court in Cape Town recently. Read more
Student Survives Suicide Bid Over Lack Of Funds
Distraught over being blocked from registering at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) due to debt, a student attempted suicide. Read more
UCT Concern Over Minister’s ‘Autonomy’
UCT vice-chancellor has submitted to Parliament that the Minister of Higher Education and Training should not have autonomy on transformation policies and disciplinary matters at universities. Read more
UKZN Hosts International Conference on History Education in Africa
The History Education Program in the School of Education together with the International Research Association for History and Social Sciences Education (IRAHSSE) hosted the International Conference on History Education in Africa which took place in Durban. Read more
University Leaders Seek Help As Protests Turn Violent
Vice-chancellors called for help in identifying perpetrators of campus violence, who showed total disregard for the academic project, the rules of engagement and the laws and Constitution. Read more
15 February 2016
33rd Science Learning Centre 2016
UWC hands over its first three school science centres for the year. Read more
A Degree Means Nothing If You are Not a Decent Human Being, Vice-Chancellor Tells First-Years
The 2016 Qwaqwa Campus first-year students received one of the warmest welcomes when the entire Rectorate and other senior UFS officials arrived to welcome them. Read more
Agricultural Extension Recognised as a Science and a Profession
The field of Extension Science has recently been brought into the fold of accepted fields of Natural Sciences, and it is now a legal requirement for Agricultural Extensionists and Advisors to register with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP). Read more
Beware Varsity Degrees That Will Leave You Unemployable
Young people should stop pursuing university degrees that would result in them joining the list of unemployed graduates. Read more
Curriculum Must Respond to Needs of Society
African National Congress Secretary General says that students need to be advised about is needed by the economy and study in such fields. Read more
CUT Lecturer Makes International News
Her work is currently considered as innovative in solving current drought challenges facing farming community in the Southern African region and is laying a foundation for the best practices in the sector. Read more
Deepening Inequality Is The High Price Students Will Pay For Free Education
This #FeesMustFall movement has become a force for social change centred around access to and free tertiary education. It demands deep transformation in all sectors of the higher education landscape and, in essence, encompasses broader societal issues of social justice and equality. Read more
Extraordinary Professor Honoured In A Special Way
Various theologians of the North-West University took part in a special conference during which one of its extraordinary professors in the New Testament was honoured with a Festschrift. Read more
First Joint Phd Awarded By the Vrije and Stellenbosch Universities
Dr Regan Solomons recently became the first person to qualify for the joint PhD degree between the Vrije University (VU) and Stellenbosch University (SU) after he successfully defended his PhD dissertation on ‘Improving early diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in children’ in Amsterdam. Read more
Goals and Means – Reimagining the South African University
2015 was a tumultuous year for the higher education sector in South Africa. Read more
Majority of International Students Privately Accommodated
Only 125 (1.8%) out of a possible 6680 beds at UCT are allocated to Semester Study Abroad (SSA) students, most of whom are in fact accommodated privately. Read more
No Afrikaans, No Cake
If you don’t speak Afrikaans, you can’t buy cake at any of the campus booths being set up nationwide by civil rights group AfriForum Youth. Read more
Rector Urges Rugby Team to Heal the Campus
UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, has challenged the University rugby club to win the Varsity Shield Competition, contribute in uniting the university community and help in rebuilding the image of the institution. Read more
Sandra Liebenberg Nominated For UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
HF Oppenheimer Chair in Human Rights Law and Distinguished Professor at the Faculty of Law, has been nominated by the South African government as the country’s candidate to serve on the United Nations’ Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Read more
#SilosMustFall Staff Exhibition
In the past years, the Department of Design and Studio Art entered into a series of discussions with local and international institutions with an intention of re-shaping its curriculum and aligning it with the rest of the world and the market. Read more
Stellenbosch Pomegranate Researcher Honoured With African Union Science Prize
The African Union (AU) has bestowed one of its highest scientific honours upon agricultural engineer and postharvest technology expert Prof Umezuruike Linus Opara of Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Read more
SU Appoints New Crop of Distinguished Professors
A new group of 15 professors at Stellenbosch University (SU) has been appointed as Distinguished Professors. It was only the second time that SU has bestowed this honour on its leading academics. Read more
Talloires Network Africa Faculty Support Grant Awarded to UP Scholar
Dr Martina Jordaan, from the Department of Informatics at the University of Pretoria (UP), was one of the winners of a Talloires Network Africa Faculty Support Grant at the end of 2015. Read more
UJ Engineering Researcher to Receive International IEOM Award
Prof Charles Mbohwa will receive a Distinguished Educator Award from the global Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Society in Kuala Lumpur. Read more
UKZN Loses Bid to Strip Academic of PhD
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has lost its appeal against a former senior lecturer, in a bid to strip her of her PhD. Read more
Unisa Increases Its Imprint on Africa
Unisa and the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The MoU will see the two institutions develop cultural, scholarly, and scientific ties of cooperation between the two institutions. Read more
Universities South Africa Appoints a New CEO
After a comprehensive recruitment and selection process Universities South Africa is proud to announce the appointment of Professor Ahmed Bawa, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Read more
University of Fort Hare celebrates 100 years
The University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape has reached a historical milestone as it celebrates its centenary. Read more
Wits Condemns, Removes Offensive Campus Graffiti
The University of Witwatersrand has removed the words “Fuck White People”, written at the entrance of the Oliver Schreiner School of Law building on its main campus. Read more
January 2016
15 Mandela Rhodes Scholars to Study at UCT
The scholarship is open to citizens of all African countries for postgraduate study at a South African university. Applicants are selected on the basis of their commitment to education, reconciliation, leadership and entrepreneurship and have a history of above-average academic results. Read more
3 Candidates Vie for Top Job
Following the end of Prof Lourens van Staden’s tenure as Walter Sisulu University Administrator, University Council set in motion the process of filling the position of Vice-Chancellor and Principal. Read more
Academics Engage Community Members on Tertiary Crisis
The crisis at tertiary institutions is not only a student issue, this is according to some academics from the University of Johannesburg and the University of Witwatersrand who gathered in Soweto to engage with the community members and parents. Read more
Academics Hail Online Registration a Great Success
Online registration is key in streamlining our registration process and giving students a positive experience at the start of an academic year. Read more
All Faculties to Register Online
Registering online was going to have save money and time for the University. Also the students will no longer have to spend long hours in queues as the number of registration steps have been reduced. Read more
At Their Wits’ End
Student registration at Wits University was suspended following protests yesterday. The protests followed last year’s demonstrations against fee increments for this year. Read more
Bursaries Offered By SA’s Biggest Companies
University fees have been under the spotlight since the latter parts of 2015, when students rose up in protest against the restrictive costs to study. Read more
Communiqué By Prof Ihron Rensburg To Parents / Guardians Of UJ Students
2015 was a watershed year for higher education and this seems set to continue in 2016 with the call for all tuition and registration fees to be dropped across institutions. Read more
Decolonise Varsities, Urges US Professor
The running student protests which have hit universities across the country were part of the process through which the younger generation processed their understanding and realisation of the existence of colonialism and racism in institutions of higher learning. Read more
Dept. of Higher Education Calls On #Feesmustfall Protesters to Allow Registration to Continue
The Department of Higher Education is urging protesting students to allow university activities to resume without political statements. Read more
DUT Vice-Chancellor Ahmed Bawa Resigns
Bawa’s resignation has been met with sadness from those who work for the institution that he has led for five and a half years. Read more
EFF to Hand over Memorandum on Outsourcing to Tut
The Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) in Pretoria says it will be handing over a memorandum of grievances regarding outsourcing to management at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) this morning after a night vigil by students, demanding an end to outsourcing. Read more
Four NGAP Scholars Join Our Faculties
Four MUT departments will benefit from the New Generation of Academics Programme (nGap) introduced by the Department of Higher Education & Training. Read more
Hope for Matrics Still Looking For Places to Study
Those who qualified for higher education but had not been offered a place by the time their matric results had been released, and those eligible to study but missed their deadlines to apply. Read more
Joint Statement on Behalf of the University and the Student Representative Council
In line with the joint statement issued by Vice-Chancellors, Principals and Rectors of Universities in South Africa that tuition and residence fees will remain the same in 2016 as in 2015, an announcement was circulated to all students on 7 January 2016 to that effect. Read more
Law and Order Returns to UNISA
Protesters outside the Unisa Sunnyside campus ran their hearts out at the sight of the riot squad in fear that they would fire rubber bullets to disperse them. Read more
Minister Calls On Protesting Students to Resume Lectures
Higher Education and Training Minister says the time has come for students to return to lecture halls and prevent an increase in already skyrocketing costs following damage to property. Read more
NMMU Institutes R13 Million Debt Relief Programme
The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape has instituted a R13 million debt relief programme. Read more
NSFAS Advises Universities on How to Best Allocate Funds
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) says vice-chancellors across the country have been advised on how to administer all the additional funding provided by government. Read more
NW University Charts Way Forward
Thousands of North West University students held a mass meeting to chart the way forward amid concerns about the current crisis in tertiary institutions around the country. Read more
Presidential Funding Probe, Protests Shut Universities
The meeting with student representative councils from all public universities was not a great success, as half of the students walked out before an agreement was reached. Read more
Scarce Skills Mountain to climb
South Africa has a dearth of scientists, plumbers, investment managers, nurses, doctors, water managers, truck drivers, teacher and accountants. Read more
TUT Management Looking Into Students’ Demands
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)’s Pretoria campus was closed for the day due to a protest by workers and students demanding an end to outsourcing. Read more
Wits SRC to Fundraise over 6000 Indebted Students
The Student Representative Council (SRC) at Wits University says while their call for free education still stands, for now they’ll be focussing on fund-raising for 6300 indebted students. Read more
December 2015
Celebrating NICHE Successes in South Africa
Nuffic Neso South Africa recently attended two events celebrating the successes of the Netherlands Initiative for Capacity Development in Higher Education (NICHE) programme in South Africa. Read more
Cops Claim Protesting Students Had Guns
Police who attended to the student protests at several universities across the country have alleged that some of the protesting students had guns. Read more
Doctoral Education – Need for More Radical Rethinking?
The just-published Doctoral Education in South Africa reveals new approaches South Africa can take for a ‘radical rethink’ to meet its PhD targets. Read more
From Petrol Attendant to Medical Student
I did apply to Wits but they didn’t take me for the course [medicine] that I wanted and I had a bursary as well… [they] told me they were full and couldn’t take more students. Read more
Govt to Transfer 80 Percent of University Fee Contribution In January
The funding allocation, which is meant to address the shortfall of a scrapped fee increment, will be made up of contributions from universities and the national budget. Read more
High Hopes for BRICS Education Agreement
Cabinet has welcomed the education agreement entered into by the BRICS group of nations, which holds great promise to make a necessary and significant impact on the education landscape. Read more
Innovative Creations on Display at Mechanical Engineering Open Day
A “flying jet pack”, a pedal-powered “beer bus” and a machine that harnesses the power of the sea were among several innovative creations on public display at the annual Mechanical Engineering Open Day on the Howard College campus at UKZN. Read more
Maties Council Comes Under Fire
The Stellenbosch University council should explain whether it agrees with council member Piet le Roux’s views on transformation. Read more
NWU Given Ultimatum on R10m Fraud Audit Report
A non-profit organisation has given North West University 48 hours to publish an audit into allegations of fraud involving R10m. Read more
Student Funding Task Team Warns Of Factors That Could Lead To Varsity Protests
President Jacob Zuma’s task team on university student funding has identified four key factors that could lead to potential protests early in 2016 for which it says universities need to prepare. Read more
Student Leaders Warn Of Possible Protests In 2016
University student leaders from various institutions countrywide say they won’t guarantee that there won’t be protests at the beginning of the 2016 academic year. Read more
Students Owe Universities R4 Billion in Unpaid Fees
Students owe South African universities as much as R4 billion in unpaid fees and residence expenses. Read more
The Nine Days When Students Shook SA
Tears streamed down the young man’s face when he heard the announcement. There would be a zero percent increase in fees. Read more
Unisa to ‘In-Source’ Some Services
Unisa committed itself to ending some of its outsourced services and will set up a multi-disciplinary team tasked with putting this decision into effect‚ the university’s council. Read more
Universities Need R6.8bn to Plug Shortfall
A new university funding model is expected to be implemented in 2018 and should include “the private banking sector and other business interests to incorporate options for the ‘missing middle’ that provide loans at favourable interest rates”. Read more
Urgent Need to Enable and Sustain Entrepreneurship
Despite a climate of massive unemployment, South Africa’s post-school education system remains largely preoccupied with producing graduates who will seek jobs. Read more
UWC Get Financial Boost
Amid the student protests that hit the higher education sector, UWC’s worries were lessened when the Hospital Welfare and Muslim Education Movement (HWMEM) injected more than R700 000 into the University’s coffers. Read more
UWC Collaborates On Systems Science Initiatives for Sustainability
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has already distinguished itself as a leader in the field of sustainability science – particularly in the critically important areas of food. Read more
Vice-Chancellors Back No-Fee Hike
Vice-chancellors of universities across the country have thrown their support behind the zero percent increase in fees for next year, and have called for better subsidisation of the university sector by the state to meet current and projected growth. Read more
Wits Task Team Devises Plan To Deal with Student Funding
Four key factors could spark student protests at South African universities early next year – registration payments‚ the funding shortfall‚ poorer students who don’t qualify for funding‚ and an increased number of people seeking admission. Read more
November 2015
A Country of Crises, Contrasts and Hope Our country, South Africa can be described in many ways, using many terms or adjectives. Each description would most probably be correct. Whichever description one chooses, there can be no doubt that, today, our country is far better and more equitable than the one we inherited in 1994. Read more
Action Plan for Obesity Obesity prevention should be made a national priority. This is according to Dr Moji Musa of the Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit at the media launch of the African Centre for Obesity Prevention (ACTION). Read more
Agrihub/Consumer App and system to Benefit uMsinga’s Small Scale Farmers Empowering small-scale farmers of eziNgulubeni, uMsinga’s informal markets with digital and financial knowledge to ensure their businesses remain profitable is a passion for Bachelor of Commerce student and Enactus member. Read more
Animals in Africa 1000 Years Ago A team of local scientists have wound back the clock by 1000 years to reconstruct wildlife populations across Africa to help us better understand how they have shaped the world we live in. Read more
Bill Would Boost Blade’s Powers The draft law proposes, among others, that the minister may determine “transformation goals” and institute “appropriate oversight mechanisms”, and may under specific circumstances withhold funding. Read more
Call For Free Education Is Legitimate: Higher Education Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana says the demand for free education is legitimate and justified. Read more
China-Africa Summit: Hype and Hypocrisy Beijing’s selection of South Africa to host the China-Africa heads of state summit may indicate Chinese President personal commitment to the continent. This is the first time the summit is being held at this level in Africa. Read more
Council moves to quell UKZN race row The University of KwaZulu-Natal is desperately trying to do damage control after a damning letter by senior staff accused the vice-chancellor of racism. Read more
Education Facing Massive Fee Shortfall The department of higher education has very limited scope to reprioritise its spending to bridge the funding gap of an estimated R2.3 billion that will arise following the scrapping of university fee increases for 2016. Read more
Emerging SU Scientists to Share Research with Public The possibility of new a TB drug; better sanitation in informal settlements; ancient anti-depressants; new and improved ways to make plastic; environmentally-friendly fungi and worms to control invasive wasps; and melatonin supplements to protect the heart during chemotherapy. Read more
Empowering Communities to Beat Malaria Malaria is a deadly, infectious disease with a complex life cycle. So complex in fact that after many years of research, scientists have still not been able to come up with a definitive solution to eradicate the disease completely. Read more
Generous Donation for Wits Wits alumnus Professor Aubrey Sheiham and his wife Dr Helena Sheiham have donated R8.8 million to Wits University to support the Vice-Chancellor’s focus on addressing inequality. Read more
Government Seeks Sustainable Solutions for Varsity Funding The Deputy President has reiterated government’s commitment to working with students and institutions of higher learning to find ways to combat high tuition fees. Read more
Higher Education Commission of Enquiry Welcomed The decision by the president to establish a commission of inquiry to look at issues that have been raised by students of higher learning institutions has been welcomed by Cabinet. Read more
IMC to Plan Fort Hare University Centenary The President has established an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to plan and coordinate the historic centenary celebrations of the University of Fort Hare. Read more
Investing In Education a Good Strategy The recent troubles at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) placed the issue of student finance back on the agenda. Read more
Letter from the Vice-Chancellor on Sexual Violence On Sunday night an awful incident allegedly took place at Avenue Hall where, over many months, students who have been driving various campaigns for greater inclusivity and transformation have been congregating. Read more
Major HE Expansion to Proceed Despite Economic Woes Zambia has resolved to undertake major university infrastructure projects. The government is seeking to operationalise new higher education institutions and finish incomplete construction projects in 2016, in an initiative that involves around 12 universities and colleges. Read more
New Title for Outgoing Registrar It’s not only the business end of a disrupted academic year that’s absorbed outgoing Registrar Hugh Amoore in the past weeks, but the culmination of a 42-year career at UCT. Read more
Ongoing Drama in Universities and One ‘Demotes’ Afrikaans In a week of ongoing drama in South African higher education, a group of 226 academics from the University of Stellenbosch has thrown weight behind a proposal by management to adopt English as the primary language of communication and administration, with Afrikaans and isiXhosa as ‘additional’ languages. Read more
President Orders Probe into University Transformation The President is currently exploring the establishment of a formal commission of inquiry to look into transformation‚ free education and institutional autonomy at institutions of higher learning, as well as living conditions of students on campuses. Read more
Rediscovering the Thrill of Radio Drama Trains of Thought, a play penned by Wits student Neo Sibiya, was among the creative works that won a prize at the SAfm Drama Playwriting competition. Read more
Rhodes Staff Call For Rethink on Budget Concerned Rhodes University staff members have sent out a campus-wide open letter to senior management calling for more budget transparency and transformation. Read more
Soft Drinks Will Increase Obesity in SA If South Africans don’t drastically reduce the number of cool drinks, juices and sugar-sweetened beverages they drink every day, there will be more than nine million obese adults in the country by 2017. Read more
Stellenbosch University Commended For Transformation Efforts The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has commended Stellenbosch University for considering a proposal to facilitate all learning activities at the institution in English. Read more
Study Aims to Address Complex Genomics of Human Diversity and Prostate Cancer Gender is one of the strongest and most consistent predictors of health and life expectancy. For men, unfortunately, this is not good news. Read more
The Right to the City The ‘Right to the City’ refers to the rights of city inhabitants to adequate urban living conditions and social and spatial justice, as well as strengthening of participation, direct democracy and citizenship in the cities. Read more
The Rising Cost of Inaccessible Mental Health Care In South Africa The high cost of mental health treatment means that effective and appropriate care is frequently inaccessible to people using the country’s public health system. Read more
UJ Law Expert on Mental Health and Human Rights in South Africa In recent years, some important developments have taken place that demonstrate a willingness on the part of our health-care authorities to advance the rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities in South Africa. Read more
UKZN Astrophysicist Searches for Missing Matter A group of astrophysicists, including UKZN’s Dr Yin-Zhe Ma, may have solved a long standing problem in cosmology, which is the study of how the Universe expands. Read more
University Autonomy Vs Public Accountability in HE Act? The famously imprecise line between institutional autonomy and public accountability is under the spotlight in South Africa as Higher Education and Training prepares to amend the Higher Education Act in a process that will become public in the New Year. Read more
October 2015
200 000 TVET Students Tested for HIV The HEAIDS programme was initially launched at universities in 2000 to contribute to the National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS 2012-2016 which seeks to eradicate the HIV and Aids scourge among students. Read more
Academics Support Student Struggle Academics in South African institutions of higher education, stand with students in their fight for the democratisation of our universities. Read more
Dangerous Construction of Higher Education as Big Business It’s no surprise that student movements are shutting down university campuses all over South Africa. More than two decades have passed since the advent of democracy, and change in higher education appears to be stuttering. Read more
Failing Systems Will Fall It took a massive protest from students across the country to force government to freeze fee increases at universities next year. But the protest was never about the costs of university tuition alone. Read more
Government Freezes Fees as Student Protests Mount After a week of mounting countrywide protests, South African university students will not be paying more for tuition next year. And they will be given extra time to write their end-of-year examinations. But the push for free higher education for poor students is far from over. Read more
Gov’t, Varsities Meet to Solve Student Issues Government recognises and supports the right of university students to protest and to voice their opinions and grievances. Read more
Higher Education Pressing Issues Identified Discrimination at universities emerged as a pressing issue at the Higher Education Transformation Summit. Read more
Mpuma University Progressing Well Construction at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) is well underway with enrolment at the university set to increase to 1 550 students in 2017. Read more
New Guidelines Aim to Expand, Improve Student Housing Minister of Higher Education and Training has issued guidelines for student housing at public universities, aimed at expanding and improving sometimes dire accommodation through minimum standards. Read more
Nzimande Withheld Free Varsity Report The Mail & Guardian can reveal that a government study – which Higher Education and Training Minister has been sitting with for three years – found that introduction of free university education for the poor in South Africa was feasible. Read more
President Announces Task Team to Probe Student Funding South African President announced the creation of a national task team “to explore solutions to short-term student funding challenges”. Read more
Pres Zuma to Meet SA Universities’ Leadership The University Council Chairpersons Forum- have requested to see the President to discuss the heightened tensions in some campuses.” Read more
Producing Entrepreneurial Students – and Universities With graduate joblessness rising and state funding dwindling, universities of technology are confronted by dual challenges – delivering entrepreneurship education and work-integrated learning to students, and themselves becoming more entrepreneurial. Read more
SA, Angola to Work on Education According to the department, the objective of the agreement is the development of cooperation between the two countries in the sphere of education, more specifically on higher education. Read more
Still ‘Publish or Perish’ Under Research Funding Policy The South African government’s research funding policy has long been criticised by academics. Read more
‘Students Must Read Before They Protest’ A lack of reading and critical thinking among student leaders had led to widespread violence and destructive protests at universities. Read more
Student Fees Versus Transformation at HE summit The transformation of universities has become a burning issue in South Africa, but is real change possible without adequate student funding? If discussions at the Second National Higher Education Summit held in the coastal city of Durban last week are any indication, it seems unlikely. Read more
Task Team to Address Funding in Tertiary Institutions The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has applauded the decision to set up a task team to address funding challenges at tertiary institutions. Read more
Third Tier of Higher Education A third tier of higher education, targeting out-of-school youngsters and adults with no prospect of accessing vocational and technical colleges and universities, has been established by the Department of Higher Education. Read more
Three Important Lessons the #FeesMustFall Movement has Taught the World Those three lessons are: make alliances, expand your geographical vision, and choose national targets. These three innovations by the students had made their protests successful and could work in any protest movement. Read more
UCT’s Wealthy to Help Poor Many parents of wealthier students had come forward to help fund the shortfall created by the freeze on fee increases. Read more
Wits Interdict Shows Habib Has Lost Control The interdict allows the police to step in if there are violent protests; if students and staff are intimidated or if classes are disrupted. Read more
September 2015
Classes resume at Sol Plaatje University Despite Lack of Action Classes at the Galeshewe campus of the Sol Plaatje University resumed on Monday after they were suspended when the university management failed to attend to students’ demands. Read more
Coega, NMMU Integrate to Further Skills Development THE Coega Development Corporation (CDC) and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to ensure integration of their activities aimed at furthering skills development and research, and to adopt a co-ordinated and co-operative approach between the responsibilities of NMMU and CDC. Read more
Communication a Critical Skill for Healthcare Students Students across the health sciences including doctors, nurses and social workers viewed their key role to be healthcare practitioners and not communicators, raising questions about how they interacted with communities. Read more
Curriculum Reform Reproduces Social Inequality A transformation policy for higher education introducing flexibility into the undergraduate degree time frame failed to see how the solution was merely reproducing the social inequalities it sought to address. Read more
Disturbances, Student Deaths Close Two Universities Student demonstrations have halted classes at two South African universities. The off-campus rape and murders of two foreign students – a Zimbabwean and a Nigerian – sparked protest at Vaal University of Technology in the heart of the country. Read more
Former White Universities in a Race against Time Universities are in a race against time to address transformation on campuses. Higher education and race relations experts have warned that failure to do so will allow tension between students of different races to deepen. Read more
Flagship’ to Advance Critical Thought in Humanities The study of how people process and document the human experience in order to understand and record the world is set for growth with a new ‘flagship’ programme in humanities at the University of the Western Cape. Read more
Little Achieved Over Campus Integration The Ministry of Higher Education and Training has conceded that transformation at former Afrikaans universities has stalled and efforts to forge social cohesion have been frustrated. Read more
Nelson Mandela as an Exemplar of Lifelong Learning A study of Nelson Mandela’s educational experiences has revealed the global icon to be an exemplar of lifelong learning. Read more
NMMU Student Awarded Prestigious Bursary When Sam Beynon speaks of politics and the future of female youth in South Africa, her entire being lights up. Read more
New Laws Sour Country for Foreign Students The heated exchanges on the unabridged birth certificate required for minors entering South Africa and its effect on tourism have occupied centre space in discussions on the new immigration regulations and overshadowed the impact of other equally disquieting sections. Read more
Piet le Roux to Be Investigated – Stellenbosch University Council The Stellenbosch University Council accepted various motions related to transformation, the Language Policy and approved the recommendation by its Human Resources Committee that the appointment process for two vice-rectors be initiated. Read more
Probe Ordered Into Student Aid Fund A full-scale forensic investigation will soon be undertaken to probe the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) following allegations of corruption in the administration of funds. Read more
Stellenbosch VC Says ‘University is Not Racist’ De Villiers in the video says that racism at Stellenbosch is not the university’s policy and that they have been working hard to become more inclusive and welcoming to all in practice. Read more
The Degrees Which Will Get You The Highest Starting Salary in South Africa MyBroadband’s recent qualifications and salary survey reveals that Engineering graduates enjoy the highest starting salaries, followed by BEd and BSc graduates. Read more
Transformation Needs a Radical Outcome, Not Violence Transformation in South African higher education is critical, and with the upsurge in protests university campuses have experienced in recent months “long overdue and welcomed” – but only if it is founded on achieving a radical outcome that takes into account quality defined by today’s demands. Read more
Two Collared for Disrupting Classes at UKZN Lectures at UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus were briefly disrupted again on Monday by a gang of vigilantes who allegedly used a fire extinguisher to chase students out of their classes. Read more
August 2015
Adopt a TVET College, Create Opportunities Deputy President has called on companies across all sectors of the economy to adopt a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college to help with skills development and job creation. Read more
Bid to Defuse Varsity Violence Amid rising political tensions and violence as student representative councils campaign for elections, the Department of Higher Education has said it will hold a series of workshops to create greater tolerance. Read more
Building Managerial Capacity in The SAPS Through Professional Development Training, skills development and education remain key objectives if we are to remain relevant to police in a democratic dispensation. Read more
Business Schools are Racist Gatekeepers The critical issues of equity, access and affordability were enshrined as the central components of the higher education white paper. Read more
Campus Tempers Flare Over Racism and Student Elections Racial problems that have dogged South Africa’s prestigious Stellenbosch University have flared after the publication of a documentary about the discriminatory experiences of black students. Read more
Companies Urged to Invest in People Deputy President has commended companies that are investing in developing the skills and capabilities of South Africa’s people. Read more
Do Away With Transformation For Transformation’s Sake For African universities to truly transform, higher education will have to reconsider its purpose. Read more
Education Key to Growth in SA’s Economy South Africa can achieve higher levels of economic growth if it invests significantly in education and skills development and makes it easier for people to do business. Read more
First Global Conference on HE Internationalisation The first Global Conference on Internationalisation of Higher Education will be held in August next year, in South Africa’s huge Kruger Park game reserve. Read more
Higher Education not Enough for Economic Development Policies on the accessibility of skills and knowledge, the location of industry and networks of local companies could boost the impact of higher education on economic development. Read more
Minister Must Act to End Foreign Student Visa ‘Disaster’ International student officers are to call for urgent ministerial intervention to end problems with visas for hundreds of foreign students in South Africa, due to government incompetence. Read more
New Broom For Student Fund Higher Education and Training Minister has made the better decisions of his tenure by appointing head of the government’s student loan and bursary scheme. Read more
Redefining Universities For the Greater Good Transformation in higher education goes beyond mere ordinary reform. Read more
SA’s Top Researchers Honoured South Africa’s top researchers were celebrated for their continued pioneering work in advancing knowledge creation and innovation at the 2015 National Research Foundation (NRF) Awards. Read more
Stellenbosch University Called to Parliament The Stellenbosch University management is expected to appear in Parliament to table their transformation plans to the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training. Read more
The Future of Higher Education What does the future of higher education look like? Read more
The PhD and The Ideology of ‘No transformation’ The term ‘transformation’ is now standard rhetoric in higher education change discourse. Read more
UCT Rejects Guerrilla Artists’ Facebook Claims The University of Cape Town has rejected outright a claim by Tokolos Stencils that UCT would interfere with their freedom of expression via Facebook. Read more
Vice-Chancellors Launch More ‘Active’ University Body Vice-chancellors have launched a new ‘activist’ association called Universities South Africa, which will represent the interests of the university sub-sector of higher education and will speak for the country’s 26 public universities rather than their leaders. Read more
Violence at Tertiary Institutions a Concern The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training says it is disturbed by the recent spate of politically influenced violence at a number of institutions of higher learning in the country. Read more
July 2015
Academic Cheats with Fake Degrees Cannot be Tolerated The issue of fake qualifications and the outright dishonesty of those who use them to secure top jobs needs special attention. Read more
Bond between State and Higher Education Destroyed It is the African political class’s doubt in universities’ crucial roles in the development of the continent that is holding universities back, former president Thabo Mbeki told a summit at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) on Thursday. Read more
Calls for End to Corruption at Student Funding Body Newly appointed Stellenbosch University Vice-Chancellor has said the government should put more energy into sorting out the corruption that has dogged the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and seen countless disadvantaged youths missing out on higher education opportunities. Read more
Industry Has a Major Role to Play in Skills Development It has become almost trite in South Africa that, each year, as the academic calendar commences, students strike because of the inadequacy of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Read more
No Vote, But Rhodes SRC Backs Name Change Rhodes University’s student representative council (SRC) has thrown its support behind calls to rename the institution despite not holding a campus referendum to gauge student feelings on the controversy. Read more
Opening the Doors of Higher Education to All The government should put more energy into sorting out the corruption that has dogged the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and seen countless disadvantaged youths missing out on higher education opportunities. Read more
Protest at Stellenbosch University over Language Students, reportedly lead by the Open Stellenbosch movement, protest at Stellenbosch University. Read more
SA Universities Lag Behind BRICS Rivals South Africa was ranked last in the World Economic Forum’s 2015 report on the quality of maths and science education and 139th out of 143 countries in the overall quality of its education system. Read more
South African Matrics not Ready for University – How Universities Can Help Most of the young people who matriculate in South Africa and qualify on paper to apply to study further simply aren’t ready for the rigours of a university education. Read more
Third Tier of Higher Education A third tier of higher education, targeting out-of-school youngsters and adults with no prospect of accessing vocational and technical colleges and universities, has been established by the Department of Higher Education. Read more
UCT Financial Masters Degree Makes Global Top 50 List The Master of Philosophy specialising in Mathematical Finance, presented by the Faculty of Commerce at the University of Cape Town (UCT) has been ranked in 50th position in the prestigious Eduniversal Masters rating for 2014/2015. Read more
June 2015
Apply Now for Tertiary Education Grade 12 pupils who intend to go on to tertiary level have been urged to start applying for admission to institutions now to avoid long queues and disappointment at the beginning of the 2016 academic year. Read more
Funding to Link to College Success Future government funding for public training colleges may become linked to the number of students who complete their studies, and whether graduates ultimately succeed in the job market. Read more
Lebo Sekhotla Wins International University Award, First African To Do So Lebo Sekhotla was awarded the international ‘Here for Good’ Award for youth empowerment work at a gala dinner in Miami, Florida, attended by higher education leaders and dignitaries including Condoleezza Rice. There is only one such award annually from hundreds of entries from 90 universities all over the globe, she is the first student in Africa to win this award. Read more
Varsities Face Toughest Exam There is nothing more important that determines the future of the South African university than how we resolve the question of the black professor. Read more
Varsity Heads Lost in Transformation The vice-chancellors of the universities of Cape Town, the Free State and Wits seem to have lost the plot, writes Lesiba Seshoka. Read more
MAY 2015
Nzimande, Unizulu Plot Way Forward Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has met the council of the University of Zululand (Unizulu) to try to get to the root of student protests and the suspensions of senior members of staff. Read more
Minister Nzimande to Focus on Transformation in Universities Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande says transformation in institutions of higher learning will be his main focus in the current financial year. Read more
South Africa Dominates New Africa University Rankings A new university ranking compiled by Thomson Reuters has listed the top 10 tertiary institutions on the African continent, led by South Africa’s University of Cape Town. Read more
Government Shuts Down Bogus Universities and Colleges Forty-two bogus colleges and universities which offered fake and unaccredited programmes have been shut down in May. Read more
Local Universities Perform Well in QS Subject Rankings South African institutions have performed well in the new QS – Quacquarelli Symonds – World University Rankings by Subject 2015. Read more
Facing an Ageing Professors Research Productivity cliff South African research is on the rise but is “edging towards a demographic cliff”, warned Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor. Read more
Varsities Set to Transform Faster Accelerating the pace of transformation within universities, pumping more money into historically disadvantaged institutions, and fixing the state of training colleges is how Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande will be spending his R41.8-billion budget this year. Read more
Dlamini Did What Young Students Do As former student leaders, Busani Ngcaweni and Robert Nkuna argue that a university should be the last place where students are expelled for their views. Read more
April 2015
SA Profs Too Old, Too White, Says Blade South African professors are too old and too white, and the vandalism of colonial-era statues highlighted the need for a frank conversation on race and transformation. Read more
Shortage of Universities Tops Public Enterprises Imbizo Shortage of institutions of higher learning took centre stage when Public Enterprises Minister interacted with the youth of Springbok in the Northern Cape as part of government’s Imbizo. Read more
Government Says It’s Doing All it Can to Address Challenges in Education While challenges persist in the higher education sector, government is doing all it can to address these, Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana said. Read more
New University Aims to Be Ranked Best in The World The new Sefako Makgatho Health Science University (SMU), which was launched in Pretoria, on the premises of the old Medical University of Southern Africa (Medunsa), is a comprehensive university offering certificates, diplomas, degrees and post-graduate programmes. Read more
An Emergent Regional and Global Student Destination South Africa is among the emerging economies playing an increasing role as providers of higher education within the region, the continent and globally. Read more
University Fires Academics for Falsifying Research Rhodes University fired two academics this month for falsifying and fabricating research findings submitted to scientific journals. Husband and wife team Dr Bhupesh Samant and Dr Mugdha Sukhthanakar, who worked in the pharmaceutical department, left for India before a guilty verdict could be passed on them following top-level disciplinary proceedings. Read more
Higher Education and Research versus Xenophobia Xenophobic violence that erupted in parts of South Africa this month, leaving seven people dead, has outraged university communities and the ministries of higher education and of science and technology, all of which have come out in full support of international students and academics. The attacks also exposed gaps in research into xenophobia. Read more
Unique Skills Programme Jumpstarts Careers for Unemployed Youth So many highly qualified South African youth struggle to get jobs after graduation, or move up the corporate ladder. This is often due to a lack of the vital soft skills key to survival in today’s competitive marketplace – attributes which may be neglected by South African universities. Read more
Fort Hare Students Protest Poor Accommodation Conditions Scores of students held a “sleep-in” protest over four-to-a-room overcrowding at University of Fort Hare residences. Read more
The Wind of Change is Yet to Blow It is fallacious to draw comparisons between the demonstrations of the Class of ’76 and those of the past few weeks. Read more
Learners Encouraged to Consider TVET Colleges Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, has encouraged learners to consider Technical Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVET) as their alternative to university education. Read more
March 2015
Calls for Entrepreneurship Education in Universities South Africa has the lowest level of entrepreneurship education in Africa, driven by the conviction that entrepreneurship was not a ‘decent profession’ and that only 40% of South Africans believed building a business was a desirable goal. Read more
Student Revolt Against the Statue of Cecil John Rhodes The statue of Cecil John Rhodes has a commanding presence. Sitting at the focal point of the University of Cape Town campus, Rhodes – heroic 19th century politician and businessman, or cold-blooded capitalist imperialist, depending on your point of view – gazes out over the rugby fields, eyes set on the African interior. Read more
Underfunded Students Take Frustration Out on Universities South African universities have their backs to the wall as the demand for financial assistance outstrips the available state funding and universities have to dig deep into their own pockets to accommodate as many students as possible. Read more
UCT’s Staff Must Be Transformed Under-representation of black people among the university’s academic body is impeding its ambition to become a genuinely inclusive institution. Read more
Another Statue, Same Revolution? Defacing colonial-era statues in the name of transformation is not the revolution – it’s just a symbol of it. Read more
E-learning – The Future of Higher Education The debate on the effectiveness of digital learning formats compared to classroom learning is ongoing. Read more
New Northern Cape University Gets Highest Marks in SA Despite having to deal with construction, residence and financing issues, Sol Plaatje students last year averaged the best grades across the country. Read more
Watch Out for Campus Fraud South African universities were fertile ground for fraudsters, in part because of the collegial environment compounded by staff freezes which reduced financial controls, a higher education conference in Durban heard. Read more
Rhodes Statue Should Be Moved: UCT VC The Cecil John Rhodes statue on the University of Cape Town’s campus should not be destroyed, just moved, the institution’s Vice Chancellor said. Read more
Woolworths Offers Lecturers from TVET Colleges and University of Technology Woolworths, South Africa’s leading retailer, is running the second instalment of its “Inside Retail” programme with five Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Read more
Wits, Univen Partner in Research, Post-Grad Studies The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the University of Venda (Univen) have signed a memorandum of agreement that will see the two institutions partnering in research, teaching and learning, post-graduate studies and community engagement. Read more
KPMG Hosts Higher Education Conference The number of institutions that have recently been placed under administration is an indication of the leadership and governance challenges we face as a country, according to a Higher Education Sector Lead at KPMG. Read more
Nordex Education Trust Awards Maths and Science Bursaries The Nordex Education Trust has awarded five competent and deserving students bursaries in maths and science. Read more
Turned Away From University? Here Are Your Options The future of our youth does not only lie in going to university, or in going to university the first time you finish matric. Read more
Varsities in Line to Review Funding Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and the University of Fort Hare (UFH) were cited among historically disadvantaged universities to face the review. The two universities could benefit from additional funding from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) if they meet the required criteria. Read more
Government Says it is Determined to Flush Out The Frauds Government would, in partnership with the Quality Councils and South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) ensure that scrutiny and verification of qualifications are rigorously applied to protect the credibility, integrity and reputation of employers from people who possess fake qualifications. Read more
FEBRUARY 2015
Parliament joins university calls for more student aid South Africa’s parliamentary committee on higher education has joined vice-chancellors in calling for more money for student bursaries and loans, in the interests of equity and access and against a backdrop of patchy student unrest and fundraising campaigns by universities. Read more
South Africa’s Ambassador to Japan Mohau Pheko Admits Lying about PhD The South African ambassador to Japan Mohau Pheko regrets misrepresenting herself on her CV, by stating that she had a PhD when she had not, in fact, completed the degree. Read more
SARUA to Lead Development of a SADC Climate Change Curriculum The Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA) issued a Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to participate in the SARUA Curriculum Innovation Network (SCIN). Read more
Students Run Riot at Campuses’ Over Funding Two universities in South Africa have been hit by student protests ahead of the new academic year. Read more
Minister ‘Not Likely’ To Agree To Four-Year Degree A Council on Higher Education proposal to extend tertiary undergraduate studies by a year to improve student performance stands a good chance of being snubbed by the government. Read more
IBM Creates Second Major African Research Lab In Jo’burg The University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg is to host technology giant IBM’s second major research, development and innovation laboratory in Africa. Read more
TUT’s Neglected Campuses Are about to Get Facelifts Born out of a government-imposed merger more than a decade ago, the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) still grapples with deep infrastructure disparities between its township-based campuses and the former Pretoria Technikon. Read more
International Collaboration Through Higher Education Globalisation and the move towards knowledge-based economies have necessitated a new level of collaboration in higher education. Read more
Connectivity Can Bring Quality Education to All Government must expedite its broadband roll-out plan if its higher learning goals are to be met. Read more
Vast Varsity Pay Gap Exposed Huge discrepancies in academic salaries between senior staff, on the one hand, and women, junior and black staff, on the other, are revealed in an unpublished report that Higher Education South Africa spearheaded. Read more
Racial Attacks, Black-Facing Make It Clear SA Universities Remain Untransformed South African universities remain untransformed with racial attacks, black-facing and unchanged demographics of both educators and students persisting around the country’s tertiary institutions. Read more
The Big Read: Banking on the Future It is the time of year that every university leader and administrator fears. Across your desk sits a bright young student from a rural area clutching a promising National Senior Certificate statement of results. Read more
Only 1 in 8 Students Will Find a Place at University About 200,000 first-year students will sit for their first lectures at South Africa’s 24 universities this week while a multitude of unsuccessful candidates will be dealing with rejection, either because they did not meet the requirements, or because the institutions of learning are full. Read more
No Place to Lay Their Heads In the last five years, universities and off-campus housing establishments have increased capacity by more than 15,000 beds. Read more
Students Turned Into Hobos The 22-year-old from KwaZulu-Natal left home for Johannesburg at the start of the month to arrange accommodation for himself for the academic year. Read more
Shock over Students’ Demand for Expulsion of Jews Jewish students at the Durban University of Technology who supported the State of Israel should be kicked out, the Student Representative Council has demanded. Read more
JANUARY 2015
Student Use Inflammatory Language Ahead of Sit-in Protest Up to 2,500 disgruntled students are expected to take part in a protest led by WITS student representative council outside the higher education department offices. Read more
Bid to End Varsity Chaos Drag Higher education and training ministry has failed to keep its promise to introduce a seamless centralised system that would allow those who pass with university entrance results to apply for admission to any university or university of technology. Read more
Increased Student Funding Not Enough to Satisfy High Demand More funds are needed to ensure that majority of young people are given opportunity to attend such institutions. Read more
Maties Speak a New Language When 5,000 new maties and their parents were officially welcomed at Stellenbosch University, those who could not understand Afrikaans could tune to a translation on their cell phones and earphones. Read more
Drop in PhD Students to Affect Skills A shortage of supervisors for doctorates in business administration students has resulted in fewer enrolments this year, adding to South Africa’s skills deficit. Read more
Short Course as an Alternative to Degree Programme For a host of reasons, many South African school-leavers will be unable to pursue tertiary education in 2015. So what other options are available for these individuals? Read more
Postal Strike Dashes Varsity Hopes The postal strike may have sabotaged some matriculants plans to go to university this year, particularly the poorest ones. Read more
Universities Bursting at Seams Universities are bursting at seams and, in Kwazulu Natal, school-leavers have only one-in-eight chance of winning a place to study. Read more
DECEMBER 2014
UCT Leads South Africa Pack in University Ranking Five South African tertiary institutions including Universities of Cape Town and Stellenbosch have been ranked among the top 100 universities in the BRICS countries and emerging economies. Read more
Blade Wants Qualification Fraud Register Minister of higher education and training has asked for urgent establishment of a national fraud register, which will list individuals who have committed qualification fraud. Read more
Students Out in the Cold as No-Fee University forced to close The private, no fee university has been deregistered by education authorities after falling into the red to the tune of some R30m. Read more
Tshabalala’s Troubles Far from Over Ellen Tshabalala, SABC Board Chairman, has resigned after being found guilty by parliament of lying about her qualifications. Read more
No enemy of Afrikaans—But It Can’t Dominate Tertiary Institutions The education minister criticised the domination of Afrikaans in teaching and called on former Afrikaans universities to enroll more black students. Read more
Teachers in Punch-up Teachers are venting their anger and frustration on each other. Read more
Win de Villers Named New Stellenbosch University Vice Chancellor Win de Villiers will be the new vice chancellor of Stellenbosch University; he succeeds the university’s first black vice chancellor who died suddenly in June 2014. Read more
New Business School to Increase Number of MBA graduates in South Africa The Management College of Southern Africa recently launched the Graduate School of Business, which it hopes to serve dual purposes of raising the profile of previously disadvantaged students and honouring the struggle’s heroes. Read more
Students Who Wore Blackface to Return to University Two students who were kicked out of their residence at the University of Pretoria after being photographed wearing domestic worker outfit and smear black paint will be allowed to return to campus next year. Read more
Varsity May Rethink North-West University is expected to pursue a radical normalisation of racial demographics in student residence. Read more
Why FET Colleges are changing their Names to TVET Colleges At the launch of the departmental white paper on post-education and training, the Minister of Higher Education and Training announced that all FET colleges are to be renamed as TVET colleges. Read more
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