July 31, 2023

Aros inaugurates New Principal

The inauguration of Prof Kobus Mentz as the new CEO of Aros on 20th July 2023 was a celebratory event, marking a new era in the institution's journey.


The event was attended by several key figures in Higher Education and renowned academics, including Prof Gerrit Smit of the AP Akademie, Ms Liana van Rooy, registrar at Akademia, Dr Daan Potgieter, CEO at AON, Dr Jaco Deacon, CEO at FEDSAS, Dr Louis Swanepoel, president of SAOU, and Mr Chris Klopper, outgoing CEO of SAOU.


Prof Mentz is an exceptional educator with a long and illustrious career in the field. For over 30 years, he has been involved in education and the development of teaching/learning materials at various levels and capacities at former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PU for CHE) and North-West University (NWU).


As a seasoned researcher, Prof Mentz has published more than 30 articles in accredited scholarly journals, supervised numerous master's and doctoral students, delivered 35 papers at national and international conferences, and has been invited as a guest speaker at conferences in Canada and China. He has also received an award for excellence in teaching from the NWU.


Throughout his career, Prof Mentz has held various management and leadership positions. Most recently, at the end of May 2023, he stepped down as the director of the School of Professional Studies in Education at NWU.



Earlier this year, Aros launched its new campus in Montana Park, Pretoria, and the Aros community expressed their excitement to welcome Prof Mentz as CEO to their new home.

City skyline

Prof Kobus Mentz

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Birthday Sparks

Chantal Snyman, Aros registrar, and  Prof Kobus Mentz, Aros CEO

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Fashion Magazine

Prof Paul Kruger, Chair of the Aros Council, congralutates Prof Kobus Mentz on his new position 

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Blurred Lines

The newly launched Aros campus in Montana Park, Pretoria

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Revisiting the value of assessment

July 22, 2025
The Faranani session on 17 July examined assessment from various perspectives. With just two carefully crafted questions, David Maclean, facilitator and founder of Learning Advisory, created a space for lively conversation and engagement on the real purpose and value of assessment. The first question, What would assessment look like if it served learning rather than sorting?, prompted reflection on the difference between ‘assessment for learning’ and ‘assessment of learning’. Participants explored the role of continuous assessment as a compass that guides learning, rather than a tool for ranking or gatekeeping. The second question, How do we truly know when learning has occurred at the deepest level?, encouraged participants to share personal experiences and teaching practices that reveal meaningful learning beyond surface-level achievement. The session reframed assessment by focusing on its potential to enhance learning and support development, moving beyond its traditional role as a final evaluation tool.  Embodying the spirit of a wisdom circle, the Faranani session offered space for collective reflection, shared insights, and mutual learning.

SAPHE launches research CoP

July 17, 2025
SAPHE’s first Research Community of Practice (CoP) meeting took place on Monday, 30 June, marking an important step toward strengthening research capacity and collaboration within private higher education. As research is a core pillar of higher education, SAPHE members welcomed the opportunity to engage on research-related matters. The first session focused on supporting those who have made submissions for the upcoming SAPHE Conference. A highlight of the session was a presentation on the use of AI in research. From sparking ideas to helping with literature reviews and writing, AI was framed as a powerful research tool, similar to a calculator for a mathematician or a camera for a photographer. But, the message was clear: AI can assist, but the researcher remains the author!  True to the spirit of a Community of Practice, this new SAPHE initiative creates a collaborative space for sharing, questioning, and growing together. We look forward to many more engagements as this CoP evolves.

Strengthening QA through collaboration

By Sibusiso Ngidi • June 17, 2025
The imaginative and metaphorical title of our recent Quality Assurance Community of Practice (QA CoP) meeting, Shared spellbook: Unlocking the magic of collective wisdom, beautifully captured the spirit of the event and the collaborative energy among QA professionals from SAPHE member institutions. Leading the conversation, Dr Franzél du Plooy-Cilliers invited participants to reflect on the unique value that emerges when ideas, knowledge, and experiences are shared. Collaboration in QA doesn’t just foster innovation—it challenges complacency, inspires ongoing improvement, and raises the quality bar across institutions. The ripple effects are powerful: Not only do individual PHEIs benefit from stronger practices, but the entire higher education sector is elevated through shared commitment to quality-assured education. During the session, participants discussed common challenges, such as limited staff engagement in QA processes and the need for integrated workflows that support shared values and a common understanding. Looking ahead, key themes were identified for future QA CoP engagements. Plans are already underway for the next meeting on 14 August, where the community will continue "writing the shared spellbook" - sharing insights and best practices to improve quality. Together, the CoP is shaping a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation—one "spell" at a time.