May 9, 2025

Exploring common ground: SAPHE hosts Semesp delegation from Brazil

This week, SAPHE hosted a delegation from Semesp, the association representing private higher education institutions in Brazil. The visit provided a valuable opportunity for mutual learning, collaboration, and comparative dialogue between the South African and Brazilian private higher education sectors.


The visit began with an insightful presentation by Dr Whitfield Green, CEO of the Council on Higher Education (CHE), who introduced the South African higher education landscape. He outlined the CHE’s role in ensuring quality, relevance, and transformation in the sector - providing essential context for the week’s discussions.


In meetings with the SAPHE Board and member institutions, the Semesp delegation engaged in conversations covering a wide range of topics—from the integration of emerging technologies and AI, the promotion of entrepreneurship and collaboration with industry, effective marketing and student recruitment strategies, to distance education and strong governance and management practices within private institutions.


One of the most striking comparisons highlighted during the exchange was in student enrolment figures. In Brazil, private institutions dominate the landscape:


  • 87.8% of all higher education institutions are private.
  • These institutions enrol nearly 8 million students, while only around 2 million attend public universities.
  • Among these private institutions, 65.1% are for-profit.


This stands in sharp contrast to South Africa, where public universities continue to enrol more than 70% of students. However, the private sector has shown significant growth in recent years, with the number of students in private higher education institutions more than doubling since 2011.


With more and more South African students seeking access to higher education, it’s clear that private institutions have a key role to play in expanding capacity and helping move the sector forward.



Both SAPHE and Semesp affirmed the value of such engagements to stimulate new thinking and the importance of collaboration in advancing innovation, quality, and sustainable growth in higher education.

PHOTO: CEO of the CHE, Dr Whitfield Green (right) with Fabio Reis (Semesp Director of Academic Innovation), Rodrigo Capelato (Semesp CEO), Dr Carin Stoltz-Urban (SAPHE Board Chair), and Thiago Pegas (Semesp Vice-President).

SAPHE Conference 2026: Private Higher Education in an Evolving Society

October 27, 2026
Time and tide wait for no one. The same is true of higher education. For private higher education to contribute meaningfully to society, it must keep pace with changing needs and respond to the demands of an evolving world. The SAPHE Conference 2026 will explore this under the theme Private Higher Education: Academic Excellence in an Evolving Society, taking place on 11 and 12 November 2026 at IMM Graduate School, Parktown . The two-day programme will bring together colleagues from across the higher education sector to explore its future direction, consider emerging challenges and opportunities, exchange ideas and celebrate excellence. Day 1 | 11 November The Conference opens with a keynote address by Prof Ahmed Bawa of the Johannesburg Business School, University of Johannesburg, titled Private Higher Education, Being Higher Education. This will be followed by a CEO/Owner panel discussion, What Kind of Private Higher Education Sector Do We Want to Be?, exploring the future direction, role and aspirations of private higher education in South Africa. Day 2 | 12 November Prof Stephanie Burton of the University of Pretoria will deliver a keynote address titled The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Developing Talent for This Changing World. Delegates will also participate in an interactive Institutional AI Decision-Making Lab , providing an opportunity to exchange perspectives and consider how private higher education institutions can approach AI adoption and implementation. The programme also includes a dedicated workshop on the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF), presentations on a range of relevant topics, and opportunities to engage with colleagues from across the sector. A highlight of the Conference will be the SAPHE Excellence Awards Cocktail , celebrating the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals and institutions in private higher education. Thank you to our sponsors SAPHE gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our sponsors, whose contributions help make the Conference possible. Gold Sponsor OpenCollab Silver Sponsors Clarivate EBSCO South Africa Bronze Sponsors Juta Ontech Solutions Oxford University Press Southern Africa  We would also like to thank IMM Graduate School for generously providing the conference venue at no charge. Be part of the conversation shaping the future of private higher education in South Africa. We look forward to welcoming delegates for two days of engagement, knowledge-sharing and celebration as we consider the role of private higher education in an evolving society.

SAPHE Conference 2026: Exploring the future of higher education

October 12, 2026
With the SAPHE Conference fast approaching, SAPHE looks forward to welcoming delegates on 11-12 November 2026 at the IMM Graduate School in Parktown, Johannesburg. Held under the theme Private Higher Education: Academic Excellence in an Evolving Society, the Conference will feature engaging, interactive sessions and opportunities for discussion and exchange. Two distinguished keynote speakers, Prof Ahmed Bawa and Prof Stephanie Burton , will share their perspectives on the nature and purpose of higher education and its role in a rapidly changing world. 

SAPHE pays tribute to Mr Sam Isaacs

October 8, 2026
SAPHE extends its sincere condolences on the passing of Mr Samuel Benjamin Arend Isaacs. Mr Isaacs played a significant role in shaping South Africa’s post-1994 education and training landscape. His contribution to the development of the NQF and to the recognition and advancement of learning has had a lasting impact across the education sector.  SAPHE acknowledges his remarkable contribution to South Africa’s education and training community and extends our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at SAQA.