August 29, 2024

SAPHE Conference promises to engage and inspire all

Private higher education institutions have long been at the forefront of innovation and progress. The 2nd SAPHE Conference, themed Innovation in Higher Education: The Role of the Private Education Sector, is set to provide the perfect platform for experts and colleagues to reflect, share, and explore the topic.


Scheduled for 5-6 November at the IMM Graduate School in Parktown, Johannesburg, the conference programme promises to cater to various interests. Attendees can look forward to a lineup of high-profile guest speakers, engaging panel discussions, insightful presentations, workshops, and an awards cocktail event.


A lineup of sterling speakers and stimulating discussions


Keynote addresses by Sioux McKenna, Professor in Higher Education Studies at Rhodes University,  and Dr Lucky Mathebula, widely recognised for his strategic thinking and policy expertise, will set the stage for thought-provoking and lively discussions on the future of African universities and the role of higher education in fostering sustainable socio-economic growth.

The conference will also feature panel discussions on critical topics, including one on Shaping the discourse of a responsive Private Higher Education (PHE) sector and another on the integration of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) as a complement to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the higher education context. These discussions aim to engage participants in meaningful and impactful dialogues.


Presentations on diverse topics



Under the overarching theme of innovation in Higher Education, presentations will cover diverse topics, including cutting-edge approaches to teaching and learning, fit-for-purpose quality assurance, technology-driven solutions for Higher Education, and the evolving student experience and community engagement.

The conference agenda will be comprised of workshops, exhibitions, and numerous networking opportunities.

Registration for the conference opens in September, with SAPHE members enjoying discounted rates. For more information, please visit the SAPHE Conference website.

New SAPHE CoP Focuses on Quality Assurance

April 25, 2025
The launch meeting of SAPHE’s Community of Practice (CoP) for Quality Assurance on 15 April was an explosion of ideas and energy. The value of a dedicated platform for members to engage on quality assurance (QA) matters was immediately evident, as participants enthusiastically identified key topics for discussion, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of best practices. The vital thread of QA Quality Assurance is a cornerstone of higher education, underpinning the integrity and effectiveness of academic offerings and institutional operations. From marketing and student recruitment to graduation, the QA thread is tightly woven through every stage of the student journey. Engaging questions, meaningful conversations “How do we measure quality, and how do we evidence quality?” These thought-provoking questions, posed by the session facilitator Dr Franzel du Plooy-Cilliers—SAPHE Vice-Chair and responsible for liaison with regulatory bodies—sparked dynamic and insightful discussions. Attendees shared their experiences and explored ways to support one another in preparing for institutional audits, benchmarking across institutions, and embedding quality throughout institutional processes. Looking ahead  The conversation has laid the foundation for what promises to be a series of meaningful engagements as the CoP continues to grow and evolve.

Community engagement in higher education: From conversation to action

April 15, 2025
Often seen as the “stepchild” of higher education, community engagement (CE) took centre stage during SAPHE’s Faranani session held on 10 April.

Excellence in action: SAPHE Faranani session inspires!

March 25, 2025
Faranani means "working together," and that’s exactly what SAPHE’s Faranani session on 20 March was all about! The session started with a brief discussion on the 2025 SAPHE Excellence Awards categories and evaluation criteria. This was followed by an inspiring presentation from TSIBA, the 2024 winner of the Excellence Award for Community Engagement. TSIBA didn’t just showcase what a winning entry looks like—they demonstrated what education with real social impact truly means.  TSIBA’s John Durr and Earl-Djehuti Erasmus took attendees through their Social Entrepreneurship and Leadership Development experiential learning programmes. Designed to drive social, economic, and educational impact, these programmes highlight the transformative power of education. By providing meaningful, applied learning experiences, these programmes empower students while making a tangible difference in the communities they come from or will serve in the future. The results? Well-rounded graduates, thriving start-ups, and a ripple effect of positive change. Kudos to TSIBA! The Faranani session illustrated the power of collaboration, offering SAPHE members valuable insights from TSIBA’s award-winning approach. Together, we continue to shape a sector that makes a real difference through education!
More Posts