November 19, 2024

Second SAPHE Conference: A Resounding Success!

The 2nd Annual SAPHE Conference, held on 5–6 November at the IMM Graduate School, exceeded expectations, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees. The event was abuzz with activity, high-level discussions, and dynamic conversations centred on higher education (HE), with a particular focus on private higher education Under the theme, Leading innovation in Higher Education (HE), the Conference featured prominent keynote speakers, thought-provoking panel discussions, interactive workshops and insightful research presentations.




Setting the tone



Renowned academic and vibrant speaker, Prof. Sioux McKenna, opened the conference with a keynote address that set the stage for deep reflection on the future of higher education. Her probing questions about the purpose of HE, whose interests it should serve, what makes it good, its short-term goals, and the threats to its long-term future underscored the complexity and multifaceted nature of the topic.


With astuteness and insight, Prof McKenna explored HE from different perspectives before challenging attendees with a powerful final question: What future do you want for HE?


The conversation continued with a panel discussion on Shaping the discourse of a responsive private HE sector. Facilitator Dr Ronel Blom,  and panel members Dr Makhapa Makhafola from SAQA, Dr Gloria Castrillon from UJ and Ms Helen Buhrs, Inscape CEO, discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. 



The role of HE in socio-economic growth



On the second day of the Conference, Dr Lucky Mathebula delivered an inspiring keynote address on The role of HE in socio-economic growth. He emphasised that HE’s essence lies not only in creating a better society but also in showcasing the potential greatness of a country through its graduates. His address left attendees motivated to see HE as a transformative force for societal progress. 


Building on Dr Mathebula’s insights, a panel discussion explored the potential of Inner Development Goals (IDGs) in fostering students’ personal and professional success. Panel members included Dr Radhika Bhuyan (UJ), Namhla Mzuku (UP), and Leigh Johnson, a private consultant. 


Engaging workshops on authentic assessment and leadership skills for academics and institutional leaders, and research presentations ensured ongoing momentum throughout the Conference.




Excellence Awards



A highlight of the Conference was the inaugural SAPHE Excellence Awards, celebrated during a cocktail event. Awards were presented in three categories: Teaching and Learning, Research, and Community Engagement.


Winners:

  • Teaching and Learning: Boston City Campus, with academics Dr Rob Stegmann, Ms Colette Heunes, Prof. Cobus Oosthuizen, and Dr Janet Viljoen taking the trophy for their multi-faceted entry.
  • Research: Dr Tadi Rampai (Posthumous) from The Da Vinci Institute.
  • Community Engagement: Mr John Durr and Mr Earl-Djehuti Erasmus from Tsiba.


Runners-up:

  • Teaching and Learning: 1st runner-up, Ms Annetjie Pretorius (The Independent Institute of Education); 2nd runner-up, Ms Riana Prins and Dr Cecelia Rosa (IMM Graduate School).
  • Research: 1st runner-up, Ms Jaclyn van Rensburg (Red & Yellow Creative School of Business); 2nd runner-up, Dr Rob Stegmann (Boston City Campus).
  • Community Engagement: 1st Runner-Up, Ms. Sarina Till (The Independent Institute of Education); 2nd runner-up, Dr Daud Taranikhe (The Da Vinci Institute).

The conference also provided ample networking opportunities, fostering connections and collaboration among peers.


Acknowledging our partners


The SAPHE Conference would not have been possible without the generous support of sponsors  Cengage, Juta, OpenCoLab, Oxford University Press and Van Schaik and exhibitors Bookt, Emerald, EdgeEducation,  Wisenet and WWIS.  

The Conference Committee extended sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this inspiring event.

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!
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