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Nov 23, 2023

Stimulating thoughts set the stage at SAPHE Conference

The SAPHE Conference, held on 7 November at the IMM Graduate School in Parktown, Johannesburg, provided a valuable platform for thought leadership, academic dialogue, and the exchange of research initiatives. The event fostered lively engagement among attendees, including academics, researchers, and industry stakeholders, all united by their commitment to advancing the landscape of higher education.


Call for collaboration


Setting the tone for the conference, Dr Divya Singh from STADIO, the MC of the SAPHE Conference, quoted Helen Keller: "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." She encouraged institutions to embrace a spirit of “co-opetition”, working together despite being competitors, as this would benefit the entire HE system.


This call for collaboration was echoed by keynote speaker and CEO of the Council on Higher Education (CHE), Dr Whitty Green. In his opening address, he advocated for a unified higher education (HE) sector, emphasising that the distinction between public and private institutions should be discarded. He stressed the critical role that all institutions play in the HE landscape and encouraged them to identify their unique strengths and contributions to address the diverse needs of society.


A responsive HE system embedded in society


Dr Green underscored the importance of a responsive higher education system that is embedded within the social fabric. He said HE institutions had to be cognizant of the challenges and opportunities that exist at sectoral, local, and global levels, and to integrate these considerations into their teaching and research endeavours.



He emphasised the need for the HE sector to actively participate in building a democracy and addressing societal challenges at multiple levels. This would require a multidisciplinary approach, moving away from siloed thinking and embracing collaboration.


Equipping graduates to address global and local challenges


He further highlighted the crucial role of HE institutions in preparing graduates who are equipped to tackle global challenges such as climate change, energy concerns, and food and water security, as well as local issues like unemployment and inequality.


Dr Green posed a thought-provoking question to the audience: "What is the role of HE in society? If HE is for the public good, why does the sector not enjoy the support of the public?" He urged the HE system to take collective responsibility to address this disconnect and earn the public's trust.


Championing student-centric and academic-centric HE


Speaking about the role of academics, Dr Green advocated for a student- and academic-centred HE system. He outlined the principles of the National Framework for Enhancing Academics as University Teachers and related action imperatives which include, amongst others, professional development, leadership development, recognition and awards, and knowledge production and sharing about teaching and learning.



He passionately discussed the interconnection between theory and practice in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL), highlighting the importance of scholars of teaching and learning who are willing to confront the ethical, intellectual, and pedagogical challenges of their work.

Research areas in HE


Turning to research, Dr Green expressed the need for research that focuses on the HE space. He identified a range of potential research areas, including disability in the post-school sector, educational supply and demand, and optimal lecturer-student ratios.

In conclusion, Dr Green highlighted the CHE's contributions to the scholarship of HE over the past 25 years and outlined the research themes that the CHE has prioritised.


The SAPHE Conference 2023 served as a catalyst for thought-provoking discussions and a renewed commitment to advancing the quality and impact of higher education in South Africa. 

Expert advice for PHEIs

22 Feb, 2024
Dr Shaheeda Essack, Director of Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) at the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), shared valuable insights at the recent SAPHE member meeting in February. She highlighted key areas for continued success within the sector, which has grown significantly, now enrolling more than 20 per cent of all higher education students. Dr Essack, a seasoned expert in PHEI management and monitoring, focused on both business and academic operations. Sound business and academic operations Dr Essack underscored the importance of robust financial planning, effective systems, competent staff appointments, and the delivery of accredited, quality programmes. She cautioned against misrepresenting qualifications, a pitfall that could lead to deregistration. Mitigating Risks and Ensuring Compliance Regarding risk management, Dr Essack stressed the need to understand the PSET sector thoroughly, considering both internal and external factors shaping its past, present, and future. She advised PHEIs to learn from past experiences, identify future trends, and stay informed and compliant with relevant legislation and annual reporting requirements. Operational efficiency Dr Essack encouraged clear and transparent operations. She recommended that institutions maintain control over all their academic functions, including marketing and advertising, rather than outsourcing. Student engagement She advocated for transparent grievance policies and comprehensive student orientations that clarify procedures and refund policies. Before involving the DHET, students should first engage with the institution to seek an internal resolution. Dr Essack highlighted the importance of student representation on various levels, as mandated by the CHE. However, she clarified that representation does not equate to governing or managing the institution. She mentioned that student concerns were mainly in two areas, related to the contractual agreement and teaching and learning. Student feedback on teaching and learning was critical and useful for the institution in improving the quality of the learning programmes. Partnerships and policy Discussing public/private partnerships, Dr Essack emphasised the need for clarity on what such partnerships involve and a regulatory framework, acknowledging the absence of one currently. Responding to a query about the Policy for the Recognition of South African Higher Education Institutional Types, she said she anticipates its release for public comment by the end of March, with finalisation expected before the year's end.  In conclusion, Dr Essack commended PHEIs for their remarkable progress, encouraging them to continue their positive trajectory and “to walk the straight path”. Dr Jannie Zaaiman, Chair of the SAPHE Board, thanked Dr Essack for the insights she shared with SAPHE members and affirmed their commitment to good governance and collaboration.

Milestones spur momentum

19 Jan, 2024
2023 was a year of remarkable progress for SAPHE, marked by numerous impactful milestones and achievements. SAPHE Chairperson, Dr Jannie Zaaiman, says that guided by a shared vision for private higher education, SAPHE members collaborated effectively to advance not only the interests of PHEIs but also the broader landscape of higher education. “This included championing rigorous quality assurance, engaging in constructive dialogue with key regulatory bodies like the Council on Higher Education (CHE), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), fostering valuable capacity-building activities for our members, and hosting a successful SAPHE conference, showcasing research projects undertaken by PHEIs”, says Dr Zaaiman. Globally, 2023 was a year of significant shifts, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) taking centre stage. Recognising its transformative potential, SAPHE established an AI task team to guide members in harnessing its potential responsibly. Closer to home, South Africa's higher education sector faces unique hurdles. The ever-growing demand for quality education is hampered by limited access and insufficient student funding. Additionally, there's concern that graduates lack the skills needed for the evolving job market. Dr Zaaiman emphasises that PHEIs, recognised for their flexibility and accessibility, are well-positioned to address these challenges and play a crucial role in shaping South African higher education. "Our members are committed to delivering high-quality education that caters to diverse needs and backgrounds, adhering to the highest standards," he affirms.  “As we step into 2024, SAPHE is looking forward to embracing its opportunities and tackling its challenges together. We will continue to support our members and believe that through collaboration, our institutions can draw on each other's strengths to unlock the full potential of private higher education in South Africa," says Dr Zaaiman. "Together, let's rewrite the narrative of South African higher education. Join us on this exciting journey!"

A peek into the future: Panel discussion on Higher Education in Southern Africa

22 Nov, 2023
The recent SAPHE Conference provided an engaging platform for discussion and reflection on the future of higher education in Southern Africa. Among the conference's highlights was a thought-provoking panel discussion on this critical topic, featuring a diverse group of experts from the education and technology sectors. Elmarie Cronje of EOH, Glenda Miles of Microsoft, Buntu Majaja of the SA Innovation Summit, Dr Anselm Adodo of Paxherbals, and Prof. Ronnie Lessem of TRANS4M brought their unique perspectives, each offering a distinct picture of the future landscape for higher education in the region. Prof. Ben Anderson of the DaVinci Institute skilfully facilitated the discussion, expertly engaging the audience in the diverse scenarios proposed by the panellists. Entrepreneurial approach Majaja presented a compelling argument for higher education institutions to become an integral part of their surrounding ecosystem. This, he believed, would make them more aware of the importance of adopting an entrepreneurial approach in their engagement with industry. He was convinced that the benefits of commercialising more, if not all, research, was becoming critical in a creative economy where everyone was defined as a knowledge worker. This underscored the need to co-create new understandings of reality, shaping both the present and the future. Embracing technology In her presentation, Miles asserted that embracing technology is not a choice but an imperative for higher education institutions if they aspire to prepare graduates who can effectively contribute to sustainable socio-economic development. She strongly advocated for integrating a wide variety of adaptive technologies into the student experience, highlighting the transformative potential of such an approach. As a closing remark, Miles challenged the higher education system to take a leadership role in the AI discourse and practice, acknowledging the industry's leading role but not always from a holistic perspective. Demand for niche institutions Cronje's presentation emphasised the importance of representatives of higher education institutions actively listening to their prospective customers and understanding their specific educational requirements. She explained that the growing demand for niche institutions was driven by the industry's need for graduates who were 'job ready' and possessed the necessary critical thinking, reasoning and questioning skills, and competence to thrive in the marketplace. Cronje also stressed the importance of higher education institutions becoming more inclusive and accessible, noting that private higher education institutions in South Africa seemed responsive to the dilemma parents faced and accommodated students from diverse backgrounds. Community-centric focus Lessem and Adodo provoked the audience with the idea of 'Communiversity,' where students actively represent society through their communities, broadening the scope of knowledge and incorporating critical indigenous knowledge systems into the co-creation of new knowledge.  Concluding the panel discussion, Prof Anderson expressed that integrating the diverse yet critical inputs into a futuristic higher education scenario would indeed be challenging. He asked, "Are we ready to embrace these suggestions, and more importantly, should SAPHE play a role in promoting such a future for higher education?" This left the audience and SAPHE members with much to reflect on.
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