The 3rd USAf Higher Education Conference2025-01-30T10:25:51+02:00

The 3rd USAf Higher Education Conference:

The Future of the University

Message from the USAf Chief Executive Officer

Dr Phethiwe Matutu

I am delighted to extend an invitation to you to attend the 3rd USAf Higher Education Conference that will be held on 9-11 October 2024 at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) International Convention Centre in Pretoria.

The theme for this year’s conference is “The Future of the University”.  As the higher education sector, we are facing enormous challenges of sustainability in the face of slow economic growth — post-CoViD, and the impact of digitalisation on our work and careers, in general. A sluggish economy has resulted in high levels of unemployment and declining state subsidies. This happens in a context where more students in South Africa require bursary support from Government. How universities respond to these and global changes (including climate variability, adaptability and environmental sustainability) will determine not only the future of the university but that of humanity. It is imperative that universities ensure their own sustainability within this context.

AI is making waves in the world. This talks to what future universities will look like and offer. Universities must remain at the forefront of the digital revolution and map their future paths while doing so. Slow adaptation to rapid digitalisation is not the answer. The Higher Education Conference is tailored for university leaders, researchers, policymakers, educators, and industry experts. Attendees can look forward to robust discussions, engaging plenaries, interactive parallel sessions, enriching workshops and exhibitions.

Your participation is essential as we navigate the future of universities in the digital era. Register now to secure your spot and contribute to advancing higher education.

Universities South Africa (USAf) proudly presents the 3rd USAf Higher Education Conference, hosted from the 9th to the 11th of October 2024. After five years, the conference returns in person at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria.

The conference builds on the success of our inaugural conference in 2019 on “Reinventing SA’s Universities for the Future” and the innovative hybrid model of the 2021 event, “The Engaged University”.  This year’s conference will delve into the pivotal theme of “The Future of the University recognising that in the light of global and local crises and unprecedented technological advancements, South African universities may well be at a turning point in history.

Unsurprisingly, there are presently numerous conferences about the future of the university. This one will be different. It is designed to be more participatory than the usual conference format; it will acknowledge and map what is unknown and what needs attention; and it will provide a strongly South African take on global trends which inevitably impact the sector. It will do so while recognising the specific local histories and context shaping the sector. Keynote speakers will be both local and global, selected to be both insightful and provocative.

Themes for the plenary sessions include “The Global Future of Universities” and “Critical Aspects Shaping the Future of Humanity in Higher Education. Tailored for a diverse audience, including university leaders, educators, researchers, policymakers, and representatives from the tertiary sector, this year’s conference will focus on actively shaping the future of higher education.

  • Conference sessions
  • Access to Exhibitions
  • Refreshments and lunch
  • Fringe events

Workshops aligned to the conference theme will be available.

CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria
Pretoria is nestled in the foothills of the Magaliesberg mountains and enjoys a reputation as an academic city and centre of research. The city is home to a diverse range of leisure facilities including the Freedom Park Heritage Site, Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Nelson Mandela Statue (Union Buildings) and the Pretoria Art Museum. A little further afield in Johannesburg is Constitution Hill and the Apartheid Museum, to mention but a few.

Show Map>

Registration:
Date:
22 May – 20 September 2024
Cost:
R2,850.00

Daily registrations:
Date: 22 May – 20 September 2024
Cost:
R950.00

Student Registration:
Date: 22 May – 20 September 2024
Cost:
R700.00

Invited Speakers:
Date: 22 May – 20 September 2024
Cost:
No Charge

Pre-Conference Workshops:
Date:
To be confirmed
Cost: No charge

Please note the following:

  • An invoice will be emailed to you after registration for payment. Payment must be received within 30 days.
  • Registrations are non-transferable and payment is required to complete your registration.
  • All speakers must register for the event although there is no registration fee payable for speakers.
  • Payment must be made into the USAf Bank Account in South African Rand.
  • REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

  • EVENT DATE:
    09-11 October 2024

  • ATTENDANCE:
    In person

  • VENUE:
    CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria
    Show map

Day 1 (9 October 2024)

Professor Francis Petersen

Chair of Universities South Africa (USAf) Board

Dr Phethiwe Matutu

CEO Universities South Africa (USAf)

Dr Clarence Tshitereke

Senior Special Adviser to the Minister of Higher Education and Training

Professor Rushiella Nolundi Songca

Deputy Chair: Universities South Africa (USAf) Board and Vice-Chancellor & Principal, Walter Sisulu University

Professor Adam Habib

Director: School of African and Oriental Studies – University of London

Professor Rukana Osman

University of the Witwatersrand, UNESCO Chair in Teaching and Learning

Professor Tel Amiel

Brasilia University, UNESCO Chair in Distance Education

Professor Ulrich Paquet

Director of the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) South Africa

Dr Mandy Hlengwa

Senior Lecturer: Education and Coordinator: New Generation of Academics Programme, Rhodes University

Dr Helen Beetham

Researcher and Educationist Consultant in Digital Education, United Kingdom

Dr Albert Luswata

Senior Lecturer and Chair, Centre for Ethics at Uganda Martyrs University

Professor Pamela Dube

Vice-Chancellor & Principal, Central University of Technology – CUP

Professor Nomalanga Mkhize

Associate Professor: Sociology and Anthropology, Nelson Mandela University

Professor Stan du Plessis

Economics Professor: Stellenbosch University

Dr Kirston Greenop

Head: Corporate Citizenship, Standard Bank South Africa

Dr Thamsanqa Zikode

Head of Portfolio: Regularity Audit representing the Auditor General

Day 2 (10 October 2024)

Professor Sizwe Mabizela

Chair of the USAf Admissions Committee and Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University

Dr Naledi Pandor

Politician and former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

Ms Anne-Marie Scott

Independent Scholar and Higher Education Strategist

Professor Tshilidzi Marwala

Rector of the United Nations University – Japan

Professor Thandwa Mthembu

Chair of Universities South Africa’s (USAf) World of Work Strategy Group and VC & Principal: Durban University of Technology

Dr Olebogeng Selebi

Deputy Director of the Centre for the Future of Work (CFoW) and a Senior Lecturer in strategy at the University of Pretoria.

Dr McEdward Murimbika

Director for the Wits Centre for Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation

Mr Ronen Aires

Chief Executive Officer: Student Village

Professor Lynn Morris

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation at University of Witwatersrand

Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation & Engagement, Tshwane University of Technology

Professor Loyiso Nongxa

Professor Emeritus: Wits and Chair: Strategy and Steering Committee, National Graduate Academy for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences NGA(MaSS)

Dr Maria Toshkova

Director: Global Partnerships, University Design Institute, Arizona State University (ASA), United States of America

Professor Mala Singh

Executive Director for People and Culture, North-West University

Dr Linda Meyer

Managing Director of Rosebank College, South Africa

Professor Vivienne Lawack

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic of the University of the Western Cape

Professor Simon Gifford

Chief Executive Officer: Mashauri

Professor Heather Nel

Senior Director of Institutional Strategy at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha.

Dr Sianne Alves

Director: Office of Inclusivity and Change, University of Cape Town – UCT

Professor Colin Thakur

Director of the NEMISA KZN e-Skills CoLab at the Durban University of Technology

Mr Vuyani Jarana

Chief Executive Officer of Ilitha Telecommunications

Professor Kerrin Myres

Senior Lecturer, Ethics, Gordon Institute of Business Science

Ms Elona Ndlovu

Chartered Coach: Centre for Entrepreneurship, Tshwane University of Technology

Professor Rachael Jesika Singh

Director: Research, University of the Western Cape

Professor Corli Witthuhn

Research Professor: Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Dr Mbulelo Ncango

Senior Manager, Next Generation and Emerging Researchers, National Research Foundation

Ms Tugela Matubatuba-Dlamini

Director for Strategic Partnerships Directorate at the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI).

Dr Thelma Louw

Head: Sustainability, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate of the University of South Africa – University of South Africa (UNISA)

Professor Kirsty Carden

Director: Future Water Institute, University of Cape Town

Day 3 (11 October 2024)

Dr Whitfield Green

Chief Executive Officer of the Council on Higher Education – CHE

Professor Doris Viljoen

Director: Institute for Futures Research, Stellenbosch University

Dr Oliver Seale

CEO: University Leadership Development and Advisory Services

Professor Ihron Rensburg

Leadership coach and mentor, and Programme Associate: USAf’s Higher Education Leadership and Management (HELM) programme)

Professor Garth Stevens

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People Development and Culture, University of Witwatersrand

3rd USAf Higher Education Conference News

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