Times Higher Education (THE) is partnering with the University of South Africa (Unisa) to put on THE University Impact Forum: Quality Education which is taking place at the university’s main campus in Pretoria, South Africa this Thursday 21 September.
The forum’s theme will look at ‘Developing and enhancing quality education in Africa’, which is based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 - quality education.
Amongst the 30 leaders from the higher education sector who will be speaking at the event will be the Principal and Vice Chancellor of Unisa, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Mr Martin Oosthuizen, the Executive Director of the Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARU) as well as former South African Statistician-General and Director of the Economic Modelling Academy, Dr Pali Lehohla.
Higher education in Africa is hindered by a chronic lack of investment, an unsustainable policy environment, competition from outside Africa for academic talent, international conflicts and a colonial legacy that has created multiple socio-economic challenges that higher education must respond to.
Four panel discussions will debate issues including student support, community engagement, technology and untapping the continent’s huge potential as it is set to overtake Asia with more young people by the middle of this century.
The forum will explore:
- How higher education can meet the needs of learners from diverse communities, without discrimination
- What higher education in Africa will look like by the middle of the century
- What is needed to deliver quality teaching and learning in higher education in Africa
- Collaborations with other sectors, including technology, AI and business
Tristan Horlick, THE’s Regional manager – Africa, said:
“Our University Impact Forum, taking place in partnership with Unisa in South Africa, will focus on the opportunities and challenges higher education faces in Africa over the coming decades.
“The great speakers will ensure fascinating, lively and hugely important discussions about developing higher education in Africa ensuring this event is one not to miss.”
Puleng LenkaBula, Principal and vice-chancellor University of South Africa, said:
"As a leading Comprehensive Open Distance Education institution, Unisa is honoured to partner with the Times Higher Education as we explore lasting solutions to the challenges facing higher education in Africa and globally, as well as co-construct a future higher education milieu that we all envisage.
“It is a particularly singular honour to host the forum in the year that Unisa celebrates its 150th anniversary.”
The University Impact Forum is taking place three months after the release of THE’s Impact Rankings 2023 which assesses universities against the UN’s 17 SDGs. This year, two universities in Africa ranked first in individual SDGs. The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology came first for its contribution to SDG 4 (quality education), and the University of Johannesburg was placed first for their work in areas related to SDG 1 (no poverty).
The forum includes a masterclass examining THE’s Impact Rankings metrics and methodology with a focus on university performance for SDG1 – no poverty; SD4 – quality education; SDG 8 – decent work and economic growth and SDG 10 – reduced inequalities.
Tickets for delegates representing a university, association, public sector or NGO are £100 and £150 for delegates representing a corporate organisation, which are available to buy here.
Registration for THE’s Impact Ranking 2024 is free and open here. For more information on THE’s Impact Rankings email: impact@timeshighereducation.com
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