USAf's 4th Higher Education Conference was a hive of knowledge-sharing, robust debate and bold ideas. Explore these standout articles capturing key conversations on innovation, university leadership, financial sustainability and the future of higher education in South Africa. These thought-provoking insights continue to resonate long after the conference has concluded.

"When the Titanic struck the iceberg, no one noticed until it was too late. By the time the ship was sinking, people started running, the orchestra stopped playing, and then they found that there were not enough lifeboats for everyone," Professor Eugene Cloete told delegates at the 4th Universities South Africa (USAf) Higher Education Conference. "I think that higher education in South Africa...

"Our country is where it is because leaders take themselves too seriously instead of taking their work seriously," former South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner Professor Edward Kieswetter told delegates at the 4th USAf Higher Education Conference. "They (also) lie about serving people and instead serve themselves. And it is a reality that we must face up to." In his address that...

The taxi operators came into the vice-chancellor's office to discuss transport for student teachers. The first thing they did was take out their guns and put them on the table. "I said: 'Please put that gun back where it belongs. If you want to talk to me, you are not going to talk to me at gunpoint. This is serious. I am going to leave this meeting and let's see who is going to shoot me.'"...

It was thanks to his student book allowance that Zanodumo Godlimpi was able to build the first prototype of what was to become an award-winning prosthetic foot. Years later - with a Technology Innovation Agency grant, international patents and a national title behind him - his biggest obstacle, he says, is not money. It is getting through his own university's procurement system. "Most of the...

The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training notes with appreciation the recent appointment of Professor Wezile Chitha as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fort Hare from 1 January 2027. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Mr Tebogo Letsie, said: "We welcome the appointment and hope it will strengthen stability and good governance at the institution. We call on the...

The Makhanda-based Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape has reported an outbreak of gastrointestinal illnesses among members of its community. Details around the cause of the outbreak forms part of an investigation. In a statement released by the institution, it says it is working around the clock with health authorities and environmental health practitioners to establish the possible cause. The...

The University of South Africa's (Unisa) council has fired a top official over alleged breaches of confidentiality, concerns about the effective functioning of the council and a breakdown in the working relationship between the institution and her. In a letter dated 15 October, Unisa informed Gratitude Ramphaka, who chaired the university's audit committee, the council had terminated her...

The Department of Higher Education and Training produced 7 208 fewer graduates with degrees in engineering sciences, human health sciences and initial teacher education, as well as in master`s and doctoral programmes, in the financial year ending in March. In the engineering sciences, the target was 14 735 graduates, but only 10 805 graduated; in the human health sciences, the target was 9 934...

As South Africa enters the 2026/27 summer rainfall season with an increased risk of drier and hotter conditions, the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) posed the question: does the country have the professional capacity to turn climate warnings into timely decisions that protect its water security? While South Africa's weather forecasts are not a guarantee of drought in every region, they...

The University of the Western Cape (UWC), which has more than 23,000 students, recently piloted new facial recognition technology integrated directly into its existing CCTV camera infrastructure. Swiss-South African firm SAFEZA provided the technology, which the university is considering using permanently to enhance campus safety and ease access to facilities. In a case study from SAFEZA, the...

A Stellenbosch University (SU) student was injured and hospitalised after their room was allegedly set alight at off-campus student accommodation over the weekend. SU confirmed that another student has been arrested in connection with the incident, which is being investigated by police as a criminal case.

​The Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Central Johannesburg TVET College (CJC) to expand work-integrated learning opportunities for students and help prepare them for the workplace. Signed at the college's head office in Parktown, the agreement will provide...

A meal costing R130 at one restaurant and R79 at another across the street was enough to make University of Cape Town (UCT) student Dylan Steiner question how much people were paying to eat out. The 20-year-old first-year business science student wondered why diners had to guess whether a restaurant meal was worth the money. That...

Consistent academic excellence is the success recipe for 50th Anniversary Scholarship Award recipient, Ms Ziphozenkosi Mntambo. The third-year Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting student was recognised as one of the Matric top achievers in 2023. She was ranked third nationally for quintile three schools, and number one in the King...

At an age when many people are considering retirement, 71-year-old Sabelo Macingwane has achieved a milestone that demonstrates the enduring value of education: graduating with a Master of Business Leadership (MBL) from the University of South Africa (Unisa). The former Chief Executive Officer and National President of the National...

Small-scale farmers in two Eastern Cape villages know about climate-smart farming. Still, resistance to change, inadequate financial resources and limited agricultural extension support are holding them back from using it, a University of Fort Hare (UFH) study has found. Conducted by Sibonise Lufume, Dr Lindokuhle Gwala and Dr...

DUT's Higher Certificate in Performing Arts Technology brought students, professional artists and interdisciplinary learning together through a nine-day mini-festival focused on creative practice, sustainable design and industry engagement. For nine days in October, the Courtyard Theatre at the Durban University of Technology (DUT)...

For many students, balancing academic demands with competitive sport can be a challenge. For Mr Oratilwe Mosa Rafube, discipline, focus and determination helped him succeed in both. Mr Rafube recently graduated with a Diploma in Internal Auditing during the Vaal University of Technology's (VUT) Spring Graduation ceremonies held on...

The lack of access to credit for many Africans has been a developmental handicap, preventing progress and prosperity. This could be changing, as digital offerings such as biometric IDs, automated credit scoring and asset registers make loans and credit accessible to millions, unlocking development opportunities. But it could also...

Durban University of Technology (DUT) Senior Lecturer Dr Sifiso Myeni visited Saint Petersburg State University in Russia from 1 to 9 October 2026, where he engaged with undergraduate and postgraduate students and explored opportunities for academic collaboration between the two institutions. Dr Myeni, from the Department of Human...

South African anthropologist, singer and songwriter Dr Tribute Mboweni, popularly known as Birdie, has released her sophomore album, Matimu (History), a musical project inspired by her doctoral research into history, landscapes and people's relationships with Mapungubwe. Released on 24 September 2026, the album brings together...

Research by Nelson Mandela University Law Lecturer Dr Mahlubandile Ntontela has found that South Africa's criminal courts risk excluding witnesses with communication disabilities because existing procedures largely rely on spoken language. Dr Ntontela, who recently graduated with a Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Fort...

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Mathematics student, Ms Keryn Scott, received two prestigious accolades in recognition of her outstanding academic achievement and leadership potential. Scott was awarded the Maryam Babangida Scholarship, presented to the best female student in the entire University progressing from undergraduate...

Marianridge Primary School has claimed the coveted title of overall champions at the 2026 Reading Competition, held on 15 October 2026, at the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) Student Centre. The annual event brought together bright young minds across Grades 4, 5, and 6 from six participating primary schools: Marianridge...

How do you build a dictionary that takes more than a century to complete? That was one of the questions hanging in the air as staff, students, language practitioners, and friends of Afrikaans gathered at the University of the Free State (UFS) to celebrate 100 years of the Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal (WAT). For many people, a...

Go for Gold recently brought vibrant energy to the Bellville Campus with its annual Awards Ceremony, celebrating the outstanding achievements of Grade 12 learners who have shown unwavering dedication and excellence in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and the Educational Development Programme (EDP). The event also honoured students...

When Mrs Lebohang Monne walked across the graduation stage at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) on 16 September 2026, she was celebrating more than the completion of an Advanced Diploma in Management. She was honouring a journey shaped by determination, faith and the enduring support of her late husband, whose encouragement...

Nelson Mandela University's first honorary professor in the Department of Public Health, Professor Liesl Zühlke has emphasised the need for more accessible, affordable and comprehensive heart health services, coupled with research collaboration and listening to patients. Prof Zühlke, Vice-President of the South African Medical...

In a continued effort to uplift the local community and empower the next generation of professionals, Mangosuthu University of Technology opened its doors to grade 12 computer application technology (CAT) learners from Embizweni High School on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. The University gave the school access to its C13 computer...

Municipalities should be held accountable for failing to adopt practical innovations that could improve service delivery, reduce financial losses and help expose corruption, says Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU). Speaking ahead of South Africa's upcoming municipal elections...

The North-West University (NWU), led by the deputy vice-chancellor for student life, people and culture and transformation, Dr Joe Molete, joined traditional leaders, community members and cultural practitioners at the ninth annual Tholo Ikitse Cultural Festival, held at the Kgotla of the Barolong Boo Motshegare in Lokaleng Village...

Ndivhuwo "Candy" Mgwena, the University of the Western Cape's 2026 Siyaphumelela scholar, performed her "I Am" poem on an international stage recently. As part of the Siyaphumelela Scholars Awardees team, Mgwena attended the 30th Poetry Africa Festival and the 5th World Poetry Slam Championship in Durban from October 5 to 10, 2026...

Professor Samkelo Malgas, an internationally recognised biochemist and NRF Y-rated scientist at the University of Pretoria (UP), was recently awarded the 2026 NRF Research Excellence Award for Early Career/Emerging Researchers. The award recognises outstanding research performance in the Life Sciences, honouring his work in...

When Rhodes University alumnus Professor Christian Nkanga remembers his Master's and PhD supervisor, Professor Rui Krause, he recalls more than the scientist who helped shape his career. He remembers a man who noticed when he was struggling, offered help when his family needed it, and encouraged him to pursue research that could...

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) medical student Thabiso Trinity Seerane has represented the university at the 5th African Interprofessional Education Network (AfrIPEN) Conference 2026, contributing to international discussions on interprofessional education and collaborative healthcare through research...

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is strengthening efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV) by connecting students, staff and surrounding communities with support services, as the university seeks to address the root causes of abuse and improve access to assistance. The university recently hosted its annual GBV...

The European Academy of Optometry and Optics (EAOO) has awarded a Fellowship to UJ Optometry lecturer Mr Sanele Buthelezi. He received the title at the Academy's yearly conference in Riga, Latvia. Buthelezi's research focuses on training optometry students to provide eye care while respecting the person's culture and identity...

Academic achievement took centre stage at the Mbombela Campus' 2026 Academic Excellence Awards held on 15 October 2026. Students from all three faculties of the campus were recognised for their outstanding academic performance and dedication throughout the 2025 academic year. The event marked a significant milestone for the campus...

A University of Cape Town (UCT) study has found that import tariffs and anti-dumping duties have increased the retail prices of pasta and frozen chips in South Africa, highlighting the cost to consumers of trade policies designed to protect domestic producers. Funded by the South African Reserve Bank, the findings showed that...

How fast people living with HIV walk could provide important clues about their brain health, a University of Cape Town (UCT) study by the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health's Neuroscience Institute has found. The research links slower walking speeds to poorer cognitive performance and identifies changes in brain...

The University of the Free State (UFS) celebrated the achievements, dedication and lasting contributions of its sporting community at the 2026 UFS Sports Awards, held on Friday, 16 October, at the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus. Attended by UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Hester C. Klopper and Free State...

The University of Venda (UNIVEN) is strengthening its governance architecture, risk oversight and institutional accountability through the operationalisation of its Governance, Risk and Compliance Committee (GRCC), following an inaugural workshop held on 19 October 2026 at the Protea Fire & Ice Hotel in Pretoria. The workshop that...

A photograph can hold decades of scientific history. For Professor Els Vermeulen of the University of Pretoria (UP) - newly appointed to a leadership position on the International Whaling Commission's (IWC) Scientific Committee - that history is personal. A southern right whale identified in photographs taken in the 1980s may...

Last year, Tammy Lee Lakay, was one of seven Mastercard Foundation Scholars who graduated and walked the stage at the Jakes Gerwel Hall. Now, she's making waves at home and overseas. With a Master of Arts in Historical Studies under her belt, she is now pursuing her PhD, and has been awarded the prestigious 2026/27 Routledge/Round...

Students at the University of South Africa (Unisa) are taking an active role in shaping a new digital complaints-management system aimed at improving how the university receives, tracks and resolves student concerns. Students from across Unisa's regions, including members of the National Student Representative Council (NSRC)...

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Kamel Baddari, chaired on Tuesday the fifth multi-sectoral meeting dedicated to tracking the implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, according to a ministry statement. The same source indicated that during this meeting, a presentation was delivered...

Angolan government will invest 114.6 million euros in the construction of the Katyavala Bwila University Campus (UKB) and the new facilities of the Higher Institute of Education Sciences (ISCED), in the municipality of Baía Farta, province of Benguela. The two infrastructures, whose works have an execution period of 48 months, are...

International students admitted to Egyptian universities who may have lower grades than Egyptian students do not take up seats reserved for Egyptians, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Monday, defending the policy's educational and diplomatic benefits. Speaking during an education session at Egypt Forum 2026 in the New...

Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has made education a top priority since taking office, noting that significant steps have been taken to reform the sector. Madbouly made the remarks during a session titled "What Are Our Children Learning, and Does It Prepare Them for the Future?" on the first day...

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, has called on universities to overhaul traditional assessment methods to ensure students demonstrate genuine understanding and critical thinking as artificial intelligence (AI) makes it easier to generate essays and answers within seconds. She said...

President William Ruto has announced plans to expand the National Internship Programme by 50,000 places starting in January 2027, targeting young Kenyans graduating from universities, technical and vocational education and training institutions (TVETs), and the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC). Speaking during the Mashujaa Day...

The Basketball Association of Malawi (BASMAL) has postponed the National Elite Eight stage of the 2026 Mo626 College Basketball Championship as it investigates complaints over the eligibility of players who featured in the regional preliminary games. The national stage was scheduled for the weekend of 24 October, with the finals...

Delta State's higher education sector is entering a significant phase of expansion, with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori approving a new salary structure for academic staff of the state's four universities, alongside plans to strengthen infrastructure, improve institutional governance and attract private-sector investment. The new...

KNOWLEDGE, skills, creativity and productivity are emerging as critical drivers of Tanzania's ambition to build a one trillion-dollar- economy by 2050, with the quality of its human capital expected to play a decisive role in turning that vision into reality. Tanzania entered the implementation phase of its Dira 2050 on July 1...

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has said the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) remains accredited by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) for the next four years despite a dispute over its professional recognition by the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU). Tayebwa...

The head of the Teachers' Union, Sandër Kovaçi, has announced a boycott of the teaching process at all universities starting tomorrow. After a meeting of the union leadership, it was decided to suspend classes in all higher education institutions. Today, professors, academics, and other protesters gathered to protest in front of...

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia and Belgium's Ghent University have signed a memorandum of understanding on the implementation of Armenian studies courses.The memorandum was signed by Armenia's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Tigran Balayan, and Ghent University Rector Petra...

University students in Western Australia are receiving a "sub par" education, with some being taught at year 10 level, necessitating significant reform. That's the view of the state's Tertiary Education Minister Tony Buti, who today mounted a vigorous defence of his government's planned merger of three WA universities in the face...

Representatives from the State Agency for Science and Higher Education, the "Study in Azerbaijan" project, and the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University participated in the International Education Fair (IEF 2026) held in the Kazakh cities of Astana and Almaty. The exhibition provided visitors with information on academic...

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) has ended its 17-day hunger strike after the university administration agreed to revoke the rustication of student office-bearers and withdraw FIRs against students, according to minutes of a meeting held on October 19. The minutes, signed by Dean of the School of Social...

Student reports from six major universities - Kharazmi, Allameh Tabataba'i, Shahid Beheshti, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Sharif, and Tehran University - indicate rising pressure on female students to observe the mandatory hijab. Reported measures include repeated warnings, insulting conduct, confiscation of...

The Parliament Speaker, Heibat al-Halbousi, emphasized to the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Haider Bahaa al-Hasani, on Tuesday, the importance of developing effective plans to elevate the academic standards of universities. The media office of the Parliament Speaker stated, in a release received by the Iraqi...

A Defense Ministry-linked research subsidy program has seen applications from universities skyrocket, a development Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi characterized as a clear break from the once deep-seated aversions in the academic world to being involved in national security. The Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency on...

Kaunas University of Technology has sent 8,000 textbooks to universities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia to help train future mathematics and English teachers and support educators' professional development. The university's publishing house prepared 15 publications: five mathematics textbooks in English, five...

Thousands of university and polytechnic workers walked off the job today in a historic nationwide strike over pay, insecure employment and working conditions. Around 8,000 Tertiary Education Union (TEU) members were expected to take part in the action, the first coordinated strike across both sectors in Aotearoa, held from 1.15 pm...

On 19 October, Ambassador of the European Union, Michalis Rokas, visited the Skopje-based university of Ss. Cyril and Methodius. This visit is the first in the series of such visits of the EU Ambassador to the universities across the country. The series is launched upon the start of the academic year with an aim to give the...

Duqm University College organized today at the Special Economic Zone at Duqm a partnership forum with work sectors under the title "Work-Based Learning," aiming to enhance cooperation between academic institutions and economic and industrial sectors, and to introduce an innovative educational model linking academic study with...

The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi, in collaboration with Aga Khan University (AKU) and Habib University (HU), has organised the Annual Teaching and Learning Symposium 2026 under the theme "AI in Pedagogy," bringing together academic leaders, researchers and educators to examine the role of artificial...

Education graduates in the Philippines tend to earn more when they land jobs aligned with their academic training, while having a professional license alone does not necessarily translate into higher pay, according to state-run policy think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). A PIDS study also found that...

Taking broader steps to advance higher education and keep pace with the transforming educational landscape due to new technology, several Asian countries convened during the 20th Annual Review Meeting of the Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Programme held on October 14 at the Sotogrande Hotel in Jaro, Iloilo City...

The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) will host the Gulf Universities Championship (GUC) for the first time in the country from October 29 to 31, 2026. During a press conference held yesterday at the University's campus, officials noted that around 350 student-athletes representing 24 universities across the...

Jeon Ja-young, a Gyeonggi Provincial Council member from the Democratic Party of Korea representing Yongin District 4, said universities, local councils and local governments need a standing channel for dialogue to support the sustainable growth of universities in Gyeonggi Province and Incheon. Jeon made the remarks as a panelist...

In a step that reinforces women's achievements, Jineology College has been officially included in the general university admissions process in Syria and at Rojava University, with a minimum admission score of 55. The decision followed intensive discussions aimed at safeguarding this achievement, built through women's efforts over...

The National Academy of Marine Research said Monday that it co-hosted a workshop with National Sun Yat-sen University on using imaging technology to monitor coral reefs and marine biomes, according to a press release. The workshop ran from Saturday to Sunday at National Sun Yat-sen University's College of Marine Sciences, where...

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has launched a new call to strengthen the capacity of higher education institutions to turn their research into innovations focused on the manufacturing and deep tech areas. the EIT Higher Education Initiative aims to help universities develop innovation and entrepreneurship...

International students are losing university offers, paying hundreds of pounds to rearrange flights and missing the first weeks of their courses due to lengthy Home Office visa delays. Top universities are concerned about months-long delays to process applications that allow overseas residents to come to the UK to study, and a...

Ukrainian higher education institutions enrolled 226,932 students in bachelor's programs, which is 31,770 more than last year. This was reported by Ukraine's Minister of Education and Science Andrii Butenko, UNN writes. This year, applicants submitted more than 1.3 million applications to all levels of higher education. This is a...

As part of broader efforts to keep more Maine students in the state for college and careers, the University of Maine System (UMS) will offer $250 scholarships to 24,500 Alfond Grant recipients who are now in high school and even beginning to graduate, supporting their educational attainment and upward mobility while strengthening...

The Department of War said Monday it went "30-for-30" in getting U.S. research universities to end relationships with "malign foreign entities," as all 30 schools ordered to audit their foreign ties had fully mitigated the relationships identified by the department. According to a department release, the order resulted in more than...

According to Official Letter No. 7314/BGDĐT-GDĐH dated October 16, 2026, regarding the implementation of tasks for the 2026-2027 academic year for higher education and teacher training colleges, the Ministry of Education and Training requires training institutions to enhance their responsibility in quality management, curriculum...