The 4th USAf Higher Education Conference was more than a gathering of minds; it was a catalyst for change. These articles capture the conference's defining themes: breaking down barriers to collaboration, safeguarding credibility in the age of AI, and translating dialogue into action. Together, they reflect a sector determined to lead, innovate, and deliver impact for society....

At the 4th USAf Higher Education Conference, two vice-chancellors confronted the distance between the sector's commitment to partnership and the institutional rules that keep universities apart. Universities cannot build a shared future while maintaining systems that reward competition, obstruct student mobility and make it easier for academics to work alone than across institutional boundaries...

At the fourth USAf Higher Education Conference, an argument about the future of the lawyer collided with a warning that technological progress must not deepen scarcity, exclusion, or the erosion of human purpose. The lawyer of the future may no longer research every case, draft every argument, or personally verify every citation. Artificial intelligence (AI) systems could handle all three tasks...

Closing the three-day higher education conference, the North-West University Vice-Chancellor challenged institutions to turn Dr Phethiwe Matutu's opening call for collective renewal into measurable commitments. Professor Bismark Tyobeka challenged South African universities to identify two concrete commitments after the 4th Universities South Africa (USAf) Higher Education Conference: one change...

Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Yusuf Cassim has called on sector education and training authorities (SETAs) to measure the success of skills development programmes by their impact on employment and economic participation rather than the number of learners trained or certificates issued. Cassim said skills development must be closely aligned with industry needs to ensure that...

South Africa will participate in the 12th Annual BRICS Astronomy Working Group (BAWG) Meeting in India, to strengthen scientific collaboration and advance joint research priorities among BRICS member countries. The meeting will take place from 26 to 30 October 2026 and will focus on multi-messenger and multi-wavelength transients, while exploring opportunities for research collaboration, skills...

Nelson Mandela University and its collaborating partners will host the International Conference on Community Engagement (ICCE) 2026. The hybrid gathering will bring community leaders, researchers, public officials and practitioners to Gqeberha to develop shared responses to substance abuse and its effects on community wellbeing. The conference will take place at the Nelson Mandela University...

The governance crisis engulfing the University of Cape Town (UCT) has reached boiling point, with vice-chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela telling council members that his working relationship with council chairperson Norman Arendse has "broken down". In a confidential letter, Moshabela informed council members that the "breakdown" had made it increasingly difficult to engage effectively with the...

In today's business environment, a website is often the first point of contact between a business and its customers. Recognising the growing importance of digital visibility, the University of the Western Cape's Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) has helped aspiring and established entrepreneurs from the community...

North-West University (NWU) student Vuiswa Fransman (20), from the Faculty of Education, has passed away from meningitis on Thursday, 22 October. Her sudden passing has deeply affected the NWU community, with both the university and its Student Representative Council (SRC) extending condolences to her family, friends and loved...

During a recent work-readiness programme at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Pretoria West police engaged with students about safety concerns. The Pretoria West Social Crime Prevention Unit participated in a Crime Awareness and Work Readiness Project and presented it to students from the university's Engineering Faculty. The...

Stellenbosch University spinout firm Urobo Biotech has created enzymes that break down bioplastic waste inside existing waste plants and turn it into valuable chemicals that can be sold. By October, European waste operators were spending up to $7 million [more than R116m] a year burning bioplastic reject streams that a...

University of KwaZulu-Natal saw the student activation of WaFunda's ISA, aimed at alleviating the burden of debt for academic enthusiasts. Hassle-free study opportunities are an in thing for thousands of cash-strapped tertiary graduates that are barred from receiving their qualification due to fees that are outstanding, thanks to...

Shakir Mohamed is a research director at Google DeepMind, Alphabet's primary artificial intelligence (AI) research and product development laboratory, based in London, UK. The South African scientist and engineer is considered one of the world's leading minds in AI and continues to contribute to the field both locally and globally...

VETERAN broadcaster Timothy Modise has added another major achievement to his name after receiving an honorary doctorate from North-West University (NWU). Modise was honoured at the university's Mahikeng campus on Thursday, 22 October 2026, for his contribution to broadcasting and helping South Africans understand politics and...

Just yesterday, we brought you an article on the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) is offering applications without fees, a piece of good news that was tempered by an immediate warning from the university to be careful of scammers trying to extort money from potential students for a variety of university-related boons. These types of...

North-West University (NWU) studentpreneurs from the Mahikeng Campus have made their mark at the Leopard's Lair pitching finals, themed "Battle of the faculties", securing three top positions across the knowledge-based and side-hustle categories of the competition. The achievement highlights the entrepreneurial potential of the NWU...

The University of Zululand's (UNIZULU) Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS) brought vibrant energy, rich heritage and cultural pride to the iconic King Bhekuzulu Hall during its highly anticipated Cultural Day celebration. Held under the inspiring theme, "One Canvas: Many Cultures, One Humanity: Celebrating Diversity...

There is a familiar change in the rhythm of campus life as examinations approach. Along the pathways between the historic red-brick buildings on our Bloemfontein Campus and on our South And Qwaqwa Campuses, students are making their way to the libraries to prepare for the weeks ahead. Thinking back, I remember the discipline that...

iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu's entrepreneur and innovator, Zanodumo Godlimpi's groundbreaking pneumatic prosthetic foot has once again earned national recognition, bringing his innovation one step closer to turning an award-winning idea into a life-changing solution. Godlimpi was recently named a finalist in the Disability...

Picture a colleague who arrives early, meets every deadline and smiles in every meeting. She has no diagnosis or sick note, and nobody asks her any questions. Yet every Sunday evening her chest tightens at the thought of Monday, and she cannot say why. Is she mentally healthy? Most of us would say yes, because nothing is "wrong" on...

The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), congratulates Dr Lindiwe Bokopane, Head of the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering at CUT's Bloemfontein Campus, on her 2026 National Research Foundation (NRF) Y2 rating. With over 10 years of experience in engineering, research and academic...

CUT's Centre for Global Engagement (CGE) hosted representatives from Lerotholi Polytechnic and officials from Lesotho's Ministry of Education and Training for a benchmarking visit aimed at supporting the Polytechnic's proposed transition into a University of Science and Technology. The visit built on engagements initiated during...

In what could be described as an unprecedented gesture of institutional leadership, Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) Council Chairperson, Dr Mosidi Makgae, has set a new tone for University governance by hosting a Gala Dinner that celebrated not only MUT's remarkable institutional recovery, but also the people behind its...

The Faculty of Management Sciences at the Tshwane University of Technology TUT) brought academia and industry together at its Dean's Seminar to explore a question increasingly central to research: How can academic knowledge move beyond publication and make a meaningful difference in industry and society? Hosted by the Department of...

To empower both emerging and experienced postgraduate supervisors to embrace reflective, ethical, and impactful supervisory practices, a team of academics under the leadership of Prof Janet Condy and Dr Esti Venske developed and delivered the Postgraduate Supervision Short Course (PSSC). Academic contributors included Prof Dina...

With South Africa's local government elections just weeks away, a gathering of political leaders, government officials, academics and community activists at Stellenbosch University (SU) delivered a sobering assessment of the country's municipalities: Three decades into democracy, the gap between constitutional promises and the...

Inspired by Power Rangers and Robocop, Mr Refiloe Mokone imagined a futuristic character that could capture the spirit of a university constantly moving forward. Today, his design is among the three finalists in the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) mascot competition. For the Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design student, the...

What began as a bulky mechanical character evolved into a futuristic athlete, capturing Mr Wandile Majiya's vision of a university and its students constantly moving forward. His design is now among the three finalists in the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) mascot competition. For the Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design student...

A group of final-year education students at Stellenbosch University (SU) is turning a classroom assignment into a practical response to educational inequality by giving teaching resources a second life in schools where they are needed. Called From our classroom to theirs, the campaign invites pre-service teachers to donate...

Research has the greatest potential to transform society when its findings move beyond academic publications and become practical solutions that improve people's lives. This principle was at the centre of a strategic research retreat held by the African LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Project in Muckleneuk, Pretoria. The retreat brought...

The annual CPUT Research Festival 2026 will commence on Monday, 26 October, highlighting the institution's commitment to driving societal change through localised innovation. Hosted at the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC), the event centres on the theme of "Impact" and "Responsible Scholarship". What does...

The Wits Postgraduate Book Club hosted Wits alumnus, Adrian Gore to share insights from his new book. His book is titled: The Four Principles: Multiply your impact in life and leadership. Gore, an actuary, is the Founder and Group CEO of the Discovery Group. The event took place on Thursday, 15 October 2026, in the Wits Chris...

As part of global Cyber Security Month initiatives this October, Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) hosted a comprehensive Cyber Security Awareness Campaign on 16 October 2026. The event aimed to fortify the Institution's digital defences by promoting responsible online practices among staff and students. Njabulo Xaba...

University of Fort Hare assistant coach Tshepo Khumalo talks about the "power of the tongue" to drive his side forward. The Baby Wolves' astonishing second-half resurgence in the Hollywoodbets Super League season speaks volumes about this approach. On Sunday, the women from Alice can top the Super Rise table if their encounter...

For Bachelor of Administration student, Ms Noluthando Shabalala, receiving the prestigious Malegapuru W. Makgoba Scholarship is an honour and a welcomed financial relief. After not receiving National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding, Shabalala's academic journey was kept alive by her mother's dedicated financial support...

North-West University (NWU) PhD candidate Modjadji Mandy Rasehlomi took her research on indigenous food systems to an international audience in Berlin, Germany, where she participated in four major events focused on global health, research and healthcare collaboration. Modjadji, a doctoral candidate at the Centre of Excellence in...

The Tshwane University of Technology's Polokwane Campus is strengthening dialogue between students and institutional leadership, with Campus Rector Dr Walter Tshamano calling for a shift from reactive responses to student challenges towards proactive engagement, shared responsibility and collaborative governance. Dr Tshamano made...

Prof Makhado and Dr Makhado have marked an important scholarly milestone with the publication of Integrated care for human immunodefi ciency virus and chronic diseases in South Africa. Bringing together six contributing authors, the book examines how health services can respond more comprehensively to the needs of people living with...

When 23-year-old University of the Western Cape (UWC) student Jeanet Mokoena signed up as a stem cell donor during a campus health awareness campaign early in 2025, she had no idea that a simple DNA swab would, someday, give a stranger in the United States a fighting chance at life. It was early in 2026 when the Linguistics Honours...

The names of South Africa's towns, streets, rivers and mountains tell stories that extend far beyond their geographical locations. They reflect the country's history, languages, cultural identities and the experiences of communities whose connections to the land have been shaped over generations. Yet, for many South Africans, these...

Rhodes University has strengthened its commitment to transdisciplinary research and sustainability transformation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Germany's Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The agreement establishes a framework for deeper international research collaboration and coincides with the launch of...

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) strengthened its commitment to student leadership development through a successful House Committee Induction Programme held at Rustenburg Kloof. Guided by the theme "Leading with Purpose, Accountability and Impact", the programme equipped student leaders with practical knowledge and...

Dr Bonolo Mmereki has earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), following research highlighting the lasting impact of childhood trauma on young adults' mental health in South Africa. Awarded during SMU's annual Spring Graduation Ceremony in September 2026, her...

From engaging exhibitions from industry, to science, food and fashion, Witsies explored sustainability and the interconnectedness of life and actions. The Environmental Sustainability Exhibition Week took place on 7 - 9 October 2026, bringing together students, industry, academia, government and entrepreneurs to showcase...

When Rui Krause, Professor of Organic Chemistry and Nanomaterials at Rhodes University, died unexpectedly in September 2024, his students lost a supervisor, and many of them lost a mentor. Two years later, his legacy is being carried forward through a memorial initiative that honours him while creating opportunities for future...

The University of Cape Town (UCT) Choir, led by Choral Celebration Network Foundation Master Conductor Michaelangelo Cloete, will host its first gala concert in the Sarah Baartman Hall on Saturday, 24 October 2026, at 19:00. The 60-minute gala concert will celebrate the beauty and diversity of choral music. Students, staff and...

A group of University of Fort Hare (UFH) Human Resource Management and Industrial Psychology students swapped the lecture hall for the factory floor on 16 October, visiting global automotive supplier Valeo in KuGompo City (East London) to see the theory from their notes at work. Preparing graduates for the workplace takes more than...

What do you do when the koi pond in your backyard starts turning green? Most people would shrug, search for a quick fix, and move on. Fourteen-year-old Denica Swartz saw something else: a science question worth investigating. That question led the Grade 8 pupil from Eunice High School to the 46th Eskom Expo International Science...

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has been recognised among the world's fastest-rising universities in international research influence, reflecting the growing reach of its research and its contribution to global scholarship. According to the latest analysis published by measureHE, UJ recorded an 83% increase in its share of...

First-year student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Ms Hadiyah Carrim, sees badminton as more than a sport. For her, it has also been a journey she began at the early age of 10 during which she has learnt about discipline. The sport has now earned her recognition through the Prestige Sports Scholarship. Carrim joined the...

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Investment Challenge is an initiative of the JSE that provides high school learners and university students across South Africa with the opportunity to develop their trading skills through trading virtual money on the JSE. This nationwide competition challenges students to make investment...

The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Alumni Office hosted a financial wellness workshop at the Desmond Tutu Great Hall on 16 October 2026, equipping students with practical knowledge to manage their money and prepare for life beyond university. Welcoming attendees, Mr Olwethu Masombuka, Head of the Alumni Office, encouraged...

The Vaal University of Technology (VUT), through its Student Recruitment Department, recognised top-performing maVUti ambassadors from five schools in Gauteng and the Free State with examination gifts on 15 October 2026. The initiative celebrated their academic efforts and encouraged them to remain focused on their studies. The...

Collective and individual leadership were once again celebrated during the 2026 Student Leadership Awards. On Friday, 16 October, the Department of Student Affairs (DSA) at the University of Cape Town (UCT) rolled out the red carpet to celebrate the university's biggest stakeholder: students. "The student voice is central in the...

Dear UJ community, It is with immense pride to announce that the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has been recognised as among the fastest growing universities in international research influence. According to the latest analysis published by measuresHE, UJ recorded an 83% increase in its share of international research influence...

Walter Sisulu Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator Innovation Champion and founder of Blue Lab, Sithethelele Bekwa, has secured R300 000 to advance accessible water quality monitoring for underserved communities. Blue Lab, a portable and easy-to-use water quality monitoring toolkit, was selected among the top 20 finalists...

The recent Open Access Week 2026 panel discussion organised by the University of Pretoria (UP) Department of Library Services brought together researchers and the University community to reflect on publishing costs, knowledge equity and the future of scholarly communication. The discussion, which took place on 19 October 2026 at...

The University of Tipaza and the University of Sfax (Tunisia) signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen their academic partnership, the Algerian university's administration announced Saturday...

His Majesty King Mswati III has called for more universities in all four regions to ease admission shortages. The King expressed concern that thousands of emaSwati who aspire to pursue higher education are unable to secure admission because existing institutions cannot accommodate them. The King said the country needed to expand...

Through the ILO Global Skills Programme in Ethiopia, TVT trainers, university instructors and skills experts are turning green skills training into practical plans for greener curricula, campuses and learning systems that can better prepare people for a changing world of work. Arba Minch, Ethiopia (ILO News) - Green skills are...

A study involving researchers from the College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has found that African universities face significant challenges integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into higher education. The study warned that the adoption of technology without corresponding changes in...

The Vice-Chancellors of Technical Universities of Ghana (VCTU-G) have appealed to the Technical Universities Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG) to immediately call off its ongoing strike to allow teaching and learning to resume. The strike, which began on October 1, 2026, has halted academic activities across the country's...

A joint parliamentary committee is set to mediate between the government and university lecturers over the implementation of the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which has stalled learning in all public universities for three weeks. The National Assembly's committees on Education and Labour are scheduled to convene...

THE Federal Government has disbursed N38.93 billion to 166 public tertiary institutions nationwide to address infrastructure gaps and improve teaching and learning facilities. This is contained in a statement issued by the Head of Media, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Efe Ovuakporie, on Sunday in Abuja. She said the disbursement...

The University of Rwanda (UR) graduated 4,953 students in the Class of 2026, a 48 per cent drop from 9,526 in 2025 last year, as reforms extending some undergraduate programmes from three to four years affected the number of students completing their studies, according the university. The graduation ceremony took place at Rukara...

Governor of the Central Bank of Sudan, Amna Mirghani Hassan Al-Tom, met with Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ahmed Mudawi Musa to discuss ways to activate banking finance mechanisms to support the rehabilitation and maintenance of university staff housing and the installation of solar energy systems. The...

A group of young filmmakers from Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST) have turned their passion for science fiction into The Last Star, a short film about students who gain superpowers from a mysterious space rock and must defend their university against an alien invasion. Produced and directed by third-year Diploma in...

The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has dismissed claims circulating on social media that it has abolished special and supplementary examinations, saying the exams remain in place but will now be conducted within the regular academic calendar. In a statement issued on Friday, October 23, 2026, the university said the changes...

The Council of Ministers of Togo authorized, on Thursday, October 22, the start of academic activities at the University of Datcha for the 2026-2027 academic year. The institution, created on September 27, 2022, is preparing to welcome its first students. The selected offerings include five programs at the Institute of Agronomic...

Tunisia is positioning itself as one of North Africa's digital innovation hubs. As part of the country's digital transformation strategy, universities and education agencies are investing in new infrastructure to support online learning, research collaboration, and digital skills development. At the center of that effort is...

Uganda's technical and vocational training institutions must prioritise practical skills over academic qualifications to address a growing mismatch between the competencies employers need and those possessed by job seekers, the TVET Council has warned. Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako, a board member of the Technical and Vocational...

The government has emphasised the necessity for higher education institutions to modernise learning frameworks and integrate technology to match the demands of a rapidly evolving labor market. This was said as the University of Kisubi celebrated its 11th graduation ceremony. The occasion featured Hon. Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo...

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday capped 3 496 graduates at Great Zimbabwe University's (GZU) 20th graduation ceremony, where he also broke ground and unveiled a commemorative plaque at the site of the institution's new permanent campus, marking the beginning of its planned relocation next year. The new campus, located near the...

Polytechnic University targets raising the ratio of overseas to mainland students from this year's 4:6 to 5:5 to achieve a higher level of internationalization, said the school's president professor Teng Jin-guang. This comes as PolyU recently made its debut into the world's top 50 in the QS World University Rankings 2027...

The Times Higher Education released world university rankings for 2027 on 30th September. There were a total of 107 institutions from India where the top position was acquired by Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore with a total score of 57 followed by Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai...

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has flagged persistent violations of its fee refund guidelines by higher educational institutions, as students continue to struggle to recover fees after cancelling admissions despite repeated directives. In a letter sent to the Principal Secretaries to Governors across states and Union...

Iran's minister of science invited girls from the Republic of Azerbaijan to pursue higher education at Iranian universities, saying the country is ready to welcome students who face restrictions over wearing the Islamic hijab. In a video message, Hossein Simayi Sarraf declared that Iranian universities are open to Azerbaijani girls...

Around 3,000 international students at Iranian universities receive scholarships that, depending on the type of award, cover tuition fees, accommodation costs and monthly stipends. Abbas Ghanbari Baghestan, Deputy for Scholarships and Overseas Students at Iran's Student Affairs Organization, said that approximately 3,000...

Ulster University, which is having to make nearly 500 redundancies, is near the limit of its ability to absorb cutbacks without threatening top-class education, the university's provost has said. In a direct message to Stormont, Cathy Gormley-Heenan said the Northern Ireland Executive must set long-term priorities, "not lurch from...

The Higher Education Ministry (MoHE) has stressed that students living in rented accommodation off campus should inform their universities of their place of residence to facilitate monitoring. Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, said monitoring was difficult because some students arranged their own rental accommodation...

In May this year, the University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced a national academic calendar designed to organize and enhance the efficiency of academic activities in higher education institutions. The UGC believes that implementing this integrated national academic calendar will significantly contribute to reforming university...

About 30 UCOL Wairarapa staff and supporters joined 8000 of their colleagues in a "historic strike" for better pay and conditions this week. Maryann Corrigan, co-branch president of the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) at the campus, said the 2% pay offer came "with strings attached" and would amount to a pay cut in real terms. She...

Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan and the University of Haripur have discussed ways to enhance mutual cooperation in higher education and research.The discussions focused on strengthening academic ties between the two universities, exchanging experiences and exploring opportunities for collaboration. University of Haripur...

More than 31,000 foreign students who had been issued either D-2 or D-4 visas were staying in South Korea illegally as of August, government data showed Friday. A total of 31,665 foreign students who had entered Korea on undergraduate or language training visas were in Korea without permission as of August, according to Ministry of...

The Further & Higher Education Sussex Strategic Alliance (FHESSA) brings together education leaders in a region-wide effort to improve opportunities for learners, support employers and drive economic growth. Members include Bexhill College, BHASVIC, University of Brighton, Chichester College Group, University of Chichester, East...

Enrollment in public universities in Illinois is the highest it's been since 2015. According to Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Board of Higher Education, more than 190,000 students enrolled during the fall semester of 2026-27. They say this is the third consecutive year it has increased. "These record enrollment numbers are...

Lake Superior State University, Eastern Michigan University and Northern Michigan University were hit hardest this fall as enrollment declined at Michigan's 15 public universities, according to preliminary data posted this week by the Michigan Association of State Universities. Combined enrollment at the 15 schools had been...

Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training has released its 2027 university and college admissions timetable, with applications opening on July 1 and first-round admission results expected in August. Under the newly announced plan, universities and colleges must publish their 2027 admissions information on their official websites...