As higher education navigates rapid technological and societal shifts, universities must create pathways for meaningful change without losing sight of the academic standards that define their value and impact...

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government says water and food contamination have been ruled out as the cause of a gastrointestinal illness outbreak at Rhodes University in Makhanda, but the source of the illness remains unknown. In a statement, the provincial government says 111 students at university residences fell ill last week, reporting symptoms including severe abdominal cramps, diarrhoea...

Protests over proposed fee increases turned destructive at the University of Johannesburg's (UJ) Auckland Park campus on Monday, with reports of vandalism and disruptions to examinations. Protesters were pulling students out of examination venues and calling for exams to be stopped. Videos circulating on social media appear to show damage to university property, including the destruction of a...

South Africa needs to expand access to vocational education and reduce the assessment burden on teachers as it rolls out a new qualification for grade 9 learners, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) says. In a report, the intergovernmental economic organisation said the general education certificate (GEC), which recognises learners' achievements at the end of...

Stellenbosch University (SU) has appointed Prof Nicola Smit as chief operating officer (COO), strengthening executive leadership as the institution sharpens its focus on operational excellence and long-term sustainability. The SU Council approved the appointment at a special meeting on Wednesday 21 October, with Smit taking up the...

A student has died following a shocking stabbing incident at a student residence on Paul Kruger Street on Saturday morning. According to Vanderbijlpark police, the incident happened at the Santa Marita student residence at around 06:30. Police spokesperson Sergeant Sabelo Sigcu said that the suspect walked into a police station and...

Developing a pipeline of qualified automotive artisans requires close collaboration between industry and education. The Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) and the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) are continuing to support this goal through their longstanding relationship with the College of Cape Town's Athlone...

Dr Roselien Jonkers, a senior lecturer at the Western Cape College of Nursing (WCCN), received her PhD degree from the University of South Africa (Unisa) during a graduation ceremony on Monday 12 October. It is a milestone that marks the culmination of years of research and dedication to the advancement of higher education and...

Oxford University Press found that school students in South Africa rely on AI chatbots for revision and exam preparation. Hundreds of thousands are currently taking the 2026 matric final exams. Exams in South Africa began on 13 October, with the final paper set by the Department of Basic Education to be written on 26 November 2026...

Dimpho Senong, who created a fake video of herself graduating with a forged PhD certificate from Wits University, says her false claims about having a doctorate "were intended to be satirical in nature" - as she holds a PhD in "life experience"...

The University of the Western Cape's (UWC) 2026 biodiversity survey has uncovered 286 species in the heart of an urban campus - including a new addition to the reserve's plant records - underscoring the vital role protected natural spaces play in conserving the Cape Flats's biodiversity. Flanking the buildings and busy pathways of...

Four seasons ago, a remarkable streak saw the Baby Wolves move from the lower echelons of the Sasol League to the very top. It took 21 consecutive victories in the country's second-tier competition to qualify for the national playoffs, via the coastal stream and provincial playoffs, and lift the trophy. That was the University of...

The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) has officially welcomed its 2026/2027 Student Representative Council (SRC) at both Bloemfontein and Welkom campuses, ushering in a new era of student leadership. The event served as both a celebration and an opportunity to officially introduce the student leaders who will...

The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) congratulates Professor Solomon Oupa Makola, Director: Institutional Renewal and Transformation in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, on being named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Free Staters of 2026. The recognition was announced at an event held at the...

Dr Nkhangweni Mahwasane of the University of Venda (UNIVEN) has been nominated and selected as a fi nalist for the 2026 Librarian of the Year Award presented by the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA). This recognition marks a signifi cant professional milestone, acknowledging her leadership and contribution...

Durban University of Technology (DUT) lecturer and doctoral researcher Melvin Chetty has taken research into the mental health of South African paramedic students to the international stage, presenting his findings at the 18th World Congress on Public Health in Cape Town. The Congress, held in Africa for the first time, brought...

Staff and students from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) came together at the Indumiso Campus on 17 October 2026 for the fourth annual Vice-Chancellor's Cup, with teams from Durban and the Midlands competing across a range of sporting codes. Organised by DUT's Sport Administration Unit, the tournament featured men's and...

Climate change and changes in the way land is used are the two biggest threats to wildlife because they change the environment in which animals survive and thrive. Knowing how species respond to these pressures is central to planning conservation actions. A number of studies have modelled how climate change will affect vertebrate...

On 18 September 2026, the TRACTOR Campaign team reunited at Crista Galli in Potchefstroom to reflect on a journey that took them nearly 1 900 kilometres across South Africa and left a lasting impact on each of them. As they shared their memories, challenges and encounters, it became clear that the campaign had been about much more...

Two leading South African science communicators, Professor Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan of the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Professor Marina Joubert of Stellenbosch University (SU) are the driving forces behind a new comprehensive international survey exploring how researchers and practitioners communicate palaeontology with the...

Inequality is overwhelming in South Africa - yet the South African Constitution guarantees the achievement of equality for all. Is there a role for the Constitution and for law in challenging inequality, and thereby shrinking the persistent gap between the constitutional promise and the reality? Professor Cathi Albertyn's new book...

On a Tuesday in September, UJ Engineering lecturer Mr Preveshin Maduray landed back in South Africa from a research trip to China. The very next day he had to teach a class - but found himself teaching rather differently than usual. For at least 45 minutes, he was 'shouting' at his students, he recalls. "I was telling them them...

For Matjie Masoga, being named Alumnus of the Year at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Faculty of Humanities' 2025 Academic Excellence Awards is more than professional recognition. It is a reminder of where his journey began and the responsibility he carries to help others succeed. The award, presented by Prof Mashupye...

Aiming to unite the Council around a shared foundation - grasping the institution, embracing its mandate, and guiding oversight to champion the University's long-term vision - the Office of the Registrar recently brought members together for a memorable Council Induction and Dinner at Bellville Campus and the Southern Sun Hotel in...

Prof Mashupye Herbert Maserumule, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), has been recognised by President Cyril Ramaphosa for his research contribution to the review of the White Paper on Local Government. The recognition coincides with a major milestone in South Africa's local...

Second-year Social Work students at the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU) recently stepped into the world of legal proceedings during a mock trial at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates' Court. This provided them with practical experience in how social workers can help protect the rights and best interests of...

Eight bright students showcased their skills at the 2026 Funda Mzantsi Championship, with CPUT securing second place in the isiNdebele spelling category. The competition, which was recently held in George, is aimed at promoting a culture of reading, language development, critical thinking and public speaking among participants from...

More than four million preterm births occur in sub-Saharan Africa every year. Wholly unprepared for this world, these little ones always need incubator care in a hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). But imagine a world where that transparent box that keeps the infant warm and protects them from germs and bright lights is...

Stellenbosch University (SU) music student Kyrah Adams has cemented her reputation as one of South Africa's most promising young classical musicians after winning three major prizes at the prestigious UNISA South African Music Scholarship Competition. The prestigious event took place on 15 and 16 October at the Dr Miriam Makeba...

Pieter Coetze is a Commonwealth Games swimming champion, the winner of the men's World Cup Series, and a world record holder-but don't expect him to boast about any of them. He never would. The psychology student, named Tuks's Sportsman of the Year on Friday night, remains as humble as he was when he first qualified for the Olympic...

The University of the Free State (UFS) is strengthening its research capacity, with 22 researchers receiving new National Research Foundation (NRF) ratings and a further 13 improving their existing ratings. The achievements span multiple disciplines, reflecting the breadth of research expertise at the University and the work being...

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is celebrating a significant achievement after its first-year team, G1 Advisory Group, won the Deloitte CA of the Future Project 2026. The final event took place at Deloitte's offices on 9 October 2026. The winning team comprises four first-year students: Sandiswa Ayanda Qiniso Ngema, Mateen...

The University of South Africa (Unisa) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting media freedom, advancing independent journalism and strengthening democratic accountability through its participation in the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) annual fundraising gala dinner. Held at The Venue, Houghton Hotel, in...

Artificial intelligence can process information faster than any human. It can identify patterns, generate content and automate decisions at remarkable speed. Yet one of the key messages to emerge from a national gathering of management scholars at the University of the Free State (UFS) was that the qualities that matter most in...

African universities are set for a major AI and innovation capacity boost as leading voices from the United States and United Kingdom join African higher-education leaders at the Quadruple Helix Conference (2nd Batch). Organised by Ararocks Ltd in collaboration with the National Universities Commission, the conference runs 22-28...

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could take a significant step towards modernising its healthcare system as Belgium-based ORSI Academy and the University of Kikwit (UNIKIK) join forces to advocate the introduction of robotic-assisted surgery in the country. The initiative, which seeks to bring advanced surgical technology to...

Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam discussed enhancing cooperation with German academic and research institutions, including a proposal to establish an Egyptian-German innovation centre focused on water management, scientific research and technological applications. The discussions took place during a...

The Government of The Gambia has announced immediate interventions to address University of The Gambia (UTG) students' concerns over catering, water, internet connectivity, and transportation. Following a high-level stakeholder engagement held Saturday, Government reaffirms its commitment to a safe, conducive, and supportive...

The Vice-Chancellor of the Catholic University of Ghana (CUG), Prof. Matthew Glover Addo, has urged the government to establish a dedicated fund to support private universities, warning that current interventions for first-year students in public universities could undermine enrolment prospects in the private tertiary education...

University students might go longer without being taught after a meeting convened on Monday ended in disarray after unions representing lecturers and non-academic rejected a government offer of Sh11.9 billion for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), saying they have not been involved in any negotiation. The unions vowed to...

The House of Representatives is considering a proposal to increase the Sinoe County Community College's 2027 budget to US$1.2 million to support the construction of its own campus and improve learning conditions. The proposal follows a communication from Sinoe County District #3 Representative Alex Noah, requesting increased...

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mahdi Al-Sayiti, met with the newly appointed President of Sebha University, Mohamed Ali Suleiman, and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the sebha university, Nasser Hassan Mohamed, to discuss the academic and administrative operations at the university, as well as ways to...

The Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) announced today that seven of its PhD candidates will join the 2026-2027 Moroccan cohort of the Fulbright Joint Supervision Program. A statement from UM6P described the new as an opportunity for these aspiring researchers to advance their work in new scientific environments...

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Imo State University (IMSU) branch, has appealed to the Imo State Government, the university's Visitor and Governing Council, to urgently intervene in its ongoing strike, insisting that academic activities will not resume until outstanding welfare issues are addressed. The union...

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has urged African nations to aggressively prioritise investment in research-intensive universities, science, and technology to unlock sustainable economic growth and achieve true economic sovereignty across the continent. Speaking on Sunday during the closing panel of the 12th Tana...

The University of Rwanda-hosted East African Community Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunisation and Health Supply Chain Management has graduated its first 16 specialists in Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Assurance (MPAQA), in a move aimed at strengthening medical product quality testing and...

MZUMBE University Chancellor, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein has urged lecturers to embrace innovative, technology-driven teaching methods to prepare students for a rapidly changing digital world shaped by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Speaking at the university's 25th graduation ceremony at its Main Campus in Maekani, Mvomero District...

The University of Tunis El Manar signed a cooperation agreement on Tuesday with Applied Science University in Bahrain to strengthen the lasting partnership between the two institutions and promote joint research projects, according to a press release published Thursday by the Tunisian university. President of the University of...

Makerere University's joint staff associations have asked the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) to replace its representative on the university's governing Council, arguing that his more than 20 years in the position undermine efforts to bring fresh perspectives into university governance. In a letter dated...

The Regional University Forum, in partnership with Mountain of the Moon University, has embarked on strategic preparations to implement the government directive on transitioning higher education institutions to a Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET) system. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between incoming students...

European countries should aim to "build resilience" into their research and higher education systems in these times of evolving political and economic challenges, a rector has recommended. Bernhard Fügenschuh (pictured) of the University of Salzburg in Austria told Research Professional News: "Right now we are really in strange...

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has opened this year's call for projects that help universities strengthen their capacity to develop deep-tech and manufacturing innovation. The programme awards universities funding to implement actions improving their talent development and knowledge valorisation work, as...

As the new academic year starts across Belgium, universities and colleges are seeing relatively few new students flow into their IT degrees - and they are blaming artificial intelligence (AI). However, experts and students believe the situation is more complicated. Last-year computer science student and archer on the Belgian...

Tel Aviv University on Sunday inaugurated a new building for the Lowy International School, in a ceremony attended by Sir Frank Lowy, the Australian Israeli businessman and philanthropist whose gift established the school in 2022, and his three sons. The school is dedicated to the memory of Lowy's late wife, Shirley, who devoted...

The development of TVET 2.0 for the 2026-2035 period will chart a new direction for transforming the country's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the National TVET Council, said four rounds of engagement sessions...

UNESCO, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and Palestine Technical University College - Kadoorie, has equipped and operationalized two vocational training units in the West Bank, expanding opportunities for young people to acquire practical skills and prepare for future employment...

University staff will take another nine days of strike action at a Glasgow university as the long-running dispute over up to 100 job losses and possible compulsory redundancies continues. University and College Union (UCU) members at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) will strike tomorrow (October 26), Wednesday, and Thursday this...

A quantum computing technology that can dramatically reduce the time and computational costs involved in AI training has been developed by South Korean researchers. Yonsei University said on the 26th that Professor Park Yu-rang of its College of Medicine and a research team led by Sim Woo-seop of Yonsei University Health System...

In November 2025, the local trade union association at Halmstad University was informed by the employer that up to 15 members of staff were at risk of redundancy. Eleven people were subsequently given notice, and in the end, seven lost their jobs. "It's never pleasant when there are redundancies," says Jonas Carlsson, Chair of...

The University of Sharjah (UOS) has concluded the UAE Alumni Entrepreneurship Forum 2026, organized by the University's Alumni Association Center as part of Entrepreneurship Week in Higher Education. The weeklong initiative was launched in cooperation between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry...

A higher education alliance has been appointed to lead a venture aimed at making the £45 billion UK coatings industry greener. Northumbria University and Newcastle University are spearheading the UK Network+ for Sustainable Coatings. Officials say the venture - backed by £1.38 million funding - will "coordinate research, innovation...

The nursing students huddled around a medical dummy in a hospital bed as a panel of faculty and staff watched them through a one-way mirror. On the observation side of the mirror, a technician leaned into a microphone. "I'm just in a lot of pain," he said in an affected, gruff voice. The students considered that, trying to narrow...

The University of Michigan and ASICS, a multinational sportswear company headquartered in Kobe, Japan, today announced the opening of AMSI Lab, a new academic research and development laboratory on U-M's Ann Arbor campus. ASMI has committed $25 million to the new lab. The lab supports the ASICS Michigan Sport Innovation Center...