The National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination timetable has been adjusted to accommodate the upcoming Local Government Elections, with examinations taking a break from 3 - 5 November before resuming on Friday, 6 November. South Africa's Local Government Elections will take place on Wednesday, 4 November, during the October/November examination period. Monday, 9 November, is also scheduled as...

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has received more than 1-million applications for the 2027 funding cycle, with prospective students having until Saturday to apply for financial assistance to study at public universities and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges. In a statement, NSFAS urged applicants to submit their applications before the October 31...

South Africa (SA) is unlikely to meet the United Nations' (UN) 2030 education targets, according to the SA National Commission for UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. The commission cites poverty, limited resources, high dropout rates and inadequate funding for disadvantaged learners as major barriers to inclusive, quality education. The challenges were highlighted at the launch...

Prominent business leader and former political activist Sakumzi "Saki" Macozoma has been appointed as the next chancellor of Walter Sisulu University (WSU). He will become the first male chancellor to lead the institution since its formation in 2005. Approved unanimously by the university council, Macozoma is scheduled to take office on 1 April 2027, succeeding Dr Nonkululeko Gobodo. University...

NSFAS-funded students at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology face a difficult financial stretch as their final R1,716 meal allowance is due on October 30, while the extended academic calendar runs until December 21. Students say they are worried about paying for food, accommodation and travel home. For some students at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), the final NSFAS...

A 60,000-year-old ochre-rich surface in South Africa still holds traces of an antelope protein, preserving a clue to how early humans used the mineral pigment. Ochre is a naturally occurring, iron-rich material that can be ground into a colored powder. Researchers identified type I collagen, a structural protein found in animal...

Dr Anna Mokgokong , chancellor of North-West University (NWU) and professor of practice at the NWU Business School, explains how farming can help rural areas grow with the help of science, business skills and partners. This was the main message she shared at an agriculture gathering outside Brits on 26 October 2026. Rural...

Professor Romy Parker lives in a house on stilts, perched on a mountainside at the southern end of the Cape Peninsula, with a view across to Elsie's Peak and the shining waters of False Bay. It seems a good refuge for a physiotherapist who has spent decades treating others' pain, while pushing as hard as anyone to realise a...

A project born at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha has taught more than 350,000 schoolchildren to code, using little more than puzzle pieces and a cellphone. Tangible Africa, founded by NMU computing department sciences head Prof Jean Greyling, now operates on five continents, reaching pupils in nine African countries as well...

The University of Pretoria's investment portfolio has appreciated by an average of R5.7 million every day for the past seven financial years. This leaves the university with an investment portfolio with a total value of R25.66 billion at the end of its 2025 financial year. The portfolio has performed well during this period, with...

UKZN doctoral student, Melissa Sibanda has won the national BRICS Debate Championship and is now set to represent South Africa at the international finals in Moscow, Russia, in December. A PhD student in the Discipline of Geography, Planning, and Housing within the School of Social Sciences, Sibanda's study examines the...

A female University of Limpopo (UL) intern is in a critical but stable condition in hospital after she was allegedly stabbed at a private residence at Ga-Makanye in Mankweng on Tuesday night. A young male suspect appeared in the Mankweng Magistrate's Court on Wednesday in connection with the incident, the university confirmed in a...

Staff and students at the Tshwane University of Technology's Faculty of Arts and Design were introduced to international perspectives on design, artificial intelligence, Indigenous knowledge and creative collaboration when Dr Russell Kennedy from Deakin University, Australia, participated in the Spotlight on Postgraduate Studies...

The future African university cannot stand apart from society What kind of leadership will shape the African university of the future? This question took centre stage during Beyond the Ivory Tower, a lecture hosted by the University of the Free State Business School in partnership with Higher Education Leadership and Management...

Durban University of Technology (DUT) has officially launched the ENVISION2030 Living Values Framework, anchored in five core values: transparency, honesty, integrity, respect and accountability. These are supported by the principles of fairness, professionalism, commitment, compassion and excellence. DUT Communications team member...

As part of its ENVISION2030 strategy, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) is committed to developing adaptive graduates who make a meaningful contribution to society. Through sport, the university nurtures discipline, leadership, teamwork and resilience, equipping students with skills that extend beyond the playing field. DUT...

"I've never not enjoyed coming to work." For Nico Lambrechts, Enterprise Systems and Security Manager at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), that enjoyment comes from a lifelong curiosity about technology and the people who use it. From helping prepare UFH for online learning during the COVID-19 lockdowns to supporting the shift to...

Access to higher education can transform lives, but for many aspiring students, the only way to access tertiary education is with the support of donors and industry partners. These partners' and benefactors' continued investment in students, academic initiatives and community-focused programmes helps the North-West University (NWU)...

The exhibition, Doors of Learning: Microcosms of a Future South Africa, explores two radical experiments in education, communal living, architecture and international solidarity by the South African liberation movement in exile: the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College and the Dakawa Development Centre in Tanzania. The launch on 29...

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how people learn, work and stay safe; yet much of this technology relies on smartphones, apps and data, leaving many people behind. Recognising this gap, Miran Moodley set out to find a more accessible solution. "That [lack of gadgets] leaves many South Africans...

Mandela University's Dr Muedanyi Ramantswana, encouraged school learners at the recent Inkcubeko Youth Science Centre's robotics competition in George to embrace technology and innovation. As Senior Lecturer in Forestry at Mandela University's George Campus, Dr Ramantswana emphasised their potential to address environmental...

Four recipients of the Malegapuru W. Makgoba Scholarship in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science are using the financial support to focus more fully on developing the skills needed to solve real-world problems. The scholarship is awarded to the five top-ranked undergraduates proceeding from first to second year. Mr...

The rising costs of academic publishing and barriers to accessing scholarly research were among the key issues addressed during International Open Access Week 2026, held under the theme "The Cost of Knowledge". The event took place on 22 October 2026 at Protea Hotel in Menlyn, Pretoria, bringing together academics and...

North-West University (NWU) academic Prof. Leepile Sehularo has won the Special Impact Award at the 2026 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Keturah Mental Health Awards. He shares the award with Molefi Daniel Monokoane, chief executive officer of Bophelong Psychiatric Hospital. The award ceremony took place on 24 October...

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is advancing research into antimicrobial resistance through the doctoral work of Dr Nishana Ramdas, who graduated with a PhD in Pharmacy at the university's 2026 Spring Graduation Ceremony. Her doctoral research addresses a critical public health challenge by examining the...

Master of Pharmacy student Mahlorhi Baloyi has earned national recognition for his contribution to pharmaceutical research and his potential to shape the future of healthcare, receiving the Merit Award in the Future Pharmacist: Young Pioneer category at the 4th National Pharmacy Conference in Durban. The achievement marks a...

The CPUT research community is buzzing with excitement following the resounding success of the recent CPUT Research Festival, held at the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC). Over three vibrant days, university leaders, seasoned and emerging researchers, and postgraduate students came together to shape the...

Behind campus events, student organisations and community projects are students who give their time to creating opportunities for others while managing their own academic responsibilities. The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) recognised these contributions at its annual Student Life Achievement Awards, held on 22 October 2026 at...

Head of Nelson Mandela University's Department of Computing Sciences, and founder of Tangible Professor Jean Greyling, reflected on the project's remarkable journey at the recent 4th Universities South Africa (USAf) Higher Education Conference. What began as an honours project at Nelson Mandela University has grown into an...

Mr Ashton Perumaul is celebrating receiving two scholarships in the final year of his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Information Technology: the Lawrence and Constance Robinson Prestige Undergraduate Scholarship for the top undergraduate student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and the Townley Williams...

The African harrier-hawk, also known as the Gymnogene, is the focus of a University of Cape Town (UCT) research project investigating how the unusual raptor has established itself in the city and what makes the urban environment suitable for breeding. This unusual bird of prey that was not known to breed in metropolitan Cape Town...

Three newly awarded research chairs at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) are bringing science to bear on questions with direct relevance to public health, water safety and local livelihoods. From investigating medicinal plants for potential drug development to tracking pathogens in wastewater and exploring ways to turn discarded...

The University of the Free State's (UFS) Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) has recognised the dedication and achievements of tutors and teaching assistants at an award ceremony on the Qwaqwa Campus, celebrating their contributions to student success, academic support and professional development. Celebrating excellence in...

Sub-Saharan Africa is caught in a "perfect storm" in the battle against malaria: climate change, a vulnerable and growing youth population, mosquito resistance to insecticides and the survival instinct of malaria parasites are hindering efforts to eliminate malaria by 2030. "We aimed to reduce the number of cases by 90% compared to...

University of Pretoria (UP) Culinary Arts lecturer Dr Hennie Fisher and horticulturist Richard Hay are introducing South African kitchens to chaya - an ancient, underutilised edible plant that offers new possibilities for dietary diversity. Also known as Mayan tree spinach, chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) is a fast-growing...

The University of South Africa (Unisa) has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming higher education by placing African knowledge systems, indigenous languages and cultural heritage at the centre of curriculum development and innovative online learning. This commitment took centre stage during the Heritage Day Show and Tell...

Indigenous knowledge holders must be recognised as intellectual authorities whose expertise can contribute meaningfully to addressing poverty, inequality and some of society's most pressing challenges. This was the central message delivered by Prof Tennyson Mgutshini, Executive Dean of the University of South Africa's (Unisa)...

The cost of publishing research and unequal access to scholarly information came under scrutiny during a Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Library webinar held on 20 October 2026 to mark International Open Access Week. Under the theme "The Cost of Knowledge", the webinar examined financial barriers to accessing and publishing...

When we have a clinic appointment there is a well-established routine, and for most of us this arrangement works reasonably well. We wait, we are called in, we explain what is wrong and, after some specific questions and measurements, a medical plan is made about what should happen next. For some people with Down syndrome, this...

Technologies that monitor and measure the brain and nervous system are already edging towards workplaces, training centres, and policy conversations. The moment that these technologies get there, the most pressing questions stop being technical and become more human. This is why a Wits project is making neurotechnology everyone's...

Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy Mohamed El-Gendy said Al-Azhar Al-Sharif is working on a plan to engage directly with university students across Egypt, promote moderate religious teachings and address young people's intellectual and religious questions through dialogue and scientific reasoning. He made the remarks...

Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Hani Sewilam and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Abdelaziz Konsowa reviewed 2026 university graduation projects offering innovative solutions to water challenges during the 9th Cairo Water Week (CWW). The Ministers praised students' efforts to develop practical...

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has called for deeper scientific cooperation with Russia, specifically inviting Russian institutions to partner with Ethiopia's newly established Medemer University of Artificial Intelligence. Addressing the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of building local...

Teaching and learning across the nation's technical universities are set to resume shortly following a breakthrough agreement reached between the Technical University Teachers' Association of Ghana (TUTAG) and government authorities. The industrial dispute, which had threatened to derail the tertiary academic calendar, reached a...

The University of Ghana has rejected claims by some students that accommodation fees for university halls have been increased by 26%, clarifying that the proposed hike was not accepted and lower rates were agreed upon. Speaking to Citi News on Thursday, October 29, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Rosina Kyerematen, said the...

Thousands of university students could return to lecture halls on Monday after the government and lecturers struck a Sh20 billion deal to end a four-week strike that brought learning in 35 public institutions to a standstill. The two sides reached a verbal agreement on Wednesday, October 28, paving the way for the resumption of...

Kenya's technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector has received a major boost following the launch of the African Regional Centre for Open TVET (ARCOT) in Nairobi, an initiative aimed at expanding access to flexible, affordable and technology-enabled skills training across Africa. Hosted by the Kenya School of...

On 13 October 2026, Lesotho deposited with the Director-General its instrument of ratification of the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education (Paris, 25 November 2019). In accordance with the terms of its Article XVIII.2, the Convention will enter into force with respect to Lesotho three...

Airtel Malawi Plc has committed support valued at K22.6 million to promote digital learning and cybersecurity education, a move the company says is aimed at equipping young people for a digital economy. The package includes MWK10 million towards hosting the National Cyber Security Conference, plus 4G routers and a year of unlimited...

Seventeen local students were officially seen off on Wednesday ahead of their study programme at Nantong Vocational University in China. The departure is the first step in a partnership programme aimed at expanding educational opportunities for local students who have received scholarships. The scholarship recipients will focus...

The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political Matters, Hon. Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, has awarded scholarships to over 300 Katsina State indigenes studying medicine and other health-related courses in universities across Nigeria, with plans to extend the scheme to other disciplines in the next academic session to...

Tanzania's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mbelwa Kairuki has urged the next generation of global leaders to align their academic pursuits directly with the real-world challenges facing their home nations. In an inspiring address delivered during the Chevening University Orientation in London on October 24, 2026-an event...

Labor expects a fall in the number of new overseas students starting at universities to wipe $2 billion from the sector over the next three years, as prospective visa applicants spooked by soaring rejection rates increasingly look to other countries. Lucrative international student fees have long underpinned university budgets, but...

The latest edition of the rankings assessed 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories, evaluating their performance across key areas, including teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement and international outlook. American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) has secured the top...

Belgium's Flemish universities said Thursday they had filed a complaint against the European Commission over a lack of clear guidance on research partnerships with Israeli institutions. The complaint was submitted to the European Ombudsman through the Flemish Interuniversity Council, which represents the universities. The...

"Ontario's universities welcome the government's focus on strengthening and protecting the province's economy, as outlined in today's Fall Economic Statement. With tariffs reshaping trade, businesses facing new pressures and global competition for talent, investment and innovation intensifying, Ontario must continue building the...

Telangana universities are set to review their preparedness for possible extreme heat and water shortages, with the Telangana Council of Higher Education planning a meeting with vice-chancellors to discuss preventive measures across campuses. The proposed review will examine how state universities can protect students and staff if...

A Jordanian delegation from the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development held talks in Oman on expanding higher education cooperation, increasing student and faculty exchanges, and addressing the recognition of Jordanian universities. The discussions focused on updating the bilateral executive cooperation program in...

Vice Chancellors (VC) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa universities attended a conference at the University of Peshawar on Thursday to review the academic, administrative and financial challenges facing public sector universities in KP. Dr. Aamer Abdullah, Member of the Advisory Council for Education KP attended the conference as the chief...

A researcher and a student from Kookmin University have each received an award at the 2026 Sustainable Smart City Champions Session, the university said. The event was part of Smart Life Week 2026, co-hosted by the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government at Coex in southern Seoul...

Indonesia and Switzerland have bolstered their higher education cooperation, marked by an MoU signing between Padjadjaran University in Bandung (Unpad) and the University of Bern. Witnessed by the Indonesian Ambassador to Switzerland, Ngurah Swajaya, on October 19, the MoU was signed at the University of Bern. It was initiated by...

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has reported an 18% increase in the total number of applications submitted to higher education institutions through the National Unified Registration and Admission Platform during the 2026-2027 academic year, compared with the previous year. The increase reflects the...

Hundreds of thousands of graduates collectively paid £189 million more than they should have done in student loan repayments last tax year, according to new figures from the Student Loans Company. More than half a million people - 514,000 - across the UK made over payments in 2025-26, with the average refund owed totalling £240...

Record numbers of British teenagers are taking gap years before applying to Oxbridge and the most selective university courses, figures suggest. Young people who want to study at the universities of Oxford or Cambridge, or apply for competitive courses such as medicine, dentistry or veterinary science at other universities, have to...

Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $8.1 million in grants to Alabama universities and research institutions for projects ranging from cancer research and artificial intelligence to construction, agriculture and aerospace. Four universities and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville will receive funding through 20 Alabama...

The University of Oregon is considering the elimination of multiple postgraduate programs as it tries to close a multi-year budget gap of more than $63 million. A new proposal shared with UO's Senate Wednesday would cut $17.6 million from UO's administrative services and $25.8 million from its schools and colleges. This would mean...

On October 29th, the Faculty of Law, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, organized a scientific seminar titled "Responsible Artificial Intelligence Practice in Education: National Ethical Framework, Risk Management, and Application Practices". In his opening remarks at the seminar, Associate Professor, Dr. Trinh Tien Viet, Vice...