Owing to growing concerns among university leaders about actors seeking governance influence outside universities' statutory provisions and sound established practices, Universities South Africa (USAf), through its Leadership and Management Strategy Group, hosted the first webinar on 23 March to explore threats to the integrity of higher education governance...

At the Universities South Africa (USAf) hosted governance webinar on 23 March, a panel of four higher education experts examined the structural conditions enabling institutional capture at South African universities. Discussions ranged from council/executive functions, the composition and size of councils, the registrar's role, to the limits of ministerial intervention...

The South China University of Technology (SCUT) has conferred the title Honorary Professor on South Africa's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande. The certificate confirming the Professorship was handed over by his Excellency, Mr. Wu Peng, the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, at a special ceremony earlier this week. This was done in anticipation of Minister...

The Chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council, Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, officially launch the Gert Sibande TVET College 4IR LAB and Centre of Specialisation Millwright Workshop in the Mpumalanga Province. The launch represents a significant milestone in Government's efforts of advancing skills development in line with the demands of...

South Africa is looking to deepen cooperation with China in key areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), clean energy and youth exchanges, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Blade Nzimande has said. "We have fairly extensive relations with China on science, technology and innovation," Nzimande told Xinhua in a recent interview, noting that the cooperation is strongly supported by...

After several years of sacrifice and dedication, thousands of Nelson Mandela University (NMU) students will finally get their reward as they are capped during the university's annual autumn graduation ceremony. The Gqeberha leg of NMU's graduation ceremonies began on Friday with the newly installed chancellor, Dr Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor, officially presiding over the occasion. Pandor...

Interns placed at the embattled Unisa Enterprise as part of the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) funded programme say months of unpaid stipends have pushed them to the brink. The group, recruited from November 2025, was promised a monthly stipend of R3 800 as part of the 12-month Information and Communications Technology (ICT)...

Technological Higher Education Network South Africa (THENSA) recently hosted its first six-day Entrepreneurship Workshop in Pretoria, bringing together 31 students from six universities. The programme combined theory, practical simulations, and industry engagement, equipping students with entrepreneurial skills, business insights, and access to partners to support sustainable market entry and economic contribution. ...

There is growing concern among universities over allegations that South African (SA) politicians and government officials are fraudulently obtaining academic degrees. Some experts attribute this trend to poor funding at institutions of higher learning, warning that it creates conditions that enable corruption. Independent education expert Khumbulani Mngadi says: "It would appear that politicians...

The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) has strongly rejected allegations of unfair labour practices following the death of one of its lecturers, as social media claims and union concerns collide with the institution's official version of events. UMP spokesperson Tlangelani Ubisi said videos circulating online falsely accuse the institution of mistreating the late Dr Mpho Motseki. "The university...

Motorists have been warned of a planned march by the EFF Youth Command Occupational Students, which is expected to disrupt traffic flow in the City of Tshwane. Traffic is expected to be heavily congested, with motorists urged to use alternate routes to avoid delays on their way to work and other destinations. The march is expected...

The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, partnered with Midvaal Local Municipality Mayor Peter Teixeira in a handover of smart devices at the Midvaal Skills Development Centre in Savanna City on April 8. The centre has become a beacon of hope for youth needing access to skills development. Launched in...

THE Motsepe Foundation has committed R31.5 million to student leadership in South Africa, announcing the funding at its annual Universities in Dialogue forum held in Johannesburg on 10 April 2026. The donation will be distributed to student representative councils (SRCs) at 26 universities across the country, as part of a programme...

Former International Relations minister says she wants to position Nelson Mandela University as a values-driven African institution committed to justice, dignity, academic freedom, and continental collaboration, while anchoring its mission in former president Nelson Mandela's legacy of "making good trouble" for positive change...

SOUTH Africa faces a daunting paradox: while youth unemployment has reached crisis levels, critical sectors remain severely understaffed, and thousands of capable students are locked out of higher education. According to Statistics SA's Q2 2025 data, unemployment among 15-24 year olds stands at a staggering 60%, classified as...

Renewed infrastructure upgrades, strong demand for local schools and Rhodes University, and growing lifestyle and investment appeal are drawing South African property buyers to Makhanda in the Eastern Cape. The historic university town of Makhanda, formerly known as Grahamstown, is experiencing renewed activity in the residential...

Family disputes are traumatic, especially for the young and vulnerable involved. Resolving issues such as divorce is difficult and painful. However, South Africa's overloaded courts, delays in custody arrangements, prolonged conflict between parents and mounting legal costs mean that children are ultimately the ones who pay...

As more than 9 000 graduates take to the stage this Autumn Graduation, the CPUT Convocation has extended its congratulations, celebrating a milestone that reflects years of dedication and determination. In a message issued by Convocation President Issa Mapukata, the Convocation stated: "Today marks a significant milestone in your...

The Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences proudly celebrates the outstanding achievement of Miss Jayme-Sue Vermaas, a fourth-year Radiography student, who excelled at the South African Biathlon National Championships 2026, held in Oudtshoorn on 21 March. Competing in the senior women's category, Jayme-Sue delivered an...

Professor Frans Swanepoel, Director of the ARUA Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Food Systems at the University of Pretoria (UP), has received the Cum Laude Award for outstanding alumni achievement from his alma mater, the University of the Free State (UFS). Prof Swanepoel, a Senior Fellow at UP's Centre for the Advancement of...

Thabile Mwandla, a Clinical Technology alumna of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) is amongst a selected team of South African clinical researchers who contributed to the development and testing of Lenacapavir, an innovative injectable medication designed for HIV prevention. This is exciting news for DUT and Mwandla as the...

The Department of Textile Science and Apparel Technology at the Durban University of Technology, within the Faculty of Applied Sciences, hosted a heartfelt retirement celebration in honour of Dr Akbar Fassihi and Mr Alan Judd, each of whom dedicated over three decades of service to the institution. The occasion served not only as a...

On a clear autumn morning on the University of the Free State Qwaqwa Campus, a graduation ceremony became something more than just a celebration of qualifications. It became a moment to recognise a life shaped by service. On 10 April 2026, the university conferred an honorary Doctor of Education degree on Dr Sheila Sisulu...

The NWU Eagles are flying high as they prepare to face UP Tuks in what promises to be a thrilling Varsity Cup final on Monday night. Momentum is firmly on the side of the NWU Eagles, who powered their way into the final with a commanding semi-final performance. Now, one last challenge stands between the Eagles and glory. In the...

When research shows that children's repeated exposure to gaming is associated with higher odds of a gambling addiction in early adulthood, the issue moves beyond policing 'screen time' and placing the responsibility purely in parents' hands. The system itself needs to change to keep children out of harm's way. This was a key...

This year, MUT will confer qualifications on 3,061 graduates during a tightly scheduled three-day graduation programme, which requires precise coordination and disciplined execution. The 2026 graduation will take place at MUT's Seme Hall from 21-23 April. On 21 April, the Faculty of Engineering will graduate 523 students from 9h00...

Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is firmly on track to deliver a seamless graduation season, following a high-level planning session convened by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Professor Marcus Ramogale with the Special Graduation Committee. Held on 9 April 2026, the meeting brought together members of...

Caitlin Wheeler speaks with quiet assurance from a world in which science and humanity connect. Currently immersed in her research on autoimmune liver disease, she has been guided through her career by discovery, connection and communication. Her way of thinking, she says, is rooted in her mother's influence. "She is a town planner...

Mbali Hlatshwayo graduated with a Bachelor of Education Honours in Management and Governance during the University of the Free State's April graduation ceremonies on the Qwaqwa Campus, marking a milestone that reflects both her academic progress and the path she has chosen to rebuild. Mbali lives with hemiplegia - a condition that...

Having a supportive family member cheering for you in the audience at graduation is very special. However, one mom-and-daughter duo will be supporting each other side by side when they get capped today in the historic Jakes Gerwel Hall. Yolanda and Rouelle Maarman will graduate from the University of the Western Cape (UWC). For...

The Chris Barnard Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Cape Town (UCT) has received a multi-million-rand international research grant to fast-track the development of a novel surgical heart valve. It complements the existing transcatheter valve - and is designed specifically for young patients who suffer from...

Opinion by Dr Kumi Naidoo President of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative Africa cannot survive a climate crisis it did not create. This is at the heart of the public lecture I gave on 10 March at Nelson Mandela University, at the Dennis Brutus Memorial Institutional Public Lecture hosted by the Centre for the...

Early Saturday morning, on the 21st of March, at KwaMaqoma, previously known as Fort Beaufort. The entire town woke up in a state of complete panic, as the two main community groups were in a frenzy. Residents were informed that petrol and diesel would run out, with no clear date given for the next delivery. While we may never be...

Amplifying the voices of people living on the margins of society is an ethical imperative for scholars in healthcare. It helps them to understand the needs of the people they serve to improve their quality of life. This opening statement underpinned an impactful inaugural lecture delivered by the University of Cape Town's (UCT)...

Nothando Mhlanga is making waves as the first medical doctor from her rural village of Reserve B in Bergville, within the Okhahlamba Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, after graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Limpopo (UL). Having enrolled in her early 30s, at a...

In sports, medals often tell the story of talent. But behind nearly 300 local, national, and international karate medals at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) is a story of sacrifice and an unwavering commitment to others. This is the story of UFH Goju Kai Karate head coach, Sensei Xolani Thobela Ntsonkota, a man whose journey began...

A new Sepedi translation of Animal Farm - the classic political allegory by English author George Orwell - is set to broaden access to ideas about power, leadership and democracy in South African classrooms. Translated by veteran educationist Dr Lenkwane Henry Mathunyane and published by Nelson Mandela University Press, the book...

TUT's Pretoria Campus Debate Society excelled at the Jozi Ramble, a top Gauteng top debate tournament, showing strong talent and affirming TUT's growing influence in national debating circles. This year's tournament outcomes were nothing short of exceptional: Sibusiso Pita advanced all the way to the Novice Finals, earning a spot...

Dr Percy Thabiso Mhlanga, Doctor of Education graduate, led the group of top postgraduate achievers that the Tshwane University of Technology's Department of Technology and Vocational Education in the Faculty of Humanities celebrated during the recent Graduations. Mhlanga completed his doctorate in record time, averaging 83%. His...

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has reinforced its national leadership in accounting education following the release of the January 2026 Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC) results on Friday, 10 April 2026. The University achieved an 86% first-time pass rate while increasing the number of successful candidates, placing it...

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) continues to strengthen its position as a leader in African-focused financial technology scholarship, following the successful graduation of four postgraduate students whose research addressed some of the most pressing legal and regulatory challenges shaping the digital finance landscape...

Prof Isabel Coetzee, a recipient of the 2025 Unisa Principal's Award for Distinguished Alumni in Research, reflects on nursing as a profound calling, and her transformative academic and leadership journey during the Covid-19 pandemic. From working in hospitals during school holidays to shaping global conversations on critical care...

On Thursday 26 March 2026, Unisa Library and Information Services (LIS), in collaboration with the Kimberley Public Library, hosted a literacy-focused community engagement to help address South Africa's declining reading culture and to promote the use of indigenous languages in reading and writing. The event formed part of South...

Dear UJ community, While some of you were away for a short break during the mid-semester recess last week, I led a University of Johannesburg (UJ) delegation to Nairobi, Kenya. This time, the occasion was the THE (Times Higher Education) Africa Universities Summit 2026. This event brought together higher education leaders...

As youth unemployment continues to place pressure on Eswatini's economy, a renewed focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is emerging as a key solution - equipping young people with the practical, in-demand skills needed to transition into work and entrepreneurship. The Skills for Youth Employability...

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission has instructed all prospective applicants seeking employment in agencies under the Ministry of Education to submit their academic credentials for verification as part of the recruitment process. The directive follows the granting of clearance for recruitment into the sector, with the...

Guinea is advancing efforts to strengthen scientific and technological capacity through a new academic collaboration with Rwanda under the Simandou Academy initiative. The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Diaka Sidibé, held discussions at the University of Rwanda during a working visit to Kigali on April 10...

The entry of more than 268,000 students into universities this year is set to pose the biggest test yet for the government's new funding model, amid a steady decline in funding since its rollout three years ago...

The release of the 2025/2026 Public Universities Selection has highlighted a growing shift in Malawi's higher education system, marked by the rapid expansion of Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) programmes. ODeL is no longer an alternative in Malawi's universities. It is becoming a main route into higher education. The latest...

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has revealed that President Bola Tinubu is set to inaugurate a number of its landmark projects across the country before the end of the year. Executive Secretary of the Fund, Arc. Sonny Echono, stated this on Friday in Abuja when he received Aljazirah Personality of the Year Award. Arc...

Students from Makerere University's College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVABs) are protesting after going for more than a month without lectures. This follows the retirement of several lecturers, non-renewal of contracts for others, and some taking study leave without replacement by the university...

The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has officially launched the 40th Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) at Soroti University (SUN-TISC), highlighting efforts to expand access to innovation support and promote artificial intelligence and student-led initiatives across the country. The launch brought together...

UNIVERSITY of Zambia Vice-Chancellor Prof Mundia Muya says the university's sewer network and water systems are overloaded, as they were constructed for 4,000 students, not the current resident population of about 28,000. Speaking during the official handover of essential cleaning supplies and waste bins by the Zambia National...

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology is opening up opportunities for collaboration with Qatar in the areas of strengthening joint research, academic mobility, and developing human resources. The potential for cooperation was discussed during a courtesy visit by the Qatari Ambassador to Indonesia, Sultan bin...

On April 10, the China Study Abroad Forum (CSAF) and the two-day China International Education Exhibition Tour (CIEET) kicked off in Beijing. For the first time, Kazakhstan participated on such a significant scale, presenting a national pavilion, a Qazinform News Agency correspondent in China reports. The forum, held under the...

Khazar University, in partnership with the Lithuanian Embassy in Azerbaijan, hosted an exhibition titled "Not All of Them: Portraits of War Refugees." The event served as a vital platform for fostering international collaboration, promoting humanitarian values, and raising public awareness regarding the human cost of conflict. Inga...

The new academic semester kicked off in Gaza in late March. But the mornings no longer carry the familiar vibrance of students waiting for buses, crossing cities towards universities and colleges. That feeling has instead been replaced by the hardship of displacement. Israel's destructive campaign has reduced Gaza's academic...

Ministry of Education and Higher Education has introduced a set of updates to streamline student admission procedures, clarifying documentation requirements and easing entry process for certain categories of students. The announcements were made in a press conference attended by school principals and relevant authorities from...

More Malay students will soon be able to tap subsidies for tertiary tuition fees given out by community self-help group Mendaki annually. The government will raise the income eligibility criteria so that more households will be covered under the Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS) scheme, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs...

Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat has set out an ambitious vision for Thailand to "win the tech war" by achieving technological sovereignty as part of his eight strategic pillars to address national challenges through research and innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI)...

The University of Sharjah (UoS), through the Institute of Leadership in Higher Education, organised the 6th Teaching and Learning Forum, which focused on community-engaged teaching and learning and highlighted approaches that connect academic learning with the real world. The forum provided a platform for faculty members to share...

Iowa State University leaders are looking to shut down 10 degree programs under a state-mandated review of low-enrollment programs. University officials also recommended consolidating or merging another 13 degrees with other programs. Fifteen others received two-year extensions so university leaders can assess workforce and student...

In nearly every community college class Nicholas Vintzileos attended, at least one student would vanish - sometimes for a day, sometimes for good. Vintzileos, who graduated from Northern Essex Community College in December, understood the challenges his fellow students were up against. He dropped out of Massasoit Community College...