"The task before us is not to explain challenges away, but to manage them responsibly, expand pathways deliberately, and build for the future," said Minister Buti Manamela, challenging universities to strengthen their resilience in the face of growing social, economic and technological pressures. South Africa's higher education sector is being called upon to lead with innovation, adaptability and...

"Universities cannot afford to be spectators in a rapidly changing world; they must be active architects of the future," asserted Dr Phethiwe Matutu, CEO of Universities South Africa. Addressing delegates at the Higher Education Conference, she called on universities to embrace innovation, strengthen resilience, and drive transformative change that responds to societal needs. Her message...

South Africa's higher education sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with universities increasingly embracing entrepreneurship, innovation and industry collaboration as key drivers of development. Writing from insights shared at the Universities South Africa Higher Education Conference, Dr Edwell Gumbo highlights how institutions are evolving beyond their traditional teaching and...

The Department of Higher Education and Training is targeting more than 520 000 enrolments at technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges and funding for over 700 000 students through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in the current financial year. Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, said the targets form part of government's...

The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, is urging the learners to consider building sustainable careers in the creative and cultural sectors. Manamela led the fourth annual Heritage Careers Expo at Capricorn TVET College's Seshego Campus, outside Polokwane in Limpopo. Learners from various high schools explored non-traditional career paths in fashion, music, visual arts...

The Department of Basic Education has declared itself ready for the 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, with a record 962 832 candidates registered to sit the October/November examinations. Of these, 815 051 are full-time candidates, an increase of 48 508 from last year, while 147 781 are part-time candidates, including those seeking to improve their previous results. Announcing...

A coding project that began at Nelson Mandela University has been recognised nationally for its academic and social impact. Professor Jean Greyling, head of Computing Sciences at Nelson Mandela University and founder of Tangible, presented the project at the Universities South Africa Higher Education Conference in Pretoria on Friday. Tangible was one of three national academic impact case studies...

Student funding may not be failing because of a lack of money, but because of how that money is managed. Dr Simphiwe Madikizela, a senior lecturer at Unisa's Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL), says "poor planning, weak and inefficient systems and processes" at institutions responsible for funding students mean money does not always reach those who qualify. His warning comes after...

First-year maths students at the University of Cape Town (UCT) can now learn key concepts in isiXhosa after the university launched a new glossary of maths terms. The glossary was unveiled on September 23 and is the result of a year-long partnership between the department of mathematics and applied mathematics, the academic development programme and the Multilingualism Education Project (MEP)...

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) have congratulated Judge Navanethem "Navi" Pillay on winning the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, celebrating the Durban-born legal luminary's decades-long contribution to human rights, international justice and the fight against discrimination. The Nobel...

Isuzu Motors SA (IMSA) and Nelson Mandela University (NMU) have strengthened their long-standing partnership to equip the next generation of engineering talent with practical, real-world experience. Through the Isuzu Chair of Mechatronics at IMSA's Gqeberha manufacturing plant, students gain direct access to industry specialists...

The Eastern Cape education department is targeting an 85% matric pass rate this year despite a decline in grade 12 performance, an increase in progressed pupils and staffing shortages that have disrupted teaching at some schools. Education MEC Fundile Gade said the province's third-quarter grade 12 performance stood at 82%...

The Centre for Diversity, Inclusivity and Social Change (CDISC) recently brought together participants for an inspiring Microaggression and Cultural Humility Online training, led by the insightful Brightness Mangolothi, Director of CDISC. The workshop brought together staff and students, and Mangolothi emphasised that the...

Demonstrating a steadfast commitment to lifelong learning and academic rigour, a seasoned South African academic received a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education - Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the University of South Africa (UNISA) at the spring graduation ceremony on 5 October 2026. Supervised by UNISA's Professor...

The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), has been recognised for its contribution to societal impact through "Changing Lives," a project housed within CUT's Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM), as part of the 2025 Universities South Africa (USAf) Societal Impact initiative. Dr Gerrie Booysen...

The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town (UCT) convened from 30 September to 1 October 2026 on "Envisioning Africa's Futures: Governance, leadership and South-South partnerships". It brought together continental academics, policymakers, researchers, practitioners and students to engage in...

Durban University of Technology (DUT) will host the ICT & Society Student Symposium 2026 and the 10th Annual IEEE Conference on Information Communication Technology and Society (ICTAS 2026), bringing together researchers, industry experts, academics, innovators and students to explore developments in information and communication...

Elias Chipofya, a doctoral candidate at the Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI), recently presented his research to an international audience. He participated in the 14th International Brain Research Organisation and International Society for Neurochemistry-sponsored Africa Advanced School in Neuroscience...

Fifteen MUT students received a significant boost to their academic journeys on 5 October 2026, following a laptop handover ceremony hosted by the Institution's Financial Aid Office. The recipients, selected from a student population of over 14,000, are all funded by the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector...

A healthy workplace begins with healthy employees. The University of Venda put this message into action as employees came together for the 2026 Employee Wellness Day, a day dedicated to health awareness, physical activity, fun and building a culture of wellbeing across the University. Employees gathered at the UNIVEN Stadium, and...

The Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) celebrated academic excellence, innovation and resilience as it honoured a new generation of graduates during the University's 2026 Spring Graduation ceremonies at the Ruth First Hall at the Soshanguve South Campus. The...

What began as the pursuit of an undergraduate diploma in 2008 has culminated in a remarkable academic milestone for Dr Mphihleng Pleasure Magoro, whose journey at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has come full circle. From student to lecturer and now doctoral graduate, his story is a testament of perseverance, mentorship...

Opinion article by Puleng Matebesi and Prof Sethulego Matebesi, Acting Vice-Dean: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State. In the high-stakes arena of South African tertiary education, where dreams of upward mobility clash with systemic overload, the Tshivenda phrase...

The University of Fort Hare (UFH) celebrated the life and legacy of legendary Isicathamiya musician Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo (LBM) at its 3rd Annual Joseph Shabalala Memorial Lecture on 1 October at the institution's heritage campus in Alice. The lecture was delivered by world-renowned award-winning pianist...

Do you tell your partner everything? It sounds like a simple question but the answer is surprisingly complicated. Most of us believe that trust is the foundation of a healthy relationship. We tell ourselves that honesty matters and that secrets are dangerous. Yet real relationships are rarely built on complete transparency. We...

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) has welcomed the positive outcomes of a recent visit to Germany by Reverend Musa Zondi, KwaZulu-Natal's MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. During his visit to Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) Ravensburg, Reverend Zondi expressed strong...

The North-West University (NWU) honoured Kgosi Kgotleng Jeffrey Montshioa, king of the Barolong Boo Ratshidi, for 25 years of traditional leadership and service, while reaffirming the commitment of the university to indigenous knowledge, heritage and meaningful partnerships with traditional communities. The occasion, held on 8...

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) recently hosted a Deaf Awareness Campaign, bringing together students, staff, community members, clinical partners and hearing-health organisations to promote hearing health, Deaf awareness and inclusive communication. Hosted by the Department of Speech-Language Pathology &...

For Boitumelo Tenda Nkuatsana, completing medical school at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is about more than earning a medical degree. It is about using education, leadership and lived experience to influence the future of healthcare in South Africa. A member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the South...

Sesotho scholars from universities across Southern Africa gathered at the Riverside Hotel in Vanderbijlpark for a colloquium exploring how the language can be strengthened in education, research, technology and the digital space. The colloquium brought together academics and researchers from the North-West University (NWU), the...

Researchers from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of Southampton, together with international partners, have identified patterns of gene expression associated with severe COVID-19 in children; patterns that are shared with other serious respiratory infections, as well as patterns that distinguish these...

The University of the Free State (UFS) contributed to national discussions about the future of short learning programmes (SLPs) as practitioners, quality assurance specialists, and academic leaders from across Southern Africa gathered in Durban for the 2026 Forum of Short Learning Programmes in early October. Held at the University...

Researchers from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) have once again been recognised among the world's leading scientists, underscoring the University's unwavering commitment to research excellence, innovation, and international collaboration. A total of 88 UJ researchers have been included in the latest World's Top 2% Scientists...

Relive the highlights of the graduation ceremony held on Thursday, 8 October 2026, for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences. The Media, Marketing and Communications Office has selected 10 standout images that capture the pride, emotion, and celebration of the day...

The University of South Africa (Unisa) has strengthened its position on the global higher education stage, improving its overall performance in the 2027 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and moving up the national standings despite growing international competition. The latest rankings, released on 30 September...

Dear UJ community, In his book, Brave Companions: Portraits in History, award-winning American historian and author David McCullough reminds us that knowing our origins and past struggles is essential because history and memory give shape to personal identity, moral compass, and future direction. He writes: "How can we know who we...

For Prof Sadika Khan, dentistry has never been simply about replacing missing teeth or restoring a smile. It is about what happens after a patient leaves the dental chair: whether they can eat comfortably, speak confidently, smile without embarrassment, and what their mouth might reveal about their broader health. "Dentistry is an...

The University of the Witwatersrand extends its warmest congratulations to distinguished South African jurist, human rights advocate and Wits honorary graduate Justice Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay, on being awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. This exceptional global honour recognises a lifetime devoted to advancing justice, human...

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture, Abdelaziz Konsowa, stressed on Sunday the importance of strengthening international co-operation in advanced technological disciplines, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), data science and digital transformation. He highlighted the need...

The University of Ghana has officially postponed the reopening of its 2026/2027 academic year, which was originally set for Monday, October 12, 2026. The decision follows weeks of mounting operational strain caused by the ongoing industrial action led by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA). The strike has...

The Commission for University Education (CUE) has released an updated list of 89 universities and other higher education institutions in Kenya, including institutions listed as approved in 2026. The CUE register, covering institutions approved in Kenya as of September 15, 2026, groups them into public and private chartered...

Public universities enrolled 28 per cent more government-sponsored students than planned in the year to June, piling pressure on already stretched infrastructure and academic staff. The latest Controller of Budget (CoB) report shows that the government financed 198,567 government-sponsored students in public universities in the...

Former Moroccan Justice Minister El Mostapha Ramid has condemned hazing practices at higher education institutions, describing them as illegal and degrading and calling on university officials to take action against those responsible. In a Facebook post on Friday, Ramid denounced what he described as "barbaric, humiliating, and...

Lecturers in three Lagos State-owned universities have suspended their industrial action and will resume academic activities immediately. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) announced the suspension on Friday. The affected institutions are Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) and...

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has commenced the establishment of Innovation Hubs in 45 beneficiary tertiary institutions across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones to strengthen research, promote technological innovation and accelerate the commercialisation of locally developed products. The initiative is part of efforts...

A Rwandan educator whose work supports more than 400 children has been selected as the first recipient of a service award established by La Roche University in Pennsylvania, in the United States in recognition of individuals making a lasting contribution to society. Yohani Kayinamura, currently a senior professor at Daytona State...

THE Korean Embassy has held talks with a delegation from the United African University of Tanzania (UAUT) and CTS International on opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Tanzania and Korea in tertiary education and vocational training. The delegation, led by UAUT Council Chairperson Dr Rwekaza Mukandala, included CTS...

Togo's National Education Minister Mama Omorou outlined four priorities for the 2026-2027 academic year at a workshop that opened on October 8 at the University of Lomé to review the previous academic year. The first priority is to better align academic programs with labor market needs and prepare students for employment and...

The government has approved the establishment of Iganga University as a public higher institution of learning, following a public spat among a cross-section of leaders from the Busoga sub-region over the name of the university. President Museveni directed the government to take over the collapsed private Busoga University, which...

Curtin University's vice-chancellor says a planned merger of three Western Australian universities "solves problems that we don't have and creates problems that we don't need". The WA government's decision to push ahead with a business case to merge Curtin University, Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia (UWA)...

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged public and private universities to equip graduates with the skills needed to work across sectors and meet the country's needs. He made the call after a delegation led by Daffodil International University Board of Trustees Chairman Dr Md Sabur Khan paid him a courtesy call at Bangabhaban...

Minister of Education and Human Resources Development Azmi Mahafzah met on Sunday with a high-level Iraqi delegation comprising presidents of Iraqi technical universities and officials from Iraq's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to expand bilateral academic, scientific, and vocational training cooperation...

The Sultanate of Oman, represented by Oman Authority for Quality Assurance of Education, participated in the Forum of the Arab Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education 2026, held in the Qatari capital, Doha. The Sultanate of Oman's delegation was headed by Dr. Jokha Abdullah Al Shukaili, CEO of Oman Authority for Quality...

Universities across Pakistan have agreed to make their campuses free from smoking, vaping and other recreational nicotine products. Vice chancellors and rectors have signed a joint charter to create healthier learning environments and discourage students from using these products. The Charter for Tobacco and Nicotine-Free Campuses...

Budget execution issues at the Philippines' higher education agency in 2025 delayed scholarship aid and other education programs despite substantial appropriations. The Commission on Audit says the Commission on Higher Education also ended the year with large unpaid obligations, while weaknesses in several subsidy and scholarship...

PhD students at a Scottish university claim they have been forced to take out hardship loans after their pay was missed. A group of researchers from Heriot-Watt university were not paid last week with the institution giving no reason for the significant oversight. The issue is being "reviewed" a spokesman said, in order to ensure...

Scottish universities have been warned of the risk of espionage after MI5 said a Chinese research institute was tied to the country's intelligence service. The UK's security service issued an alert about the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI) at the end of September, urging UK academics to review any links they...

South Korea's Education Ministry has selected 33 private universities and colleges for a five-year initiative worth 600 billion won ($450 million) to strengthen their competitiveness in specialized fields, including semiconductors, physical AI and aviation. The ministry announced Monday that 16 four-year universities and 17 junior...

It has been confirmed that over 1,100 cases of personal information belonging to Seoul National University members, including faculty and students, were leaked through 28 hacking attacks over the past six years. According to data submitted by Seoul National University on the 11th to the office of Rep. Baek Seung-ah of the...

Sri Lanka's state universities are struggling to recruit and retain senior academics as lecturers leave for overseas employment, creating staffing shortages that threaten their ability to accommodate a growing student population. The crisis has prompted university academics to demand more recruitment, while students have taken to...

Conceding to a revised offer for European students to have cheaper university tuition fees would hit cash-strapped UK universities with a £280m bill, new modelling suggests. The offer from the EU, a compromise designed to unlock the UK's Brexit reset deal, would see fees cut by less than was first demanded, but universities have...

The International Conference on Education Cooperation in the Digital Era, recently held by the Ministry of Education and Training, attracted 900 delegates from various countries and territories. Taking place alongside the conference was an Education and Educational Technology Exhibition, bringing together technology businesses...