South Africa has a new chairwoman at the helm of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). My esteemed colleague, Dr. Karen Stander, a senior lecturer in the Department of Business Management at Unisa’s College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS), has stepped into a role riddled with complexities. Yet, her appointment, while worth celebrating—also signals something more troubling: the ever-persistent reality of the glass cliff. Dr. Stander’s appointment by the Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, as…

The University of South Africa (UNISA) has described Dr Karen Stander’s appointment as chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) board as an indication that its staff and graduates are among the sought after industry leaders in the country and beyond. Dr Stander, a senior lecturer in UNISA’s College of Economic and Management Sciences, was appointed by Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane to lead the embattled NSFAS for a four-year term starting 1 February 2025.  She…

In recent years, universities have come under scrutiny for adopting an authoritarian leadership style and culture characterised by hierarchy, command-and-control decision-making, and rigid adherence to authority. This leadership, inspired by authoritarian efficiency, poses significant challenges when applied to academic institutions. Universities, as hubs of knowledge and creativity, require leadership styles that align with their unique missions of fostering critical thinking, innovation, and inclusivity. An authoritarian leadership style thrives on hierarchy, discipline, and a clear chain of command. While such structures…

The matric results came out this week: Free State came out tops, and Limpopo was at the bottom. At least that is what we are supposed to read from the percentages in order to be joyous or sad. The debate as usual will continue to focus on trivial things like the reasons why Limpopo is has the lowest pass mark or which kid got most distinctions. This is indicative of how far we continue to miss the point. South Africa…

In a quiet training hall in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, 8-year-old Amina Mwikali, a student at Githunguri Primary School, executes a perfect horse stance, her determination far outweighing her young age. A rising star in Kenya’s martial arts scene, Mwikali has earned recognition as one of the youngest practitioners to train for senior honours in kungfu.  Her journey, which began as a way to build self-esteem and self-protection, has now turned into a beacon of inspiration for her peers…

The University of South Africa (Unisa) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Fern Universität of Hagen in Germany. The MoU, signed on Monday, 23 September 2024, seeks to strengthen collaboration between the two universities in areas of research, student exchanges, and the joint development of academic programmes, UNISA said in a statement on Monday, September 21. The Fern University of Hagen is Germany’s only state-owned open distance-learning university and its largest by numbers. Under the partnership, the…

The University of South Africa (Unisa) is holding a two-day strategic Lekgotla aimed at reflecting on the institution’s progress towards its strategic goals and charting a path forward for the current academic year and beyond. This year’s Lekgotla, held in Benoni on the East Rand, will prioritize enrollment management, a key area for Unisa, said the university in a statement released on Monday, July 29. “The Lekgotla is an annual event that allows Unisa leadership to address critical strategic issues…

In a significant stride towards fostering international collaboration in education, China has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Rwanda’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector. The partnership, marked by the signing of two letters of intent between Rwanda Polytechnic and prominent Chinese institutions, underscores the mutual dedication to enhancing skills development and fostering economic growth.  The agreements were reached during a visit by a high-level delegation from the Chinese TVET sector to Rwanda in October, where they engaged in…

Nathan Bagarukayo, an aeronautical engineering graduate from Beijing’s Beihang University, is grateful for the chance he had to study in China and credits his professional success to the quality of education he received in China.   “I learned so much during my time in China, and the skills and knowledge I acquired have been invaluable in my professional life. I’m proud to be a graduate of a Chinese university,” he told ChinAfrica from his home in Rwanda.   But Bagarukayo is not…