Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
south african universitieslatest news & developments
Restoring integrity and protecting universities from political and commercial predation are priorities for Universities South Africa (USAf), the membership body representing all 26 public universities in South Africa.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Universities South Africa sounds alarm on rising campus governance risks

Several universities are facing deepening governance crises marked by institutional capture, leadership instability and weakened accountability systems, say higher education…

  • Edwin Naidu
8 min read
ACADEMIC TRANSFORMATION

Making Knowledge African: Suren Pillay and the struggle to decolonise the university

A timely call to rethink how African history and knowledge can reclaim space in global narratives

  • Ahmet Sait Akcay
4 min read
Images & caps Public universities and colleges need to become more efficient and producee graduates that are more employable.
HIGHER EDUCATION

Public higher education institutions must shape up to serve national interests

A transformative approach is needed to improve management processes and teaching outcomes, making institutions more efficient and graduates more employable

  • Riedwaan Kimmie
6 min read
Academics say claims by politicians and on social media are fueling xenophobia and could compromise their safety. Photo: Julian Stratenschulte/picture alliance /Getty Images
ACADEMIC BOYCOTTS

South African research funds ‘at risk’ over Gaza stance

A number of local universities may face cuts to their funding after cutting ties with Israeli institutions

  • Edwin Naidu
3 min read
Back to basics: Ndevana High School in rural Eastern Cape, like many schools, particularly in rural South Africa, has inadequate facilities. Photo by: Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images
FEESMUSTFALL

Department of Education

Bold strides have been made in unravelling apartheid’s systems of education but there is still a lot to be done to achieve equality

  • Lyse Comins
7 min read
A clanger: A crane removed the defaced statue of Cecil John Rhodes from its position at the University of Cape Town in 2015. Photo: Rodger Bosch/Getty Images
CECIL JOHN RHODES

South African universities fall short of ‘deep transformation’

There should be reconsideration of the existing reporting requirements of universities, including in relation to the overall format, content, presentation, and quality of reporting

  • Thierry M. Luescher, Bongiwe Mncwango, André Keet and Crain Soudien
10 min read
The universities in the South must stop pandering to complacency. They must restore their commitment to academic excellence and welcome the best minds and those who carry with them the potential to be the best regardless of origin. (Graphic: John McCann/M&G)
COLONIALISM

Tackling systemic racism in South Africa’s higher education system

The leadership needs to be courageous and committed to the transformation of higher education

  • Awethu Fatyela
7 min read
(John McCann/M&G)
BLADE NZIMANDE

Virus exposes inequalities at universities

Students at the former homeland universities battle with conditions created by poverty

  • Nontobeko Zulu
5 min read
CORONAVIRUS

There are alternatives to pushing emergency remote learning at universities

Forcing students to study online perpetuates inequalities and stress that not even academics are prepared for

  • Black Caucus at UCT
5 min read
Gauteng schools feel the pressure to place more than 700 000 primary and secondary school pupils.
CORONAVIRUS

Universities have a role to play in a pandemic and should adjust accordingly

An executive centre that makes decisions quickly is advisable to ensure staff, students and research are well taken care of

  • Francis Petersen
5 min read
(John McCann/M&G)
CORONAVIRUS

Online learning in lockdown is far from ideal

Varsities are determined to complete the first semester even if it hinders some students

  • Lukhona Mnguni
6 min read
Most teachers attempt to grade objectively but many students feel it is unfair. Photo: File
BLADE NZIMANDE

UCT to loan (some) students laptops during Covid-19 lockdown

The university is also surveying its students to ascertain what kind of support they need to be able to participate in online learning

  • Bongekile Macupe
3 min read
Universities must be wary of giving up their strengths for the sake of ‘radical transformation’
BLADE NZIMANDE

Some varsities are out of touch with students’ reality

On Tuesday Nzimande announced the closure of all higher education institutions as of Wednesday until April 15

  • Bongekile Macupe
4 min read
Through research and partnering with communities, universities can tackle the Southern African region’s problems, such as poverty, climate change and unemployment
BOTSWANA

Higher-education institutions around Africa close as the world combats Covid-19

Several countries, including Kenya and Senegal, have ordered their tertiary education institutions to shut down in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus

  • Bongekile Macupe
4 min read
Higher education, science and innovation minister Blade Nzimande. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
ANGIE MOTSHEKGA

Government’s plan for universities and schools – the story so far

Ministers outline initiatives and the plans for all education institutions

  • Bongekile Macupe
5 min read
(John McCann/M&G)
EASTERN CAPE

We must fight for Fort Hare’s unique project

Political calls for the vice-chancellor to resign misunderstand the mandate of a university

  • Pedro Mzileni
5 min read
Universities have taken steps such as deactivating their biometric systems to combat the spread of coronavirus.
CORONAVIRUS

How universities can use the coronavirus outbreak to promote regionalisation

International student and staff exchanges are key components of higher education. But the Covid-19 pandemic offers the chance to look closer to home

  • Ylva Rodny-Gumede
4 min read
Last week a student protest at the University of Zululand led to a police van being petrol bombed.
BLADE NZIMANDE

Students, your violence destroyed a man’s livelihood

While life goes on for the students at UniZulu, may they spare a thought for Ndumiso Ntsele whose only sin was to try to make an honest living in tough economic times

  • Bongekile Macupe
4 min read
Universities have taken steps such as deactivating their biometric systems to combat the spread of coronavirus.
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

How South African universities are preparing for coronavirus

UP has temporarily disabled its biometric access systems, and several other institutions have established task teams ready to leap into action when Covid-19 hits their campuses

  • Bongekile Macupe
2 min read
The University of Fort Hare, pictured, and Mangosuthu University of Technology are among those grappling with governance strain.
BLADE NZIMANDE

Save Fort Hare and stop with the theatrics

The university with its rich history is not only the pride of the Eastern Cape but of the continent. It needs to regain its glorious status in academia and not only be in the…

  • Bongekile Macupe
4 min read