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Mail & Guardian

South African Universities

latest 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
US President Donald Trump said this week that the tariff is meant to address the trade imbalance between South Africa and the US. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP/picture alliance)
CLINICAL TRIALS

Trump ends SA’s HIV and TB research grants

Cancellation letters, which end millions of rands of South African universities’ US-government funded HIV and TB research grants with immediate effect, started to roll in over…

  • Mia Malan
9 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