Unisa to host prestigious Times Higher Education

The world-renowned Times Higher Education (THE) - an organisation whose core mandate is to rank universities according to how they perform on a global scale, and to provide resources for readers to understand the different missions and successes of higher education institutions - will be hosted by Unisa on 21 September 2023. 

THE is the only global institution that assesses universities against the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) using rigorous metrics under their flashing Impact Rankings; therefore, it is imperative for the university, in its quest to reclaim Africa's intellectual future, to remain the cornerstone flagship of Open Distance and e-Learning internationally and also, a centre of global excellence as part of its core mandate.

SDG 4: Quality Education

Siza Magubane, Deputy Director of Strategic Partnerships Special Projects and Alumni

Siza Magubane, Deputy Director of Strategic Partnerships Special Projects and Alumni, said the event with THE's impact forum would focus on developing and enhancing quality education (SDG 4) and how it can be supported by technology, business and other partners. "Access to education remains a problem in Africa, and recognising that Africa will gradually lead other continents in youth population, it is important to root-out issues caused by colonialism and instil inclusive quality education that promotes lifelong learning for all," she states.

Magubane notes that SDGs work in tandem and that SDG 2 (poverty) remains an antecedent that can be eradicated by SDG4 – "a gateway out of poverty", adding that if quality education is delivered relatively, it can alleviate the burden of other SDGs, which is, she states, economic growth, eradication of inequality, access to clean water, and to combat climate change, among others.

With Herman Visser from the Department of Institutional Development, Magubane says they see the event as a strategic partnership that will advance Unisa's international profile, position and reputation.

"We are hoping that by hosting this event, Unisa will gain significant mileage, among them is to showcase what the university is all about – an opportunity for THE to know Unisa is a unique Open Distance and e-Learning institution so that they can guide us on reputational matters, internationalisation strategies and to reposition the institution towards claiming Africa's intellectual futures," she remarks.

Among other facets of the programme, Magubane says the event, which Unisa's portfolios headed by Vice-Principals will spearhead, will focus on quality education in Africa, the role of student support to enhance teaching and learning, engaged scholarship and the role of technology, Artificial Intelligence and business. 

* By Godfrey Madibane, Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement