Due to the success of the previous HEM programme, HESA through it's HELM programme again offers the accredited Higher Education Management Certificate Course. For more info and application form, click here

The 23 universities in the public South African higher education system have committed themselves to facilitating increased access to higher education and to ensure that it remains affordable for most individuals and families. This commitment was shared with the Ministry of Higher Education and Training at a meeting on 7 January 2010. Download Press Release

Higher Education South Africa (HESA) would like to congratulate the 334 718 learners from the NSC Class of 2009 for their achievement in attaining the NSC. HESA’s bow also goes to the 417 schools in South Africa which have attained a 100 per cent pass rate and to those schools and learners who have obtained distinctions in the various subject areas. Such achievement could only have been possible through the capability and effectiveness of school leadership, the calibre and conscientiousness of educators the focus and diligence of learners and the support of parents and surrounding communities. Download Press Release

In accordance with its mandate to strengthen research and innovation in higher education, Higher Education South Africa (HESA) hosted a Research and Innovation Conference. Under the theme, STRENGTHENING COLLABORATION BETWEEN HIGHER EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION, the Conference brought together senior government ministers, directors-general, a wide range of research and innovation scholars, higher education leadership, business leadership, advisory and research and innovation councils, to outline a vision and chart an agenda for research and innovation in South Africa. Download conference presentations.

Pathways to a Diverse and Effective South African Higher Education System is a HESA Strategic Framework. A result of a workshop of the HESA Board of Directors in June 2009, this publication outlines HESA’s vision of the HE sector for the next 10 years (2010 – 2020). HESA has identified the following priority areas for the next 5 years in line with government policy and has outlined a vision for 10 years straddling areas such as funding; autonomy, academic freedom and public accountability; quality; diversity and differentiation; transformation and institutional responsiveness and relevance.

Insight is a newsletter that is aimed at initiating debate on a variety of topical issues affecting higher education in South Africa. This inaugural issue of Insight (October 2009) contains six letters from Vice Chancellors. Among the issues covered are: the importance of policy certainty; the funding framework; infrastructure backlogs; access and participation; meeting the needs of underprepared students; increasing postgraduate enrolments and outputs in the face of an ageing academic population; the vexing challenge of attrition; managing the implementation of the HEQF; defferentiation; governance; the developmental role of rural-based universities; consolidation of the mergers; self regulation; institutional autonomy and academic freedom and internationalisation.

At its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on the 27^th of October 2009, the Board of Directors of HESA elected the new Executive Committee (Exco) for 2010/2011 as follows:

Chairperson : Prof. EM Tyobeka (Tshwane University of Technology)

Deputy Chairperson: Prof. I Moutlana (Vaal University of Technology)

Member of Exco: Dr M Price (University of Cape Town)

Member of Exco & Chair: Audit & Finance Committee : Prof I Rensburg (University of Johannesburg)

Member of Exco & Chair: HR & Remuneration Committee: Prof. M Mokgalong (University of Limpopo)

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and staff of HESA congratulate the new Exco on their election and look forward to a working relationship geared towards building a strong higher education sector.

A Policy Framework on HIV and AIDS for Higher Education Institutions in South Africa was adopted by the Minister of Education, Naledi Pandor, and the 23 public sector higher education institutions in South Africa in October 2008.[Download press release]

The year under review was in some ways a remarkable year for higher education in general and HESA in particular. It saw for example, a broadening of the points of contact between HESA and external agencies, be they government departments, visiting higher education delegations or business. (Message from the Chair) [Download Publication]