Universities South Africa

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Universities South Africa
Formation22 July 2015
TypeAssociation of Universities
Location
Membership
26
Chief Executive Officer
Dr Phethiwe Matutu
Websitewww.usaf.ac.za

Universities South Africa ("USAf".), formerly known as Higher Education South Africa or HESA, is an umbrella body representative of the 26 public universities in South Africa. The USAF board is made up of 26 Vice-Chancellors drawn from member universities.[1] USAf endorses a comprehensive and equitable national higher education system responsive to South Africa's challenges. Through lobbying and advocacy, USAf promotes and facilitates an optimal environment conducive for universities to function effectually and maximally contribute to the social, cultural, and economic advancement of South Africa and its people. These captains of academia were firmly committed to digital transformation during the pandemic.[2] The commitment shown by USAf to “an optimal environment conducive for universities to function effectively” [3] extends into matters of transparency around remuneration and direct actions taken to address the scourge of corruption in their respective university chambers. When it comes to the topic of transformation in Higher Education, the 26 members have not had much success.[4] Their failures, however have not prevented USAf from proclaiming notions about a "digital revolution" at their scheduled annual conference. Theme: "The future of the university".[5]

Background[edit]

Universities South Africa (USAf) is a membership organisation of the (current) 26 public universities in South Africa. USAf, previously known as Higher Education South Africa (HESA), was formed on 9 May 2005 as the successor to the two statutory representative organisations for universities and technikons (now universities of technology), the South African Universities Vice-Chancellors Association (SAUVCA) and the Committee of Technikon Principals (CTP).

  • SAUVCA was an aspirational framework for the transformation and restructuring of South African higher education.[6] It was established as a statutory body for the 21 public universities in South Africa by the Universities Act (Act 61 of 1955). As a statutory body, it made recommendations to the Minister and Director-General of Education on matters referred to or any other issues deemed necessary for universities.
  • The CTP was a national higher education association established in 1967 regarding the Advanced Technical Education Act (No. 40 of 1967). It consisted of the rectors, principals and [Chancellor (education)|Vice-Chancellors] of technikons in South Africa.

The launch of USAf was partly driven by the restructuring of the higher education sector, which resulted in the establishment of new institutional types and the need for a robust and unified body of leadership. USAf represents all 26 public universities and universities of technology in South Africa and is a Section 21 company. HESA changed its name to Universities South Africa on 22 July 2015.

Programmes[edit]

The Higher Education Leadership and Management Programme (HELM) offers contextual and bespoke leadership and management programmes for emerging, middle and senior managers and leaders in universities that support their work performance, professional development and career advancement and contribute towards a context in which all can thrive. HELM plays a crucial role in developing effective leaders in higher education.

Transformation is a major issue that "bedevils the higher education sector[7]These effective leaders have been talking about "transformation" for three decades, with little success.[8]Student's "throughput, pass and dropout rates ...remain racialised and gendered".[9] Universities transformation efforts are "agonisingly slow".[10] Clearly, higher education has to consider alternative theorisations of teaching and learning. With a national unemployment rate of 32% in the first quarter of 2024.[11] There's an obvious mismatch between the labour market demands, what students are being taught, and the qualifications they receive.[12] In the absence of formal work opportunities, the imperative to drive student and graduate entrepreneurship is urgent and necessary.

Additional USAf Programme

  • Students need to meet the requirements for Matriculation Exemption to be accepted to universities. The Universities South Africa Matriculation Board (http://mb.usaf.ac.za) offers advice.
  • The University sector is underfunded.[13] USAf uses Higher Education Price Index (HEPI) when negotiating subsidy increases with the government.[14] HEPI measures the inflation rate for higher education by considering universities' typical spending patterns. HEPI plays a crucial role in ensuring the affordability and accessibility of higher education, an essential aspect of their commitment to fairness and equality.

Members[edit]


USAf and Corruption[edit]

On the 20th of October 2020, USAf board members acknowledged that there was a possibility that universities might be involved in corrupt activities and resolved to root out corruption.[15] With a previous chair admitting that the National System of Innovation was unable to act as a functioning system of research and innovation;[16] published research that "university leaders have deliberately weakened the university systems that detect corruption to enable fraudsters to access funds through corrupt means";[17] and a popular book entitled "Corruption" written by a previous University VC, who has studied, examined and unravelled the root causes of corruption in South African Higher Education.[18] USAf has placed a "Fraud Hotline (free call)" on their webpage,[19] marking their firm commitment to rooting out corruption.

USAf and NSFAS[edit]

Policy changes within the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have created risks and challenges for universities.[20] USAf has highlighted risks of bad debt.[21] 2023 marked a seminal point in state spending patterns. DHET allocated more money to NSFAS than universities for the first time.[22] The non-payment of NSFAS funds in 2024 have created new challenges for universities.[23] While South Africa is funding students' access to higher education through NSFAS, there hasn't been a visible improvement in stability within Higher Education and are still battling to function effectively [24]

USAf and University Rankings[edit]

The Council for Higher Education (CHE) has recently raised important questions about university rankings. They published a critical opinion,[25]on the rankings industry. The piece argues that rankings are both an example of neocolonialism and neoliberalism. It certainly seems that some members of USAf believe that this education is a market, instead of a collective endeavour . There are USAf member's press releases that mention their university rankings. Despite knowing that university rankings are biased and methodologically flawed,[26] have short-term publicity gains[27] and are acknowledged as an unscientific game,[28] this practice continues.

Enquiry into VC remuneration[edit]

MP's have been advocating for an investigation into salaries of vice-chancellors and senior managers at universities since 2019.[29] The Minister of Education wrote to the Council on Higher Education (CHE) requesting that they research the matter.[30] In the CHE-led probe[31] entitled an "Inquiry into the Remuneration of University Vice-Chancellors and Senior Executive Managers in South Africa", many serious issues about governance within some of the 26 member institutions were highlighted. According to the terms of reference, the CHE inquiry into remuneration was supposed to be completed by March 2021.[32] The final inquiry to parliament was delivered on the 21 Feb 2024, three years later than promised.[33] Ongoing salary increases in higher education have been compared to a runaway train.[34] Among many issues raised, poor institutional governance and management and lax financial practices were highlighted.[35] This salary disparity has been dragging on for almost a decade.[36] USAf has stated its support for the inquiry and intends to regain the public's trust in its financial management.[37] However, until substantive issues are addressed directly, history has shown that these self-serving patterns in universities will, in all probability, linger.[38] The DHET has also committed itself to establishing an ombuds system,[39] to resolve ongoing issues within tertiary education.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Governance". Universities South Africa. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  2. ^ Shoba, Sandisiwe (2020-10-31). "Varsities leap into the future". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  3. ^ https://usaf.ac.za/
  4. ^ https://helm.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2023_State_of_Transformation_in_Universities_TOC-DHET_FULL_REPORT.pdf
  5. ^ https://usaf.ac.za/the-3rd-usaf-higher-education-conference/
  6. ^ https://www.saide.org.za/resources/Library/SAUVCA%20-%20A%20Vision%20for%20South%20African%20Higher%20Education_Nov%2002%20-%20Final.pdf
  7. ^ https://helm.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2023_State_of_Transformation_in_Universities_TOC-DHET_FULL_REPORT.pdf
  8. ^ "Universities fall short of 'deep transformation'". 2023.
  9. ^ Anstey, Gillian (August 2023). "The changing profile of university students calls for a decolonial re-thinking of higher education, says Professor Emmanuel Mgqwashu".
  10. ^ https://hsrc.ac.za/news/economic-development/universities-fall-short-of-deep-transformation/
  11. ^ https://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0211/P02111stQuarter2024.pdf
  12. ^ "Articulation of Graduate Unemployment in SA Remains A Work in Progress in Higher Education Sector". 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  13. ^ "2. Making sense of funding in the SA higher education sector". www.sun.ac.za. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  14. ^ Scott, Zanelle. "Finance Executives' Forum (FEF)". Universities South Africa. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  15. ^ "The USAf Board takes a stand on corruption". Universities South Africa. 2020-10-29. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  16. ^ "Academics warn against 'cannibalisation' of science funding". University World News. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  17. ^ Ngcamu, Bethuel Sibongiseni; Mantzaris, Evangelos. "Anatomy and the detection of corruption in 'previously disadvantaged' South African universities". Journal of Contemporary Management. 20 (1): 323–349. doi:10.35683/jcman1001.197. ISSN 1815-7440.
  18. ^ "Corrupted by Jonathan D Jansen – The Wits Shop". Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  19. ^ "Contact Us". Universities South Africa. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  20. ^ "Key challenges created by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) place universities at risk of instability and being plunged deeper into debt". Universities South Africa. 2023-08-07. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  21. ^ Goodall, Keely. "Universities at risk of bad debts due to NSFAS failures – USAf CEO". EWN. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  22. ^ "State funding for universities' language initiatives could increase with compelling evidence of potentially bigger impact". Universities South Africa. 2023-08-30. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  23. ^ Fengu, Msindisi (2024-04-29). "University vice-chancellors reveal campus woes, NSFAS confirms non-payment concerns". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  24. ^ usaf.ac.za/notwithstanding-increased-state-investment-in-nsfas-there-is-little-improvement-in-universities-stability-and-outcomes-says-professor-adam-habib/
  25. ^ McKenna, Sioux (2024). "Critical Look at the University Ranking Industry".
  26. ^ "A theoretical framework for explaining the paradox of university rankings". Social Science Information (SSI).
  27. ^ Moustafa, Khaled. "University rankings: Time to reconsider". Bioimpacts.
  28. ^ McKenna, Sioux (3 May 2024). "Reputation over rankings: universities unfazed by hollow threats".
  29. ^ "MPs want inquiry into academics' pay". The Mail & Guardian. 2019-10-18. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  30. ^ https://pmg.org.za/files/200619Portfolio_Committee_briefing_19_June_2020.pptx
  31. ^ https://www.che.ac.za/file/7139/download?token=c3ZDoplz
  32. ^ https://pmg.org.za/files/200619Portfolio_Committee_briefing_19_June_2020.pptx
  33. ^ https://pmg.org.za/files/240221CHE__Report_on_Remuneration_of_University_VCs_and_Execs_in_South_Africa.pptx
  34. ^ "Vice-chancellors' salaries a 'runaway train' in South Africa". University World News. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  35. ^ "Proposals to cap exorbitant vice-chancellor salaries – CHE Report – Inside Education Foundation". Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  36. ^ "Vast varsity pay gap exposed". The Mail & Guardian. 2015-01-23. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  37. ^ "Efficiency, public trust and leadership on USAf's radar". University World News. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  38. ^ "Self-serving universities have lost the equity plot". The Mail & Guardian. 2015-03-13. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  39. ^ "State of governance in higher education institutions: focus on UCT, UNISA, Fort Hare, UKZN (with Minister present) | PMG". pmg.org.za. Retrieved 2024-05-24.

External links[edit]

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