CEO Engagement: The Future of Higher Education in SA

Tertiary education is important for growing South Africa’s economic capability, but the ongoing unrest and protests at our universities are posing serious challenges for the sector. The reality is that fees have increased from 24% to 31% from 2000 to 2012, but state contributions to universities have declined from 49% to 40% in the same period. Universities are also under increasing pressure due to declining private income from research, and the cost impact of the exchange rate on equipment, software and library resources.

So while universities are under pressure, students are struggling to fund their education. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme approved funding of 309,788 students in 2017, and a pilot called Ikusasa to support the ‘missing middle’ has also been launched. Join us as we hear from Sizwe Nxasana, Chairman of NSFAS and lead on the Ikusasa pilot on the impact of different models on student funding. We will also hear from Prof Wim de Villiers (Vice-Chancellor, Stellenbosch University), Prof Tyrone Pretorius (Vice-Chancellor, University of the Western Cape), Prof Loretta Feris (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Cape Town) and Dr Chris Nhlapo (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Cape Peninsula University of Technology) regarding their institutions’ respective challenges as well as their suggestions as to what role big business can play.

Please note, this event is by invitation only.