Unisa Hosts Multi-Country Symposium to Redefine and Reimagine Future Global Challenges
This symposium, themed Redefining and reimagining our futures, comprised eminent scholars, researchers, policy makers, practitioners and students, and Royal Bafokeng dignitaries. Delegates engaged, debated and conducted dialogue on ODeL and technology-driven education tools with a shared goal of improving education access and success to underserved communities.
Education access
Dr Matshidiso Molapo, Unisa’s Deputy Vice-Principal: Strategy, Risk and Advisory Services, delivered the welcome address, themed Locating regional models within the science diplomacy and the internationalisation strategy of Unisa. Matshidiso mentioned that this gathering is important to educators, who tirelessly work to ensure that education is accessible to underserved communities, and to deliberate on how technologies can enhance delivery outcomes for these communities.
“This symposium,” she said, “offers opportunities to critically reflect on the future of our three institutions, not just as academic bodies, but as agents of societal transformation. Over the next few years, we will explore how to strengthen regionalisation, deepen collaborations, and develop strategies to define higher education, in Africa.”
Molapo praised the RMS, noting that this year’s event is especially significant in that it aligns with South Africa’s 30th anniversary of democracy. She emphasised that over the past three decades, the government has made significant strides in ensuring equal access to education for all citizens, regardless of their background. However, she also acknowledged that there are still challenges to overcome in expanding educational opportunities, adding: “We must continue to work towards achieving true equality in education.”
“Through regional collaboration,” she continued, “Unisa can play a pivotal role in developing best practices for student welfare, mental health, and skills development. By aligning with the Africa Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the RMS can identify and capitalise on Unisa’s unique strengths and opportunities to make a substantial impact.”
In addition, she stated that Unisa’s regional hubs, which have been serving administrative goals, are gradually becoming vibrant academic centres that foster research, student support and community engagement.
Concluding her message, Molapo expressed her deep gratitude and respect for Kgosi Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi, the 36th King of the Royal Bafokeng Nation. She posited: “I would like to take this moment to recognise Kgosi Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi and Royal Bafokeng Holdings, for the work they have done in the North West Province, which aligns with the work and vision of Unisa as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Kgosi Molotlegi’s leadership has set an exceptional standard in addressing educational access to all in the region.”
Micro-credentials
Prof Romeela Mohee, Higher Education Commissioner, Mauritius, spoke on Policy shifts in higher education: the promise of micro-credentialing for Africa and lifelong learning. During her presentation, Mohee stressed the relevance of micro-credentials, stating that they help individuals to make their knowledge, skills and competencies visible, assist new graduates to transition into the labour market, assist in responding to the changing labour market, addresses the need for upskilling and reskilling of the workforce, and aid in sustaining lifelong learning policies and motivates lifelong learning behaviour.
“Changing curriculum to adapt to the world labour market needs will take some time,” explained Mohee. “However, in ensuring that our graduates remain relevant, I believe that micro-credentials is the way forward to in order to have the skills that graduates require to address the challenges of the ever-evolving labour market.”
Mohee acknowledged that some micro-credentials have not been fully acknowledged and recognised in tandem with accredited qualifications, but through the POMISA (Potential of Microdetails in Southern Africa) project, co-funded by the European Union, Unisa, as a partner in this project, together with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), Department of Higher Education, Higher Education Commission Mauritius (HEC), Council for Higher Education (CHE), National University of Lesotho, and Equitable Access to Quality Higher Education (NCHE), among others, aims to capacitate policy development for the promotion and recognition of micro-credentials in Southern African countries.
She added: “The POMISA projects aims to contribute to the advancement of higher education and workforce development in Southern Africa by unlocking the potential of micro-credentials. Through collaborative efforts and strategic initiatives, the project seeks to establish a robust framework for the recognition, quality assurance, and regulation of micro-credentials, to ultimately foster innovation, mobility and economic growth in the SADC region.”
Regional hubs as centres of excellence
Addressing attendees on the theme Regional hubs and centres as a catalyst for development, Matthews Kokong, Regional Director: Unisa Midlands Region, underscored the significance of regional hubs, stating that they play a critical role in actualising the goals and vision of the university, particularly the catalytic niche areas (CNAs). Kokong led a discussion panel which addressed the significance of regional hubs, and their being within reach of communities that they serve.
African network and fellowship opportunities
Dr Tonderayi Matambo, of Unisa’s Department of Environmental Sciences, discussed the subject Reclaiming African futures through sustainable practices: insights from the National Development Plan 2030, Africa Agenda 2063, and Sustainable Development Goals’ research and collaboration amongst African universities. Matambo paid special attention to African research outputs. He stated that Africa faces research capacity challenges, ranging from limited funding, reliance on external funding, lack of networking, and low publication rates compared to the rest of the globe. He singled out African publications being overshadowed by those from international collaborations, and weak laboratory infrastructures, among others.
In providing solutions, he stated that there must be collaboration among science funders in African to support collaboration among African nations for inter-Africa joint research, and encourage an exchange of knowledge. He also mentioned the need for significant investment in African laboratories, and that research issues should be led by Africans for the advancement of the African continent.
Learning from the past to redefine the future
Dr Thelma Louw, Director: Sustainability, Monitoring and Evaluation at Unisa, highlighted the importance of learning form the past to positively impact the future. “Among the objectives of the National Development Plan 2030 is creating new jobs,” she said. “At the moment the country is at a high level of unemployment.”
Louw added that the Africa Agenda 2063 strongly emphasises cohesion. “Agenda 2063 focuses on all aspects of education and includes peace education, which is very dear to me,” she said. “We need to teach and be taught how to embrace peace because it is through peace that there will be progress.”
Louw affirmed the significance of higher education rankings. She outlined that students should be put first and empowered to be creators of employment rather than being absorbers of employment. This, she stated, can be accomplished within the CNAs through changing them to technical levels rather that producing papers on them. “In so doing, we will be much more comprehensive and enable graduates at all levels of industry to contribute significantly to the economics of the country,” she emphasised.
Emphasis on vocational skills
Concluding her message, Louw mentioned that South Africa recently participated in the WorldSkills Conference. “At this conference,” she said, “there are artisans from across the globe who compete in their skills areas. Unfortunately, South Africa did not win an award, while China won the most prizes. While we collaborate with China on many aspects, we need to learn from them how they empower their citizens with basic, intermediate and advanced skills.” She suggested that South Africa could learn from China’s approach to vocational training to ensure a sustainable future for both South Africa and the African continent.
Throughout the three-day symposium led by Prof Luvuyo Lalendle: Executive Director: Quality Assurance and Enhancement, Unisa; Bonny Bashe, Director: Corporate Relations and Marketing, BOU, and Dr Godson Gatsha, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Services, BOU, among others, various notable speakers from Unisa, NAMCOL, BOU and other academic institutions discussed innovative educational practices, explored the future of open distance learning, examined the role of technology in expanding educational access, and explored the importance of leadership and micro-credentials as essential components of a more equitable and inclusive education system.