The two day Stakeholder Summit on Higher Education Transformation will present the first opportunity for a frank engagement in the sector on the complex issue of transformation.
The summit brings together management, the academic community, students, workers and government to interrogate amongst others, issues of student access and success; teaching, learning and curriculum transformation; the academic profession in South Africa; dealing with discrimination; funding and student fees and the place of universities in the post-school education and training system.
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, initiated this engagement as a result of the report of the Committee on Transformation, Social Cohesion and the Elimination of Discrimination in Public Higher Education Institutions, known as the "Soudien report".
The investigation was commissioned following the incident at the Reitz Hostel at the University of Free State when workers suffered humiliation and abuse by white students. The report, which has now been discussed widely in universities, examines and exposes discrimination which has continued to exist in institutions despite pieces of legislation, policy papers and the deep political changes in the country in general.
The summit will examine and discuss the responses of the university sector to the report and to their intended action for overcoming the problems of discrimination.
Minister Nzimande believes the summit will also be a catalyst for locating higher education's role in national development and to gain a common understanding of the meaning of transformation in higher education.
Date: 22 to 23 April 2010
Time: 09h00
Venue: Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville campus
Please note that journalists covering the event should register at the venue by 8h15 on Thursday, 22 April 2010.
RSVPs should be sent to:
Nadya Bhagwan
Tel: 011 403 6131
Cell: 084 7861 008
E-mail: nadya@cepd.org.za
Enquiries:
Ranjeni Munusamy
Tel: 012 312 5555 or 021 465 5513
Cell: 072 571 2812
E-mail: munusamy.r@dhet.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Higher Education and Training
19 April 2010
