Seminar One
The Political Economy of
South African Higher Education
Nelson Mandela University's Council Seminar Series kicked off with an insightful discussion on "The Political Economy of South African Higher Education." The Mandela University Council launched this series to address the complex and evolving challenges within the higher education landscape. It is intended to provide an open platform to engage in critical debates, examine contradictions, and address pressing issues facing universities and the broader post-school sector in South Africa.
The seminar series aims to create a forum for discussion of the political, economic, social, cultural, and technological forces influencing higher education. These discussions are indispensable for comprehending the greater factors that affect the governance and operation of higher education institutions.
The first seminar focused on how the sector's political economy affects university governance, autonomy, legitimacy, accountability, and education's role in society. The panel included Prof Lis Lange, Special Advisor to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching at Stellenbosch University; Mr. Luvuyo Mosana, the Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Cape Socio-Economic Consultative Council (ECSECC); Prof Ahmed Bawa, a theoretical physicist and professor at the University of Johannesburg Business School; Dr Nolitha Vukuza, an expert in Educational Policy Studies; Mr. Joe Samuels, the Director of SamuelsSquared (Pty) Ltd, and educational consultant; and Prof Nomalanga Mkhize, a historian and Director of the School of Governmental and Social Sciences at Nelson Mandela University.
For those who could not attend the live session or wish to revisit the discussions, the recording of the first seminar is now available on Mandela University's YouTube channel. You can watch the full recording of "The Political Economy of South African Higher Education" here:
Stay tuned for more seminars in this series as the University Council continues to foster these essential dialogues on the future of higher education.
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