The 30th SAAIR Conference will be hosted by
Stellenbosch University
24 - 26 October 2023
Theme:
Future-forward Higher Education : The next 30 years
pre-conference workshop on 23 October 2023
post-conference workshop on 27 October 2023
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Organised by the 2023 SAAIR Executive committee
From left to right: Ms Elizabeth Booi (University of the Western Cape), Ms Takalani Muloiwa-Klenam (University of Johannesburg), Dr Mxolisi Masango (University of Pretoria), Mr Benjamin Ntshabele (Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University), Ms Liile Lerato Lekena, President (Mangosuthu University of Technology), Mr Ashton Maherry (Saide), Ms Renè Robbertze (University of Stellenbosch), Ms Carin Strydom (SAAIR Office), Ms Lisa Cloete (University of Cape Town)
Conference chairs: René Robbertze and Prof Ian Cloete (Stellenbosch University)
Conference management committee: Prof Ian Cloete, René Robbertze and Albè van Niekerk (Stellenbosch University)
Keynote speakers
Prof. Karen Webber from University of Georgia and currently president of AIR (2022-2023).
Karen has published research on a number of issues related to institutional effectiveness in higher education including faculty roles and work productivity, graduate education, gender equity in higher education, undergraduate research, and capacity building in institutional research.
Her primary research interests remain centered on the assessment of academic, cognitive, and psychosocial growth of college students, with additional interests in gender studies, and higher education data management. - Source
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| Prof. Ian Cloete Past Senior Director: Division for Information
Governance & Extraordinary Professsor: Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch
University
Ian published extensively in the areas of machine learning and neural networks, with applications to data and analytics. He led the development of novel analytic models for effectiveness and efficiency, which also include a score card for Stellenbosch University's Strategic Framework 2019—2024. He has led the design of frameworks for the implementation of legislation (e.g. POPIA), policies and regulations relating to privacy, information management, information security, data classification, and more. He is a Senior Life Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
He also led the accreditation, quality assurance and educational reforms of the Bologna process in Europe as president of a private university in Germany, where he served as Professor of Computational Intelligence. There he designed novel curricula and teaching methodologies, which he presented regularly as invited keynote speaker at the Future of Europe Summit series of conferences hosted by the government of Andorra.
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| Dr. Iman Megahed is the AVP for Digital Transformation, Chief Strategy and Knowledge Officer at the American University in Cairo (AUC). In her capacity as Chief Strategy and Knowledge Officer, she is responsible for institutional effectiveness functions: strategic planning, assessment, accreditation, institutional surveys, institutional research and business process improvement. She founded the business intelligence and data governance functions to support informed based decision making.
In her capacity as AVP for Digital Transformation, she is responsible for laying the University digital transformation strategy, its execution and tracking. This includes Information Security; University Infrastructure; University Technology Solutions and Systems; Academic Computing Support Services and Operational Excellence functions.
Previously she held a number of positions including Executive Director of Data Analytics and Institutional Research (DAIR), and Director of Online Student Services. She founded the office of Online Student Services which applied web services and portal technology to enhance student services. She also founded the Business Intelligence team as the main driver for data and advanced analytics in support of decision making.
Iman also teaches in the School of Business at AUC on a part-time basis with a specialization in courses on Business Fundamentals, Ethics, Human Resource Management and Management Information Systems. With a successful track record in administrative positions in Higher Education since 1992, Iman has accumulated extensive technical expertise, unique project management skills coupled with solid results-oriented leadership style and profound understanding of institutional effectiveness and informed based decision making. Iman earned her PhD in Organizational Behavior from Cairo University and her MBA and BS in Computer Science with honors from The American University in Cairo.
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| Dr Nicolene Murdoch completed her Masters in Adult Education at University of Johannesburg, She progressed from a graduate assistant to lecturer and executive, and obtained her doctorate in Higher Education Management from the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom. She was subsequently recruited to Monash South Africa (MSA), where she worked for almost 12 years. She served MSA in various roles, the last two years as Chief Operating Officer (COO). After moving to Australia in 2016, she was promoted to the role of Program Director of a global Laureate project, responsible for the new Student Information System (SIS) implementation, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and to rethink the digital experience of Laureate students across the network. The systems roll-out was aligned with an extensive process alignment exercise called E2G – Enrolment to Graduation – focusing on the student lifecycle and ensuring a seamless user experience, a quality learning experience and connecting with students on various mobile platforms. She was then promoted to Vice President (Student Administration). She commenced as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the pathway college of Western Sydney University in July 2018. After four years at The College, she has now taken up the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor, Educational Partnerships and Quality (EPQ) at Western Sydney University within the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President Academic. As PVC, she provides high-level advice and counsel to the University's Senior Executive and contributes to Western Sydney University's success by enhancing the suite of quality educational programs and lead the implementation of a new whole-of-university approach to program quality. The portfolio also provides strategic support to the academic schools and the essential governance oversight required over the expanding suite of local and international third-party providers, educational and placement partners. She is responsible for an exciting and sector-leading “Students as Partners" program, where students participate in co-design of curriculum with industry, and she is overseeing the implementation of the innovative Sustainability and Resilience Decadal Strategy (SRDS) of Western Sydney University, which was launched in 2021. |
SAAIR Statement of purpose
- The major purpose of the Association is to contribute significantly to the understanding, planning and effectiveness of higher education institutions and systems in the Southern African region.
- The Association serves its members by providing capacity development and networking opportunities.
- In keeping with the dynamic nature of institutions of higher education, the Association exposes its members to diverse thinking and applications of research principles and methodologies beyond the lens of Higher Education practice.
- It also looks for opportunities to connect its members and to share their research via various platforms, some of which may be offered by the Association itself.
For more information visit SAAIR Webpage at https://www.saair-web.co.za/
Accommodation and other recommendations
Accommodation
Lord Charles Hotel have a special B&B rate of R2400 per room per night (Single or sharing) for our conference delegates. (Excluding 1% Tourism levy) Please use the conference name (30thSAAIR) when making the booking at reservations@lordcharleshotel.com | Airport transfers
Calvyn Tours - +27 84 290 0460 (Whatsapp) or /calvynstours@yahoo.com (Email)
Helderberg Tours - +27 82 877 7587 (Whatsapp) or / jurie@helderbergtours.co.za (Email)
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Alternative accommodation options
(Booked an own risk)
For any enquiries please contact Albe van Niekerk at albe@sun.ac.za
