June 23, 2023

Nurturing quality: A fresh perspective on quality assurance

The South African Private Higher Education (SAPHE) association, in collaboration with the Association for Private Providers of Education, Training and Development (APPETD), recently co-hosted the second workshop on behalf of the Council of Higher Education (CHE) to discuss the implementation of the new Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) in Cape Town on 11 May 2023.


"It was an engaging and valuable workshop from which we all have greatly benefited," says Dr Jannie Zaaiman, Chairperson of SAPHE. "The event not only provided valuable guidance on the QAF but also fostered engagement and collaboration among Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs)."


Feedback from SAPHE members who participated in the workshop reinforced the value it brought in clarifying the new QAF. This framework signifies a fresh approach to quality assurance, with institutions embracing increased responsibility and accountability for the quality of their educational offerings.


Dr Rob Stegman of Boston City Campus highlighted a key takeaway from the workshop: the importance of thoughtful and reflexive practices in accounting for and describing internal quality assurance systems. "The workshop also framed the importance of the higher education practice standards as a reflexive guide for thinking about quality in higher education. I believe the QAF represents a significant moment in South Africa's story of higher education. Its use of a generative and reflexive methodology—a unique feature compared to international examples—will transform how we think about quality and move us beyond compliance towards a thoughtful, inquiring, and contextually relevant application in South Africa."


Dr Peter Ayuk, Executive Dean: TSHIBA, said the workshop helped ensure a shared understanding of the principles, implications, and expectations of the QAF. He believed that implementing the QAF would streamline quality assurance processes, leading to faster turnaround times. Ayuk also highlighted the positive impact the QAF could have on the quality of higher education, encouraging greater initiative, responsibility, and engagement at the institutional level. "It signifies a shift toward greater self-regulation and the cultivation of a mature quality assurance ecosystem," he said.


Ayuk emphasised the importance of greater collaboration among peers and the promotion and sharing of QA scholarship. He found it encouraging to hear sentiments around more collaboration and less competition - "a willingness to work together for the common good."

According to Dr Dave Naidoo, Registrar at Eduvos, PHEIs play a pivotal role in higher education that should not be underestimated. "The role of PHEIs has become significantly more important over the years, considering the huge demand for higher education versus the limited capacity of public institutions. The close engagement between academic staff, administrators, management, and students at private institutions fosters a sense of service, support, and success."


 Naidoo highlighted that private institutions consistently benchmark the quality of their offerings against renowned academic institutions and industry partners to ensure competitiveness, relevance, and the highest standards. He emphasised the importance of benchmarking and review as vital aspects of quality assurance. "In this regard, I see a cross-pollination of best practices across private and public institutions. PHEIs can offer valuable insights into the quality standards within the framework."


Naidoo proposed a themed approach that unpacks elements of the standards for discussion and input by each PHEI, ensuring continued consultation and collaboration with stakeholders in the development and implementation of the QAF.



Workshop participants unanimously agreed on the need for similar engagements and the importance of responding to the CHE with a unified voice representing private higher education.


Considering the significant work being done by the CHE and the Communities of Practice (CoPs) in South Africa, which involve colleagues from both public and private higher education institutions, SAPHE calls on all member institutions to actively participate in this process. You can either directly engage with Dr Zawada and her team (Baloyi.M@che.ac.za) at the CHE or forward suggestions to SAPHE (management@saphe.ac.za), who will liaise with her team.

New SAPHE CoP Focuses on Quality Assurance

April 25, 2025
The launch meeting of SAPHE’s Community of Practice (CoP) for Quality Assurance on 15 April was an explosion of ideas and energy. The value of a dedicated platform for members to engage on quality assurance (QA) matters was immediately evident, as participants enthusiastically identified key topics for discussion, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of best practices. The vital thread of QA Quality Assurance is a cornerstone of higher education, underpinning the integrity and effectiveness of academic offerings and institutional operations. From marketing and student recruitment to graduation, the QA thread is tightly woven through every stage of the student journey. Engaging questions, meaningful conversations “How do we measure quality, and how do we evidence quality?” These thought-provoking questions, posed by the session facilitator Dr Franzel du Plooy-Cilliers—SAPHE Vice-Chair and responsible for liaison with regulatory bodies—sparked dynamic and insightful discussions. Attendees shared their experiences and explored ways to support one another in preparing for institutional audits, benchmarking across institutions, and embedding quality throughout institutional processes. Looking ahead  The conversation has laid the foundation for what promises to be a series of meaningful engagements as the CoP continues to grow and evolve.

Community engagement in higher education: From conversation to action

April 15, 2025
Often seen as the “stepchild” of higher education, community engagement (CE) took centre stage during SAPHE’s Faranani session held on 10 April.

Excellence in action: SAPHE Faranani session inspires!

March 25, 2025
Faranani means "working together," and that’s exactly what SAPHE’s Faranani session on 20 March was all about! The session started with a brief discussion on the 2025 SAPHE Excellence Awards categories and evaluation criteria. This was followed by an inspiring presentation from TSIBA, the 2024 winner of the Excellence Award for Community Engagement. TSIBA didn’t just showcase what a winning entry looks like—they demonstrated what education with real social impact truly means.  TSIBA’s John Durr and Earl-Djehuti Erasmus took attendees through their Social Entrepreneurship and Leadership Development experiential learning programmes. Designed to drive social, economic, and educational impact, these programmes highlight the transformative power of education. By providing meaningful, applied learning experiences, these programmes empower students while making a tangible difference in the communities they come from or will serve in the future. The results? Well-rounded graduates, thriving start-ups, and a ripple effect of positive change. Kudos to TSIBA! The Faranani session illustrated the power of collaboration, offering SAPHE members valuable insights from TSIBA’s award-winning approach. Together, we continue to shape a sector that makes a real difference through education!
More Posts