July 19, 2023

Publish and flourish

Publishing in accredited academic journals is a great way to share your research with the wider academic community, validate the quality of your work, and connect with other scholars in your field. Even if you don't receive funding or subsidy for publishing in journals, there are still many other benefits to consider, including the opportunity to build your academic profile. This is according to Dr Brenda van Wyk, Editor in Chief of the Independent Journal of Teaching and Learning (IJTL), an accredited academic journal published by The IIE, one of SAPHE’s member institutions. The IJTL was established 15 years ago, and has been listed on the DHET accredit journal list since 2014.


Sharing more about the IJTL, Dr Van Wyk says the IJTL is an education-focused journal that aims to make a difference for educators at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. “The journal seeks to be a valuable resource for education practitioners and researchers, providing useful, research-based materials and a scholarly forum for academics and education practitioners to share research on educational practices and teaching and learning across various levels.”


Dr Willy Engelbrecht, the IJTL Associate Editor, elaborates on the following contributions that are considered for publication in the journal:


  • Research-based empirical, reflective or synoptic articles that would be of interest to education practitioners.
  • Review articles that critically examine research carried out in a specific field.
  • Discussion or advocacy papers suitable for publication.
  • Articles for publication in the section entitled Practitioners’ corner.
  • Book reviews that comprise a clear and concise evaluation of recently published books.

While the journal focuses primarily on education as a discipline, it also welcomes articles that explore the application of educational practices in other disciplines.

SAPHE members can direct their inquiries to the following email address: editor@iie.ac.za.

We encourage SAPHE members to take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to the field of education and share their research with the wider academic community.

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