2022 BEST PAPER AWARDEES AT THE 2023 AIR FORUM

The SAAIR has entered into an agreement with the USA based Association of Institutional Research (AIR) that the best paper from the conference would be part sponsored by the AIR to present their paper at the annual conference of the AIR fondly known as the AIR Forum. The AIR Forum is the largest global gathering of higher education professionals working in institutional research, planning, and related higher education fields and takes place every year.  Sonja Loots, Francois Strydom and Hanle Posthumus from the University of the Free State were awarded the Best Paper Award for 2022 for their paper titled "Disrupted relations: how to enhance engagement in blended learning."

The paper was presented at the 2023 AIR Forum which took place from the 30th of May until the 2nd of June in Cleveland, Ohio.  Hanle Posthumus reflected on the experience and described it as "a valuable opportunity to learn and be inspired."  Read more about the key themes of the conference in Hanle's reflection here. 

 

WRAPPING UP 2023 EVENTS

2023 HEMIS Institute 

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) was our wonderful host for the 2023 HEMIS Institute which took place in Mbombela, Mpumalanga from 14 to 16 August 2023.  The programme included presentations on staff and student reporting, VALPAC, subsidy, recovering from a penalty and the quality assurance framework.  

The HEMIS Institute was well attended by delegates from across multiple universities.  Below is a reflection video from the following delegates: Jan-Hendrik Viljoen (NWU), Ongama Malindi (Wits), Mxolisi Masango (UP), Judi Mawoyo (CUT), Theresa Webb (NMU), Sean Sivertsen (UCT), Mosimuwa Makuwa (UP), Wally Langa (TUT) and Phakamisa Witti (TUT). 

2023 IR Institute 

We were delighted that Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) hosted the 2023 Institutional Research Institute online from 20 August to 1 September.  The theme of the institute was "the role of Institutional Research (IR) in facilitating informed and evidence-based decision-making at Higher Learning Institutions and national bodies in South Africa".

Mandisa Poswa from the University of Zululand reflected on some of the interesting presentations in the video below. 

2023 Quality Forum

SAAIR’s annual Quality Forum, held 27-29 September, took place this year in Bloemfontein.  Delegates were welcomed to the Bloemfontein Campus by our fantastic hosts, the University of the Free State (UFS).  Those who attended were fully engaged in the theme Engaging with the national Quality Assurance Framework (QAF):  preparing and planning for a new phase in quality assurance.  Thought-provoking presentations from the Council on Higher Education and various institutions (both public and private) laid the foundation for robust discussion.  Colleagues also enjoyed the opportunity connecting with old colleagues and meeting new ones; exchanging thoughts, experiences and sharing ideas.  As much as delegates worked hard during the Forum, everyone was rewarded with some down-time at the social event where we had the privilege of viewing a full moon from the telescope on the rooftop of the Faculty of Science building on the university’s campus.  All this while sipping sundowners, taking in the Bloemfontein sunset and being entertained by the much-talented Odeion School of Music in the background.  It was truly a remarkable evening, and we thank UFS for their generosity in planning and organising this treat!  Please contact us if your institution is hosting the Quality Forum next year, as planning is already under way. 

Learning Analytics SIG Webinar

The Learning Analytics (LA) special interest group (SIG) held three successful webinars that were facilitated by Jeral Toi (Stellenbosch University) and Monique Heystek (University of Western Cape).

The SIG would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation to the two facilitators and all the colleagues who joined the webinars  If you missed any of the webinars, you can watch the recordings hyperlinked below. 

Information has value - Jerall Toi
A practical introduction to privacy and security for IR - Jerall Toi 
Staying clear of copyright pitfalls- Monique Heystek

MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT 

SAAIR members at the Achieving the Dream Data and Analytics Summit!

Achieving the Dream (ATD) held its annual Data and Analytics Summit from 18-22 September 2023 at College Park, Maryland. Topics covered at the summit included; Equity-Focused Survey Design, Equity-Minded Data Visualization, Equity-Minded Data Visualization, Strategies for Growing Data Capacity in Resource-Constrained Colleges among other topics. SAAIR members were part of the Siyaphumelela Network 2.0 delegation to attend the summit, sponsored by The Kresge Foundation and coordinated by Saide. The Siyaphumelela (“We Succeed”) initiative seeks to broaden evidence-based postsecondary student success strategies across South Africa. The Siyaphumelela initiative is led by Saide and funded by The Kresge Foundation.

For more information about the programme click here. For more information about Siyaphumelela initiative click here.

Spot your colleagues in the picture below!

Wits University hosts National Council for Higher Education Namibia (NCHE) for study tour

The University of the Witwatersrand recently hosted an event highlighting the importance of collaboration within the SAAIR network. With delegates from the National Council for Higher Education Namibia (NCHE) and three other top higher education institutions in attendance, the university emphasized its commitment to knowledge-sharing in the region. From 17th to 20th July 2023, the Business Intelligence Services (BIS) Division organized a program focusing on data management, validation, and quality assurance, especially regarding submissions to the DHET for the HEMIS. Participants also learned about the analytical methods BIS uses, crucial for the university's informed planning and decision-making.

WHATS HAPPENNING IN THE SECTOR?

Insights from the sector 

• Quality Assurance Framework Information Booklet (South Africa) [CHE]
• Exploring Whole Student Success: IR and Student Affairs Offices Collaborate [AIR]
• Vital Stats: Public and Private Higher Education 2023  [CHE]
• Learning Analytics and Learning Outcome Assessment: A Viable Partnership [AIR]

• Senior Research Associate vacancy at MANCOSA- closing 20 October 2023
• Teaching and Learning Specialist vacancy at IIE- closing 22 October
• Executive Director vacancy at SAIDE- closing 23 October 2023
• Academic Programme Quality Manager at MANCOSA- closing 26 October 2023
• Coordinator III: Quality Promotion vacancy at the University of Johannesburg- closing 27 October 2023
• Data analyst vacancy at MANCOSA- closing 27 October 2023

• SOTL 4 in the South (21-23 November 2023)

• Association for Institutional Research Annual Conference (26-29 May 2024), Denver, CO (USA)

INTERESTED IN HOSTING AN SAAIR EVENT 

We invite institutions to email Carin ([email protected]) to express interest in hosting any of the below events in 2024 and 2025.