HELM ENGAGE #4

HELM, in conjunction with the Ali Mazrui Centre for Higher Education Studies at the University of Johannesburg hosts the fourth in the ENGAGE series. Oliver Seale’s in-depth study into the nature of deanship entitled Deanship in the Global South: Bridging Troubled Waters is about the deans’ lived reality. It also follows deans as they try to navigate this important position and balance the ambiguous demands of both the academe and the executive. Their inadequate preparation and lack of support for deanship points to the need for a more strategic, integrated approach to leadership development and career management in this critical bridging role between the academe and administration.

• ENGAGE #4 unpacks the nexus between academic leadership and executive management for deans in the university with particular attention on the following:
• How is deanship conceptualised, understood and lived in the 21st century university?
• Why do deans matter in universities and what matters for deans nowadays?
• How are we currently addressing the leadership and management development needs of deans during and after their tenure?

HELM ENGAGE #4 takes place on Tuesday, 26 October 2021 (13:00–15:00) where we will host another dynamic debate. Our speakers include Professor Jonathan Jansen, University of Stellenbosch, Dr Muki Moeng, Executive Dean, Education Faculty, NMU, Professor Denise Zinn, Programme Leader WiL and Dr Oliver Seale, HELM Director. They will unpack the complex global and local leadership environment of universities and its implication for deans; the changing nature of deanship; how deans traverse the delicate balance between the academe and administration; and advancing transformation and gender equity for access and success in this role.

ENGAGE #5 will focus on the emergent digital university, its conceptual underpinning, state of readiness in the South African higher education sector and advancing a more systemic holistic approach to digital transformation and technology mediated learning and teaching. Taking place on Thursday, 25 November 2021 (14:00—16:00) . The event will locate digital access and teaching and learning in the present and future of our higher education system.