Across Southern Africa, higher education stands at the forefront of societal transformation, social development, research innovation and knowledge creation. Deans and deputy deans play a pivotal role in driving this vision, as academic leaders, institutional stewards, and strategic change agents. Yet, the transition from academic to dean, from manager to leader, and from research to implementation, often brings a complex shift in identity, responsibility and expectations. This shift calls for intentional leadership development that is grounded in dynamic context, community and clarity of purpose.
The SARUA Dean and Deputy Dean Leadership Programme responds to this need. We are hosting a focused two-day development programme designed to empower deans and deputy deans to lead confidently, think systemically and act collaboratively in shaping the higher education landscape across the SADC region.
This programme is part of the SARUA Leadership Programmes offering, which develops and supports senior leaders across Southern African higher education institutions. It equips participants with the competencies, confidence, networks and insights required to embolden institutional leadership and advance the region’s higher education ecosystem, driving regional and African development, research excellence and innovation.
Conceptual foundation
Higher education leadership is central to Africa’s development agenda. The vibrancy of universities across the SADC region and beyond depends on capable, visionary and contextually aware leaders who can navigate the intersections of social and geopolitical change, academic integrity, administrative excellence and social responsibility and engagement.
The SARUA Dean and Deputy Dean Leadership Programme is underpinned by:
- The SDG framework, Leadership Grit and Critical Pedagogy, fostering reflective and visionary leadership
- A strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion principles, ensuring that leadership in higher education is inclusive and responsive
- An emphasis on navigating complexity within the evolving geopolitical and local–global higher education context
- A focus on building a regional community of practice, connecting deans and deputy deans in shared learning, support and collaboration
Purpose and promise
Over two days, participants engage in intensive, research-informed and practice-based sessions that explore:
• Leadership Transition:
From academic to dean, from teacher to executive, from management to leadership
• Leadership Clarity:
Understanding leadership identity, role clarity and strategic influence
• Leadership Development:
Development of leadership confidence to lead in bold, informed, socially just and contextually relevant ways
• Leadership Network:
Strengthening of institutional and regional network to embolden the region, SADC and Africa.
Through active engagement, critical dialogue and peer learning, deans and deputy deans will emerge with renewed clarity, confidence and connection, equipped to shape higher education in SADC for a better life for all.
Why join?
By joining the SARUA Leadership Development Programme, deans and deputy deans will:
- Develop role clarity and competencies
- Gain cutting-edge leadership insights tailored for the African higher education context
- Build a strong regional network of peers, mentors and collaborators
- Strengthen their institution’s contribution to leadership, knowledge creation, policy influence and social transformation
- Contribute directly to Africa’s development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals
Programme
Thursday 11 June 2026
09:00–10:00 Leadership context and clarity
10:00–13:00 Leadership in transition
13:00–14:00 Lunch and networking
14:00–16:00 Leadership personal development
Friday 12 June 2026
09:00–11:00 Leadership visioning and strategy
11:00–13:00 Leadership confidence and collaboration
13:00–14:00 Lunch and networking
14:00–16:00 Leadership engagement and responsibility
Presenters:
Prof. Birgit Schreiber (Strategic Lead: Leadership and Professional Development, SARUA)
Prof. Stephen Simukanga (Executive Director, SARUA)
Cost:
SARUA members US$450
Non-SARUA members US$500
