Description
The HERizon Africa Senior Leadership Programme, delivered online by SARUA, equips senior higher education leaders across the SADC region to navigate the complex and evolving challenges of academic leadership. Grounded in the Leadership Maturity Framework, the programme develops personal leadership competencies, deepens understanding of regional and global higher education contexts, and fosters a vibrant community of practice.
Through interactive 2-hour weekly sessions combining synchronous and asynchronous learning, participants engage with expert insights, peer discussions, and practical activities designed to strengthen their leadership capacity and institutional impact. This programme empowers senior leaders to lead with confidence and contributes to the overall success and transformation of higher education in the SADC region.
Schedule and Session Overview
| Date | Focus Area |
| Tuesday 30 September |
Context of higher education: Globally and in Africa, focus on complexity, continental development and higher education role within that, regional and national development agendas, SDGs and social justice as guiding principles. |
| Tuesday 07 October Tuesday 14 October Tuesday 21 October |
Leadership maturity: Principles, theories and applications, challenges and enablers, gender and power asymmetries, hierarchies and culture. We also explore leadership challenges in times of crisis and stress, adequate coping and using emergencies to advance systemic and personal resilience and thriving. |
| Tuesday 28 October |
We explore decoloniality, gender-justice and the challenges around that; this focuses on paradigm challenges and shifts. |
| Tuesday 04 November Tuesday 11 November Tuesday 18 November |
Functional areas (in relation to leadership) including:
|
| Tuesday 25 November |
Career advancement, self-care, work-life-balance |
| Tuesday 02 December |
SADC-Africa-global development agendas |
Target Audience
Deans, senior leaders and directors of schools, faculties and centres in higher education institutions in the SADC region.
Participants will receive a certificate of completion.
Presenters: Experts and experienced higher education leaders from the SADC region and global arena.
Cost: SARUA members: USD800; Non-members: USD900
