Higher education in the spotlight

By Nadia Samie
3 September 2006

The National Conference on Community Engagement in Higher Education opens in Cape Town this evening. Some 200 delegates are expected to attend the conference, which aims to engage communities in finding solutions to social and economic challenges.

It is the first time a conference of this sort, involving senior higher education institution administrators, and academics, local government, business leaders and the community, is being held in the country.

Education Minister, Naledi Pandor will speak at the conference, as well as experts from South Africa, Ghana, India, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Mayor Hellen Zille is expected to talk about the importance of collaboration between local government and higher education institutions to address the most pressing social and economic concerns in the region.

The conference kicks off at 7PM on Sunday evening at the Protea President Hotel in Bantry Bay.