Sessions: 1 Welcome Address - Defining the Theme and Objectives of Conference: "Data-Driven Excellence through advanced technologies : Transforming Higher and Further Education for Efficiency and Impact"
Sessions: 11 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Sessions: 25 Official Conference Closure
TEBOGO MAKHAMBENI
Chairperson
University of Venda
Tebogo is a highly accomplished professional with over twenty years of experience in the IT industry, specializing in ITS system and Business Administration. She is holding a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from MANCOSA. Both BTECH degree in Information Technology, and Diploma in Information Technology from Tshwane University of Technology.
With her strong focus on the education sector, she dedicated over a decade of her career to working with institutions of higher learning. Her expertise lies in the ITS system. An ERP system utilized by educational institutions in the SADEC region, West Africa and Ireland. During her tenure at Adapt IT, she served as a developer and consultant. She played a pivotal role in the development, implementation, and training of the ITS system.
Tebogo worked as a Senior Administrator at TUT for six years where she led the Academic Structure Department, providing support on the ITS system. She contributed to various committees, including Higher Education Management Information Systems (HEMIS), ITS Developments, and Student Admissions and Registrations.
Tebogo joined the University of Venda in 2017 as the HOD of Business Systems. She oversees the university’s operational systems, including the ITS (ERP) system. She participates in committees, such as ICT Steering Committee, Registration Academic Committee, and Library Committee. She also served at these companies: SAPO, Rand Water and Leaf wireless. She is Chairperson of the ITS Usergroup conference.
Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a passion for leveraging technology to drive efficiency and enhance educational experiences.
Session: 2 Data-Driven Excellence through advanced technologies : Transforming Higher and Further Education for Efficiency and Impact (Panel Discussion Moderator)
DR MAGGY BEUKES-AMISS
University of Namibia
Dr Maggy Beukes-Amiss is a senior lecturer within the University of Namibia with close to nineteen (19) years of teaching/academic and research experience within the Department of Information and Communication Studies in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS) where she fulfilled various teaching and leadership roles since 1995. For the past seven (8) years, since 2015, she has been the Director of the Centre for Open, Distance and eLearning (CODeL), now restyled into the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT) at the University of Namibia. She holds a PhD in Computer-integrated Education (CiE) from the University of Pretoria, South Africa and other technical qualifications in the field of ICT and eLearning. She oversees the entire strategic direction/vision and activities in the Centre and plays an active role with her various management team members and staff in the implementation of Learning and Teaching, Academic and eLearning policies, strategic platforms, tools etc.
She is extremely passionate about eLearning capacity-building activities, related research and serves as a reviewer of various conferences in the field of eLearning. She has been involved in eLearning capacity-building activities, ICT and eLearning policy and strategy development in Namibia and various countries in Africa and internationally on behalf of the Ministry of Education, UNAM, NOLNet, GIZ, GESCI, DAAD, to mention a few.
She received various awards over the years but worth noting is the “GIZ Ambassador for quality in Digital Learning” (April, 2016) and was listed under the elite top 10 category of Africa’s Movers and Shakers in Corporate Online Learning 2018. She also received an HONORARY SENIOR LECTURER award from Cardiff University, August 2020
She also made several contributions to the broader Namibian society in various roles as Chairperson of Boards within the Telecommunication Industry.
Session: 3 Adapt IT - Management Presentation
LUXOLO RUBUSHE
Managing Director
Adapt IT: Education
Luxolo, a seasoned executive with over twenty three years’ work experience, fourteen of which have been senior executive positions in both private and public sectors. Luxolo is currently a Managing Director of Education at Adapt IT.
Luxolo is in charge of putting the Education Division's Strategy into action to grow and develop the business across Africa, Europe and Asia Pacific. He is an active member at both Group Executive Committee (GExco), and Board. Adapt IT’s Education Division focuses on providing digitally led software solutions in both public and private higher education institutions.
Luxolo’s extensive experience in the ICT industry, is backed up by formal certification in Project Management and Project Management Office (PMO), supported by his Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and Executive Development Programme in M anagement. His areas of specialisation are Project and Programme Management, Business Process Management, Shareholder Value Analysis (SVA), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Financial Performance Management and Supply Chain Management. He has deep experience in implementing large and complex organisational transformation projects, where he has played roles team lead, programme management and programme executive.
Prior joining Adapt IT, Luxolo worked as the Chief Operations Officer (COO) at National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). He was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA), also worked as Senior Manager at Accenture.
Session: 3 Adapt IT - Management Presentation
TIFFANY DUNSDON
Chief Executive Officer
Adapt IT Group
Tiffany is a Chartered Accountant who qualified with Deloitte and registered in South Africa (1996-2023), and Australia and New Zealand (2010 to present).
She was involved with several major business re-engineering and IT outsourcing projects as a consultant to British Airways in the United Kingdom where she entered the ICT sector.
Tiffany joined InfoWave Holdings in 2000 in a consulting capacity and was appointed as Financial Director in April 2002 and Chief Executive Officer in December 2003. Tiffany became the Chief Commercial Officer and Director of Adapt IT Holdings Limited after the merger of InfoWave Holdings and Adapt IT (Pty) Ltd in 2007.
She led all of the acquisitions undertaken by Adapt IT as a listed company from 2006 until 2021. She is also Managing Director of a number of international operations of the group, and is based in Perth, Australia. Tiffany was appointed as Adapt IT Holdings Limited CEO in September 2021.
Session: 23 Unleashing the Power of Data for Operational Excellence: Navigating Efficient Data Utilization in Higher Education
LOUIS MAPATAGANE
Director Planning and Institutional Intelligence
Walter Sisulu University
Ntsundeni Louis Mapatagane is a seasoned professional with a robust background in Strategic and Institutional Planning, Institutional Research, and Environmental Sciences. His career commenced at Wits University, where he orchestrated a student success initiative that harmonized various departments to integrate institutional research, technology, academic development, student services, and faculties. Currently serving as the Director of Planning and Institutional Intelligence at Walter Sisulu University (WSU), Louis oversees enrolment planning, strategy implementation, institutional research, institutional intelligence, and HEMIS.
Before joining WSU, he held the position of Director of Institutional Planning at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). In this capacity, he was responsible for the university's academic planning activities, strategy implementation, institutional research, institutional intelligence, and the submission of HEMIS information to the Department of Higher Education and Training.
In his prior role as Manager of Strategic Analytics and Business Intelligence at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU), Louis spearheaded a flagship project aimed at establishing a coordinated structure for data collection and analysis, with a focus on student success. Notably, he successfully implemented the first integrated data warehouse at the university, incorporating a business intelligence solution. Louis also assumed various other roles, including Manager of Risk and Compliance, Manager of Occupational Health and Safety, and Manager of Grants Management.
Session: 12 Optimizing Student Experience: Unveiling the Potential of Data-Driven Approaches in Elevating Student Engagement Satisfaction, and Academic Outcomes.
Dr Lulamile Ntonzima, WSU Registrar
Earned Masters and PhD degrees from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and served at CPUT in roles ranging from Lecturer, Senior Lecturer to Faculty Manager. Worked at the University of Pretoria, and held a position of Deputy Director of Higher Education: Monitoring and Evaluation. Currently employed at WSU, where roles have included: Director of Strategic Projects; Campus Rector; Senior Director of Campus Support and currently serving as the University Registrar. Actively serving on multiple company boards. Book author; academic articles and presenter at both national and international conferences.
Session: 2 Data-Driven Excellence through advanced technologies: Transforming Higher and Further Education for Efficiency and Impact (Panel Member)
Patrick Zungu
Manager: Business Process & ERP
University of Zululand
Patrick Zungu, an IT Professional, laid the groundwork for a future marked by innovation and leadership. Armed with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the esteemed University of Zululand, Zungu's passion for technology ignited early, propelling him towards a trajectory of excellence.
Building upon his educational foundation, Zungu embarked on a quest for professional development, engaging in various certifications and training programs to hone his skills. From mastering project management at Durban University of Technology to exploring the nuances of data visualization at the University of Cape Town, Zungu's dedication to learning became a hallmark of his career.
As Zungu's career trajectory soared, he assumed pivotal roles at esteemed institutions such as the University of Venda, North-West University, and the Durban University of Technology. Here, he spearheaded transformative initiatives and leveraged advanced technologies to drive operational excellence.
Currently serving as the Manager of Business Process & ERP at the University of Zululand, Zungu stands at the helm of transformative change in higher education. In this pivotal role, he spearheads initiatives to integrate enterprise systems and establish web-based platforms, driving efficiency and innovation across the institution. Zungu's leadership exemplifies a commitment to excellence and impact as he continues to leverage advanced technologies to propel the university towards greater heights of success and relevance.
Beyond his professional endeavours, Zungu's legacy extends to his profound influence on those around him. As a mentor, educator, and visionary leader, he inspires others to embrace the transformative power of technology and the ethos of lifelong learning. Zungu's story underscores the potential for individuals to effect positive change not only within the realm of higher education but also in the broader landscape of society.
Brief Biopic
- Currently the Deputy Chief Executive for Systems and Support at Te Kura (New Zealand’s largest school)
- Previously the CFO for the Wellington Institute of Technology and Whitireia Polytechnic (both tertiary/university)
- Previously worked for the New Zealand Government Chief Digital Officer leading financial and investment strategy in digital technology.