Africa Day Webinar: Her Impact, Our Future: Women at the Forefront of African Higher Education

On Africa Day (25 May 2026), SANORD, in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg and the University of Eastern Finland, hosted a powerful and inspiring webinar titled "Her Impact, Our Future: Women at the Forefront of African Higher Education.”

Outstanding voices from across the continent and beyond came together in the session to consider the vital role of women in changing African higher education and, ultimately, society.

From the opening by Ms Roseanna Avento, the space was intentionally framed as one of reflection, inclusion, and dialogue. Dr Tasmeera Singh set the tone with a compelling call to push for transformation, diversity, and inclusivity through a feminine lens, reminding us of the critical role of higher education institutions in delivering Agenda 2063.

Key takeaways that stood out:

• Women must actively claim space in leadership, peacebuilding, and policymaking.

• African universities must be more visible globally, but with local identity and values.

• Gender equity requires purposeful institutional transformation, from hiring practices to curriculum design.

• Concepts like Ubuntu remain powerful in shaping collaborative, values-driven leadership.

• We need to urgently elevate African knowledge systems to the level where they shape, not just contribute to global academic conversations.

• Networking, mentorship, and sisterhood are essential to maintaining the momentum for women in academia.

The webinar also highlighted the importance of allyship, intra-African collaboration, and the integration of indigenous knowledge and technology (such as AI for language preservation) in redefining the future of education. A particularly inspiring reminder came in the call to action: Let’s not just celebrate women’s contributions but also build systems that allow them to thrive.

Did you miss it? Watch the recording here: