25th ANNUAL CONFERENCE
22-25 AUGUST 2023

LOOKING BACK – LOOKING FORWARD

SPEAKER BIOS

Stephen Appiah-Padi

Dr. Stephen Appiah-Padi is the Director of the Office of Global Education at Bucknell University. He has over 20 years’ experience working with universities and colleges in Canada and the US in faculty and administrative positions.

Agnaldo Arroi

Agnaldo Arroio

Agnaldo Arroio is Associate Professor at the School of Education – University of São Paulo, Brazil. Current President of the USP School of Education International Office. He holds a degree in Chemistry from USP; PhD in Chemistry from USP, Image and Sound: Audiovisual Production from UFSCar and Degree in Teaching Methodology from USP.

Dorothea Antonio

Dorothea Antonio is NAFSA’s Deputy Executive Director, Knowledge Development, responsible for leading NAFSA’s contribution to thought leadership in international education, and providing executive oversight to internationalization and academic affairs, global programs, publications, and conference programming. 

George Barrett

George Barrett is the new Director of the British Council in South Africa where she joined the team at the end of 2022. Prior to this George worked at the British High Commission heading up the UK’s trade development portfolio for the Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique. George came to South Africa in 2008, and emersed herself in the Higher Education sector as a student and Lecturer of International and Political Studies at Rhodes University.

Esther Benjamin

Esther Benjamin

Esther Benjamin is a tri-sector global leader, currently serving as CEO of World Education Services. She is a Visiting Fellow with the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. Previously, Esther was CEO for Africa Operations with Laureate Education (NASDAQ: LAUR). In President Obama’s Administration, Esther led Global Operations for the Peace Corps. She was an executive with the International Youth Foundation and the International Partnership for Microbicides.

Ralph Berchtenbreiter

Prof Ralph Berchtenbreiteris a professor in digital marketing Department of Tourism at Munich University of Applied Sciences, Germany, where he heads the Digital Lab and was awarded an international prize by Nokia for his work on the mobile Internet.

Khwezi Nala Bonani

Khwezi Nala Bonani is an experienced leader in the South African Higher Education sector, with 23 years of work experience. His professional experience is in the area of student support and project management.

Benita Bobo

Dr Benita Bobo is a lecturer at the Durban University of Technology, in the Centre for General Education. Here, she teaches General Education modules using a transformative learning pedagogy.

Dingaan Booi

Mr Dingaan Booi is a Higher Education Internationalisation Practitioner. Currently the International Relations Officer in the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Directorate at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. He holds the following qualifications from Rhodes University. Namely, a Bachelor of Arts in International and Political Studies and Organisational Psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Enterprise Management through the globally recognised AMBA–accredited Rhodes Business School.

Berto Bosscha

Berto Bosscha is the Education & Science Attache at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Pretoria. Bosscha started his term in October 2022. Before that he worked for the Dutch ministry for Education, Culture & Science.

Carlos Cantu

With a wealth of experience in the international education sector, Carlos Cantu is leading the way in building strong partnerships as the Education Partnerships Director Canada and LATAM at PeopleCert.

Samia Chasi

Dr Samia Chasi is a practitioner-scholar in higher education internationalisation with more than 20 years of experience in this field. She currently serves as Manager Strategic Initiatives, Partnership Development and Research at the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) and is a Research Fellow at the University of the Free State, South Africa.

Annah Chuene

Annah Chuene works at the University of Limpopo’s International Affairs office. She was also a student leader and has held various leadership positions in her life within the university setting and community context

Munashe Lesley Chinewaita

Munashe Lesley is a purposeful business student from Zimbabwe. She is currently studying International Business at ZUYD University Of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. She is taking advantage of the opportunity to network and learn from experienced business leaders in the projects she engages in.

Karen Dalkie

Karen Dalkie

Karen Dalkie is celebrating 25 years with the  Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) and over the past two+ decades she has spearheaded and implemented a variety of projects and initiatives across the globe on behalf of the organization.

Ramu Damodaran

Ramu Damodaran is Deputy Permanent Observer of the intergovernmental University for Peace to the United Nations. He was earlier with the United Nations Department of Global Communications where his responsibilities included oversight of relationships with civil society, the creative community and celebrity advocates, publications (including as Chief Editor of the UN Chronicle), the Dag Hammarskjöld Library and as the first chief of the United Nations Academic Impact initiative.

Wim de Villiers

Prof Wim de Villiers has been Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University (SU) since 2015, when he joined his alma mater again after more than two decades abroad. After graduating from SU with an MBChB, he went to Oxford University for his PhD, and then to America, where he studied at Harvard and held several senior positions at the University of Kentucky including Head of Gastroenterology, and Administrative Head of the Good Samaritan Hospital.

Erlend Eidsvik

Erlend Eidsvik is a geographer and a professor of sustainability and climate education at Department of Pedagogy, Religion and Social Sciences at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL).

Tarryn Frankish

Tarryn Frankish holds a Masters of Social Science (Psychology), summa cum laude from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Tarryn Frankish has taught in higher education for 15 years and has attended national and international conferences and published in Psychology and Journalism.

Pravie Govender

Pravie Govender

Executive Committee Member
ITSI User Group EXCO Member (2015 – current)
Senior Business Development Manager: Adapt IT: Education
Pravie holds a  ND Computer Data Processing (DUT), B.tech Office  Management and Technology (DUT) and a Masters Degree  in Business Leadership (UNISA).

Fazela Haniff

Fazela HANIFF immigrated to Canada in 1974 from Guyana, lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for three years, then relocated to South Africa from 1994 to 2012 and returned to Canada in 2012. Her heading up the Urban Alliance on Race Relations, Toronto, in 1990 afforded Fazela the skills and insight to champion Diversity and Inclusion throughout her career when such issues were tabu.

Savo Heleta

Dr Savo Heleta is a researcher and educator with more than ten years’ experience in higher education, academic research, curriculum development, teaching, research supervision and internationalisation in South Africa. His research interests include decolonisation of knowledge; higher education internationalisation; conflict analysis and conflict transformation; and social justice advocacy and activism.

Makhubela Jabu

Mr Jabu Makhubela holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Management from the University of Limpopo and he is currently enrolled for a PhD in Public Affairs at the Tshwane University of Technology.

Wiseman Jack

Wiseman Jack

Wiseman Jack currently serves as an Independent Consultant in the internationalisation of Higher Education. He also serves as a Specialist in External Engagement and Outreach, Directorate of International Education and Partnership at Durban University of Technology (DUT). Prior to current assignments he was served as an Executive Director for International Relations and Advancement at Vaal University of Technology from 2011 to 2021.

Angela James

Professor Angela James graduated from the University of Pretoria with a PhD in Curriculum and Instructional Design and Development. She has over 30 years teaching and community engagement experiences and over 20 years research in the schooling, tertiary and Adult Education sectors.

Corlia Janse van Vuuren

My passion for teaching and learning (TL) was always at the forefront of my career. In 2005, I obtained my interdisciplinary PhD in Higher Education and Physiotherapy.  In 2013 I was appointed as a Teaching & Learning Manager in Economics & Management Sciences to make a broader, institutional contribution to Teaching & Learning. 

Naziema Jappie

Dr Naziema Jappie is known for her work as a trade union activist in women’s and workers’ rights and has a extensive experience in higher education management and administration. She is currently the Director for the Centre for Educational Assessments (CEA), Deputy Dean (CHED) at the University of Cape Town (UCT).

Divinia Jithoo

Ms Divinia Jithoo is a Specialist in International Education at the International Education and Partnerships Office at the Durban University of Technology. Ms Jithoo has worked in higher education Internationalisation since 2007 and has specialised in study abroad and exchange as well as international virtual engagement. Ms Jithoo is also a PH.D candidate at the University of Western Cape. Her research focus is leadership of cross-border research collaboration.

Stefan Johnson

Stefan Johnson

Stefan Johnson is a professor and the academic coordinator for the International Business Management Post-Grad program. He is currently working towards earning his PhD of Natural Science from Charles University in Prague, Czechia.

Helin Bäckman Kartal

Helin Bäckman Kartal is a project coordinator at the Division for Global Partnerships at Uppsala University, Sweden. She is the coordinator for the South Africa – Sweden University Forum (SASUF), a transformative project that fosters collaboration among 40 universities from Sweden and South Africa.

Sonja Knutson

Dr Sonja Knutson is a scholar and practitioner of internationalization of higher education at Memorial University. She is an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Education and Director of the Internationalization Office. She enjoys teaching and mentoring international educators in the field.

Sadhana Manik

Sadhana Manik is an Associate Professor in Geography Education in the School of Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is the South African project leader for several internationalization of higher education institutional exchange and research projects and the co-ordinator of SANORD’s Teacher Education special interest group for the global south.

Marshall Tamuka Maposa

Marshall Maposa is a senior lecturer in the History Education discipline at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood Campus, South Africa. He obtained a PhD in History Education at the same university.

Giorgio Marinoni

Giorgio Marinoni has been Manager of Higher Education and Internationalization at the International Association of Universities (IAU), since February 2015. He oversees Internationalization as one of the four strategic priorities of the Association.

Nonceba Mbambo-Kekana

Prof Nonceba Mbambo-Kekana is the Director of International Affairs at the University of Limpopo, South Africa. She is responsible for internationalisation policy and strategy of the university. Her interest in internationalisation is leadership and development of meaningful partnerships. Prior to joining the Office of International Affairs she was the Executive Dean of Health Sciences.

Hlomelang Metsing

Mr Hlomelang Metsing is a Coordinator: International Partnership and Data Management at Centre for Global Engagement, Central University of Technology. His job description entails him monitoring and reviewing all international partnership agreement and liaise with partner institutions on the international partnership database.

Zoleka Mkhabela

Zoleka Mkhabela is a Social Science Education lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (School of Education). Presently, she is pursuing a doctoral degree focused on land reform and the South African Geography curriculum.

Mbali Moiketsi

Mbali Moiketsi is a study abroad coordinator, web content manager, and international marketing manager with experience in coordinating international study opportunities in higher education, information technology and international marketing.

Matome Mokoena

Matome Mokoena was born in Ga Kgapane, Limpopo Province, South Africa.  He has been working as an Internationalisation practitioner since 2007. In 2018, Matome became the first South African to complete the DAAD DIES Management of Internationalisation training course. 

Refilwe Moleyane

Mrs Refilwe Moleyane has been in the higher education sector for more than 14 years   as a student, and administrator in the sector. She is responsible for International Academic Partnership Unit in the Centre for Global Engagements, Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT).

Thandwa Zizwe Mthembu

Thandwa Mthembu assumed the position of Vice-Chancellor & Principal of Durban University of Technology (DUT) on 1 October 2016, after serving almost 10 years in a similar position at Central University of Technology (CUT), South Africa.

Annari Muller

Annari Muller is the Teaching and Learning Manager (TLM) at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State. She holds a Masters in Applied Econometrics and has experience in lecturing economics, mathematics and quantitative techniques in public and private HEls.

Paleesha Naidoo

Paleesha is a management consultant who holds an MEng in Technology and Innovation Management from the University of Pretoria where she focussed her research on exploring the relationship between tie strength and the types of knowledge transferred in a South African organisation.

Kagasio Ngake

Mr Kagiso Ngake is the head of International Partnership at the Office for International Affairs, University of the Free State. He is responsible for managing the partnership and collaborative activities, collaborative degrees, and outbound student mobility programmes.

Busisiwe Ngutshane

Ms Busisiwe Ngutshane Holds Advanced Diploma in Applied Management at the Central University of Technology, Free State. She’s currently working at the Centre for Global Engagement at the Central University of Technology as the Erasmus+ Project Administrator.

Vuyelwa O’Lacy Moyo

Ms Vuyelwa O’Lacy Moyo, born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, is a PhD (Ecomusicology) candidate at Rhodes University and a Rhodes African Studies Centre member. She holds a Bachelor of Education Honours from Great Zimbabwe University, a Bachelor of Arts Honours and a Master of Music from Rhodes University.

Quinter Onyango

Quinter Onyango is a Senior Officer: Internationalisation, Marketing, and Communications at the University of the Free State. She has over eight years of experience specializing in communication, branding, marketing, and internationalisation in higher education. She is a dynamic, enthusiastic, and inventive internationalisation and communication practitioner.

Ed Overes

After a successful career as business manager, Ed Overes started his academic career in 2010. Since then, he has become a respected expert for teaching business related courses. Student evaluations show his great enthusiasm, creativity and passion. In 2014 Ed was invited to become professor Strategic Management in Saint Petersburg.

Manual Jackson

Manager, Stellenbosch University Water Institute, Stellenbosch University
Research Project Leader and capacity building related projects in various externally (International and local) funded research projects linked Climate Smart Agriculture in Vocational Education and Training (VET)
External Moderator University of the Western Cape School of Economics and Management Sciences

Inger Beate Pettersen

Inger Beate Pettersen is professor at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), Bergen Campus, Norway. She has a PhD in B2B marketing from NHH School of Economics in 2005. She has varied research and teaching experience from several higher education institutions.

Orla Quinlan

Ms Orla Quinlan is the Director of Internationalisation at Rhodes University, South Africa and has worked in Higher Education in South Africa, since 2011. Ms Quinlan served as the President of the International Education Association of South Africa, IEASA (2019-2020), successfully leading the organization through a challenging period, in response to the COVD pandemic.

Premlall Ramlachan

Dr Prem has held several positions at different institutions and organisations in South Africa for nearly 4 decades. Currently he is an Adjunct Academic at the Faculty of Public Administration and Local Governance at the Management College of Southern Africa.

David Reiersgord

David Reiersgord started working in international higher education with AIFS, at Stellenbosch University, in 2016 after completing his MA (English Studies) at Stellenbosch University in 2015. He joined IES Abroad Cape Town in 2018 as Academic Manager, where he focuses on curriculum development, course coordination, faculty support and training, student advising and lecturing.

Ylva Rodny-Gumede

Professor Ylva Rodny-Gumede is the Head of the Division for Internationalisation and a Professor in the School of Communication at the University of Johannesburg. She is also a Senior Associate Researcher with the Stanhope Centre for International Communications Policy Research at the London School of Economics and the Senior Leader for the University at Universitas 21.

Lavern Samuels

Dr Samuels is the current Director of the International Education and Partnerships (IEP)  Directorate at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). He was the Senate Representative on the University Council  and the Council EXCO for 16 years. He is also the immediate past Chairperson of the DUT Institutional Forum, a position he held for 14 years.

Oumar Sanga

Oumar Sanga is a highly experienced Senior Knowledge Analyst at World Education Services (WES). As a Senior Knowledge Analyst, Oumar’s primary focus lies in educational policy analysis and international credentials evaluation. His expertise spans across Commonwealth Africa, the Caribbean, and Francophone countries, where he diligently examines and assesses educational systems, policies, and qualifications.

Tasmeera Singh

Tasmeera Singh, PhD, is an international higher education specialist with over 22 years’ experience in the field. She is currently employed at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology as the Manager: International Relations.  Prior to her appointment at CPUT she was at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban as the Principal International Advisor. 

Chevon Slambee

Chevon Slambee has been working in the higher education sector since May 2004. She first started her career in the Faculty of Education at the University of Fort Hare, where she was a key stakeholder in the accreditation of the master’s by dissertation qualification. 

Chevon holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree with majors in Psychology and Industrial Sociology from Rhodes University and an Honours degree in Sociology (cum laude) from the University of the Free State.

Scott Slaney

Scott Slaney

Scott Slaney, MAOL, Director of Global Business Development
Scott Slaney has worked in the post-secondary sector for over 15 years with his primary focus being in international education.

Kim Snyders

Ms Kim Snyders is the Manager: Ratification of Foreign Qualifications at SAQA.  She started working as a credential evaluator within the evaluation of foreign qualifications unit in 2006 with specific focus on SADC countries, as well as the UK, USA, and Australia.

Nadia Starr

Nadia Starr is the Chief Executive Officer of SAQA. She assumed this position from 1 December 2022 after having served as Executive: NQF Operations at SAQA since 2021. Ms Starr has occupied various roles in the education and training sector since 2005.

 Francois Strydom

Prof. Francois Strydom is currently the Senior Director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning at the University of the Free State. He has been the project leader of the South African Surveys of Student Engagement (SASSE) since 2007.

Patrick Schoenmakers

Patrick Schoenmakers is down to earth, optimistic and a passionate educator and coach with a rich background in dealing with people from a variety of backgrounds. During his longstanding history in international higher education, he held responsibility for international relations in a management capacity.

Beka Tavartkiladze

With 20 years of experience in international academic credential evaluation, Beka has a deep knowledge of international education systems and the issues surrounding recognition of international academic credentials.

Professor Sarah Todd

Sarah Todd

Professor Sarah Todd commenced at Griffith in 2013, having previously been with the University of Otago in New Zealand.  Professor Todd leads Griffith’s internationalisation activities, and has executive level leadership, management and budgetary control over Griffith International. 

Navin Vasudev

Navin is an international development professional with over 20 years’ experience in programme development and management in the livelihoods, health, gender, education, forestry and social development sectors.

Emnet Tadesse Woldegiorgis

Emnet Tadesse Woldegiorgis is an Associate Professor and Director at the Ali Mazrui Center for Higher Education Studies, University of Johannesburg. He completed his PhD at the University of Bayreuth, Germany, where he also worked as a researcher between 2015 and 2019. He did his joint Master’s Degree in Higher Education Studies at Oslo University in Norway, Tampere University in Finland and Aveiro University in Portugal.

Bhekumusa Zikhali

Mr BN Zikhali is a BCom Economics and a PG Dip in Financial Planning Law graduate from the University of the Free State. Currently pursuing his Honours degree in Business and Financial Data Analytics, with a knack for internationalisation and initiating new programmes at institutions.

Mzwandile Zulu

Mr. Mzwandile Zulu is a New Generation of Academic (nGAP) lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he recently completed his Ph.D. in mathematics education. Before his academic career, he worked as a school mathematics educator for three years. Mr. Zulu is a recipient of the Talent Excellence and Equity Scholarship which funded his Masters degree and an Erasmus+ student mobility scholarship which funded a semester of his Ph.D. studies in Latvia.