In 2020, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) hosted the Garmin Quality Conversations and Webinar, attracting global delegates to engage with critical issues in quality assurance (QA) in higher education. Building on this momentum, the University of South Africa (UNISA) convened the Garmin Virtual Quality Workshop in 2021, further advancing these discussions and strengthening international collaboration.

Recognising the need for a sustained platform for engagement, many universities, including CPUT and the University of South Africa (UNISA), established the Higher Education Quality Assurance Forum (HEQAF) in 2024. The inaugural forum, hosted by CPUT, focused on the evolving Quality Assurance Framework and emerging challenges shaping the future of higher education. It brought together diverse stakeholders, including university administrators, QA practitioners, policymakers, and students, to exchange best practices and foster meaningful dialogue.

The 2025 HEQAF, hosted by UNISA, built on this foundation and demonstrated a continued commitment to strengthening QA processes. Engagement deepened around key themes, including student voice in QA, innovative practitioner approaches, multidisciplinary research, and enhanced student support services.

Looking ahead, Walter Sisulu University (WSU) joins as a strategic partner and host of the 2026 Higher Education Quality Assurance Forum (HEQAF). The forum will focus on transforming higher education to enhance quality, equity, and student success within a rapidly evolving, technology-driven landscape. It will examine how institutions are responding to digitalisation and artificial intelligence, with particular emphasis on the role of innovative quality assurance systems in strengthening teaching, learning, assessment, and governance. In addition, the forum will advance equity and social justice by addressing historical inequalities and expanding access for previously marginalised groups

The programme will feature keynote addresses from both local and international speakers, as well as paper presentations and panel and roundtable discussions to promote knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary dialogue. The Higher Education Quality Assurance Forum (HEQAF) is committed to supporting both emerging and established quality assurance (QA) practitioners by creating inclusive and engaging spaces for interaction.

Academics, researchers, QA professionals, administrators, policymakers, and students are encouraged to submit abstracts and participate in this dynamic platform. This event provides valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and advancing QA practices, especially in the Global South.

The forum is designed to be a welcoming space where people can come together to share their thoughts and experiences. It therefore aims to encourage open and thoughtful conversations around the main theme and its related topics, fostering a sense of community and understanding among participants.

The objectives are to:

• Transform higher education curricula so that programmes are responsive to labour market demands while integrating African knowledge systems, indigenous languages, and interdisciplinary skills.
• Strengthen institutional quality assurance systems by promoting a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and data-informed decision-making within higher education institutions.
• Promote equity, social justice, and inclusive participation in higher education by addressing historical inequalities and improving access for underrepresented student groups.
• Enhance student success and graduate preparedness by adopting innovative pedagogical approaches, flexible learning models, and technology-enabled support systems.
• Advance digital transformation and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in higher education, particularly in teaching, learning, assessment, and institutional governance.

• Improved institutional quality culture where quality assurance becomes an embedded and shared responsibility across academic and administrative structures.
• Future-fit and contextually relevant curricula that equip graduates with interdisciplinary skills, digital competencies, and an understanding of African knowledge systems.
• Greater equity and inclusivity in higher education, reflected in increased participation, reduced digital divides, and culturally responsive teaching practices.
• Effective integration of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in teaching, learning, assessment, and institutional decision-making.
• Enhanced student learning experiences and improved graduate outcomes, with students better prepared to contribute to society and the evolving global knowledge economy

• Quality Assurance Practitioners
• Quality Assurance Administrators
• Vice-Chancellors and DVCs
• Senior Management Executives
• Executive Deans and Deputy Executive Deans
• Directors of Centres and Academic Support Units
• Academics and Teaching and Learning Practitioners
• Researchers
• Industry experts and professionals
• Policy makers & relevant government representatives
• Chairs of Quality Assurance Committees
• External Regulatory Bodies (CHE, SAQA, DHET)
• International Quality Agencies & Forums
• Students
• Any other interested participants