​A conference covering various pertinent issues in higher education concluded with a heated debate on especially transformation of the curriculum, student funding, language and student success.

The conference, organised by the Academic Affairs Council (AAC) of the Student Representative Council in collaboration with the SU Division of Student Affairs, was held in Vroueverenigingsaal on Friday (26 August). The event was attended by academics, student leaders and other stakeholders.

Speakers included Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, Vice-Rector: Learning and Teaching, Prof Stephanie Allais (representing the Department of Higher Education and Training), AAC Chairperson Nomkululeko Radebe and SU Council Vice-Chairperson Prof Pieter van der Walt. After presenting their reports, the speakers engaged with the audience in a lengthy question-and-answer session.

"There has been a communication lapse between students and stakeholders of the University,

 Radebe said. "This conference serves as a means to break down the communication barrier."

"Your realities are changing. What we teach you should be relevant to your jobs one day," said Schoonwinkel in his opening presentation, discussing the decolonisation of the academic curriculum. "We need to look at how we teach and what we teach. What does it mean to be a 'new African university'? We have to unpack that. That's where I think we have to team up with students and design a relevant curriculum."

"My fear is that you're using the word [decolonisation], but you do not understand what it means. This is me extending an invitation, so that we can have a conversation to further conceptualise what decolonisation means," one of the student leaders commented in response, sparking further debate on the issue.  

The second part of the conference, a planned panel discussion, was cancelled to instead extend the question-and-answer session. Many students in the audience raised questions about the possible adjustment of student fees for 2017.

"The point is, we need to get more resources for universities and fully utilise it," said Van der Walt. "We provide for extensive support structures, and give extensive bursaries over and above NSFAS. But the continuous decline in government subsidies is a serious concern."

Allais addressed questions surrounding the Department's stance on fees adjustments and transformation.

"There is a very deep concern about the slow pace of transformation," she said. "There are many ongoing challenges that we must face with honesty. But there has been considerable progress. The Department has received a report from the University, noting that Stellenbosch has allocated an additional R13 million to assist for underfunded, poor students. And the Department has taken note of the strong ways in which Stellenbosch has institutionalised the drive for transformation. All of these are welcome initiatives which show a concrete commitment to change.

"We're all aware that the funding for our universities has been inadequate," she added. "Far too much burden of payment has been put on students. The protests which took place last year were valuable in putting that on the agenda. There are a range of processes underway, trying to get the view of all stakeholders and finding a different way of funding our higher education system. Having said that, we also have to ensure that universities continue to function and that you get a good education. Changing our entire funding model can't happen overnight."

"The issues that have been raised here tonight are reflective of the depth of the problems that still faces the institution. I think that anger that students feel need to be taken seriously by management and by all structures," Allais concluded. "It's not going to go away unless the underlying issues are addressed."