As part of fostering inter-institutional collaboration and sharing of lessons learnt amongst professional groupings within the Higher Education sector, HESA has facilitated the establishment of a number of Communities of Practice (CoPs). These CoPs include the following:

• Executive Finance Forum
• Education Deans’ Forum
• Transformation Managers’ Forum
• Skills Development Facilitators
• QA Managers Forum
• Registrars
• HR Directors Forum

Finance Executive Forum

The Forum was established to provide an opportunity for Executive Directors of Finance working in higher education to collaborate, network and share knowledge on issues of common interest. The objectives of the Forum are to debate on national financial initiatives and issues, to facilitate alignment on financial initiatives, policy and practices in response to national and international accounting standards and to promote best financial practice within South African Higher Education Institution. The Forum meets three times a year.

*For more information on the above COP, please contact sso@hesa.org.za

Education Deans’ Forum

The Deans of Education of public higher education institutions in South Africa established a national forum under the auspices of HESA to share experience, expertise and concerns related to the responsibilities of Faculties of Education. The purpose of the Forum is to promote the interests of education in South Africa by providing the opportunity for Deans to discuss matters of concern to them and their Faculties in the fulfillment of their responsibilities for teacher education and the disciplined study of education. Faculties of Education at public higher education institutions in South Africa carry two distinct but linked responsibilities. One is to foster independent inquiry (research) in the broad field of education. The other is the education of professional teachers (primarily for the schooling and FET colleges system), but also for professional teachers in other sites. The education of teachers includes both initial and continuing professional education. The Forum meets four times a year.

*For more information on the above COP, please contact sso@hesa.org.za

Transformation Managers Forum

The Forum was established to identify interventions and best practices with respect to addressing racism and other kinds of discrimination and promote diversity and social cohesion within the higher education sector. The Forum also acts as an intra-Institutional Peer-Review Committee and thereby evaluating, assessing and reporting to HESA on strides made by institutions in driving their agreed upon transformation agendas.

*For more information on the above COP, please contact sso@hesa.org.za

Registrars’ Imbizo

The purpose of the Registrar’ Imbizo is to assist Registrars and Officers attached to the office of Registrar to share experience, expertise and concerns related to their roles in governance and academic administration, and as compliance officers of their institutions.

*For more information on the above COP, please contact sso@hesa.org.za

QA Managers Forum

The purpose of the Quality Assurance Forum is that of promoting a sustainable development of quality regimes in higher education institutions within the context of national and international quality assurance imperatives. It is directed at opening conversations about quality and quality assurance while enhancing the improvement of quality arrangements within institutions and the higher education sector in general. The Forum meets twice a year.

*For more information on the above COP, please contact sso@hesa.org.za

Skills Development Facilitators (SDF)

The most senior Skills Development Manager/Officer/Facilitator who has overall strategic responsibility for the implementation of skills development in an institution serves on the SDF. The objectives of the Skills Forum are the sharing of information and knowledge resources on skills development and implementation strategies in context of the Skills Development Legislation and to promote and ensure that best practice in skills development in South African HE contribute to the long-term sustainability of the higher education sector. The Skills Forum is a voluntary forum that functions within the governance structure of HESA. The Skills Forum is not a decision making body in relation to legislative matters, or matters relating to its own business. It will report to the HR Directors Forum in terms of its activities. The Forum meets twice a year, and have a close working relationship with the ETDP SETA.

*For more information on the above COP, please contact sso@hesa.org.za

HR Directors’ Forum

Each South African HE Institution is represented at the Forum by the most senior HR practitioner (director level or equivalent) who has the overall strategic responsibility for the execution of the HR function in that institution. The Forum promotes HR practice in South African Higher Education Sector through:

• Sharing of information and knowledge resources;
• Promoting best practices;
• Collaboration on national initiatives;
• Supporting HR professionals within South African HE through building collegial relationships and developing capacity.

The Forum meets twice a year.

*For more information on the above COP, please contact sso@hesa.org.za