The Association for Academic Administrators
4th Conference & AGM
18 -19 May 2023, Emperors Palace Convention Centre, Gauteng
‘Best Practices in the automation & digitization of academic administration driven by the need to reduce face-to-face student services on campuses’
Conference Theme
The Board of Directors of the AAA decided that the theme for the 2023 conference is ‘Best Practices in the automation & digitization of academic administration driven by the need to reduce face-to-face student services on campuses’
Who should attend
All personnel who are involved with the broad function of academic (-student) administration, inclusive of faculty and examinations administration or any other related functions at all Universities, TVET Colleges and Private Higher Education institutions in Southern Africa and Africa
Break-away group discussions
AAA Members are invited to submit topics for discussion in these sessions until 14 workdays before the conference.
Panel Discussions
Panel members to share real case studies relevant to the theme.
Panel members: AAA Board of Directors
Gold Sponsor
Our Gold Sponsor is
Advanced Secure Technologies who develop innovative, secure solutions that protect individuals, organisations and wider society against fraud.
In the field of education, they ensure the highest level of security for qualifications. Safeguarding the integrity of the learning and ensuring that all stakeholders, learners, centres and awarding organisations are protected.
Featured Talks & Speakers
Opening address: 18 May 2023 – 09h30 – 10h30
Speaker: Ms Carol Crosley, Registrar, University of Witwatersrand.
Carol Crosley has been the Registrar of the University since June 2014. Since starting at Wits in 1998, Crosley has held various positions. She is the former Deputy Registrar: Enrolment at the University, a position she held from May 2013. Prior to that, she was the Deputy Registrar and Head of the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC), which she played a pivotal role in establishing.
Session chair: Mr Ashmind Daniels, Vice-chairman of the Board
18 May 2023 – 14:00 to 15:00
Cara-Jean Petersen
Paper: Growing third stream income – innovation in fundraising to assist needy students to graduate
Speaker: Ms Cara-Jean Petersen: CEO, Feenix.
Session chair: Mr Peet du Plessis, GM: AAA
19 May 2023 – 09h20 – 09h45
Advanced Secure Technologies, UK
Digital transformation in certification & best practice.
Speakers: Mr Kevin Bassett and Ms Georgina Lee – Directors
19 May 2023 – 10h30 – 11h10
Emily Maddock Khan
Paper: Not Going Back to the Norm
Guest speaker: Ms Emily Maddock Khan, Representative of the Association of University Administrators (AUA-UK) and Head of College Services, University of Nottingham International College.
Session Chair: Mr Peet du Plessis, GM: AAA
18 May 2023 – 10h30 – 11h20
Speaker: Mr Edgar de Koker, Registrar at Nelson Mandela University
Keynote address: Automation and artificial intelligence: The call for an agile academic administration service.
Session chair: Mr Vido Kungune, Chairman of the Board
18 May 2023 11h45 – 12h45
Marietjie Ackermann
“How digitization and automation can create a better services experience and environment at HEI’s”.
Automation and digitization have been put forward as a strategic goal for the NWU in 2021. To confirm this priority many activities and projects started in 2022 to realise this goal. This included the purchase of a new student information system, implementing new email platforms and transferring to Skype to business for telephonic conversations
Guest speaker: Marietjie Ackermann, Section Head, Higher Degree Admin., North-West University.
Session chair: Ms Ranitha Ramdeyal, Board member
19 May 2023 – 09:45– 10:30
Robyn Southgate & Grace Naidoo
Paper: Streamlining academic administration through websites
Guest speakers: Robyn Southgate and Grace Naidoo, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of the Western Cape.
Session chair: Mr Preggy Reddy (AAA Board)
19 May 2023 – 12:30 – 13:00
Guest Speaker
Jackie Phamotse, Writer, Businesswoman, Social activist and Philanthropist
Conference Fee Details
Conference fee for Thursday & Friday, 18 – 19 May 2023 is R4 300.00. (Note: The AAA NPC is not registered for VAT)
EVENTS
18
May
16h20 pm
Teamwork Fun Event – Delegates from various institutions are allocated to teams for this event to promote interaction between colleagues of other institutions, and to win the prizes. Please download the details.
19
May
8h15 am
Lucky Draw – If you snooze you lose. You must be there to win!
13h00 pm
Lucky draw – Lucky draw – Weekend getaway for two – at a luxury resort/hotel sponsored.
18
May
Gala Dinner Function
Theme: My Favourite TV Show / Movie
Time : 19:00pm – 23:30pm
Location : Emperors Palace
Dress like a character/(s) from your favourite TV show or movie – prizes to be won 😊 (Dressing up is not compulsory – otherwise smart casual)
Program:
Dinner hosts: Mr Vido Kungune and Ms Ranitha Ramdeyal
Adjudication panel for prizes: Mr Ashmind Daniels, Mr Preggy Reddy, Ms Cara-Jean Peterson, Ms Nonzuzo Zikalala.
19:00: Guests to be taking up their seats – no tables or seats are reserved. You are free to sit where you like.
19:00 – 19:30: Prize-giving for the winning teams of the video clips. There will also be a few fun prizes as well.
19:30 – 20:30: Buffet dinner
After dinner: Dancing with Dee Jay Mark till late (+-23:00). Watch music from the movies on the big screen.