Join Us at the Forefront of Academic Administration
7th AAA Conference & AGM 2026 - Day 1
Conference Schedule
Day 1
13 May 2026
Welcome Address
09:50 - 10:10
Welcome by the Acting Chairperson of the Board, Mr Ashmind Daniels, Stellenbosch University
Opening Address: Mr Luthando Jack, DVC: People and Operations, NMU.
10:10 - 11:00
Session chair: Mr Peet du Plessis – AAA GM
Morning Tea Break 11:00 – 11:30
Keynote Address: Honourable Dr Mimmy Gondwe, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training.
11:30 - 12:30
Session chair: Mr Ashmind Daniels, Deputy Chairperson of the Board
Lunch 12:45 – 14:00
Break-away Sessions: Institutional Goals
14:10 - 15:20
Break-away Group A: Plenary Room – “AI, Biometric ID and Identity” – Advanced Secure Technologies
Facilitator: Mr Ashmind Daniels (AAA Board)
Break-away Group B: Room C1 – Guardians of Authenticity: Rethinking Qualifications Verification in the Age of AI. Discussion leader: Ms Kgaugelo Ntini – Verifications Officer, UP.
Facilitators: Mr Preggy Reddy and Ms Ncamisile Thwala (AAA Board Members)
Break-away Group C: Room C2 – Proactive, People-Centred, and Plugged-In: A Multi-Phase Model for Student Advising and Quality Assurance. Discussion leader: Ms Shameega Couert, Administrative Officer: Undergraduate, UWC
Facilitators: Ms Ranitha Ramdeyal (AAA Board Member) & Mr Peet du Plessis (GM)
Afternoon Tea Break 15:20 – 15:45
Break-away Sessions Continued
15:45 - 16:45
Break-away Group A: Plenary Room – Enhancing Academic Administration Through Artificial Intelligence. Discussion leader: Ms Linda van Heerden, Administrative Officer, UWC
Facilitator: Mr Ashmind Daniels (AAA Board)
Break-away Group B: Room C1 – Should administrators use AI to help streamline work processes? Discussion leader: Mr Vernon Johannes – Projects Officer, UWC
Facilitators: Mr Preggy Reddy and Ms Ncamisile Thwala (AAA Board Members)
Break-away Group C: Room C2 – Professionalising RPL Administrators in Higher Education: A Policy-Aligned Framework for Practitioner Development in SA. Discussion leader: Mr Beltus Sirathaza, Directorate of Learning, Teaching and Student Success, UWC
Facilitators: Ms Ranitha Ramdeyal (AAA Board Member) & Mr Peet du Plessis (GM)
Team Building Session: Quiz Night
18:30 - 22:00
Light buffet dinner served from 19:00 to 20:00 whereafter the quiz will commence. All delegates will be allocated to a team of 10 person per table to compete in the quiz. The teams will be displayed on the entrance door.
Exciting prizes to be won!
Cash bar service – delegates’ own accounts
Submit Your Proposal
We invite members and prospective members to submit proposals for presentations and discussion topics that align with our theme, ‘Navigating Change: The Evolving Role of Academic Administration.’ Share your insights and contribute to shaping the future of academic administration.
Register for the 7th AAA Conference and AGM
Join us for an insightful two and a half days at the AAA Conference, held from May 13-15, 2026, at The Boardwalk International Convention Centre. Registration is open until 4 May 2026, with a fee of R5 520.00 incl VAT. Secure your spot today to explore the evolving role of academic administration in the age of AI.
+27 82 651 6364
For any enquiries regarding the conference, please call.
peet.duplessis@assocacadadmin.co.za
Feel free to email for more information or assistance.
The Boardwalk International Convention Centre, Marine Drive, Summerstrand, Ggeberha, Eastern Cape
Visit the conference venue for any on-site queries.
https://www.suninternational.com/boardwalk/