The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) has appointed seasoned feminist scholar Prof Thenjiwe Meyiwa, as the new vice-chancellor, effective from October 1, 2025. Meyiwa will succeed Prof Thoko Mayekiso, who has been the institution’s vice -chancellor and principal since its establishment in 2014. The UMP council chairperson Sabelo Mahlalela said they took Meyiwa’s recognised academic standing and track record of visionary, transformational and ethical leadership in higher eduction into account, when appointing her as their new mandarin. “Professor Meyiwa brings a…

UNISA has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Óbuda University in Hungary to boost collaboration in engineering and technology disciplines that are central to Unisa’s 10 catalytic niche areas. This follows a similar deal signed earlier in 2025 with Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary’s oldest and largest university. The agreements were finalised during the Hungarian-South African Rectors’ Forum in Budapest, which took place from 31 March to 4 April 2025. The Hungarian-South African Rectors’ Forum is a platform created by…

Iran plans to train one million schoolchildren and train 100,000 teachers in artificial intelligence (AI). This is reported by Mehr News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS. IA cites a statement by Vice-President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy Hossein Afshin. He was speaking at a meeting with Education Minister Reza Morad Sahraei and members of the AI working group. “The first phase of the programme will start in the summer of 2025. One million schoolchildren between the ages of…

Egypt held a meeting of the Higher Consultative Committee for Human Capital Development. The meeting discussed measures to improve the education and healthcare systems, according to Daily News Egypt, a partner of TV BRICS. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, emphasised the importance of integrating these spheres to create a healthy and educated generation. The participants of the meeting paid special attention to the development of early childhood programmes, expansion of the network…

Education remains a highly contentious subject in the African context. Historically, it has served as both a powerful instrument of empowerment, opening avenues for individual and societal advancement, and a tool of insidious subjugation, used to enforce colonial ideologies and erode indigenous knowledge systems. The enduring intersection of knowledge, power and the lingering residue of colonial legacy continues to shape contemporary debates. As such, this creates a fraught terrain where questions of who is deemed ‘educated’ and whose knowledge systems…

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday stressed strengthening the role of education in supporting scientific and technological advancement as well as talent development. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for a deep understanding of the needs of Chinese modernization for education, science and technology, and talent. The goal is to cultivate a steady stream of talent, unlock their full potential, and ensure their abilities are…

Professors from the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS), a partner of TV BRICS, travelled to the capital of Mauritius, Port Louis, to conduct a series of master classes on acting, stage speech and stage movement. Participants in the intensive training included students, aspiring actors and teachers looking to deepen their knowledge of theatre arts. The programme started with a master class by Ruslan Nasibulin, a senior lecturer of the Department of Stage Plastics at GITIS. Under his guidance, students performed…

Egypt has solidified its position as a key destination for higher education and scientific research in Africa, with 43,824 African students from 39 countries currently enrolled in Egyptian universities. This is reported by Sada El-Balad, a partner of TV BRICS. This figure represents 44 per cent of all international students in the country, reflecting the confidence African nations place in Egypt’s academic institutions, according to Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour. The Minister highlighted Egypt’s progress in…

The International Youth Forum “Russia-Africa: Nuclear Education – Potential for Successful Regional Development” at the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University) brought together 300 experts from 30 countries. The specialists discussed radiation safety in mining, application of artificial intelligence in nuclear medicine, ecobiotechnology, mining, and geological information systems. Pavel Shevtsov, Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, noted in an exclusive commentary to TV BRICS that Russia is implementing a large number of nuclear technology projects on the African…

South Africa has a new chairwoman at the helm of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). My esteemed colleague, Dr. Karen Stander, a senior lecturer in the Department of Business Management at Unisa’s College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS), has stepped into a role riddled with complexities. Yet, her appointment, while worth celebrating—also signals something more troubling: the ever-persistent reality of the glass cliff. Dr. Stander’s appointment by the Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, as…