UKZN Staffer Appointed to the CHE Reference Group on Transformation in Higher Education

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Dr Saloschini Pillay, Student Support Services Manager in the College of Health Sciences (CHS) and an internationally recognised expert in student wellness, has been appointed by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) to serve on its Reference Group (RG) for the development of a framework for monitoring transformation of, and in, Higher Education.

Last year, Pillay received a prestigious global award from Hyland UK for developing and implementing UKZN’s automated Student Wellness and Academic Transformation assessment and intervention system. The award recognised the Best Implementation of a Digital Solution for Student Support and Wellness.

Pillay holds an Honours degree in Social Work, a Master’s in Medical Science (Social Work) and a Doctorate in Public Administration and Development Management. She also completed the Senior Leadership Development Programme through Stellenbosch University during the COVID-19 lockdown and was awarded a bursary to pursue a postgraduate qualification at the Lincoln International Business School, University of Lincoln, United Kingdom.

Passionate about supporting students’ development from admission to graduation, Pillay serves on several national and international platforms. She is a Global Divisional Board member of NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) and represents South Africa on the International Association of Student Affairs and Services (IASAS).

She is the inaugural President of the Southern African Federation for Student Affairs and Services, President of the Southern African Association for Counselling and Development in Higher Education, and a member of Universities South Africa’s National Transformation Strategy Group. Pillay previously served as the Higher Education representative on the Professional Board for Social Work (2016-2021) and as Chair of its Education, Training and Development Committee.

Representing Student Affairs South Africa at IASAS, she contributed a chapter to the Handbook on Student Affairs and Services in Higher Education: Global Foundations, Issues and Best Practices. In 2019, she was nominated to serve on the NASPA Global Divisional Board, where she represents Student Affairs in both South Africa and the wider African region.

Professor Percy Sepeng, Dean of Students at UKZN congratulated Pillay: “I am delighted to learn of your invitation to serve on the CHE’s Reference Group (RG) for developing a framework to monitor transformation in Higher Education. Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on this well-earned recognition of your expertise and dedication. Your deep understanding of transformation of and in Higher Education, combined with your solid commitment to equity and excellence, will be invaluable as the RG charts new pathways for institutional transformation. I have no doubt that your contributions will strengthen both the national discourse on Higher Education reform and our own efforts here at UKZN. As you embark on this important tenure, I wish you every success. I look forward to the insights you will bring back to our University community. UKZN stands to benefit greatly from your leadership and the strategic perspectives you will help shape at the CHE’s RG.”

Professor Busisiwe Ncama, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the CHS echoed Sepeng’s sentiments: “Congratulations on this wonderful achievement. We are delighted as a College about this and we believe you will add a lot of value to this committee.”

Words: MaryAnn Francis

Photograph: Supplied