Attend 32nd saair annual conference from 27 to 31 october 2025
The University of Venda (UNIVEN) is sharing details about the upcoming 32nd South African Association for Institutional Research (SAAIR) Annual Conference, scheduled to take place from 27 to 31 October 2025. This important event will focus on achieving excellence in higher education by improving funding pathways and student outcomes through human-centred artificial intelligence (AI), impactful research, and smart operational strategies. Academics and researchers are encouraged to submit their abstracts by the deadline of 30 June 2025, contributing to discussions across five key subthemes.
Detailed event information
- Event Name: The 32nd SAAIR Annual Conference.
- Organising Body: South African Association for Institutional Research (SAAIR), with strong promotion and likely hosting involvement from the University of Venda (UNIVEN).
- Conference Dates: 27 October to 31 October 2025.
- Abstract Submission Deadline: 30 June 2025.
- Conference Theme: “Towards Excellence: Enhancing Funding Pathways and Student Outcomes through Human-Centric AI, Impactful Research, and Operational Intelligence.” This theme highlights a forward-thinking approach to improving higher education by leveraging technology and smart strategies.
- Subthemes:
- Funding the Future
- From Insight to Impact
- Bridging the Skills Gap
- Ensuring Excellence
- Global and Continental Commitments
- Venue: While the exact venue is not specified on the poster, the conference is being promoted by the University of Venda, suggesting it will likely be hosted at the university or within the Thohoyandou area.
- Key Participants: Primarily academics, researchers, institutional planners, and higher education practitioners from universities, colleges, and related organisations interested in institutional research and higher education development.
The 32nd SAAIR annual conference: A focus on the future of education
The University of Venda is pleased to highlight the upcoming 32nd SAAIR Annual Conference, a significant event for everyone involved in higher education. This conference, set to run from 27 to 31 October 2025, is themed “Towards Excellence: Enhancing Funding Pathways and Student Outcomes through Human-Centric AI, Impactful Research, and Operational Intelligence.” It’s all about looking ahead and finding better ways to ensure our universities not only survive but thrive and truly benefit our students and communities.
The conference will delve into how we can improve the financial support for universities, making sure they have the resources needed to provide quality education. A big part of this will be exploring human-centred artificial intelligence – this isn’t about replacing people, but about using smart technology to support learning, research, and administrative tasks in a way that truly puts human needs first. We’ll also be discussing how to make research more meaningful, so it’s not just academic exercises but actually solves real-world problems and makes a tangible difference.
Underneath this main theme, there are five key areas that will be explored: “Funding the Future,” which looks at sustainable financial models; “From Insight to Impact,” focusing on turning knowledge into action; “Bridging the Skills Gap,” ensuring our graduates have the skills needed for today’s job market; “Ensuring Excellence,” maintaining high standards in all aspects of education; and “Global and Continental Commitments,” addressing how African universities can contribute to broader development goals. If you’re keen to contribute, the deadline for submitting abstracts is 30 June 2025.
Benefits to the community and participation
While this conference is primarily for academics and institutional researchers, its impact extends far beyond university campuses and offers significant benefits to the wider community. Discussions on “Funding the Future” and “From Insight to Impact” mean that universities will be better equipped to secure resources and conduct research that directly addresses community challenges, such as health, economic development, and environmental issues. When universities produce impactful research, local communities can benefit from new innovations, improved public services, and evidence-based policy making.
The focus on “Bridging the Skills Gap” is particularly important. By ensuring that university graduates are equipped with the skills demanded by industries, the conference aims to enhance employability and reduce youth unemployment. This means a stronger workforce for local businesses and a more prosperous economy for the Thohoyandou region and beyond. Moreover, improved “Student Outcomes” translate into better-prepared citizens who can contribute positively to society, whether as entrepreneurs, professionals, or community leaders.
For the community, participation can come in various forms. While direct attendance at all conference sessions might be geared towards professionals, keep an eye on UNIVEN’s official communication channels for potential public lectures, workshops, or summary reports that may emerge from the conference. These could offer valuable insights into the future of education, technology, and research, providing opportunities for local residents to learn and engage. Engaging with UNIVEN through its various community outreach programs and staying informed about the university’s research outcomes is another excellent way to benefit from these advancements. You can always find more information on this specific conference here: 32nd SAAIR Annual Conference at UNIVEN. For more on what’s happening at UNIVEN, explore other events at UNIVEN Events in Thohoyandou.
Questions and answers for the public
- What is the 32nd SAAIR Annual Conference about?
This conference is a big meeting for people involved in higher education to discuss how to make universities better. It focuses on how to get more funding, help students do well, and use smart technology like AI and good research to improve things. - Who is organising this conference?
It’s organised by the South African Association for Institutional Research (SAAIR), and the University of Venda (UNIVEN) is promoting it and likely hosting it. - When will the conference take place?
The main conference will run from 27 to 31 October 2025. - I’m not an academic; can I still get involved or benefit?
While many sessions are for academics, the outcomes—like better-skilled graduates and impactful research—directly benefit the community. Keep an eye on UNIVEN’s announcements for public lectures or summaries of findings that might be open to everyone. - What are the main topics that will be discussed?
Key topics include how universities get money, turning research into real-world solutions, making sure students have the right skills for jobs, maintaining high standards, and how our universities fit into bigger global and African goals. - Where will the conference be held?
The exact location isn’t on the poster, but as UNIVEN is promoting it, it’s expected to be at the university campus or somewhere nearby in Thohoyandou. - What does “Human-Centric AI” mean?
It means using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and systems in a way that is designed to help and support people—students, lecturers, and staff—rather than replacing them. It’s about using technology to improve human experiences and outcomes. - How can this conference help the local economy?
By improving student skills and fostering impactful research, the conference aims to produce more employable graduates and drive innovation. This can lead to new businesses, better job opportunities, and a more skilled workforce, all of which boost the local economy. - Is there a cost to attend the conference?
The poster doesn’t mention specific registration fees. Typically, such conferences have fees for delegates, but details would be provided closer to the event or on the official SAAIR/UNIVEN conference website. - Where can I find more detailed information or updates about the conference?
You can visit the official UNIVEN event page for this conference at www.univen.ac.za/events/32-saair-nd-annual-conference/. For more general UNIVEN event news, check out UNIVEN Events in Thohoyandou. - What is the deadline for submitting research papers or abstracts?
If you are an academic or researcher, the deadline for submitting your abstract is 30 June 2025.
