Launching a new era
for African Higher Education
Co-hosted by
A landmark gathering to launch the AppliedHE ALL-AFRICA Rankings Initiative: a continental Xchange to co-create an African-informed ranking to recognise excellence in African higher education.
Countdown to event
Event date
31 Aug - 1 Sep 2026
Event time
09:00 AM (SAST)
Location
Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa
The AppliedHE ALL-AFRICA Rankings Initiative is more than a new ranking. It is a continent-wide effort to bring together African higher education leaders to define, recognise and celebrate excellence through an African-informed lens. This inaugural gathering marks the beginning of that journey - creating space for dialogue, collaboration and co-creation as we work towards a framework that reflects the diversity, aspirations and strengths of African higher education.
Reframing the future of African higher education.
The AppliedHE ALL-AFRICA Rankings Initiative has been established to create a collaborative platform through which African higher education institutions can shape a framework for recognising excellence that reflects the continent's unique contexts, contributions and ambitions.
The initiative brings together universities, policymakers, quality assurance bodies, industry and other higher education partners to contribute to an evolving African-rankings framework wholly informed and developed by African perspectives.
The inaugural gathering at the University of Cape Town marks the beginning of the process of consultation, collaboration and refinement, a process that will continue to evolve through broad continental engagement toward launching Africa’s first Higher Education Ranking… by Africa for Africa.
Co-host Institution
University of Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa
Why this initiative
matters
African higher education is diverse, dynamic and rapidly evolving. While global rankings have influenced how excellence is understood, they do not always reflect the varied missions, contexts and contributions of African universities.
The AppliedHE ALL-AFRICA Rankings Initiative provides an opportunity for the continent to come together and help shape an approach to recognising excellence that is meaningful, credible and relevant to Africa. By bringing together voices from across the higher education ecosystem, the initiative seeks to ensure that the framework for example including the methodology and metrics, is informed through inclusive collaboration and co-creation.
What makes this initiative
different
African-informed
Built through African perspectives and experience.
Co-created
Developed through ongoing consultation and collaboration across the continent.
Context-sensitive
Recognises the diversity of institutional missions, contexts and strengths.
Transparent
Committed to openness, dialogue and continuous improvement.
Future-focused
Designed to evolve as African higher education continues to grow and transform. Will contribute to African higher education institutional impact and excellence.
The centrepiece
of the gathering
At the heart of the inaugural gathering is the Co-creation Workshop.
Bringing together vice-chancellors, presidents, rectors and senior higher education leaders from across the continent, the workshop will provide a collaborative space to explore the principles, values and priorities that should inform an African approach to recognising excellence in higher education.
Participants will contribute directly to shaping the future direction of the AppliedHE ALL-AFRICA Rankings Initiative through open dialogue, shared learning and collaborative design. The outcomes of the workshop will inform the next phase of consultation and contribute towards the continued development of the initiative.
What Participants
Will Shape
Open dialogue · Shared learning · Collaborative design
Participants will contribute directly to shaping:
-
Principles
-
Values
-
Priorities
The outcomes of the workshop will inform the next phase of consultation and contribute towards the continued development of the initiative.
Programme
overview
Co-creation Workshop
The centrepiece of the gathering
Bringing together vice-chancellors, presidents, rectors and senior higher education leaders from across the continent, the workshop will provide a collaborative space to explore the principles, values and priorities that should inform an African approach to recognising excellence in higher education.
Facilitators
Prof Abhi Veerakumarasivam · Provost & Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Mr Marcel Bandur · Director, Internationalisation, Global Engagement & Mobility
Sunway University, Malaysia
Special Session
A performance management perspective on university rankings
A timely discussion on the human skills that matter most in an age of AI, automation and digital change — and how universities can protect and strengthen them.
Richard M. Walker · Lee Shau Kee Foundation Chair Professor of Public Administration, Government & International Affairs, Lingnan University, Hong Kong
AppliedHE “Squaring the Circle” Debate
A provocative, high-energy debate on the defining issues of global higher education.
University leaders and experts challenge conventional wisdom and engage the audience head-on.
The Motion
“Employability should matter more than research in university rankings.”
Who should
attend.
The inaugural AppliedHE ALL-AFRICA gathering brings together leaders and partners from across the higher education ecosystem who are committed to shaping the future of recognising excellence in African higher education.
Why be part of this
continental initiative?
By participating, delegates will contribute to an important continental conversation while shaping the future direction of the AppliedHE ALL-AFRICA Rankings Initiative.
Contribution
Contribute directly to shaping the future direction of the AppliedHE ALL-AFRICA Rankings Initiative.
Collaboration
Work alongside universities, policymakers, quality assurance bodies, industry and other higher education partners from across the continent.
Shared learning
Exchange perspectives and experience through open dialogue and collaborative design.
Long-term impact
Help shape a framework designed to evolve as African higher education continues to grow and transform, contributing to institutional impact and excellence.
Looking beyond the launch
The inaugural gathering marks the beginning of a longer-term continental initiative. The conversations, partnerships and ideas emerging from this event will continue to shape the evolution of the AppliedHE ALL-AFRICA Rankings Initiative through ongoing consultation, collaboration and engagement across Africa. This will ultimately result in the launch of the AppliedHE ALL-AFRICA Public & Private University Rankings in 2027.
The inaugural edition follows AppliedHE's signature methodology of assessing public and private universities separately, recognising their different missions, structures, and operating realities while bringing the full continent into view.
54 countries in scope
A continental baseline designed to better reflect institutional missions, contexts, and contribution.
Public/Private lens
Separate public and private assessments reflect different structures and operating realities.
Driven by
AppliedHE.
AppliedHE is a Singapore-based education technology company that has been compiling university rankings since 2021.
We are known for our signature methodology of separating Public and Private universities, ensuring that institutions are assessed in ways that reflect their different roles, structures, and measures of excellence.
This distinctive approach allows AppliedHE to deliver independent, transparent, and more meaningful benchmarks for students, universities, and policy-makers globally.
Meaningful Benchmarks
Delivering independent, transparent data.
Singapore-Based
Compiling global rankings since 2021.
Signature Methodology
Separating Public and Private assessments.
Institutional Context
Reflecting different missions and structures.
Sponsorship packages.
Elevate your institution's brand and connect with university leaders, policymakers, and partners from across the continent.
Platinum Sponsor
- Double table
- Premium pull-up banner (Self-Produced, high-traffic zone)
- Hero leaderboard banner (970 × 250)
- Logo prominence on all channels
- Digital certificate & e-badge
- Institution brochure insert in conference bag
- 5-minute speaking slot at Gala Dinner
- Elevator Pitch slot
- GDPR-compliant attendee list
- App.LE Club membership (1 year)
Gold Sponsor
- Double table
- Premium pull-up banner (Self-Produced, high-traffic zone)
- Leaderboard banner (728 × 90)
- Logo prominence on all channels
- Digital certificate & e-badge
- Institution brochure insert in conference bag
- Elevator Pitch slot
- GDPR-compliant attendee list
Silver Sponsor
- Standard table
- Sidebar banner (300 × 250)
- Logo prominence on all channels
- Digital certificate & e-badge
- Institution brochure insert in conference bag
Bronze Sponsor
- Standard table
- Logo prominence on selected channels
- Digital certificate & e-badge
- Institution brochure insert in conference bag
Additional Sponsorship Opportunities
Elevator Pitch
- 2-minute speaking slot to all delegates
- Ideal for announcements (programs, partnerships)
- Logo on holding slide and event program
Visibility Plus Package
- Logo on main event backdrop and official channels
- Brochure insert in all conference bags
- Banner placement on AppliedHE Xtra! Xtra! platform
Conference Lanyard
- Logo on lanyards (1-color print)
- Logo prominence on all event channels
- Advertisement in program book (printed and digital)
- Brochure insert in conference bag
Conference Bag Sponsorship
- Logo on conference bags
- Bags distributed to all attendees
- Logo prominence on all event channels
- Advertisement in program book (printed and digital)
- Brochure insert in conference bag
Looking for a bespoke partnership or have questions about a package? Our team is happy to tailor an opportunity to your goals.
Become a Sponsor
Where you’ll stay
in Cape Town.
The Southern Sun Cape Sun is the official conference hotel for AppliedHE ALL AFRICA 2026, offering the most convenient stay for delegates throughout the gathering. Three hotels are available at different price ranges through the official booking portal.
Register now for
AppliedHE Xchange @ UCT 2026 - ALL AFRICA.
Register for AppliedHE ALL AFRICA 2026 and join university leaders, policymakers, and partners at the University of Cape Town for the launch of the AppliedHE ALL-AFRICA Rankings Initiative and the conversations that will shape what comes next.