The North-West University (NWU) continues to strengthen its footprint in national and international education spaces following the appointment of Ms Kgothatso Mafiri, project coordinator responsible for community engagement at the Mahikeng Campus, as the national coordinator of recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Ms Mafiri has served in this national role since 2020, contributing significantly to the advancement and coordination of recognition of prior learning initiatives across South Africa. Her appointment reflects her sustained commitment to inclusive education, access and lifelong learning pathways.
Speaking on her appointment, Ms Mafiri highlighted the importance of RPL in transforming higher education.
“Recognition of prior learning is a critical instrument for widening access to education and acknowledging the knowledge and skills that people acquire outside formal learning environments. I am honoured to contribute to this work at a national level,” she said.
As part of her ongoing national coordination role, Ms Mafiri is also calling for abstract submissions for the 9th International Conference on the Future of Education 2026, scheduled to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from 9 to 10 July 2026. The conference is regarded as the leading education conference of the year in Asia, bringing together scholars, practitioners, policymakers and education innovators from around the world.
The conference will focus on emerging trends, innovative practices and future-oriented strategies shaping global education systems. Academics, researchers, postgraduate students and education professionals are encouraged to submit abstracts aligned with the conference themes.
Ms Mafiri emphasised the value of global academic engagement:
“Platforms such as the International Conference on the Future of Education create opportunities for meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange and collaboration. I encourage scholars and practitioners, particularly from Africa, to contribute their voices and research to this important global conversation,” she added.
The leadership of the NWU has welcomed Ms Mafiri’s continued national and international contributions, noting that her role enhances the visibility and impact of the university in education discourse beyond the borders of South Africa.
Her appointment and involvement in the 9th International Conference on the Future of Education further reinforce the commitment of the university to academic excellence, community engagement and global relevance in higher education.
𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. https://futureeduconference.tiikm.com/abstract-submission/
Register now and make your impact count! https://futureeduconference.tiikm.com/
Kgothatso Mafiri
