Page 95 - Risk Report 2024

7. Energy 8. Logistics

Ongoing energy challenges disrupt critical education Institutions rely on supply chains for equipment, student
functions (e.g. computer labs where students access learning food, events, project materials, and study materials to
materials, service points for students' inquiries, call centres, students across the country. Central to the competitive edge of
laboratories used for experiments, and sensitive equipment). institutions, procurement functions tend to impede operational
Prolonged blackouts may disrupt campus facilities such as air efficiencies rather than enhance them. HEIs continue to grapple
conditioning, security systems, and emergency services which with delivery of appropriate global SCM skills to elevate
threaten the safety of staff and students. Institutions invest competitiveness. Broader benchmarking of institutional
in costly backup generators and solar panels, compelling policies and procedures to strengthen ‘outside-in’ and ‘inside-
the redirection of resources for critical functions. Online out’ orientation in support of HEIs and their stakeholders are
registrations require learners to have access to power supply, needed. Internal service level agreements and performance
failing which completion of the process could be delayed management must be matured.
or enrolment targets may not be met. Online learning, and
research (critical to the pursuit of innovation-driven solutions
to national challenges) require laboratory testing, with the cost
of running experiments escalating due to loadshedding.

9. Food Security 10. Climate Change
The enormous food security challenges in SA are compounded Extreme weather events affect education facilities and
by increasing unemployment and deepening poverty. There is infrastructure, and research assets, and disrupt education
constrained capacity to impact on food system governance, operations. Remote working options are not always conducive
technological innovation, health and safety. Spearheading to optimal education outcomes. Resilience and continuity
food security are the Universities of Pretoria and Western Cape programs are hindered by limited investment capacity. The
who in partnership with the DSI and NRF, are building onto the State’s Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant aims to enable HEIs
continental work through the Association of African Universities to refurbish existing physical infrastructure and/or build new
with other continental HEIs. Sector risk managers must adopt structures but has limitations (such as increased project costs
a more strategic outlook on their institutions’ contribution due to project delays). The uptake of innovative climate change,
towards broader national and global challenges such as food decarbonisation, and just energy transition related teaching
security. and research remains low compared to global peers. Tapping
into international collaboration with countries that have
progressed along the maturity curve is paramount to optimise
national and social impact.

11. Technology 12. Skills

Cybersecurity for online, distance, and/or eLearning institutions The inability to attract skilled academic human capital negatively
is critical to deliver education outcomes. Online confidential impacts research innovation and academic performance and
information is prone to cybersecurity threats, which could cause decreases student enrolment. Improved professionalism in the
delivery disruptions. Non-compliance with regulatory requirements Human Capital functions supporting succession planning and
can have serious POPIA consequences and reputational damage. merit-based appointments is desperately needed to combat
Sector responses include DNS security, firewall penetration
monitoring, and cyber and information security awareness programs. mediocrity and drive high performance cultures. High turnover
There is a growing demand for to on-line education platforms, with (low retention), exacerbated by high administrative workloads,
increased risk exposure. Students write examinations online and may further compromises student/staff-ratios and the quality
use AI compromising the integrity of qualifications, employability of education. To promote higher-performing institutions,
of graduates, and stakeholder trust. Institutions need to embrace postdoctoral fellowships and scholarships should be increased.
AI and incorporate it with good guidance to students on the use. Performance management should be improved. Institutions
Proctoring solutions (i.e. invigilator app, IRIS, and Turnitin) aim to should continuously assess and monitor their workload model
control the use of AI supported by disciplinary processes. Despite as part of the tools to assist with a balanced approach to work
global strides in technology-focused academic qualifications at distribution with an intention to ensure effective teaching and
undergraduate and postgraduate levels, SA lags. Similarly, whilst the learning. Short-term implications of deliberate transformation
sector appreciates the impact of technology on competitiveness, efforts to align with the demographics of the country should
most institutions continue to operate with archaic, disparate systems be balanced to build capacity over the medium- to long-term
that impede efficiencies. Embracing Council/Board responsibility for
IT governance could strengthen agility in response to cybersecurity future.
and technology opportunities to generate educational research
revenue for the same purpose.