Dr Thembinkosi Mabila, Director for Research Administration and Development at the University of Limpopo. Photo: UL archives
By Lesego Maaba – ulpublication@ul.ac.za
Dr Thembinkosi Mabila, Director for Research Administration and Development at the University of Limpopo (UL), has been appointed to the Reference Group for the Implementation Strategy of the Policy Framework for the Internationalisation of Higher Education in South Africa
The appointment, announced by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), is effective from April 2026 to March 2029. This recognition highlights Dr Mabila’s significant contributions to advancing research at UL and affirms the university’s increasing influence in shaping higher education policy and governance in South Africa.
The Reference Group acts as a national advisory body, guiding the DHET in implementing the Policy Framework for the Internationalisation of Higher Education. Under the DHET’s oversight and with support from the University Research Support and Policy Development Directorate, the group will engage in consultations, research, and policy reviews, conducted both virtually and at designated departmental venues.
Internationalisation is a crucial driver of global competitiveness, collaboration, and innovation in higher education. South Africa’s Policy Framework aims to align universities’ internationalisation strategies with national priorities, including transformation, decolonisation, equitable access, and institutional capacity development.
Dr Mabila, who has tirelessly worked to enhance UL’s research profile and strengthen partnerships, will bring his extensive expertise in research administration, policy development, and academic governance to this national platform. His involvement will also help ensure that historically disadvantaged institutions benefit meaningfully from international opportunities.
Reflecting on his appointment, Dr Mabila remarked that the role is both an honour and a responsibility to advance equitable transformation in higher education.
“Serving on this committee means contributing to shaping a higher education system that is globally connected while being firmly rooted in our national priorities. It’s about ensuring that all universities, especially those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds benefit from international collaborations that build capacity, strengthen research, and promote social impact,” he explained.
Dr Mabila noted that his contribution will focus on leveraging international partnerships to support UL’s research ambitions, capacity building, and postgraduate training.
“My participation will also create opportunities to position UL as a key player in South Africa’s internationalisation agenda, aligning with our institutional vision of producing globally competitive graduates and impactful research,” he said.
The Reference Group’s broader mandate includes advising the DHET on strategies that promote inclusive participation in internationalisation activities across all universities. It will assess institutional performance plans and reports to ensure alignment with national frameworks, strengthen international cooperation through bilateral and multilateral partnerships, and recommend mechanisms that promote equitable access to international opportunities for staff and students.
Dr Mabila’s appointment adds to a growing list of UL academics serving in prominent national roles. Recently, Professor Samuel Koma, Director of the School of Economics and Management, was appointed to the Board of the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS), Professor Paulina Bopape-Mabapa and Professor Kingsley Ayisi serve in the Department of Science and Innovation Global Change Scientific Committee. Several others continue to serve on professional councils, advisory panels, and national task teams shaping policy in fields such as education, law, and health sciences.