
Knowledge Sessions
(KS)
Webinars presented by experienced and qualified professionals on a range of topics relevant to the Student Affairs & Services profession.
Collegial Conversations (CC)
Virtual dialogue sessions: an informal forum to connect professionals from around the world in facilitated conversations for sharing, learning, and networking. The conversations will be in small groups so you can interact with your colleagues on various topics in a relaxed setting. Each session is open to professionals around the world supporting Student Affairs and Services
Upcoming Knowledge Sessions (KS):
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Since the turn of the century, the shift from teacher-centred to student-centred approaches to learning and teaching has received significant scholarly attention. Empirical evidence and literature provides deeper insights into how students – and their learning, development and success – could be placed at the heart of the education process.
The purpose of this research study was to create a deeper understanding of how institutional cultures could be reshaped to create a student-centred higher education system in South Africa. Initiated by the Transformation Strategy Group (TSG) of Universities South Africa (USAf), this Delphi research study involved 12 Advisory Board members and 22 Expert Panel members.
Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with all 22 members of the Expert Panel, and a thematic data-analysis process resulted in the drafting of an initial research report. The results reveal that three value-clusters were identified, namely: inter-connectedness, human dignity and equitable access.
Furthermore, the data underlined the multi-dimensionality of a student-centred higher education system. Student-centred approaches are embedded in six contexts, namely: personal, relational, institutional, sectoral, societal and global. The conceptual framework developed through this research study provides new insights into creating a student-centred higher education system, with 108 guidelines formulated from the research results. These student-centred guidelines could be used as both a lens and a tool, to raise collective awareness and collective action in reshaping institutional cultures. The results of this study applies to all universities across the globe – with the aim to put students at the centre of learning and teaching.
Reshaping Higher Education into students entered institutions -
A Delphi Study from the Global South
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Dr. W.P. Wahl
Director Student Life
University of the Free State South Africa
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Dr W.P. Wahl has been involved in student affairs for 21 years, and currently serves as Director: Student Life at the University of the Free State (UFS), in central South Africa – a position he has occupied since October 2016. During the past two decades he has been involved in numerous transformation projects, involving highly diverse student communities. From 2017 to 2019 Dr Wahl directed, in collaboration with a co-director from the United States, the annual ACUHO-I Student Housing Training Institute in South Africa. During 2021 and 2022 Dr Wahl served as the principal investigator of a national research study on student-centred universities for the Transformation Strategy Group (TSG), Universities South Africa (USAf). He is well published and his scholarly focus centres around creating campus environments that are conducive to student learning, development and success, especially for students hailing from disadvantaged backgrounds. Dr Wahl served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Cognitive Education and Psychology (JCEP) during 2021 and 2022, as well as editor of the Journal of Student Affairs in Africa (JSAA) from 2016 to 2022. He also supervises Masters and PhD students in the Faculty of Education, UFS. His most recent book, co-authored with Louis H. Falik, (Accommodating Marginalized Students in Higher Education: A Structural Theory Approach) will be published by Routledge later in 2023. He is married to Siobhone and is the father of three children: Judah, Joshua and Milcah.
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Past Knowledge Sessions (KS) & Collegial Conversations (CC):
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December 15, 2021 Embracing Self-Care as We Prepare for 2021(CC)
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March 4, 2021 Tips & Tricks for Assessment Planning and Target Setting (KS)
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February 18, 2021 Researching the Effects of COVID-19 on Staff Wellness (KS)
ACPA/IASAS -
Around the Globe Series
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IASAS and ACPA’s Commission for Global Dimensions of Student Development (CGDSD) are collaborating to offer a series of webinars featuring well-known experts and speakers from around the world.
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Each webinar addresses a topic critical to student affairs and services, including diversity of structures of student affairs in different regions and countries around the world, different roles and functions of students within student affairs and universities.
The discussions are focused on mental health, free speech, sustainability, race and equality, gender and other relevant issues such as counseling, residence life, community building, and more.

Upcoming Joint Webinars:
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Past Joint Webinars (October 2019-Present)
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The New Normal (Post COVID19) continues: What has changed and what has remained the same?- For information to register – Visit IASAS Global Youtube page to listen in to past webinars.
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April 12, 2022
​Reflecting on Career Services in Higher Education – Visit IASAS Global Youtube page to listen in to past webinars.
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May 21, 2021
​Global Student Affairs and Services in the Context of COVID19: Student Development and support in unique contexts with unique challenges
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What’s Next for International Education?: COVID-19’s Impact on Student Mobility Around the Globe
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Exploring Social Responsibility & Issues of Inequity Around the World
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Career Pathways to Student Affairs and Services Around the World
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Visit the ACPA CGDSD webpage for a list of past webinars and to access the recordings!
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