SEPTEMBER 16-18, 2026 • CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

About WLHE Summit 2026

Reimagining Higher Education:
Women Leading Innovation, Equity & Impact

Stay Updated Explore Tickets

Summit Focus Areas

Three Pillars Driving Transformation

01

Innovation & Artificial Intelligence for Transformation

WLHE 2026 explores how women are leading the ethical and strategic use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital tools in teaching, research, leadership, and institutional governance, with strong attention to equity, ethics, and gendered implications.

  • AI in teaching and learning
  • Research innovation and productivity
  • Ethical AI implementation
  • Digital transformation leadership
02

Equity, Belonging & Systemic Change

The summit centres equity-focused leadership by examining gendered barriers, inclusive institutional cultures, funding access, promotion pathways, and policy reforms that support women across all career stages.

  • Breaking gendered barriers
  • Inclusive institutional cultures
  • Funding and promotion equity
  • Policy reform and advocacy
03

Health, Wellness & Sustainable Leadership

Health and wellness are integrated as core leadership concerns. WLHE 2026 addresses burnout, emotional labour, workload pressures, and sustainable leadership practices that prioritise people, wellbeing, and long-term impact.

  • Managing burnout and stress
  • Work-life integration
  • Mental health support systems
  • Sustainable leadership models

Speakers

WLHE 2026 Speaker Lineup

Our program features keynotes, plenaries, and panelists shaping the future of higher education. More announcements coming soon.

We’re curating a journey of voices—revealing speakers, plenary leaders, and panelists step by step. Nominate someone exceptional or put your name forward.

Ready to nominate a speaker or panelist?

?
?
?
?
?
?
Professor Daniela Maria Pampanin

Prof. Daniela Maria Pampanin

Professor of Ecotoxicology

University of Stavanger

?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
Professor Beatrice Opeolu

Prof. Beatrice Opeolu

Director, Bee Solutions and Consultancy Services

WLHE Summit 2026

Professor Olatunde Olatunji

Prof. Olatunde Olatunji

Professor, School of Chemistry & Physics

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

Professor Nita Inderlal Sukdeo

Prof. Nita Inderlal Sukdeo

Associate Professor, Quality & Operations Management

University of Johannesburg

Hellen Banda-Adogo

Hellen Banda-Adogo

Project Coordinator

University of Johannesburg

Professor Thasmai Dhurumraj

Prof. Thasmai Dhurumraj

Associate Professor, Curriculum Studies

University of the Western Cape

Professor Brenda Moodley

Prof. Brenda Moodley

Professor of Chemistry

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Professor Seun Oyekola

Prof. Seun Oyekola

Professor, Chemical Engineering & SoLT

Holmesglen Institute, Australia

Andiswa Mrasi

Andiswa Mrasi

Manager: Strategic Initiatives & Projects

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Want to explore the full WLHE 2026 speaker lineup?

See Full Speaker Lineup

Who Should Attend

Built for Leaders at Every Stage

WLHE 2026 is designed for senior and emerging leaders in higher education, researchers and academics, postgraduate students, research institutions, funding agencies, policymakers, and professionals committed to innovation, equity, and impact.

Senior Leaders

Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Deans, and executive leadership teams driving institutional strategy and transformation

Emerging Leaders

Heads of departments, programme directors, and mid-career academics building leadership capacity

Researchers & Academics

Faculty members, researchers, and scholars engaged in equity, innovation, and education research

Postgraduate Students

Master's, PhD students, and Postdoctoral Fellows exploring academic career pathways and leadership development

Funding Agencies

Research councils, grant-making bodies, and organizations supporting higher education research and innovation

Policy Professionals

Government officials, policy advisors, and advocates shaping higher education policy and reform

Ready to Join Us?

Join Africa's premier gathering of women leaders transforming higher education

Explore Tickets Stay Updated

Executive Summary

A Strategic Leadership Meeting for Higher Education Transformation

The Women Leaders in Higher Education (WLHE) Summit 2026 is a strategic leadership meeting designed for Vice-Chancellors, Deans, senior executives, and research funders seeking to drive innovation, equity, and sustainable impact within higher education systems.

Innovation & AI

Women's leadership at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and equity-driven transformation

Equity & Inclusion

Systemic change addressing leadership pipelines and equitable talent development

Health & Wellness

Sustainable leadership practices prioritizing staff wellbeing and institutional health

Future-Ready Governance

Enhancing institutional readiness for AI-enabled futures and global sustainability agendas

The Summit Will:

  • Strengthen leadership capacity across the sector
  • Support equitable talent development and retention
  • Enhance institutional readiness for AI-enabled futures
  • Align with global transformation and sustainability agendas

Senior leaders, emerging leaders, researchers, postgraduate students, and funding agencies invested in systemic impact are invited to participate as speakers, attendees, sponsors and exhibitors.

Register Your Interest Become a Sponsor

Professor Beatrice Opeolu

Convener, WLHE Summit

Founder & Director, BEE Solutions and Consultancy Services

Foreword from the Convener

A Defining Moment for Higher Education Leadership

Higher education stands at a defining crossroads. Across the globe, institutions are being asked to do more—with fewer resources—while responding to rapid technological change, persistent inequities, and growing concerns around staff and student wellbeing. In these moments of complexity, women's leadership is not optional; it is essential.

The Women Leaders in Higher Education (WLHE) Summit was created as a deliberate space for reflection, connection, and action. Following the powerful conversations, partnerships, and commitments that emerged from the 2025 edition, WLHE 2026 invites us to go further—to reimagine what higher education can and should look like when women lead innovation, equity, and impact.

"The theme for the 2026 Summit is 'Reimagining Higher Education: Women Leading Innovation, Equity & Impact'"

This year's summit intentionally integrates conversations on Artificial Intelligence, health, and wellness—not as add-ons, but as critical tools for sustainable leadership and institutional transformation. WLHE 2026 brings together established leaders, emerging leaders, researchers, funders, and postgraduate students to learn from one another, challenge assumptions, and co-create pathways toward healthier, more inclusive, and future-ready higher education systems.

I warmly invite you to be part of WLHE 2026; not only to share your expertise, but to reconnect with purpose, build meaningful networks, and collectively shape the future of higher education.

Professor Beatrice Opeolu

Convener, WLHE Summit
Founder & Director, BEE Solutions and Consultancy Services

Be Part of WLHE 2026

Multiple ways to engage with Africa's premier women leadership summit

Attend

Join 300+ leaders for three days of learning, networking, and transformation

Explore Tickets

Speak

Share your expertise through keynotes, panels, and facilitated conversations

Express Interest

Sponsor

Align your brand with innovation, equity, and women's leadership in higher education

Partnership Opportunities

Exhibit

Showcase your products, services, and solutions to decision-makers and influencers

Exhibitor Info