SOAS alumni reception in Johannesburg with Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Habib

Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Habib and Director of Advancement Shona Aitken look forward to hosting you for this Alumni Reception in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Join Professor Habib as he shares key insights on 'After the Storms — Academic Freedom and Leadership in Higher Education' alongside former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, Max Price. The discussion will be moderated by Associate Professor in English and Director of University of Johannesburg's Centre for the Study of Race, Gender and Class Victoria Collis-Buthelezi.

During the apartheid years, academic freedom was the main concept used to defend the autonomy of institutions of higher learning. Throughout the period, universities commemorated and marked the passing of the Extension of University Education Act of 1959 by holding protests or organising lectures on academic freedom. 

With the end of apartheid, it has become less clear what academic freedom means and whether it is still a useful term for understanding the internal and external threats to university autonomy. This conversation between two former university Vice-Chancellors will explore the post-apartheid dilemmas of university leadership through the lens of academic freedom.

There will be a drinks reception after the event at the Wits Club. This will be an opportunity to network, connect with fellow SOAS alumni and find out more about how you can engage with SOAS both locally in Johannesburg and in London.

Please note that this event is both in-person and online. In-person registration for this event will begin at 5:30pm.

Image credit: Angelo Moleele via Unsplash