Prof Hester C. Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Free State (UFS), was among a distinguished line-up of international higher education leaders who participated in the Future of Education Summit 2025, recently hosted virtually by CNBC Africa. The panel discussion, titled ‘Work-Integrated Learning and Career Hubs’, brought together academics and business leaders from Africa, Europe, and Australia to explore how universities can better prepare students for the future of work through meaningful partnerships with industry.

Taking place on 4 September, the summit opened with remarks from Dr Rakesh Wahi, Co-Founder and Chairman of the ABN Group and founder of the Future of Education Summit. He described the forum as a “critical deflection point, not just for our education system but for the future of our continent”. Highlighting the gap between qualifications and employment outcomes, Dr Wahi warned: “We produce graduates, but not always professionals. We are issuing degrees, but not always providing direction.” He said outdated curricula, underutilised technology, rigid regulations, and unsustainable financing continue to undermine Africa’s ability to fully harness the potential of its youth.

‘Re-imagining work-integrated learning for the future we aspire to create’

Speaking on the panel alongside Prof Gary Martin (CEO of the Australian Institute of Management WA), Naomi Graham (Vice-Principal of Edinburgh Napier University), Shweta Wahi (Managing Director: Operations at the Transnational Academic Group), and Prof Simon Guy (Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Lancaster University, UK), Prof Klopper argued that higher education faces a key choice. “We find ourselves at a pivotal moment in higher education, defined by rapid global change, evolving economic landscapes, and an urgent call for universities to adapt, innovate, and lead,” she said.

Central to her contribution was the view that universities must move beyond traditional and transactional models of work-integrated learning (WIL). “Positive change will not come by merely tweaking what we already have, but rather by fundamentally re-imagining work-integrated learning for our current higher education landscape and the future we aspire to create,” Prof Klopper stressed.

Citing examples from the UFS, Prof Klopper referred to the In the Shadow of the Prosecutor programme, which sees law students shadow prosecutors in partnership with the National Prosecuting Authority. “This has not only enlightened students on the professional requirements, but also the human-centred approach that is needed in order to be successful,” she said. Similarly, the university’s community development initiatives on its Qwaqwa Campus show how collaboration between students, supervisors, and communities can enrich both academic and professional outcomes.

At the heart of these efforts, she emphasised, lies the human element. “Today’s workplace requirements focus extensively on soft skills: leadership, compassion, teamwork, creative problem-solving, and interpersonal communication. These skills can only truly be developed in face-to-face settings.” While digital platforms can expand access and create efficiencies, they cannot replace the value of direct human interaction in cultivating leadership and empathy.

Prof Klopper also called for reimagined partnerships with industry that reflect genuine collaboration. “Many workplace relationships reflect a vendor-client model where organisations see little need to invest in shaping learning experiences. This transactional approach falls short of meeting both workplace and learner needs.” Instead, she urged universities and businesses to build shared authority, mutual investment, and sustainable models that work for both large corporations and smaller enterprises.

Positioning UFS in a global dialogue

The summit underscored that work-integrated learning is not just an educational strategy but a social and economic imperative. As universities worldwide respond to the challenges of youth unemployment, rapid technological change, and the demand for new skills, Prof Klopper’s contributions highlighted how the UFS is not only part of this global conversation but also shaping it through innovation, community engagement, and authentic industry collaboration.