Student affairs leaders from universities across Africa have gathered in Kigali for the 2026 International Conference of the African Association of Deans of Students Affairs in Tertiary Institutions (AADSATI), hosted by the University of Kigali from August 24 to 28, 2026.
The five-day conference is bringing together Deans of Students and student affairs professionals from across the continent to examine how higher education institutions can respond to the changing needs of students in an increasingly digital and diverse environment.
Held under the theme, "Reimagining Student Affairs Leadership in the Digital Era: Ethics, Governance, and Inclusion in African Tertiary Institutions,” the conference is addressing some of the most pressing issues facing student affairs leadership today, including digital transformation, student support systems, ethics and governance, diversity and inclusion, psychosocial well-being, crisis management and student development.
Building connections before the discussions
The conference began on Monday, August 24, with the arrival and registration of delegates, followed by networking and institutional engagement.
Delegates from Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Uganda and other African countries were welcomed by the University of Kigali organising team as they arrived in Kigali for the continental gathering.
One of the highlights of the first day was a courtesy visit by AADSATI leaders to the University of Kigali management. The delegation met with University of Kigali Vice-Chancellor Prof. George Kimathi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise Prof. Ogechi Adeola, and Dean of Students and Host Dean Mukasonga Virginie.
The meeting provided an opportunity for institutional engagement and for AADSATI representatives to express their appreciation to the University of Kigali for hosting the conference and facilitating the gathering of student affairs leaders from across Africa.
A continental conversation on the future of student affairs
The substantive conference sessions began on Tuesday, August 25, with representatives from 39 universities across Africa participating in the opening and networking sessions.
The opening ceremony also featured a traditional dance performance, bringing a cultural dimension to the conference and providing delegates with an opportunity to experience Rwanda's heritage.
Prof. George Kimathi officially declared the conference open, emphasising the importance of creating spaces where student affairs leaders can exchange experiences, confront emerging challenges and develop practical approaches to improving student support across African higher education institutions.
A key message from the Vice-Chancellor centred on an often-overlooked aspect of student affairs: the well-being of the professionals responsible for supporting students.
He encouraged delegates to consider how institutions can provide appropriate professional and emotional support to Deans of Students and other student affairs professionals who themselves carry significant responsibilities in counselling, supporting and responding to students' needs.
The message was clear: those who support others also need support.
Responding to the digital-age student
The discussions on Day Two reflected the changing nature of student life and the growing influence of technology on higher education.
The programme included discussions on digital transformation and student life management, the psychosocial and developmental needs of digital-age students, student support systems, institutional policy implementation and integrated approaches to student success.
These discussions come at a time when universities are increasingly required to rethink how they engage, support and protect students in environments shaped by digital technology, changing social identities and new forms of communication.
For student affairs leaders, the challenge goes beyond adopting new technologies. It also involves ensuring that digital transformation is accompanied by ethical leadership, responsible governance and inclusive approaches that ensure students are not left behind.
Beyond technology: ethics, inclusion and student well-being
The conference's broader programme reflects the multifaceted responsibilities of modern student affairs leadership.
Sessions scheduled for the conference address ethics and accountability, leadership and values, diversity and inclusion, disability support, emerging diversity issues, crisis and conflict management, gender-based violence, foreign student management and cross-cultural student affairs practice.
These areas highlight the increasingly complex role of student affairs professionals in African universities.
From supporting students with disabilities to responding to gender-based violence, managing crises and fostering inclusive campus environments, Deans of Students are increasingly positioned at the centre of institutional efforts to promote student welfare, safety and success.
The conference therefore provides an opportunity for institutions to share experiences and explore approaches that can be adapted to different African higher education contexts.
Strengthening African higher education through collaboration
Beyond the formal sessions, the conference is creating opportunities for professional networking and institutional collaboration among student affairs leaders from different countries.
The AADSATI conference invitation describes the gathering as an opportunity for Deans of Students to engage in meaningful dialogue, share best practices and build capacity for effective and ethical student affairs leadership in the digital age.
For the University of Kigali, hosting the conference places the institution at the centre of a continental conversation on the future of student support and student affairs leadership.
As African universities continue to expand and respond to rapidly changing student needs, strengthening student affairs systems will remain critical to creating higher education environments where students can learn, develop and succeed.
Shaping the future of student affairs leadership
As the conference drew to a close, the Chairman of the Board of Promoters, Prof. Nshuti Manasseh, expressed his appreciation to all participants, noting that the gathering had created a valuable platform for dialogue, diverse perspectives, and a shared vision for the future of student affairs leadership in Africa.
He emphasised the need for ethics, accountable governance, and inclusion to remain at the heart of higher education institutions. In reflecting on the digital era, Prof. Nshuti noted that while technology presents significant opportunities to transform student engagement, its use must continue to be guided by strong values and a commitment to preserving the human connection that remains central to education.
He further called attention to the well-being of Deans of Students, encouraging them to prioritize their mental, emotional, and physical wellness, build strong networks of support across Africa, and advocate for institutional structures that enable them to effectively navigate the demands of their roles.
Prof. Nshuti urged participants to take forward the strategies and ideas developed during the conference, strengthen cross-border collaboration, and lead with ethics, inclusion, compassion, and humanity. He concluded by reminding participants that "in reimagining student affairs leadership, we are not only shaping the future of our students, we are shaping the future of Africa itself.”
The 2026 AADSATI International Conference continues in Kigali through August 28, with further sessions focusing on governance, inclusion, crisis management, student safety, internationalisation and cross-cultural student affairs practice, before concluding with a guided study tour of Kigali.
The gathering ultimately represents more than a professional conference. It is a platform for African higher education leaders to connect, exchange knowledge and collectively rethink how universities can better support the students who will shape the continent's future, the University of Kigali observed.