ANNOUNCING THE HERS-SA ACADEMY 2009
Sunday 13 September to Saturday 19 September 2009

HERS-SA, a registered voluntary association, is a managed network, formed to address the critical shortage of women in senior positions in the Higher Education (HE) sector in South Africa.   The current gender imbalance in this area is highlighted as a matter of concern in the National Plan for Higher Education (NPHE).   Our activities, endorsed by Ms Naledi Pandor, the current Minister of Education, include, inter alia, short professional development workshops, networking opportunities, awareness raising interventions and our premier event, the HERS-SA ACADEMY. 

The ACADEMY is a seven-day interactive professional development opportunity for women employed in Higher Education throughout Southern Africa.  It is aimed at those women currently employed or possessing the potential to be employed, at the senior management level.  

Once again a unique opportunity is offered for women to shape their own programme to suit their development needs. Each morning the delegates will enjoy hearing from plenary speakers chosen for their Higher Education expertise. Afternoons will be devoted to professional development workshops pre-selected by the delegates. Evening dinners are networking opportunities enhanced by the contributions of inspirational women who share their life and career stories.

The 7th ACADEMY will take place from Sunday 13 September to Saturday 19 September 2009.  Activities will take place at the UCT Graduate School of Business and accommodation is available at the adjacent Breakwater Lodge, both venues are situated at the Waterfront, Cape Town. 

All women who:

• currently hold a senior management position in a HE institution
• wish to prepare for a senior management position in a HE institution
• are keen to develop strategic management skills
• would benefit from the opportunity to reflect on their own professional development
• would value the opportunity to meet and network with other senior women employed in HE in Southern Africa.

are invited to attend the HERS-SA ACADEMY, provided they have the relevant institutional approval.

See below for details regarding the Application Process and Fees..  Application Forms should be submitted by
15 August 2009.  Queries should be directed to Phyllis Webb, email: hers@chec.ac.za.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND FEES

Prospective ACADEMY applicants are kindly requested to acquaint themselves with the information below.

FEES:
The fee for the ACADEMY 2009 is R11200 plus 14% VAT R1568 (Total R12768). This INCLUDES all ACADEMY costs, materials, refreshments, lunches and official programme dinners. This fee EXCLUDES delegate travel and accommodation costs (on a bed & breakfast basis) for which delegates are responsible.

Upon receipt of your application, HERS-SA will invoice your institution for your fee.

Cancellation: Please note that should you wish to cancel your application, the following refund policy will apply:

• Cancellation received by HERS-SA by 31 July 2009: 90% refund
• Cancellation received by HERS-SA by 21 August 2008: 50% refund
• Cancellation received by HERS-SA after 21 August 2008: no refund

ACCOMMODATION:
As the programme includes evening events, delegates are advised to stay on site.  Rooms have been provisionally reservedon a first-come first served basisfor HERS-SA ACADEMY 2009 delegates until 31 July 2009 at the Protea Breakwater Lodge, which is situated at the UCT Graduate School of Business, Waterfront, Cape Town.    We urge you to contact the Breakwater Lodge as soon as possible before this date to book your room.  Room only prices range from single share-showers @ R700.00 per person to single en-suite @ R845.00 per person and business suites @ R1045,00. Meals range from Breakfast @ R115.00 to Dinner @R140.00. These rates are as per the BWL website ( February 2009) and they advise you to confirm the rate when making your booking. These rates are also inclusive of vat but exclusive of the tourism levy of 1%. Check-in is from 14h00 on day of arrival and check-out time is by 10h00 on day of departure. Delegates will be responsible for making their own bookings and paying their own hotel accounts.  Please note that partners, children and pets cannot be accommodated at the ACADEMY.
Breakwater Lodge contact details:
Email:  reserve@bwl.co.za Reservations Tel:  021-406-1064/5
Please mention Ref # 630951 in any communication.

Other hotels that are close to the venue are:
The Commodore(5 stars): tel. 021 - 4151000
The Portswood (4 stars): tel. 021 – 4183281

TRAVEL AND AIRPORT TRANSFERS:
Delegates are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from the ACADEMY.

APPLICATION FORM:
All prospective delegates are required to complete and returnthe Application Form by post or fax to the HERS-SA office by 15 August at the latest:

We look forward to receiving your applications