Biography and Personal Statement supporting HERDSA President Elect and President Nomination 2025-2027: Prof Kogi Naidoo

Professor Kogi Naidoo, FHERDSA and Principal Fellow (Advance HE), is current HERDSA President (second term until 2025), Academic Dean and Adjunct at Charles Sturt University. Kogi, a mindful leader has been active on the HERDSA Executive since the 90’s leading several portfolios. Her current impact as HERDSA President is evident in the following new initiatives: HERDSA Values, HERDSA Strategic Plans (2021-2023 and 2023-2025), and leading the inaugural Mentoring and Career Development Support (MACS) program, supporting HERDSA members advance in their careers. Kogi has extensive international experience in academic staff development, research leadership and quality assurance in South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. Kogi is listed on the TEQSA Expert database. Her research interests include self-evaluation in academic development and quality. Kogi’s awards include the South African Junior Technikon Fellowship, the Ernest Oppenheimer Gold Medal and South African Association for Research and Development in Higher Education (SAARDHE) Young Achiever Award, and more recently the Education 2.0 Outstanding Leadership Award (2024). Kogi is a Fellow of the US How Women Lead 2023 cohort supporting Women Leaders for the World. She has published widely and is the author of Working Women: Stories of Struggle, Strife and Survival, 2010, Sage and Live, Learn, Love: The Path to Your Prowess, 2012.

Personal Statement:

I subscribe to the HERDSA’s Values: In my relationships and interactions I value respectful interactions that encourage full participation by all members; high standards of ethical and inclusive practice; adherence to the Constitution and its principles; and the promotion of HERDSA’s goals and purposes.

My current impact as HERDSA President (re-elected in 2023) is evident in several new initiatives approved by the HERDSA membership at the AGMs: establishing HERDSA Values, developing and implementing HERDSA Strategic Plans (2021-2023 and 2023-2025), and in the last year leading the inaugural Mentoring and Career Development Support (MACS) program, coaching and mentoring 13 HERDSA members advance in their careers. On my watch other successful initiatives included introducing Groups Memberships, celebrating the HERDSA 50-year Anniversary and forging relationships (formal and informal) with higher education groups (ASCILITE, CAULLT).

I have effective communication skills, resilience, and commitment to serve another term (2025-2027) as President. I have demonstrated I can lead the HERDSA Executive in various portfolios, strategic planning, implementation, and effective governance. Based on my previous experience with HERDSA as a member and the Executive (over two decades) and my Australasian higher education academic track record I made impactful contributions to the HERDSA leadership:

• HERDSA Fellowship Scheme (For 3 terms, Convenor of the Fellowships Committee, and Fellowships renewals which included a review of criteria, standards and assessment
• HERDSA Conferences: Key member of conference organising committees in Australia and NZ
• HERDSA Treasurer: Served as HERDSA Treasurer for two terms.
• HERDSA Awards Prizes and Grants Portfolio: Led this portfolio for two terms.
• New Scholars: I have a keen interest in providing support for new scholars, peer support and mentoring, professional development activities.
• Branch and Networks: Served on Branch Committees: New Zealand, South Australia.

As nominee to serve as President in 2025-2027, I pledge to make a difference to the HERDSA membership at a time that calls for strong, resilient, compassionate, agile leadership.