Susan Knowles
EducationUSA, Alumni & Exchanges-Emerging Voices Coordinator, U.S. Consulate Durban
Susan Knowles is originally from New York State, USA. Her passion for international education was sparked at Cornell University and developed further while advising international students at the University of Arkansas. She joined the U.S. Consulate General in Durban as an EducationUSA adviser in 2006, evolving into her current role. She coordinates alumni programs and exchanges. Susan lives in South Africa with her husband and three sons.
“A new day which is dawning must find us determined, enlightened, and resolute.” – Frantz Fanon
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
Ms. Elizabeth Booi
Head of Business Intelligence and Data Architect, University of the Western Cape
President of SAAIR
Ms. Elizabeth Booi is a Statistician and Business Intelligence Specialist with over 25 years of experience in higher education and institutional research. She is the Head of Business Intelligence and Data Architect in the Rectorate: Institutional Planning at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
Elizabeth is dedicated to advancing data-driven excellence in higher education, with a strong focus on AI-integrated learning analytics and student success research. Her expertise includes learning analytics, student success modelling, data governance, and ethical considerations in predictive analytics. She currently serves as the President of the Southern African Association for Institutional Research (SAAIR).
As a Siyaphumelela (South African Student Success Initiative) Coach, she has been instrumental in supporting South African universities in developing data-informed student support strategies to improve student outcomes. A passionate advocate for data literacy, capacity development in emerging technologies, and strategic policy influence, she actively facilitates workshops, presents at conferences, and mentors researchers and practitioners in leveraging data analytics for institutional effectiveness.
Elizabeth is pursuing a PhD in Operations Research, with a focus on AI Safety and Governance in Learning Analytics. Her research introduces an AI-based governance framework for student success models, integrating AI safety principles into predictive analytics to enhance student outcomes. She explores methods to embed fairness, interpretability, and bias-mitigation techniques into student success algorithms, ensuring the responsible and ethical deployment of AI in higher education.
