Daystar University Benchmarks with UNISA for Strategic Future Collaborations

Daystar delegation (Prof. Muturi Wachira, Dr. Lydia Radoli, Mr. Anthony Wambua and Dr. Japheth Mursi) flanked by the UNISA team from the College of Economics and Management at the Muckleneuk campus in Pretoria.

By Dr. Lydia Radoli

[Pretoria, South Africa: 9th June 2026] The Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance, Administration and Planning (DVC-FAP) Prof. Muturi Wachira led a three-day strategic benchmarking visit to the University of South Africa (UNISA), Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria, from 8th–10th June 2026.

Daystar faculty members involved in the exercise included the Director, ODeL Dr. Lydia Radoli, the Ag. Director Quality Assurance, Anthony Wambua, and Deputy Director Research, Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship (DRICE), Dr. Japheth Mursi.  

The visit arose directly from institutional priorities identified during the ODeL Directorate Retreat (February 16–18, 2026) and is aligned with the University’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. It considers Daystar University’s strategic direction, the ODeL Directorate’s 2026 operational roadmap, and the urgency to consolidate gains made since the establishment of ODeL in 2020.

Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Laban Ayiro during the opening ceremony, Prof. Wachira noted that Daystar University's engagement with UNISA directly addresses priority areas by providing practical exposure to mature ODeL systems, policies, and workflows that cannot be fully acquired through desk research alone.

He added that the benchmarking exercise was both timely and strategically necessary to position Daystar as a competitive Virtual Campus of choice in Africa and beyond. 

From UNISA, the Executive Dean College of Education and Management (CEM) Prof. M. Makoe, and the Director, School of Economic and Financial Sciences Prof. N. Mkhize, both welcomed future engagements through an MoU that will see the two Universities develop collaborations  focused on digital pedagogies, research, innovation and models on University-community engagements.

Others in the UNISA team included the Head of Quality Assurance Prof. Nkwana Mapula, the Head of Teaching, Learning and Community Engagement Prof. Ailwei Mawela, and the Head of Online Academic Support - Technological Integration in Teaching and Learning, Mr. Martini Sadiki.

The benchmarking exercise is strategically intended to support Daystar University’s transition from emergency remote learning to a fully institutionalized, scalable and sustainable E-Campus model.  The areas discussed during the benchmarking exercise included:

1. AI Integration in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Development, focusing on institutional frameworks, policy alignment, and ethical deployment of AI in higher education.
2. Digital Infrastructure and SMART Learning Spaces: Looking at practical models for Digi-Centers, multimedia studios, and technology-enabled classrooms.
3. Online, Blended and Hybrid Programme Development: Reviewing end-to-end programme design processes, accreditation workflows, and delivery formats.
4. Learning Management Systems (LMS): Architecture and Governance
   Scalable LMS configurations, learner support systems, and analytics for quality enhancement.
5. Multimedia Production and Instructional Design: Integrated models for videography, instructional design, and content production at scale.
6. Online Assessment, Examination Proctoring and Academic Integrity: Assessing secure digital examination models suitable for diverse regulatory and cultural contexts.

Daystar University deliberately identified UNISA as a pacesetter institution whose operational maturity, governance structures, and pedagogical models provide an ideal reference point for Daystar’s next phase of growth in digital education.

UNISA stands as Africa’s leading institution in Open and Distance e-Learning, with decades of experience in large-scale, quality-assured, and technology-enabled higher education. UNISA has over 370,000 students enrolled in its online programs among them 58,000 graduates. A total of 3,700 students are from SA. The University has over 1 million alumni.

UNISA’s School of Economic and Financial Sciences sits in the College of Education and Management (CEM), with Tuition Managers, Heads of Quality Assurance, Research, Online Academic Support, and Technological Integration in Teaching and Learning. The college works with the Office of Dean, School Directors and Departmental Chairs. The college is housed in UNISA Central Campus in Pretoria, from where it coordinates with other regional campuses.

The visit was organized by the Directorate of Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) of Daystar University, in collaboration with UNISA’s School of Economic and Financial Sciences. 

Upon return, the Daystar University team will ensure that the benchmarking outcomes translate into institution-wide policy, academic research and operational decisions, rather than remaining at unit level, especially in the design of collaborative engagements.