Abstract
university administration and lecturers. Student unions have represented students in decision making but
-standing cry by
students stems from their need to be involved in matters concerning them, their needs, and expectations
is an
important element in reshaping African universities. Failure to pay attention to student voices defeats the
purpose of 21st-century participatory and inclusive higher education. This paper explores the participatory
involvement of students in creati
Change Agents Model as a theoretical framework, the researcher explores the role of students in higher
education governance in the transition to a new African university. Employing a mixed method approach,
data were collected through online questionnaires with both closed and open-ended questions. Findings
show that more than 60 per cent of students feel unheard and uninvolved in university governance.
Overall, students are willing and ready to use dialogue and take part in the transformation of higher
education but can only do so through equal representation in higher education governance structures.
Conclusively, it is important that higher education governance utilises inclusive and participatory
approaches for ownership of goals, co-creation of knowledge, as well as decision-making processes.
Accountability is key in governance, and should include the voices of students for the avoidance of conflict
and violence.