Our Approach and Services
KIS-HE is a consultancy dedicated to advancing transformative change in higher education systems, particularly in the Global South.
It focuses on confronting epistemic inertia—the persistence of outdated knowledge systems and institutional practices that limit meaningful transformation.
Led by Professor Felix Maringe, KIS-HE combines deep scholarly expertise, senior leadership experience, and extensive engagement in higher education transformation across Africa and globally.
Rationale and Strategic Value
Modern universities face unprecedented pressures — from global competition and digital disruption to demands for social impact and equitable leadership. Institutions that thrive are those that combine knowledge, innovation, and inclusivity in transformative ways.
KISHE responds directly to these imperatives by offering thought leadership, data-driven insights, and capacity-building interventions that transform challenges into opportunities for growth, visibility, and societal contribution.
Our consultancy supports the University’s strategic agenda by:
Translating research productivity into measurable research impact.
Promoting transdisciplinary collaboration that breaks down silos.
Turning equity rhetoric into actionable design frameworks.
Shifting individual competitiveness to institutional synergy.
Transforming commercial internationalisation into socially responsible global engagement.
Championing gender-neutral and inclusive leadership practices.
Enabling full and responsible utilisation of Artificial Intelligence across academic and operational domains.
Signature Services and Approaches
KISHE’s interventions are evidence-based, collaborative, and outcomes-driven. Our service portfolio includes:
Strategy and System Design
Development of transformation pathways across teaching, research, and innovation
Transformation Diagnostics
Institutional and system-level assessments to identify barriers to change
Leadership Development
Programmes for academic and executive leadership.
Research and Evaluation
Evidence-based analysis to support policy and practice.
The Transformative Promise of KISHE
At its core, KISHE represents a knowledge-to-impact movement—a bridge between academic insight and practical innovation. Our ambition is not only to support the University’s goals but to position it as a regional hub of knowledge-driven solutions for higher education in Africa and beyond.
Our Approach
Our work follows a pathways model based on four important pillars:
Diagnosis (what we see, not what we suspect)
Mapping (matching diagnoses with causes and possible solutions)
Co-design ((joint design and trials)
Implementation support (you will never walk alone)
Testimonials
“The consultancy brought clarity and structure to our leadership strategy. Their interventions have reshaped the way our institution thinks about leadership.”
– Vice Chancellor, South Africa
“Our student leaders gained confidence and practical skills that continue to impact the university positively.”
– Dean of Students, Rwanda