Preliminary conference program
Please take note that this is a preliminary program and is subject to change once final registrations have been received.
Wednesday, 5 November 2025
| 9:00-10:00 | Registration | Foyer, at Room #1 (Big hall) |
| 10:00-10:30 | Refreshment break | |
Professional Development Workshop: Social Sciences Research in the AI era: Opportunities, Challenges and ThreatsModerator: Prof Bennie Linde Session 1: Social science research opportunities in the AI era |
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| 10:30-11:00 | Panel discussion (Panel chair: Prof. Leon de Beer) | |
| 11:00-11:30 | Breakout groups | |
| 11:30-12:00 | Roundtable discussions | |
| 12:00-13:00 | Conference lunch | Restaurant |
| Session 2: Social science research challenges in the AI era | ||
| 13:00-13:30 | Panel discussion (Panel chair: Prof Herman van der Merwe) | |
| 13:30-14:00 | Breakout groups | |
| 14:00-14:30 | Roundtable discussions | |
| 14:30-15:00 | Refreshment break | |
| Session 3: Social science research threats in the AI era | ||
| 15:00-15:45 | Panel discussion (Panel chair: Prof Babs Surujlal) | |
| Session 4 | Talking to the editors | |
| 15:45-16:30 | Panel discussion (Panel: Editors of academic journals) | |
| 16:30 | END OF DAY 1 | |
Thursday, 6 November 2025
|
8:30-9:30 |
Registration | Foyer, at Room #1 (Big hall) |
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9:30-9:45 |
Welcome and opening of the 10th SSIRC (Conference organiser: Prof. Crizelle Els) | Room #1 (Big hall) |
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9:45-10:30 |
SSIRC: Celebrating a decade of impact and a future of possibilities Profs Babs Surujlal and Herman van der Merwe |
Room #1 (Big hall) |
|
10:30-11:00 |
Refreshment break | |
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11:00-12:00 |
Conference keynote address Prof. Leon de Beer (Norwegian University of Science and Technology / North-West University) Title: When work thinks back: The impact of artificial intelligence on work-life and the human condition. |
Room #1 (Big hall) |
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12:00-13:00 |
Conference lunch | |
|
13:00-14:30 |
TRACK SESSIONS – Session 1 | |
| TRACK Business Management – Session 1 | Room #1 (Big hall) | |
| TRACK Economics – Session 1 | Room #2 | |
| TRACK Service Excellence in HEI – Session 1 | Room #3 | |
| TRACK Human Resource Management – Session 1 | Room #4 | |
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14:30-15:00 |
Refreshment break | |
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15:00-16:30 |
TRACK SESSIONS – Session 2 | |
| TRACK Business Management – Session 2 | Room #1 (Big hall) | |
| TRACK Economics – Session 2 | Room #2 | |
| TRACK Service Excellence in HEI – Session 2 | Room #3 | |
| TRACK Human Resource Management – Session 2 | Room #4 | |
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END Day 2 of conference |
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Friday, 7 November 2025
|
8:30-10:00 |
TRACK SESSIONS – Session 3 | |
| TRACK Business Management – Session 3 | Room #1 (Big hall) | |
| TRACK Economics – Session 3 | Room #2 | |
| TRACK Service Excellence in HEI – Session 3 | Room #3 | |
| TRACK Human Resource Management – Session 3 | Room #4 | |
|
10:00-10:30 |
Refreshment break | |
|
10:30-12:00 |
TRACK SESSIONS – Session 4 | |
| TRACK Business Management – Session 4 | Room #1 (Big hall) | |
| TRACK Economics – Session 4 | Room #2 | |
| TRACK Service Excellence in HEI – Session 4 | Room #3 | |
| TRACK Law – Session 4 | Room #4 | |
|
12:00-13:00 |
Conference lunch | |
|
13:00-14:30 |
TRACK SESSIONS – Session 5 | |
| TRACK Business Management – Session 5 | Room #1 (Big hall) | |
| TRACK Marketing – Session 5 | Room #2 | |
| Business Resilience – Session 5 | Room #3 | |
| TRACK Law – Session 5 | Room #4 | |
|
14:30-15:00 |
Refreshment break | |
| 15:00-16:30 | TRACK SESSIONS – Session 6 | |
| TRACK Business Management – Session 6 | Room #1 (Big hall) | |
| TRACK Marketing – Session 6 | Room #2 | |
| TRACK Finance and accounting & TRACK Public Sector – Session 6 | Room #3 | |
| TRACK Emerging Technology and Management – Session 6 | Room #4 | |
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16:30 |
Conference awards and closing | |
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END of conference |
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