'HR steps up' saw participants from 21 countries come together for the ACU's seventh Human Resources Management (HRM) Network Conference, held in Mauritius from 16 to 19 October.

The conference theme – 'HR steps up' – reflects the need for HR practitioners to think of HR outside of its traditional role, and instead see it as an essential resource for facilitating the achievement of an institution's organisational goals. The importance of HR in higher education – and the importance of higher education in society – were emphasised by HE Paramasivum Pillay Vyapoory (Vice President, Republic of Mauritius) as he opened the conference.

This was followed by the opening keynote address, delivered by the Hon Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun (Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research, Mauritius), who again emphasised how human resource management is key to empowering staff to meet the challenges facing higher education.

The richly varied programme combined academic analysis of research, with many practical examples of how HR can help higher education institutions meet their organisational goals, and looked at issues from many different angles – including the perspective of a vice-chancellor, regulation and governance, and gender. These topics stimulated much discussion and debate, and participants took every opportunity to network in an idyllic setting.

Participants came from both academic and management backgrounds, and were drawn from both ACU member and non-member institutions, and other public and private sector organisations.

The conference closed with the rebadging of the HRM Network – it is now the ACU HR in HE Community, joining the other Member Communities offered by the ACU. The HR in HE Community supports HR practitioners working at ACU member institutions to achieve excellence through the advancement of outstanding HR management practices.

To join the HR in HE Community, please email [email protected]