Women of UKZN: Advancing Student Wellbeing Through Compassionate Leadership
For more than three decades, Dr Saloschini Pillay has dedicated her career to creating environments where students can thrive academically, personally and professionally.
As Manager: Student Support Services (SSS) in the College of Health Sciences (CHS) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), she has become a leading voice in student wellbeing and success, driving innovative, student-centred initiatives that have earned both national and international recognition.
Her commitment to transforming student support was recognised globally in 2024 when she received a prestigious Hyland UK award for developing and implementing UKZN’s automated Student Wellness and Academic Transformation (SWAT) assessment and intervention system. The award recognised the Best Implementation of a Digital Solution for Student Support and Wellness, highlighting UKZN’s innovative approach to enhancing student wellbeing and academic success.
Pillay leads the development, implementation and evaluation of professional student support services within the College of Health Sciences. Working alongside a multidisciplinary team, she oversees initiatives including counselling services, peer wellness mentoring, first-year transition programmes, early intervention initiatives and partnerships with academic staff. “I firmly believe that when universities intentionally care for the whole student, they create the conditions for meaningful learning, persistence and graduation,” she said.
Throughout her career, Pillay has championed a proactive approach to student support, helping shift the focus from responding to crises to creating integrated systems that promote wellbeing, resilience and academic success. She believes meaningful change is achieved through collaboration and by ensuring students feel seen, heard and supported throughout their university journey.
Beyond UKZN, Pillay serves on the Executive Committee of the Southern African Association for Counselling and Development in Higher Education (SAACDHE) and is a member of the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP). She holds a PhD in Public Administration and Business Management, and her research interests include organisational change, leadership, organisational behaviour, and student engagement and retention.
Reflecting on her career, Pillay said she is most proud of helping position student support as a strategic contributor to student success. “Rather than identifying a single achievement, I am most proud of helping shift the conversation from viewing student support as a reactive service to recognising it as a strategic contributor to student success,” she said.
For Pillay, Women’s Month is both a celebration and a call to action. It honours the resilience of women who have overcome adversity while reminding society that there is still work to be done to achieve equity, inclusion and equal opportunities. She also sees it as an opportunity to celebrate the women who have inspired and mentored her while reaffirming her commitment to supporting and uplifting others.
Her advice to young women is to believe in their ability to make a difference, embrace continuous learning and remain committed to personal and professional growth.
Looking ahead, Pillay hopes to continue advancing student affairs and services through research, innovation and collaborative practice, ensuring universities create environments where students are not only able to complete their studies but are empowered to flourish as individuals and future leaders.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini
