Purpose: This article aims at discussing the problems faced by Higher Education institutions (HEI) in rising economies (South Africa is provided as an example here). Such institutions usually have to cope with ever increasing number of prospective graduates. Like most countries around the world South Africa is also confronted with massification of Higher Education (HE). Moreover local conditions affect the potential strategies for development. Nonetheless there are not enough studies devoted to how such strategies can be successfully applied in rising economies such as South Africa. This study fills this gap in knowledge. Design/methodology/approach: The preferable research approach identified for this research is theoretical approach with comprehensive literature review. This approach is necessary in order to establish what the trends around the world are with respect to massification of education since the late 80s. Additionally in the case of South Africa it is necessary to consider the situation before and after the demise of apartheid in 1994. This will be done in order to model a solution which could lead to a win-win situation. In the end this could lead to a formulation of a model to be applied in practice. Originality/value: This methodology puts in evidence the uniqueness of the rising economy (based on South African experience) approach to massification of HE. In the case of rising economies a unique solution has to be found to the problems such as accessing HE and low graduation rates. It stands to reason that by allowing students in HE, failure to graduate within the prescribed period it is to the detriment of all stakeholders. The solution proposed here conforms to a pragmatic approach to a knowledge economy rather than financial or social approach which tend to highlight only one perspective of a multi-facet problem. Practical implications: The practical implications of this study derive from the fact that the knowledge-based strategies for sustainable education in rising economies will be discussed. These strategies are of vital interest to HE practitioners, government planners as well as prospective students. Moreover this study will provide the outcomes of the application in HEI in South Africa as a case study. The crucial problem is that if such institutions are to become self-sustained, the gap between accessing HE and graduation rates must be closed. If many students access HE and few graduate the institution in the end will not survive.
Keywords – Accessing Higher Education, Rising Economies, educational sustainability, graduation rates, Knowledge-based strategies