. Facilitate public participation, monitoring and exercise oversight function over the work of the Department; . Confer with relevant governmental and civil society organs on higher education and training matters; . Enhance and develop the capacity of its Members to exercise effective oversight over the Executive Authority in higher education and training; . Monitor whether the Department of Higher Education and Training fulfill its mandate; . Process and recommend legislation, international protocols and conventions relating to higher education and training; . Participate in National and International educational conferences; and . Engage in any activities and programmes aimed at the development and delivery of quality public education to all South Africans.