From left, Drs Carine Steyn, Kristof Fenyvesi and Professor Werner Olivier at the SANORD Conference in Hamar, Norway.
They have been working together since August as The Innovative Learning Environment (ILE) research team.
The identification and resolution of South African educational challenges by implementing innovative approaches, designed to enhance equity and quality in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning, was the topic of the one paper.
This paper was presented at the Sino-Finnish-Africa Joint Learning Innovation Institute (JoLII) Global Conference in Helsinki, Finland.
JoLII Global Conference Attendees in Helsinki, Finland
Another paper was presented at the 15th annual Southern African – Nordic Centre (SANORD) conference, hosted at the INN University, Hamar campus in Norway.
“The role of higher education in contributing to just and sustainable futures”, was the theme emphasising the importance of academic collaboration in addressing urgent global challenges.
Their paper was entitled "Fostering student-centred and needs-based education via the integration of techno-blended STEAM methodologies in support of sustainable development in South Africa and in Finland."
In addition, Dr Carine Steyn, a colleague from GMMDC, enriched the conference with a presentation on recent research on factors influencing the adoption of STEAM education in South Africa.
The conference attracted a diverse representation of universities from both the Global North and Global South and the colleagues engaged with scholars and researchers, contributing to deliberations on the pivotal role of higher education and STEM engagement in shaping equitable and sustainable futures.
The ILE research group also promoted their pioneering projects and explore avenues for impactful collaborations. These engagements and academic partnerships can make significant contributions to just and sustainable STEM development in South Africa.