The association’s conference is an annual gathering of professionals and thought leaders from around the world to dialogue, network and collaborate on issues relevant to teaching and learning in higher education.
Nelson Mandela University hosted the conference, themed “Universities as change agents in society: imaging social innovation for sustainable futures”, from 2-4 October 2024, at the Boardwalk in Summerstrand.
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities Professor Pamela Maseko chaired the three-day conference.
“This theme reflects not only our aspirations for the future but also the crucial role that higher education institutions play in shaping a more equitable and sustainable world,” she said.
“Issues such as climate change, social inequality, and technological evolution that characterise our societies today demand innovative solutions and collaborative efforts from all sectors, particularly from educational institutions.”
Dean of Education Professor Heloise Sathorar said the local organising committee had choses four sub-themes of humanising pedagogy; social justice; innovation for sustainable futures, and social engagement and responsiveness, aligning with the values of Mandela University.
“It is the first time that HETL is having the conference on the African continent and it is something very special for us as Mandela University to host it,” said Prof Sathorar.
Prof Maseko said the conference had a “remarkable lineup” of speakers, each bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience. These included the four keynote speakers: Professor Somadoda Fikeni, Dr Patrick Blessinger, Dr Nkemdilim Begho and Dr Phyllis Worthy Dawkins.
Professor Somadoda Fikeni
SOCIAL JUSTICE: Professor Somadoda Fikeni focused on service to society in his opening keynote address
Public Service Commission chairperson and scholar Prof Fikeni presented the first keynote on the role of universities in the quest for social justice, equity and inclusion in a fast changing and volatile world.
He said the conference was marked by “an intersection of symbolisms”, highlighting operative words such as “engaged university, humanising pedagogy, student centered, green pedagogy and human dignity”.
“Intellectuals and universities have always been double agents who support and sustain status quo while at the same time seeking changes,” said Prof Fikeni, urging universities to add to the canon of African knowledge and be part of an impactful ecosystem.
Dr Patrick Blessinger
AMERICAN INSIGHTS: Visiting academics Dr Phyllis Worthy Dawkins and Dr Patrick Blessenger shared their experiences
Dr Patrick Blessinger, the founder and current President of HETL, presented the second keynote, on creating socially responsive educational institutions. He said it was important that universities moved from academic prestige to social impact.
“A much-needed paradigm shift in education at all levels makes one thing certain: problems connected with climate change, global pandemics, international peace, poverty, and social justice cannot be resolved within the siloed approach of one particular discipline,” he said.
“Complex, global problems require an interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary approach. Embedding social responsibility into every layer of the institution helps ensure that universities are not just centres of learning but also centres of action.
“By putting social responsibility at the heart of the institutional mission, schools and universities can inspire a whole new generation of student leaders who can tackle the most intractable challenges facing the world today.”
Dr Nkemdilim Begho
LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY: Dr Nkemdilim Begho presented a keynote on digital solutions in Africa
The third keynote speaker was Nigerian IT authority Nkemdilim Begho, who was capped with an honorary doctorate from Mandela University in 2023. Dr Begho spoke on how to harness digital solutions for social innovation and sustainable development in Africa.
“Technology makes the world more connected but the challenge is that developing countries are being left behind because we are still grappling with very fundamental problems such as poverty, inequality and access to education.”
She noted that, despite many advances, the digital skills gap was one of Africa’s biggest challenges.
“In some places lecturers write code in chalk on a blackboard. More than 600 million people in Africa still lack reliable access to electricity. How do we expect to be globally competitive is such a large percentage of our population are in the dark? Unfortunately, it is still expensive and the quality in rural areas is often still poor.”
Outdated curricula were another problem, where children did not learn what they needed for the 21st century. Furthermore, in many countries policy frameworks also needed to change:
“We kill innovation with policy, because policy makers do not understand how to support the digital age,” said Dr Begho. “We think of tech as a subject we teach but it is how we integrate AI, data analytics, AR/VR and blockchain into every subject.
“Universities are not just centres of learning – they can act as powerful engines for community innovation.”
Dr Phyllis Worthy Dawkins
The final keynote speaker, Dr Dawkins, shared some of her extensive knowledge working in and for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. She provided real-life examples of where, despite challenges of underfunding, HBCUs had been successful.
She said that class size need not always be a barrier to learning: “I’ve been in class of 500 students and I have learnt a lot – it’s not about the class size, it’s about how you design learning.”
She also urged delegates to view education and training as a lifelong pursuit not confined to the young.
“It’s a good investment of your dollars so keep on learning,” said Dr Dawkins. “Make sure that the majors you offer are for today’s market – not yesterday’s market. Because if you don’t do it, companies will do it.”
Trust and respect were key components of a thriving university.
“Build trust by building collaborative relationships with clear communication on both sides, and being transparent with data,” she said. “Sometimes students transfer because of a major but more often it is because of an experience, such as lack of respect. Pay attention: don’t disregard student feedback.”
She also warned against lack of action, and paying lip-service to institutional strategy: “Sometimes institutions create strategic plans and then put them in the closet, they don’t use them.”
Several speakers highlighted the financial constraints facing higher education in South Africa. In addressing this challenge, Dr Dawkins said intensive communication and marketing was key to increasing third-stream income.
“Universities often fail to market what is good – market and communicate essential information, all the time. If you really want to know how to raise money, be visible!”
Each keynote at the conference was followed by discussion by a panel of experts on topics related to the conference themes.
Delegates then had a choice of attending one of seven smaller “break-out” sessions, running simultaneously. These workshops and presentations explored issues related to teaching and learning in 2024.
INFLUENCE: Dr Muki Moeng urged universities to make a difference in their communities
Dr Muki Moeng, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, highlighted how important it was for universities to extend their influence beyond the traditional academic sphere.
“The outcomes of this conference have the potential to influence policy, guide educational reform and inspire societal transformation,” said Dr Moeng.