“Dr Tabbi Wilberforce of King’s College London led a VUT workshop on project-based learning, STEM and teaching skills to boost student success and innovation.”
23 September 2025 | Story By: Tshepang Mothibedi | Picture:
2 minutes read time.
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) hosted a post-conference workshop on 17 September 2025 led by Dr Tabbi Wilberforce of King’s College London, bringing an international perspective to the advancement of learner-centred teaching. The event, held at VUT’s Vanderbijlpark campus, was designed to equip university educators and support staff with innovative tools to enhance student success.
Opening the workshop, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Dr Mukondeleli Kanakana-Katumba, noted its strategic importance: “This programme was deliberately scheduled after graduations and alongside our Artificial Intelligence training, as both initiatives are about preparing our staff and students for a rapidly changing higher education environment.”
Dr Wilberforce introduced participants to the transformative potential of project-based and problem-based learning, demonstrating how these approaches cultivate critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills. He also emphasised the significance of STEM education in preparing graduates for technology-driven careers.
The workshop went beyond theory. Participants engaged in hands on activities, from group exercises on professional STEM skills to ranking attributes of effective teaching, that encouraged reflection on the qualities and behaviours most essential to modern education. A highlight was an interactive team challenge where participants collaborated to design and build a model car, later analysing the obstacles they faced and the lessons learned about communication, responsibility, and teamwork.
Dr Wilberforce underscored that learner-centred teaching is not simply a method but a mindset shift: “When educators create space for active participation, they move from delivering content to cultivating discovery. That is where innovation and deep learning truly begin.”
The session left participants with practical strategies they could apply in their own classrooms, strengthening VUT’s broader vision of producing techno-entrepreneurial graduates who are prepared to lead in industry and society.
By linking global expertise with local priorities, the workshop affirmed VUT’s commitment to transforming teaching and learning in line with its strategic goals, ensuring that innovation, collaboration, and student success remain at the heart of the university’s mission.