{"id":42747,"date":"2026-09-09T15:53:19","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T15:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/?p=42747"},"modified":"2026-09-10T05:23:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T05:23:10","slug":"vut-conference-puts-ai-ready-graduates-and-academics-at-the-centre-of-higher-educations-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/en_gb\/vut-conference-puts-ai-ready-graduates-and-academics-at-the-centre-of-higher-educations-future\/","title":{"rendered":"VUT conference puts AI-ready graduates and academics at the centre of higher education’s future"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Higher education leaders, researchers and industry experts at the VUT Teaching and Learning Conference 2026 explore how AI, innovation and collaboration are reshaping the future of teaching and learning.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

09 September 2026 | Story by:<\/strong> Tayron Mhlongo | Picture:<\/strong> Keitumetse Mokgope<\/strong>
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5 minutes read time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\nAddressing delegates at the VUT Teaching and Learning Conference 2026, VUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Dr Mukondeleli Grace Kanakana-Katumba, highlights the need for student-centred, collaborative and AI-ready approaches to higher education.\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Vaal University of Technology’s (VUT) Teaching and Learning Conference 2026 is placing the future of higher education under the spotlight, with academics, industry leaders and researchers calling for institutions to equip both graduates and educators with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Held from 08 to 10 September 2026 at the Emerald Hotel in Vanderbijlpark, the conference has brought together higher education stakeholders under the theme, “Reimagining Teaching and Learning for the Future: Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact in Higher Education.” Hosted by the Centre for Academic Development (CAD) in collaboration with the Faculty of Human Sciences and Adapt IT, the event is exploring how universities can respond to rapid technological change while remaining inclusive, relevant and impactful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In her opening address, VUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Dr Mukondeleli Grace Kanakana-Katumba, emphasised that teaching and learning remain the university’s core purpose and that institutional success must extend beyond graduation statistics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Our success must be visible in what happens to our students who enter our gates,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Kanakana-Katumba stressed that meaningful progress in higher education requires collaboration between academia, industry, government and communities. She noted that artificial intelligence is already transforming how universities teach, assess and conduct research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“There is no doubt we are living through one of the most significant transformations higher education has experienced in recent decades. AI has entered our classrooms, assessment space, research and, whether we like it or not, it has entered our students’ assignments,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added that these developments place a responsibility on universities to develop digitally capable academics and graduates who can navigate workplaces increasingly shaped by automation, artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making. Her remarks echoed the aspirations of VUT Strategy 2033+, which seeks to position the University as an innovative, student-centred institution that leverages digital transformation, partnerships and academic excellence to enhance student success and societal impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The role of collaboration and innovation was further explored by Mr Luxolo Rubushe, Group Managing Director at Adapt IT, who challenged institutions to rethink how they implement change and measure success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on the factors that distinguish successful institutions from those that struggle to execute their strategies, Mr Rubushe highlighted the importance of evidence-based decision-making. He introduced ITS Ignite, a collaborative platform developed by Adapt IT Education in partnership with higher education institutions to support innovation and co-creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We look specifically at how to drive innovation and the investment that you need to make in order to ensure that the solutions that we build are closely aligned to the challenges that you face,” he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Mr Rubushe, universities should rely on validated data rather than assumptions when designing institutional strategies and evaluating performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We need data that tells us how we are actually performing on enrolments, success rates, teaching and learning outcomes, and use those results, not anecdotes, to inform how we define our strategies,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further emphasised the value of strategic partnerships in developing solutions that create meaningful outcomes for students while strengthening institutional effectiveness. His message resonated with VUT Strategy 2033+’s emphasis on innovation-driven partnerships and the use of technology to improve institutional performance and student outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artificial intelligence remained a central theme during a keynote presentation by Ms Phindiwe Kamolane, Senior Lecturer and AI Governance Researcher at the University of South Africa (UNISA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In her presentation, “The Future of Work: The Future Is Present,” Ms Kamolane examined the growing influence of AI across multiple sectors and its implications for higher education and graduate employability. She highlighted examples from healthcare, where computer vision technologies are assisting professionals to identify early indicators of diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, she cautioned that technological advancement does not eliminate the need for human judgement, expertise and ethical oversight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms Kamolane also reflected on the evolving relationship between humans and technology, noting that many organisations are moving away from fully automated systems and recognising the continued importance of human involvement in decision-making processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She warned that automation could reduce traditional entry-level employment opportunities and reshape the ways graduates enter the workplace. As a result, she argued that universities must focus on developing graduates who can work alongside AI rather than compete against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Ensuring that we have skill sets of technical fluency and co-pilot cognitive verification, and that we have students and staff members who will be able to utilise AI,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her remarks reinforced the need for institutions to promote AI literacy, critical thinking and responsible technology use across disciplines, while preparing graduates to participate meaningfully in an increasingly digital economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As discussions continue throughout the conference, a clear message has emerged: the future of higher education will depend on institutions’ ability to embrace innovation while remaining committed to inclusion, collaboration and student success. Throughout the conference, speakers highlighted the growing need to develop AI-ready graduates, support digitally fluent academics, strengthen partnerships with industry and use data-driven approaches to improve teaching and learning outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conversations closely reflect the ambitions of VUT Strategy 2033+, particularly its focus on innovation, digital transformation, responsive teaching and learning, and producing graduates equipped to contribute meaningfully to society, industry and the economy. As universities navigate rapid technological change, delegates emphasised that artificial intelligence should be harnessed not as a replacement for human capability, but as a tool that enhances creativity, critical thinking and lifelong learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With higher education facing unprecedented disruption and opportunity, the VUT Teaching and Learning Conference 2026 has provided a platform for shaping a future in which technology, inclusion and academic excellence work together to prepare graduates and institutions for a changing world. The discussions taking place at the conference suggest that the institutions best positioned for success will be those that combine innovation with inclusivity and technological advancement with human-centred education.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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