“Discover insights from the 2025 VUT Teaching & Learning Conference on inclusive education, AI, wellbeing & student success through keynotes & workshops.”
15 September 2025 | Story By: Qhawekazi Memani | Picture: Keitumetse Makgope
3 minutes read time.
The Vaal University of Technology’s (VUT’s) annual Teaching and Learning Conference 2025 reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to reshaping higher education for a changing world. Held from 9 to 11 September 2025 at the Emarald Hotel in Vanderbijlpark, the three-day event attracted more than 200 delegates from universities across South Africa under the theme Innovating Education for an Inclusive Future.
The conference created a dynamic platform where academics, researchers, and thought leaders exchanged ideas, debated challenges, and advanced practical strategies to transform teaching and learning.
Opening the proceedings, Dr Muntuwenkosi Chili, Executive Director of the Centre for Academic Development (CAD) and Conference Chair, underscored the urgency of innovation. “Innovation in teaching and learning is not optional; it is imperative. Our responsibility is to create educational environments that embrace change, nurture creativity, and prioritise the holistic wellbeing of every student,” he said.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Dr Mukondeleli Grace Kanakana-Katumba, reminded delegates of the transformative power of educators. “Teaching is not merely a profession but a calling that shapes minds, inspires curiosity, and transforms lives. This conference celebrates educators whose dedication moves our institutions and students forward,” she noted.
Sessions throughout the conference reflected its multidimensional theme. Presentations emphasised the centrality of student wellbeing, with Mr Luxolo Rubushe of Adapt IT stressing that “effective student tracking is essential for institutional success, especially when supporting mental wellbeing in a fragile world.” Transformation and inclusivity remained at the forefront. Professor Karin Wolff of Stellenbosch University
called for curricula that reflect diverse student realities, while Professor Crain Soudien of the University of Cape Town reminded the sector that transformation must address enduring structural inequalities. VUT student Moshe Mello also urged that curriculum reform move beyond inherited frameworks to truly empower learners.
Technology’s role in democratising education featured prominently. Dr Tabbi Wilberforce of King’s College London highlighted the power of collaborative international online learning, while VUT’s Dr Corneli Van Der Walt stressed that artificial intelligence should “enhance student-centred learning, not displace it.”
Alongside thought leadership, the programme included capacity-building workshops. Professor Kaitano Dube of VUT offered practical guidance on academic writing for publication, and Dr Louisemarie Combrinck of North-West University led discussions on practice-based research as a means of bridging theory and application.
In her closing remarks, Dr Kanakana-Katumba invoked the Mavuti spirit, a symbol of resilience, strength, and unity within the VUT community. She called on participants to carry this ethos into their institutions and daily practice. “The Mavuti spirit reminds us that collaboration, courage, and inclusivity are the foundation of a just and innovative higher education future,” she concluded.
The conference, supported by Adapt IT and strategic partners, reinforced VUT’s role as a convener of dialogue and innovation in higher education, setting a strong course for advancing inclusive, ethical, and impactful teaching and learning across the sector.