“At VUT’s 2025 Gala Dinner, VC Prof Khehla Ndlovu urged inclusivity, innovation & shared responsibility to shape the future of education.”
15 September 2025 | Story By: Vince Twala | Picture: Keitumetse Mokgope
3 minutes read time.
The Vaal University of Technology’s (VUT’s) 2025 Gala Dinner, held on 10 September at Emerald Resort & Casino, was a night of celebration, reflection, and inspiration. At its heart was a stirring address by Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor (Prof) Khehla Ndlovu, who called on the academic community to embrace inclusivity, innovation, and collective responsibility in shaping the future of education.
Prof Ndlovu opened by acknowledging the Department of Higher Education and Training, keynote speakers, distinguished guests, sponsors, and the broader VUT community, noting his joy in honouring excellence in teaching and learning. “Academic excellence is not confined to classrooms or conference halls. It is something to be celebrated in spaces filled with joy and reflection,” he affirmed.
Reflecting on the conference theme, Innovating Education for an Inclusive Future, he urged boldness in preparing students for a rapidly changing world. “We need to prepare our students for a future that is complex and uncertain yet filled with exciting possibilities. This means embracing technology enhancement, curriculum transformation, student-centred assessment, and equity and inclusion as foundational imperatives.”
Prof Ndlovu also drew from the insights of keynote speakers, citing Prof Karin Wolff’s emphasis on socially and culturally grounded engineering education and Prof Crain Soudien’s reminder of the importance of history and difference. He acknowledged contributions that highlighted student success, academic advising, and the power of data analytics in strengthening institutional resilience.
Turning to the heart of the evening, the recognition of Teaching Excellence Award winners, the Vice-Chancellor saluted the educators who were honoured. “Through creativity,
dedication, and resilience, you have made a proud impact on your students. This honour celebrates not only your achievements but the spirit of unity, inclusiveness, and forward-thinking commitment that defines VUT.”
He paid tribute to the Centre for Academic Development (CAD) for professionalising teaching and embedding innovation in learning: “Their initiatives foster transformation and ensure our practices meet both national imperatives and global standards.”
Reaffirming VUT’s role as a university of technology, Prof Ndlovu highlighted the need to harness the tools of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and hybrid learning platforms, as enablers of access and equity. “Our approach must ensure students from all backgrounds, including those in rural communities, have opportunities to thrive,” he declared.
He further challenged the community to embrace decolonisation as both knowledge and practice: “Curricula should not only reflect global best practices but also honour the realities, history, and aspirations of African societies. Teaching excellence means producing graduates who not only succeed in industry but also embody service, sustainability, and social responsibility.”
Prof Ndlovu closed with a reminder that excellence is never an individual pursuit but a collective one. “Teaching excellence is not static; it is dynamic. It is not the preserve of a few individuals; it is a collective responsibility. It is not about transferring information; it is about igniting transformation.”
Quoting Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, he left the audience with a powerful reflection: “One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.”
The 2025 Gala Dinner thus became more than a celebration of achievement. It was a call to action, a reminder that VUT’s classrooms, lecture halls, and research centres must continue to be places where innovation, inclusivity, and transformation come alive.