The Future of Learning in Higher Education
Leadership|December 2019/January 2020
Embracing change is the key to success
The Future of Learning in Higher Education

In the fast-paced world of today universities play an ever-increasing role of importance. Online learning/ courses are becoming more prominent and the custodians of our universities have embraced this concept of being able to reach more students. We sat down with Professor Thengani Ngwenya, Director of the Durban University of Technology Centre of Excellence in Learning and Teaching to find out more about the problems universities grapple with and how they are flourishing in a new age.

Could you please give us a bit of background on yourself with regards to your education and working history?

After matriculating from Mlokothwa High School in Nongoma in 1980 I enrolled at the University of Zululand, but could not complete my studies due to my involvement in student politics. In 1986 I enrolled at the University of Natal (Durban Campus) and was appointed as Junior Lecturer in the English Department in 1989. During the three decades of my involvement in higher education I have taught at various universities including Vista University (Soweto Campus), the University of Durban Westville and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). I was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor in 2003 by UKZN. Over the years, I have taught English Literary Studies and Education Leadership & Management both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I was appointed to my current position at DUT in 2009.

As the Director of the DUT Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, what is your ultimate goal that you’d like to achieve?

This story is from the December 2019/January 2020 edition of Leadership.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2019/January 2020 edition of Leadership.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM LEADERSHIPView All
Bright Minds, Bright Future
Leadership

Bright Minds, Bright Future

For the economy to grow, businesses need graduates whose skills match their needs. Producing these graduates is the core focus of Stefan Ferreira, CEO of the Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology.

time-read
5 mins  |
April 2020
Safety In Business
Leadership

Safety In Business

Securing the future is essential

time-read
3 mins  |
April 2020
Artificial Intelligence
Leadership

Artificial Intelligence

Is artificial intelligence reinventing insurance? This was the question posed by Bill Hoggarth, national sales manager, Digital Business Solutions at high performing and secure ICT solutions provider, Datacentrix. He was speaking at the recent Robotics, Drones and AI in Insurance Conference, held in Rosebank, Johannesburg. In answer to the question, Hoggarth clarified that no, he did not believe artificial intelligence (AI) was changing the nature of insurance–at least, not on its own. “My view is that AI is not reinventing insurance, but that it is part of the mix of technologies that is causing a shift in insurance today,” he said.

time-read
6 mins  |
April 2020
Leading The Future
Leadership

Leading The Future

Leading the modern world requires fast thinking and an impulsive ability to adopt and adapt to the technologically driven era. The way we conduct business today has drastically changed from the way business was conducted ten years ago, failing to integrate innovation and technology could prove fatal to any business.

time-read
8 mins  |
April 2020
The Evolution Of The IT Operation
Leadership

The Evolution Of The IT Operation

Consistency in delivery is key

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2020
Empowering Our Future
Leadership

Empowering Our Future

More than half (51%) of youth aged 18–24 years claim they do not have the financial means to pay for their tertiary tuition. That is over 1.4 million youths who will never be able to afford to take their education further and thereby increase their opportunities to progress in their careers and lives. This is the sad reality according to the Higher Education and Skills in South Africa report released by Statistics South Africa in March 2019.

time-read
6 mins  |
March 2020
Air Traffic Navigation Services: Flying High Into The Future
Leadership

Air Traffic Navigation Services: Flying High Into The Future

After an exceptional 2018/2019 financial year, Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) is poised to soar even further, as it builds on an exceptional record and heads into the next phase of its development

time-read
6 mins  |
March 2020
Leadership

Entrepreneurs Hit Hard By Coronavirus

The big challenge

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2020
Use The Covid-19 Lockdown To Think Differently
Leadership

Use The Covid-19 Lockdown To Think Differently

Crowdfunding, delivery of food, hygiene and learning packs, and psychosocial support could #changethestory

time-read
3 mins  |
April 2020
Attractive Production Tax Credits
Leadership

Attractive Production Tax Credits

“We wouldn’t do it without the production tax credit we get.” That’s what Warren Buffett said about his holding company Berkshire Hathaway’s US$30 billion investment in wind turbines and infrastructure in the State of Iowa through one of its companies, Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE)

time-read
7 mins  |
April 2020