Future of Education Summit: Prof Tshilidzi Marwala discusses transforming the sector

The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof  Tshilidzi Marwala was a keynote speaker at this year’s Future of Education Summit held on 29 July 2022. Prof Marwala, discussing transformation in the education sector, unpacked topics directing the evolution of the sector in a one-on-one interview with presenter Fifi Peters.

Now in its 8th year, the summit, hosted by CNBC Africa in partnership with Forbes Africa was held under the theme ‘The Pathway to Digital Transformation’.

Co-founder of the ABN Group and founder of the Future of Education Summit, Dr Rakesh Wahi said they were excited to welcome global leaders who have navigated digital platforms and are advancing the access and functionality of the space for the continent. Panellists for the virtual event included global leaders in technology, academics from universities across the world and businessmen and women from STEM fields. Panel discussions included Technology Challenges in Teaching and Learning, Digital Transformation in Education, Entrepreneurship Thinking, Transformation of Higher Education Leadership and Lessons from Covid.

Prof Marwala, who is also Deputy Chair of the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, discussed the Transformation in the Education Sector.

He focused on what UJ was doing to meet the technological needs of students including blended learning.

“We can learn from what worked during the pandemic. At the UJ we are not going back fully (physical learning). We have blended learning. Much of the learning is happening in the classroom, but much of the learning is also happening online.”

He added that using technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) made learning much more accessible to students. Speaking about UJ’s 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) vision, Prof Marwala emphasised on the university’s mission to be ahead of the pack when it comes to innovation.

“We don’t just train people to just go seek jobs, we also train people to go and industrialise our society. Some of the digital tools that we are using, we are actually developing them ourselves.”

Prof Marwala explained that both the government and society had to take responsibility for the future of the country.

“Our objective and responsibility is not just to be a critic but to also be part of the solution,” he concluded.