The Future of Learning in Higher Education

Embracing change is the key to success

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?