Centre for Research Dispatch: July/August 2024

Dare to Be Brave Qualitative Research Conference – 20 March 2024

Mr Michael Bevan, Ms Bronwyn Strydom and Ms Claudine Botha attended this enlightening industry conference featuring local and international speakers from renowned companies such as L’Oréal and PepsiCo.

The conference aimed to address the challenges faced by the qualitative research industry and highlighted case studies showing how qualitative research can enhance decision-making processes.

Reflecting on the event, Ms Strydom shared, “I found this conference to be very useful in understanding qualitative research and how it can successfully be used in many marketing areas. There was discussion around digital marketing and AI and how qualitative research has been used and has evolved in these areas, which I found very interesting and beneficial to my head lecturer role in digital marketing.”

Ms Botha also highlighted the value of the presentations, noting, “All the presenters provided elements of learning, giving me a deeper understanding of the challenges qualitative researchers face, but many presenters also focused on applications of qualitative research, providing case studies of the outcomes of qualitative research projects. This is not something that will be found in a textbook or journal article.”

e-Learning Africa 2024: Pan-African and International Conference on Digital Education, Training and Skills Development

29 to 31 May 2024

Both Dr Helena van Wyk and Ms Riana Prins presented papers at this event, held in Kigali, Rwanda, that brought together educators, technologists, and thought leaders to discuss the future of higher education through technology.

Key themes and topics included:

• AI’s Role in Transforming Higher Education: Discussions centred on how artificial intelligence can revolutionise teaching and learning processes, making education more accessible and personalised.
• Harnessing Technology for Future Campuses: Experts shared insights on using technology to create future-ready institutions, emphasising the need for innovation and adaptability.
• Modern Assessment Techniques: Evaluating success in an online learning environment was a critical topic, with new methods and tools presented to enhance assessment accuracy and effectiveness.
• Blended and Hybrid Learning: Attendees explored the complexities and benefits of blended and hybrid learning models, discussing best practices for implementation.
• Maximising Learning Platforms: The conference highlighted ways to optimise the use of learning platforms in higher education to improve student engagement and outcomes.
• Digital Literacy for Educators: Enhancing teachers’ skills in digital literacy was a prominent theme, underlining the importance of ongoing professional development.
• Strategic Integration of ChatGPT: There was a keen focus on how tools like ChatGPT can be strategically integrated into higher education to support teaching and learning.

Reflecting on the conference, Dr Van Wyk shared her thoughts on these themes and topics. “The discussions on AI’s role in transforming higher education were particularly enlightening, showing how artificial intelligence can make education more personalised and accessible,” she said. “The emphasis on harnessing technology for future campuses underscored the need for innovation and adaptability in creating future-ready institutions.”

Dr Van Wyk also shared her key learning points from the conference, including:

• Upskilling Digital Literacy: Lecturers must continuously improve their digital literacy to effectively incorporate new technologies into their teaching.
• Africa’s Readiness for Technology: The conference highlighted Africa’s readiness to embrace educational technology, proving that the continent has the resources and enthusiasm to advance its educational systems.
• Increased Access to Education: Technology has significantly improved access to education in Africa, breaking down barriers and opening new opportunities for learners across the continent.

“The focus on modern assessment techniques and blended and hybrid learning models provided valuable insights for evaluating success in online learning environments and implementing best practices,” Dr. van Wyk noted. “Additionally, the discussions on maximising learning platforms and enhancing digital literacy for educators highlighted the importance of ongoing professional development.”

The conference underscored the dynamic potential of technology in education and offered valuable insights for institutions looking to innovate and improve their practices.

The next e-Learning Africa conference will be hosted in Tanzania in 2025, continuing the exploration of technology’s role in transforming education across the continent.

The 23rd South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM) Conference

24 to 27 September 2024

The Centre for Research’s Ronald Muringai will be presenting at this conference, on his research focus: Private sector procurement as a tool for socio-economic transformation in South Africa.

The conference is presented by the National Board of the SAAPAM, in collaboration with the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), the National School of Government (NSG), the Department of Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Public Service Education and Training Authority (PSETA), and will be hosted at Sun City, Rustenburg, North West.

Find out more about the event here:  https://saapam.co.za/23rd-saapam-annual-conference/about-the-23rd-conference/