PROFESSOR SONGCA CALLS FOR ‘PRODUCTIVE DISRUPTION’ IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Walter Sisulu University Vice-Chancellor & Principal, Professor Rushiella Nolundi Songca, has called on South Africa’s higher education sector to embrace “productive disruption” as a necessary catalyst for transformation and sustainable development.

Delivering her opening remarks at the annual Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA) Conference hosted by WSU, Professor Songca framed the institution’s “Unconference” as a bold reimagining of how universities teach, learn, and serve society.

Unconference is a gathering at which participants share notes and exchange knowledge and information through less formal or unconventional ways.

“It’s about uniqueness. It’s about doing something different from the norm. It’s about positive disruption. It’s about engagements across disciplines,” she said.

The theme: “Productive Disruption: Transforming Learning and Teaching for Sustainable Development in Higher Education” challenges academics and students to rethink their roles as agents of change.

Songca said that universities have been accused many a times of being irrelevant of producing students who go out into the world and not fitting in the world.

 “We must continuously reflect on the sustainability of our curriculum and industry to ensure graduates are equipped with the skills, values, and consciousness needed to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the development of our communities.”

Songca described Artificial Intelligence (AI) as both a disruptor and an opportunity and posed several reflective questions to the audience.

“Are we ready for AI and its implications? How does AI fit into our teaching, learning, research, and innovation? And for some of us who are more mature, like red wine, are we able to embrace AI?”

She emphasised that bridging the technological gap between advanced and under-resourced institutions will be crucial for equity and innovation in higher education.

Professor Songca concluded with a call for the conference’s dialogues to result in tangible outputs scholarly publications that reflect both the spirit of innovation and the collective wisdom of the “Unconference.”

“Productive disruption, is not about chaos, it’s about transformation, reflection, and creating pathways that ensure higher education remains ready for the future.”

By Sinawo Hermans