All articles in this volume were presented at the 12th Focus Conference (TFC 2025), held from 13 to 15 August 2025 in Durban, South Africa. Each paper underwent peer review by members of the Scientific Committee and was approved by the Editor-in-Chief, who confirms that this statement accurately describes...

Earmarked grants have become increasingly pivotal in driving transformation, innovation, and academic renewal within the South African higher education system. Allocated by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) for specific strategic purposes, these grants are intended to redress historical...

This conceptual paper re-examines contemporary learning theories to propose an integrative framework for understanding and enhancing STEM pedagogy in higher education. Moving beyond a systematic review approach, the study adopts a conceptual methodology design to synthesize insights from Constructivism,...

The construction industry is transforming rapidly, driven by technological advancements, globalisation and evolving sustainability standards. These shifts necessitate rethinking construction education to equip future professionals for a dynamic and complex global environment. This study explores and...

Staff members are often denied the chance to conduct their own evaluations of teaching and learning (T&L) due to fear of objectivity, and many agree. The process of waiting for an institution’s Quality Assurance Office (QAO) to do the evaluation is always lengthy, delayed, and fewer modules are done...

Culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP) emerges as a crucial model for meeting the varied needs of higher education students, particularly in our interconnected world. This method prioritizes integrating students’ cultural identities into teaching, thereby cultivating an inclusive learning environment that...

Education is a complex system that requires multiple perspectives and levels of analysis to understand its contexts, dynamics, and the interactions among its actors. In the advent of the digital era, the integration of technology-enhanced teacher education, particularly through blended learning approaches,...

In today’s increasingly globalised world, higher education institutions are becoming vibrant hubs of cultural diversity, hosting students from a broad spectrum of linguistic, national, and socio-cultural backgrounds. This shift necessitates a pedagogical transformation that embraces inclusivity and cultivates...

Peer-assisted learning (PAL) has become an integral element of higher education, offering academic support while fostering collaboration among students. Central to these initiatives are peer facilitators, who occupy a dual role as both co-educators and learners. This study explores the lived experiences...

The integration of digital tools within blended learning environments has transformed pedagogical strategies in higher education, particularly in mathematics instruction. This conceptual paper explores the role of adaptive learning as a foundation for personalized education, focusing on the use of ALEKS...

Considered a panacea for economic growth digital technology and internet connectivity have recently dominated higher education both globally and in South Africa. Digital technology and internet connectivity were specifically embraced to widen access to education especially during COVID19 period and beyond....

Intersections of race, linguistic and cultural diversities, dissimilar home backgrounds and socio-economic status, pluriversality, different ideological background, and varied ethnic groups especially in the African context including South Africa have compelled the rethinking learning and teaching and...

Global crises have a huge effect on the leadership methods of higher learning institutions across the globe. In 2020, the South African government implemented a series of lockdown protocols to mitigate the effects of the pandemic. In response to these protocols, higher education institutions in South...

The need for engineers is growing globally; however, the number of engineering graduates is not increasing at the same rate. This gap is worsened by the high dropout rates in engineering programs compared to other disciplines, with most of the dropouts being in the first year. Higher learning institutions...

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, is changing teaching, learning, and assessment and is presenting opportunities and challenges. Ongoing discussions on students increasingly using generative AI tools to complete assessment tasks and teachers, on the other hand, using...

Mathematics education must move beyond procedural fluency to embrace equity, cultural relevance, and future readiness. This conceptual paper explores the potential of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a pedagogical framework for inclusive and globally competent mathematics instruction. Drawing on...

This conceptual paper examines the barriers and enabling factors that shape the implementation of Hybrid Flexible (HyFlex) pedagogy in mathematics education, with a specific focus on the South African higher education context. HyFlex pedagogy allows students to engage in learning through in-person, synchronous...

In the Higher education space, the decolonisation of education is complicated due to the social and political forces that continue to resist transformation. Legal education and the law curriculum at most universities in South Africa still largely reflect Eurocentric knowledge, as a result, African students...

This systematic literature review examines how innovation, digital equity, and global partnerships collectively influence holistic student development in higher education. It identifies a gap in existing research regarding the transformative potential of these interconnected elements. It synthesises...

Conducting science practicals in rural universities is often challenged by laboratory equipment, overcrowded sessions, and unequal access to digital resources, which hinder effective hands-on learning. This study investigated the impact of a blended laboratory teaching model in science foundation practicals...

The paper examined the effects of coding in Digital Technology offered in grades 8 and 9 on the performance of grades 10 and 11 learners in Information Technology at a selected secondary school in a district of the Eastern Cape province in South Africa. The study used a mixed-methods research approach...

Multilingual students in today’s academic environment often struggle to communicate effectively within the rigid conventions of academic writing. These struggles stem from a combination of linguistic, cultural and emotional challenges. Writing Centres, therefore, bear the responsibility of encouraging...

The use of AI technologies such as ChatGPT into academic writing has generated both optimism and concern in higher education, presenting opportunities and challenges for Writing Centres. As students rely more on AI for ideation, drafting, and editing, Writing Centre tutors are at the vanguard of navigating...

The Mangosuthu University of Technology is exploring how digital technologies and innovative teaching approaches can enhance the learning experience for electrical engineering students. The study uses Laurillard’s Conversational Framework, Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy, the SAMR Model, and the Teaching Change...

Institutions of higher learning are increasingly tasked with preparing students for a complex and interconnected world. To produce graduates who are prepared for the future, this article examines the critical role that technology plays in forming global perspectives within these institutions. The introduction...

Tutorship Development Programmes (TDPs) are increasingly recognised as critical initiatives for fostering the personal development of tutors in higher education. While such programmes are often examined for their pedagogical or institutional impact, this study centres specifically on the transformative...

This study explored innovative teaching strategies that enhance global classrooms by addressing digital inequities and strengthening international partnerships in higher education. The aim is to investigate how pedagogical models, such as flipped learning, project-based learning (PBL), gamification,...

This autoethnographic account explores my participation in the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) programme through Mangosuthu University of Technology’s (MUT) International Partnership Programme. It reflects on the academic, cultural, and personal experiences that shaped my understanding of internationalisation,...

This study examines the potential of emerging technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) to preserve and promote African languages. These languages are disappearing fast because of globalisation, lack of intergenerational transmission and the dominance...

While case-based learning is widely regarded as an effective pedagogical tool in entrepreneurship education, its impact is not uniform and may be shaped by the surrounding support environment. This study investigates the mediating role of support systems in the relationship between case-based learning...