Proceedings of The Focus Conference (TFC 2025)
Conference: Proceedings of The Focus Conference (TFC 2025)
Date: 13-15 August 2025
Location: Durban, South Africa (Offline)
Website: https://focusspace.co.za It gives me great pleasure to present the Proceedings of the 12th Focus Conference (TFC 2025), held in Durban, South Africa, from 13 to 15 August 2025 under the theme “Shaping Global Perspectives in Higher Education: Leveraging and Enhancing Collaborations and Exchanges.” Now in its twelfth year, the Focus Conference has grown into a flagship event of Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) and continues to offer a meaningful space for dialogue, reflection, and renewal within the higher education community. Over the years, it has brought together scholars, academic leaders, policymakers, and practitioners from across South Africa and beyond, united by a shared commitment to improving the quality and relevance of teaching and learning in our institutions. Building on the reflections of the previous editions, this year’s conference turned our gaze outward. It invited us to think about how collaboration, partnership, and exchange can enrich our work and position our universities within a rapidly changing global higher education environment. Discussions also considered the growing influence of technology and Artificial Intelligence and how these developments might be harnessed to support innovation, inclusion, and academic excellence. The papers in these proceedings reflect the depth and diversity of the debates that took place. They engage topics such as: • Global collaboration and academic partnerships
• Curriculum transformation and contextual relevance
• Technology-enhanced and AI-supported learning
• Governance, leadership, and quality assurance in higher education
• Inclusivity, accessibility, and student success
• Partnerships for research, innovation, and community engagement Together, these contributions remind us that the strength of higher education lies in its ability to learn, adapt, and connect. I wish to extend heartfelt thanks to all presenters, delegates, reviewers, and organising team members who made this conference possible. I also acknowledge the continued support of MUT and our sector partners for enabling this important intellectual exchange. It is my hope that this volume will not only preserve the ideas shared during the conference but also inspire continued research and collaboration that advance higher education in South Africa and beyond. J. M. Makua
Conference Chair
November 2025
Location: Durban, South Africa (Offline)
Website: https://focusspace.co.za It gives me great pleasure to present the Proceedings of the 12th Focus Conference (TFC 2025), held in Durban, South Africa, from 13 to 15 August 2025 under the theme “Shaping Global Perspectives in Higher Education: Leveraging and Enhancing Collaborations and Exchanges.” Now in its twelfth year, the Focus Conference has grown into a flagship event of Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) and continues to offer a meaningful space for dialogue, reflection, and renewal within the higher education community. Over the years, it has brought together scholars, academic leaders, policymakers, and practitioners from across South Africa and beyond, united by a shared commitment to improving the quality and relevance of teaching and learning in our institutions. Building on the reflections of the previous editions, this year’s conference turned our gaze outward. It invited us to think about how collaboration, partnership, and exchange can enrich our work and position our universities within a rapidly changing global higher education environment. Discussions also considered the growing influence of technology and Artificial Intelligence and how these developments might be harnessed to support innovation, inclusion, and academic excellence. The papers in these proceedings reflect the depth and diversity of the debates that took place. They engage topics such as: • Global collaboration and academic partnerships
• Curriculum transformation and contextual relevance
• Technology-enhanced and AI-supported learning
• Governance, leadership, and quality assurance in higher education
• Inclusivity, accessibility, and student success
• Partnerships for research, innovation, and community engagement Together, these contributions remind us that the strength of higher education lies in its ability to learn, adapt, and connect. I wish to extend heartfelt thanks to all presenters, delegates, reviewers, and organising team members who made this conference possible. I also acknowledge the continued support of MUT and our sector partners for enabling this important intellectual exchange. It is my hope that this volume will not only preserve the ideas shared during the conference but also inspire continued research and collaboration that advance higher education in South Africa and beyond. J. M. Makua
Conference Chair
November 2025