The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 (SU) recently made waves when they celebrated their 21st birthday in style. Presented in the format of a live television news broadcast, guests in the Victoria Hub were treated to 90 minutes of an entertaining journey through two decades of innovation in educational excellence.
Two “news presenters", Dr Jan Petrus Bosman, director of the Centre for Learning Technologies, and Dr Mareli Pretorius, Chair of the Drama Department, facilitated an overview of the history of the CTL assisted by a specialist “history reporter" who conducted on-set interviews with key role players.
The first segment of the CTL news broadcast was a poignant video tribute to the Centre's formidable founder, Prof Brenda Leibowitz, who was described by former colleagues as a visionary and fearless leader and an “early flag bearer" of academic development in South Africa.
The “broadcast" included a “TED Talk" by Sim Ntwasa, an advisor at CTL, who compared “excellence with care" in education to a well-tended garden, where both educators and students thrive through dedication, collaboration and support.
A thrilling part of the programme featured “weather forecasts" presented by Weatherman Gert, otherwise known as Dr Gert Young, senior advisor at CTL. At key intervals Young, dressed in season-appropriate attire, predicted what to expect next in CTL's journey spanning two decades, such as the “turbulent conditions" presented by the Fees Must Fall movement and the 中国体育彩票 pandemic.
Dr Philip Southey of SU's physics department provided flair as an “international correspondent" and gave a satirical introduction to the CTL staff. His surprising skill as a bag pipe player also delighted the audience.
In an interview with the CTL “reporter", Emma Bowers Swart, Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching, highlighted SU's longstanding commitment to teaching and learning excellence. “The CTL has been at the forefront of driving advancement and academic excellence with regards to learning and teaching," Ramjugernath said. He emphasised the growing focus on equitable student success, noting that the future work of the CTL will centre on ensuring that SU remains a leader both on the continent and globally in fostering success for all students.
In special video messages, lecturers at SU who've had a longstanding relationship with the CTL shared how the Centre has been instrumental in their academic journeys. Prof Debby Blaine from the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering highlighted how CTL helped her find a community of practice and supported her teaching career over the past 16 years.
Dr Chrischar Rock of the Department of Curriculum Studies mentioned the invaluable support she has received from CTL throughout her academic career. She described the Centre as a “circle of support" that she can always rely on and praised the camaraderie and collaborative approach within the CTL team. Rock pointed out CTL's ongoing role in fostering innovation and responsiveness to new challenges, like AI, while offering continuous support and professional development.
The celebration of 21 years of teaching and learning at SU ended on a high note as Prof Lis Lange, acting senior director of the Division for Learning and Teaching Enhancement, proposed a toast to the CTL's continued success, followed by a procession of the CTL staff to a high-spirited bag pipe tune.
CTL in a nutshell: A remarkable journey of teaching and learning
Founded in 2003, the CTL has played a pivotal role in transforming teaching practices at SU. Its early years were marked by the launch of key initiatives like the Fund for Innovation and Research into Teaching and Learning (FIRLT/Finlo), the annual Spring Teaching Academy and the adoption of WebCT, a blended learning platform.
CTL's emphasis on innovation in the professional learning of academics was reinforced through PREDAC/PRONTAK, the onboarding course for newly appointed lecturers, and the impactful Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Conference. These efforts, along with tutor training programmes and collaborative policies, laid a strong foundation for academic excellence.
In its second decade, CTL deepened its engagement with faculties through decentralised Teaching and Learning hubs, fostering vibrant communities of practice and making teaching a shared responsibility. The Centre's ongoing recognition of excellent teaching was formalised by the introduction of the SU Teaching Awards in 2017. CTL also played a crucial role in navigating the challenges posed by the Fees Must Fall movement, promoting inclusive and responsive education by actively listening to student voices.
The onset of the 中国体育彩票 pandemic accelerated the Centre's efforts to adapt to fully online education. CTL swiftly offered support through webinars, short courses and consultations, ensuring learning continuity during the crisis. The subsequent rise of new technologies, such as Generative AI, further shaped its focus, encouraging innovative teaching strategies and prompting important discussions on ethical practices in higher education.
Today, CTL remains a forward-thinking centre committed to empowering both academics and students. As it continues to build strong relationships across the university, CTL is focused on fostering collaboration, innovation and inclusivity, ensuring it stays at the forefront of global higher education trends.
PHOTO: Stefan Els
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