Prof Christo van der Westhuizen from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Self-Directed Learning (SDL) research unit has been awarded the Education Association of South Africa (EASA) Research Medal for 2020. 

This award is made to established researchers who have contributed significantly to educational research in their field over the past 10 years.

During the past decade, Prof Van der Westhuizen has extensively published articles in peer-reviewed national and international journals as well as chapters in research books. He has delivered several papers and keynote addresses, focusing on information and communication technology in blended learning environments to foster self-directed learning. He did this while balancing it with a full teaching load in geography education.

Prof Van der Westhuizen will receive the Research Medal at the 2022 EASA conference, during which he will present a paper on his research focus area.

 “We are proud of these accomplishments and are grateful to have such esteemed researchers in our research unit,” says Prof Elsa Mentz, director of SDL.

Previous SDL members who have also received EASA awards include Prof Mentz, Prof Josef de Beer, and Prof Jako Olivier.

About EASA

EASA is a national association which strives to promote contact between education researchers from various sectors of the South African society. It promotes excellence in educational research and science by means of interactive network formation and inclusive discourse.