The North-West University (NWU) is once again leading the way in innovative educational practices with the recent artificial intelligence (AI)-focused workshops organised by its Technology Enhanced Learning and Innovative Training and Education in South Africa (TELIT-SA) research entity.
In collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), these workshops, held on 19 and 20 March 2025, were aimed at enhancing the integration of AI within higher education.
Under the guidance of Prof Liandi van den Berg from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences and director of TELIT-SA, this initiative has made significant strides in embedding AI into both teaching and learning environments.
The workshops brought together lecturers and staff from the university’s Vanderbijlpark and Potchefstroom campuses to explore the transformative potential of AI in the classroom, led by a team of international experts from the Netherlands.
The highlight of the workshops was the involvement of three international AI education specialists from Fontys University of Applied Sciences: Koen Suilen, Mark Mettler and Mario Paiano. The team, from Fontys’ Centre of Expertise AI for Society: Team Blended Learning shared their wealth of knowledge with participants through interactive and practical sessions. Topics covered included AI and Creativity, AI: Train the Trainer, and AI Systems, offering valuable insights into the evolving role of AI in modern education.
These workshops focused not only on giving lecturers a solid understanding of AI systems, but also on equipping them with creative techniques for effectively incorporating AI tools into their teaching strategies. By fostering a deep connection between theory and practice, the workshops empowered attendees to harness AI's capabilities and integrate them meaningfully into their classrooms.
In addition to sessions for lecturers, the international team also hosted two dedicated sessions for NWU students. These workshops provided students with the skills to create more effective prompts for generative AI systems, enabling them to produce compelling images and videos. Furthermore, students were taught how to use AI to code and develop an elementary computer game, ensuring they could engage with AI tools creatively and technically.
The inclusion of practical applications such as these is one of the key strengths of the NWU’s approach to AI education. Rather than just discussing AI in abstract terms, the university’s workshops allow students to develop hands-on expertise, preparing them for the rapidly changing landscape of technology.
Prof Van den Berg emphasised the importance of collaboration with Fontys University: “These workshops demonstrate the innovative potential of AI in education. Collaborating with Fontys has not only enriched the knowledge and skills of our lecturers and students, but it has also inspired them to harness AI creatively, responsibly and effectively, shaping the landscape of teaching and learning in South Africa.”
With these successful workshops, the NWU is also offering an open invitation to other educational institutions that are keen on integrating AI into their teaching practices. Prof Van den Berg and her team at TELIT-SA are available to collaborate and provide guidance on training educators in AI-related pedagogy.
For more information or to explore potential collaborations, institutions are encouraged to contact Prof Van den Berg at liandi.vandenberg@nwu.ac.za.
