In a landmark session that brought together forward-thinking academics and institutional leaders, the Technology Enhanced Learning and Innovative Training and Education in South Africa (TELIT-SA), based within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (FEMS) at the North-West University (NWU), hosted internationally acclaimed e-learning pioneer Dr Badrul Khan for a powerful conversation on the future of education in a digital age.
Titled “Reimagining E-Learning and AI in Higher Education”, the hybrid session, held both in-person at the Potchefstroom Campus and online via Zoom, delved into the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation in reshaping teaching and learning at the tertiary level.
Widely regarded as the father of modern e-learning and president of McWeadon Education, Dr Khan introduced participants to his 8-Dimension e-Learning Framework, a globally respected model that supports the strategic development and implementation of effective online and blended learning environments. He also led a dynamic dialogue on how AI can be harnessed within these frameworks to enhance, not replace, human-centred teaching.
“We are not merely digitising content. We are redefining how learners engage, reflect, and grow,” said Dr Khan. “AI, when used ethically and purposefully, has the potential to support educators in creating deeply personalised and responsive learning journeys.”
Prof Liandi van den Berg, director of TELIT-SA, highlighted the pivotal role of AI in advancing adaptive, student-focused learning models.
“We are witnessing a shift from static content delivery to dynamic, personalised learning ecosystems,” she said. “The key question is how to integrate AI meaningfully and responsibly into curricula. Dr Khan’s model offers a critical framework for doing just that – enabling institutions to adopt blended learning while balancing innovation with inclusivity.”
Prof Herman van der Merwe, deputy dean for teaching and learning in the faculty, emphasised that Dr Khan’s engagement with TELIT-SA underscores the faculty’s broader mission.
“Our goal is to empower lecturers – especially in the field of commerce – with research-informed, inclusive, and innovative practices that meet the evolving needs of our students and society,” said Prof van der Merwe. “As South African higher education responds to the demands of the digital age, engagements like this help guide us toward building sustainable, agile, and impactful learning environments.”
The event forms part of TELIT-SA’s ongoing initiatives to promote research-driven digital teaching innovation, with a strong focus on AI integration, blended learning strategies, and digital literacy within higher education. It also strengthens the university’s position as a thought leader in future-focused pedagogy.
