The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CELT) under the helm of the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning (DVC:T&L), Professor Suren Singh hosted the 2023 Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Design Thinking (DT) launch at the Coastlands on the Ridge on Monday, 19 June 2023.
Welcoming the DUT academic colleagues and students to the launch was Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning (DVC:T&L), Prof Suren Singh. He gave the background and context to the launch, speaking on DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategic objective on Innovative Curricula and Research which requires the Teaching and Learning staff to embrace innovative and creative teaching methods that inspire students to enhance their creativity, innovation, and adaptability.
According to Prof Singh, this type of education has a positive impact on graduates by equipping them with the skills to initiate and respond to change, as well as fostering their engagement and entrepreneurial abilities.
Prof Singh explained that in order to achieve this objective, the University has implemented Project-Based Learning and Design Thinking as two teaching methodologies within the Universal Design Learning framework.
He added that in 2023, his office has approved 16 proposals through the Big Rocks projects, which demonstrated potential in adopting PBL and DT.
“The aim is to promote self-directed learning, facilitate self-awareness, and encourage students to become active partners in applying and generating knowledge. These proposals prioritise active and collaborative learning, teamwork, and problem-solving through the effective integration of theory and practice,” commented Prof Singh.
He also spoke about one of the objectives of the launch which were to provide an introduction to Design Thinking and Project-Based Learning as one of the innovative approaches to Teaching and Learning. He delved into his presentation titled: Design thinking and Project Based Learning Driving the Philosophy of Education Statement of ENVISION 2030.
He stated that the fusion of design learning and project-based learning can occur in two ways: one where the catalyst begins at the university, empowering students to take initiative and become catalysts themselves, and another where the post-university response accelerates their progress and strengthens their competitive edge, affirming their careers and current positions.
He expanded on the newly formulated philosophy of education at DUT, highlighting the significance of the “word pairs.” According to him, these word pairs carry substantial influence and provide explicit guidance on incorporating the Philosophy of Education into transformative projects. This infusion of the philosophy extends beyond the core aspects of Teaching and Learning and also encompasses reimagined approaches to Engaged Research and Innovation. He stated, “The word pairs empower us to give expression to ENVISION2030 and go beyond the conventional boundaries, embracing a more dynamic and engaged educational landscape.
During his opening remarks, Professor Singh provided insights into the topics of creativity, innovation, adaptive graduates, and a transformed society. He illustrated his points by sharing real-life examples of his “niece and nephews” who, despite being under the age of 30, are actively making a difference in the world and offering valuable solutions within their respective workplaces in commerce and higher education. These examples served to highlight the transformative potential of young individuals and underscore the importance of fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability.
He further explained more on Project-Based Learning into the undergraduate space, and Design Thinking as a human-centred problem-solving approach.
Professor Singh emphasized that Design Thinking has broad applicability, spanning various domains such as product design, service innovation, social issues, and organisational processes. Its focus is on human-centredness and fostering creativity which makes it an effective tool for addressing intricate problems and generating impactful user experiences.
The Programme Director of the launch, CELT’s Dr Shoba Rathilal, focused her talk on explaining further on innovative Teaching and Learning practices; the differentiation between projects and Project-Based Learning.
“Projects are ‘turned in’ rather than ‘published,’ presented, or otherwise managed on an ongoing basis (like a business, for example); and Project-Based Learning depends on background knowledge, learner choice, technology tools, support from others, and dozens of other factors that result in a process of learning that produces very different results,” she said.
In her conclusion, Dr Rathilal indicated that Project-Based Learning and Design Thinking is all about creating a Creative. Distinctive. Impactful curriculum and pedagogy and improving lives and livelihoods.
An array of presentation highlights were by Dr Rosaline Govender and Ms Shabnum Rambharos, who were from the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, they spoke on the Design of Integrated Learning and Assessment Project (DILAP).
Other presentations included: Spicing Up Change by Food and Nutrition lecturer, Sinenhlanhla Maphumulo, the exciting talk on the Composite Bridge by Prof Krishnan Kanny from Mechanical Engineering; and Putting knowledge on top of Steve Biko Library by Town and Regional Planning lecturer, Dr Clive Greenstone.
Finally, another thought-provoking presentation was delivered by the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement (DVC: RIE), Prof Keolebogile Motuang. Her talk centred around Project-Based Learning and Design Thinking with the theme on research and engagement possibilities.
Prof Motaung relayed on becoming an entrepreneur and the key ingredients of entrepreneurship. She focused on her journey saying: “It was my dream, and it was therefore my responsibility to make sure that it came true, which meant understanding my weaknesses and building on my strengths. You need a strong, clear purpose driving you to succeed in business; I had to overcome many challenges to succeed at this, and I found that it was important to persist in my efforts, and not be afraid to use my academic experience in the commercial space.”
Prof Motaung also mentioned that having skills and the passion to create value from one’s research findings, and making sure that they contribute to making people’s lives better, played a crucial part to the road to entrepreneurship.
“To be a successful entrepreneur you need to be able to focus so you can stay on the course when the going gets tough. Focus on the end goal, and align what you are spending your time on, with what is important to reach your end goal,” she stressed.
Prof Motaung then looked at Design Thinking as a tool for her business at Global Health Biotech, where she is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of this business. She said that her company is a global provider of high quality commercial medicinal products to the middle-income market suffering from musculoskeletal injuries.
The company’s mission is to be the biotech leader in the provision of clinical proven and affordable plant-based products for treating musculoskeletal injuries. Her product called La Africa’ soother, saying that the response was overwhelmingly positive amongst fitness participants who experienced less muscle pain post exercise and were able to tolerate more exercise and hence experienced more cardio-pulmonary, muscle strength and conditioning gains than they had experienced without the ointment.
She spoke on Design Thinking, saying it is a powerful process of problem solving that begins with understanding unmet customer needs.
“When Design Thinking approaches are applied to business, the success rate for innovation improves substantially,” she said.
She further added on building prototypes and concluded on the way forward which included Design Thinking workshops, more insight into Spin-out companies and pitch-investors. Prof Motaung mentioned in some of the projects presented, she can see that some will struggle, and she is willing to assist them.
This was followed by a question-and-answer session and the closing remarks which were given by Dr Rathilal.
“A big thank you to Prof Singh for his leadership on this Big Rocks initiative, to our Executive Deans and Deputy Deans for making time to be at the launch and for supporting the project through the review of the proposals and the developmental feedback that was given to project leaders, Prof Motaung for her insights and support, ADPs, Ms Madi and the VIPs, the people who have actually showed intent towards adopting innovative teaching and learning practices. We need to be comfortable to take risks even if we fail because we want to teach our students that it’s okay to try, fail and retry,” concluded Dr Rathilal.
Pictured: Attendees at the launch event.
Waheeda Peters
