DHET Partners with Commonwealth of Learning to Host Landmark National Workshop
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has taken a significant step forward in preparing South Africa's post-school education and training (PSET) sector for the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence. On 28 May 2026, the department, in partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), launched a two-day National Workshop on Artificial Intelligence in Education at the Future Africa campus of the University of Pretoria.
More than 80 delegates attended the opening sessions, representing provincial education departments, public and private higher education institutions, the South African Council for Educators (SACE), the South African Institute for Distance Education (SAIDE), Umalusi, VVOB, and the Council on Higher Education (CHE). The gathering created a dedicated space for dialogue on how AI can be responsibly integrated into teacher education and broader digital transformation efforts across the PSET system.
Keynote Highlights Global Trends and Local Imperatives
Professor Dick Ng’ambi delivered the keynote address, focusing on “AI and the Future of Teacher Education: Global Trends and Local Imperatives.” His presentation set the tone for discussions that balanced international best practices with the specific needs of South African institutions. Delegates explored how AI tools can support personalised learning, streamline administrative processes, and enhance educator professional development while addressing equity and access challenges in a diverse higher education landscape.
The workshop aligns with ongoing DHET initiatives, including a March 2026 memorandum of understanding signed with Google South Africa to advance digital skills and AI integration across universities, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, and community education and training (CET) colleges. That partnership includes plans for 10,000 Google Career Certificate scholarships targeting AI essentials, cybersecurity, and data analytics, with a particular emphasis on rural and township institutions.
Building on the National Plan for Post-School Education and Training
South Africa’s National Plan for Post-School Education and Training (NPPSET) already identifies the need for programmes that prepare students for global advances in technology. The workshop builds directly on this framework by focusing on practical implementation strategies for AI within teacher education programmes and institutional operations. Participants discussed curriculum redesign, lecturer capacity building, and the development of ethical guidelines to ensure AI supports rather than replaces human-centred teaching.
Representatives from the Council on Higher Education and Umalusi contributed perspectives on quality assurance and accreditation implications, while SAIDE and VVOB shared insights from existing digital education projects. Provincial education departments highlighted the importance of aligning PSET initiatives with school-level digital transformation efforts to create seamless pathways for learners.
Stakeholder Perspectives on Opportunities and Challenges
Delegates identified several opportunities for AI in South African higher education. These include intelligent tutoring systems that provide adaptive support for students in large classes, data analytics platforms that help institutions track student success and intervene early, and tools that assist lecturers with content creation and assessment design. Private higher education providers noted that AI could help smaller institutions compete on quality and reach without massive infrastructure investments.
Challenges discussed included uneven digital infrastructure across institutions, the need for robust data protection frameworks, risks of algorithmic bias, and the imperative to maintain academic integrity. Participants emphasised the importance of “Africanising” AI applications so that tools reflect local languages, cultural contexts, and socio-economic realities rather than simply importing solutions developed elsewhere.
Implications for Universities, TVET Colleges and CET Institutions
Public universities such as the University of Pretoria, which hosted the event, stand to benefit from enhanced research collaborations and staff development opportunities. TVET colleges, which play a critical role in skills development, were highlighted as priority sites for AI integration in vocational training programmes. CET colleges, serving adult learners and communities, could use AI to expand access to flexible learning options.
The workshop outcomes are expected to inform future policy guidance from DHET on AI governance, lecturer training standards, and resource allocation. Institutions were encouraged to develop internal AI literacy programmes for both staff and students as a foundational step.
Future Outlook and Next Steps
Following the two-day event, DHET and COL plan to produce a summary report with recommendations that will be shared across the PSET sector. Further regional workshops and capacity-building initiatives are anticipated as part of the broader NOTES (Network for Open Teacher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa) initiative. The partnership with Google South Africa is also expected to roll out pilot projects at selected institutions in the coming months.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that coordinated action on AI integration can help South Africa address skills shortages, improve graduate employability, and position its higher education system as a leader on the continent in responsible technology adoption.
Photo by Jolame Chirwa on Unsplash
Actionable Insights for Institutions and Academics
University leaders and administrators can begin by auditing current digital infrastructure and identifying quick-win AI applications such as chatbots for student support or analytics dashboards for enrolment planning. Academics are encouraged to participate in emerging communities of practice on digital education and to incorporate AI literacy into existing modules on research methods or teaching practice.
PhD-track researchers and job seekers in the sector may find growing demand for expertise in educational technology, data ethics, and AI-augmented curriculum design. Professional development opportunities linked to the DHET-COL workshop and the Google partnership represent timely avenues for career advancement.
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