Ashton Maherry

Saide, as the convenor of the Siyaphumelela conference, and backbone institution for the Network, had anticipated similar delegate numbers to the 2023 Siyaphumelela Conference, so we were excited to welcome 265 delegates from the 20 Siyaphumelela 3.0 partner universities.  

Established in 2014 with five universities, the Siyaphumelela Network is now a collaboration of 20 public universities committed to promoting student success and eliminating achievement gaps in race, gender and socio-economic status. The conference provided a platform for key South African role players and international experts in student success to discuss evidence-based practices and national systemic interventions.

The opening keynote was presented by Susan Adams, from Achieving the Dream in the USA. Susan is championing a human-centred approach to integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) that enhances, rather than replaces, the critical role of educators. Her keynote, titled “Uniting Tradition and Technology: Humanistic AI in South African Education” advocated for a transformative approach to embracing AI where educators can use AI to assist in course design and students can use AI to assist in their learning. Susan listed some common uses of AI to assist educators, such as syllabus creation, generating quiz questions, generating active learning activities, generating authentic assessments and co-creating open education resources. Some less common uses of AI by educators were for interactive simulators deployed to students, teaching the AI as a student exercise and practising negotiation and getting feedback. Susan reminded us that there are no secret instructions for AI but that working with AI is like teaching a student, and as educators, we are well-placed to be directors of AI in our classrooms. The keynote demystified AI and gave delegates permission to experiment with AI in our classrooms and workplaces.

Prof Thandwa Mthembu, from Durban University of Technology, presenting a keynote on the sandwich axiom of holistic success.

 

Susan Adams, from Achieving the Dream, USA, presented a keynote and workshop on Humanistic AI in South African education.

A highlight of the conference was the Siyaphumelela ATD DREAM Scholar, Simphiwe Kunene, from the University of the Free State, who reflected on attending Achieving the Dream’s annual conference in Florida, USA, in February 2024 where he presented his “I Am” poem to over 2000 DREAM delegates. Simphiwe repeated his “I Am” poem for the Siyaphumelela conference delegates and received a standing ovation from all delegates. Simphiwe was followed by the seven Siyaphumelela 2.0 partner institutions who reflected on their achievements, lessons learned and gave advice to the new Siyaphumelela partner institutions. These presentations included students from the seven partner institutions, and firmly foregrounded the student voice on the first day of the conference.

Simphiwe Kunene, Siyaphumelela ATD DREAM Scholar 2024 presenting his “I Am” poem.

 

Simphiwe Kunene receiving his certificate from Dr Alan Amory, Siyaphumelela Project Leader.

Prof Thandwa Mthembu, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Durban University of Technology, a Siyaphumelela partner since 2016, presented a keynote on the “Sandwich Axiom of Holistic Success: Pre-in-Post University Success” where he presented the axiom that “if pre-university education and post-university lives and livelihoods approach a point of success, then in-university student success which must be sandwiched between pre- and post-university success, will also approach the point of success”. More simply stated, student success in university can only be achieved when students are succeeding before they enter university and after they graduate from university. Prof Mthembu then presented DUT’s strategic plan, ENVISION2030 and linked the perspectives/strategic objectives to pre-in-post university successes with examples of actions and responses. Examples of the pre-university success were projects designed for feeder schools, with a focus on STEM, as part of an engaged university in its community. The example of in-university success was DUT’s Philosophy of Education which states “Our creativity and innovation shapes adaptive graduates who transform society”.  The example of post-university success was DUT producing adaptive graduates, that through innovation and entrepreneurship “transform societies and their economies” and “contribute towards the lives of the broader society”. This presentation highlighted the importance of framing student success in the context of pre-in-post university and embedding it within the institution's strategic plan, a result of DUT’s maturity in student success since being involved in the first phase of the Siyaphumelela initiative.

The conference programme featured a panel discussion with one interim Vice-Chancellor and six Deputy Vice-Chancellors of Academic/Teaching and Learning from the Siyaphumelela 2.0 partner universities. The executives commented on the challenges of scaling student success and the importance of integrating and institutionalising student success at their universities. The importance of data for evidence-based decision-making was highlighted. The old partners advised the new partners to enjoy the Siyaphumelela network platform but be reminded that the network isn’t only about receiving or consuming, it is also about giving back and contributing to the network. New partners were also reminded to keep the student at the centre of the design of their student success initiatives which means asking the question “How are we the problem?”.

Jenny Glennie chairs the VC/DVC panel discussion with the seven Siyaphumelela 2.0 Partner institutions.

A highlight of the conference was the cocktail event, where the 20 Siyaphumelela 3.0 partner institutions were welcomed to the network and received their membership certificates. This was followed by further networking, wine and much dancing by all delegates present.

The conference concluded with a reflection by the Saide director designate, Innocent Nkata. Innocent noted a long-term game of Siyaphumelela is to strengthen the relationship with DHET as they have the same goals in common. In closing, Innocent shared his view on taking the Siyaphumelela network to the next level in three ways. The first is “scaling deep” which is about continuous improvement and quality, the second is “scaling up” which is about increasing numbers, and lastly “scaling out” which is about taking the impact beyond the realm of the institutions to the national and systemic level to be able to move the needle in South Africa’s national social transformation agenda.

Innocent reminded delegates that as Siyaphumelela shifts from second gear to third gear, as the Siyaphumelela network shifts from the second to the third phase, this is our moment – “feel it, it is here” and as we said when South Africa hosted the 2010 soccer world cup, “Ke Nako” – it’s time. A fitting closing reflection to the 2024 Siyaphumelela Conference, Saide’s biggest and best student success conference that will only continue to grow bigger and better with the 20 Siyaphumelela 3.0 partner institutions.

Student delegates from all 20 Siyaphumelela 3.0 Partner universities attended the conference.