
The Research Colloquium provides a platform for researchers to share new and emerging research on open learning, interrogate national and international research evidence on the benefits of flexible and blended learning and identify research gaps in relation to open learning, including flexible and blended learning.
The objectives of the Research Colloquium are to:
- Engage with research on open learning in post-school education and training (PSET)
- Consider implications of the research for policy, strategy, planning and practice
- Identify research gaps in relation to PSET in the context of open learning; and
- Debate whether and how diverse modes of teaching and learning can improve access to and quality of PSET.
expected outcomes
The 2021 Research Colloquium is organised by the Department of Higher Education and Training, in collaboration with the Department’s entities, which are the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), the three Quality Councils, and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The Department has also partnered with the University of Cape Town on this colloquium.





HOSTED BY

Dr Blade Nzimande
Minister of Higher Education and Training
Dr Nzimande was appointed as Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation on 30 May 2019. He was Minister of Transport from 27 February 2018 to 25 May 2019. Dr Bonginkosi Emmanuel “Blade” Nzimande was the Minister of Higher Education and Training in the Republic of South Africa from 26 May 2014 until 17 October 2017.
He is a general secretary of the South African Communist Party; chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education; deputy chair of the Central Committee of the South African Communist Party; and chairperson of the Financial Sector Campaign Coalition.

Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Canada

DR Ebba Ossiannilsson
Vice-President of Swedish Association for Distance Education | Board member of Job and Skills Coalition Sweden

Mr Peter van der Hijden
Netherlands

MR MATIAS MATIAS
Global Education Specialist | Advisory Board Member for HP Foundation, HP Life Program HP Inc.
USA

PROF RAMNEEK AHLUWALIA
CEO of Higher Health

Dr Thandi Lewin
Acting Deputy Director-General: University Education

Deputy Director-General: Community Education and Training

Acting Deputy Director General: Planning, Policy and Strategy

Prof Mpine Makoe

PROF Linda Cooper
Emerita Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town (UCT)


Prof J Francois Strydom
Senior Director of Teaching and Learning at the University of the Free State (UFS)

Dr Pinky Mahlangu
Specialist Scientist at the Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council

Dr Heidi Bolton
Senior Manager: Research at the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

Dr Rooksana Rajab
Senior Associate of JET Education Services

Mr Christoph Vorwerk
Skills Development Specialist

Mr Japie Nel
Senior Manager: NQF Qualifications and Professional Bodies at the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

Mr Wellington Radu
Senior Manager: Authentication Services at the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

MR Navin Vasudev
Manager: Business Development & Stakeholders at the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

Ms Jenny Glennie

Mr Reineth Mgiba
Acting Chief Director, Policy, Planning Monitoring and Evaluation, DHET

Mr Sam Zungu

DR PHIL MJWARA

DR TABISA MAYISELA
Lecturer and Principal Investigator: COOL Project

Prof Gerrit Stols

Mr Imraan Patel
Deputy Director Genral: Represents the department on Social and Economic clusters of government

DR SARA BLACK
Teacher | Analyst | Researcher

DR MUKHTAR RABAN
Lecturer: Nelson Mandela University

Ms Susan Gredley
PHD Candidate: University of Western Cape

DR THASMAI DHURUMRAJ
Lecturer: Department of Science and Technology Education

Ms mahlatse maake malatji
PHD Student: University of Cape Town

Ms Anelisa Dabula
PHD Candidate: University of KZN

Ms barbara JONES
Curriculum Development Specialist

DR Cheng-Wen Huang
Lecturer | Researcher

Ms Getrude Van Wyk
Teacher | Researcher

Ms SINETHEMBA ZUNGU
Researcher