Posted on July 03, 2024
The University of Pretoria (UP) is at the forefront of an exciting transformation in engineering education, spearheaded by Prof Lelanie Smith. Through pioneering efforts and international collaboration, the national Innovative Engineering Curricula team is redefining how engineering curricula are developed and delivered across South Africa.
The initiative is funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the University Capacity Development Program, and is coordinated and facilitated by a national team representing 12 of South Africa’s 16 engineering schools and University College London (UCL) as a formal partner. It integrates expertise from academia, industry and accreditation bodies. The programme focuses on developing a cohesive understanding of an integrative curriculum in the South African context, and preparing students and staff for innovative and creative engineering education.
Prof Smith and her team recently visited two Scandinavian universities, Aalborg University in Denmark and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden. Aalborg University is renowned for its evidence-based teaching and problem-based learning practices, while the KTH Royal Institute of Technology has institutionalised academic development, specifically for engineering. The team spent a week at each institution to understand the resources required, the buy-in from industry and accreditation bodies, and the preparation of students for the workforce.
Following these visits, Prof Smith participated in a global symposium at the UCL to celebrate their 10 years of integrative engineering programme. The University of Pretoria was one of 35 institutions invited to this prestigious event. Participants included delegates from top universities like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Imperial College London and the Delft Technical University. This provided a valuable platform to share insights and benchmark itself against leading global practices in engineering education.
According to Prof Smith, the symposium provided insight into three aspects in particular:
Prof Smith’s involvement in the global symposium showcased the Innovative Engineering Curricula team’s leadership in curriculum innovation. UCL’s integrative engineering programme is globally recognised, and UP’s participation alongside top universities like MIT and the Imperial College London highlights its commitment to excellence.
Building on these international insights, UP is poised to launch a new first-year engineering programme in 2026, with initial changes starting in 2025. This programme has the following objectives:
The success of national changemakers’ workshops highlights the potential to create supportive learning communities across the engineering sector. These workshops have already positively impacted departments at the University of Pretoria and the University of Cape Town, fostering a culture of collaboration and integration.
The visit of the Innovative Engineering Curricula team to Aalborg University and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, together with Prof Smith’s participation in the UCL symposium, has provided invaluable insights into effective curriculum renewal practices. UP is well positioned to leverage these learnings to enhance its engineering programmes, ensuring sustainable growth and producing graduates that are equipped to meet South Africa’s economic and societal needs. Prof Smith’s leadership and the collaborative efforts of her national team will be crucial in driving this transformation.
We invite you to be a part of this transformative journey. Whether you are an academic, industry partner or prospective student, your involvement and support are crucial. Together, we can reshape engineering education in South Africa and beyond, ensuring sustainable growth and a brighter future.
Copyright © University of Pretoria 2025. All rights reserved.
Get Social With Us
Download the UP Mobile App