Parallel Sessions Overview
Parallel Sessions – Have Your Say!
Explore the exciting parallel sessions at DAIA Summit 2.0, designed to enrich your experience and empower your contributions to transformative learning ecosystems. Click on the session titles below for more details.
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11.30-12.45
Workshops
Strengthening Training in South Africa’s Water Sector
Presenters: Terence Yong Yuh, Petri Home, Hendrik Ewerts, Asief Alli
Explore practical strategies for enhancing technical skills in the water sector based on the Rand Water Academy study recommendations. Interactive group discussions will develop actionable implementation steps.
Living Labs for Future Learning in Higher Education
Presenters: Shuanghong Jenny Niu, Antti Liljaniemi, Sachin Sewpersad
Join a collaborative Learning Café discussing successful Living Lab strategies and co-creating solutions to bridge theory and real-world practices.
Transformational Leadership for Organizations: A Virtual Coach
Presenters: Vesa Nissinen, Tommi Kinnunen, Logan Rangasamy
Engage in discussions on using AI-powered digital platforms to nurture transformational leadership skills, based on case studies from Wits Business School.
Digital Competences Among Teachers - Changes Needed in Teacher Education.
Presenters: Ari Myllyviita, Umesh Ramnarain
Participate in designing professional development interventions to enhance digital competencies among educators, improving technology integration and learning outcomes.
14.15-15.30
Workshops
Co-Creation Workshop on Future Learning with VR and Metaverse Technologies
Presenters: Anna-Stina Tähkävuori, Harri Hahkala
Participate in designing professional development interventions to enhance digital competencies among educators, improving technology integration and learning outcomes.
Leveraging collaboration between Local Government and Universities on sustainable water management and protection to improve service delivery in South Africa.
Presenters: Lutendo Mudau, Caroline Khoathane, Ingrid Mokgobu, Mpho Muloiwa, Marianna Vivitsou & Hannele Niemi
Explore pathways leading to and learning about protection and sustainable management of water, water resources and ecosystems. To meet this end, the workshop will bring together empirical insights and reflections, and the perspectives of researchers, local authorities, the private sector, NGOs and citizens.
Best practicies
Building Blue IQ EduTec Academy: A Scalable Model for Entrepreneurial Skills Development and Impact Evaluation.
Presenters: Petri Home, Bethuel Netshiswinzhe, Theo Van Vuuren
Driving real change in South Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape, the Blue IQ Edutec Academy combines scalable, mobile-friendly learning with measurable impact—equipping young entrepreneurs with practical skills, confidence, and the tools to succeed.
The Most Progressive Student Information System Globally – SISU
Presenter: Mikko Myllys
Gain insights from Finland’s advanced student information system, emphasizing student-centricity, modern infrastructure, and seamless digital integration.
The Development of a Training Programme for Circular Construction to Built-Environment Students
Presenters: Schalk Grobbelaar, Christo Van der Hoven, Johann Van der Merwe
Explore an innovative training programme promoting sustainable construction through practical application of Design for Manufacturing, Assembly, Deconstruction, and Reuse (DfMADR) principles.
The Ferreira’s Ecosystem for Teaching and Learning (FETL) Model
Presenter: Colin Ferreira
Discover a comprehensive teaching model that integrates diverse pedagogical methods to enhance personalized learning, critical thinking, and inclusive classroom experiences.
Paper Presentations
African Youth Revitalizing Indigenous Knowledge for Just Transition and Governance in the Digital Age
Presenters: Prof. Hassan Kaya, Emilia Haworth
Discuss how African youth integrate indigenous knowledge, languages, and Ubuntu principles into digital governance to foster sustainable and inclusive development.
Teachers’ Competencies for Future Learning in the European and African Contexts.
Presenters: Sarita Ramsaroop & Jari Lavonen
This presentation highlights the need for holistic and collaborative teacher education policies that go beyond individual competencies to address ecosystem-level factors—especially quality assurance processes—that truly support teacher professionalism across diverse contexts.
“We are the backbone of the world”: A study of how Ghanaian and Ugandan teachers exercise professional agency, navigate structural challenges, and articulate aspirations for the future.
Presenter: Jaana Härkönen, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
This study highlights how Ghanaian and Ugandan teachers navigate the tension between personal calling and systemic challenges, offering critical insights into professional agency, motivation, and retention within under-resourced education systems.
Exploring STEAM Pedagogy for Educational Equity in Rural South Africa
Presenter: Noora Joutsenlahti
Learn how STEAM approaches can significantly improve educational equity and effectiveness in multi-grade classrooms in rural South Africa.
A learner-centred curriculum - Teachers’ role as empathetic educators.
Presenter: Ninke Bezuidenhout, Hannele Niemi, Jari Lavonen& Ari Myllyviita
This presentation explores how empathetic, well-trained educators—who balance academic expectations with a deep understanding of students’ lived realities—can play a pivotal role in reducing dropout rates and supporting learner success in the face of systemic challenges.
16.00-17.15
Workshops
AI Dependence in Urban and Regional Planning Postgraduate Research: Upholding the Essential Role of Systematic Literature Reviews.
Presenters: Thulisile Ncamsile Mphambukeli, Thokozani Simelane, Vuyiswa Letsoko, & Thembani Moyo
This workshop critically explores how postgraduate students can harness the benefits of AI in research while preserving the discipline-specific depth, originality, and critical thinking essential to rigorous literature reviews.
Scenarios for Future Learning Ecosystems in Africa: Navigating HEI–Industry Collaboration in South Africa - Insights from Empirical Studies.
Presenters: Elizabeth Agbor Eta, Marianna Vivitsou & Juha Riikonen
This session explores the evolving dynamics of higher education–industry partnerships in South Africa, highlighting insights from companies and HEIs navigating collaboration in response to labour market demands.
Paper Presentations
The Future is intelligent: Empowering African Future Fit Leadership Through AI Education
Presenters: Kathija Yassim, Päivi Aarreniemi-Jokipelto
Examine successful models and strategies for integrating AI education in leadership programs, fostering innovation and ethical practices across Africa.
Mapping the Complexities of Developing Industrial Training
Presenters: Miikka Turkkila, Rodney Tshivhilinge, Arttu Tuominen, Tapio Rasa
Analyze challenges and solutions in industrial training within the mining industry, providing insights for enhancing training effectiveness.
The Applications of Virtual Reality: Disrupting Built Environment Education and Practice
Presenters: Ockert Pretorius & Herman Myburgh
This paper explores how Virtual Reality applications in the built environment—particularly in BIM, GIS, and Digital Twins—can enhance education, foster multidisciplinary, and support future-ready practices through a systematic bibliometric and content review of current research.
Sustainable water management: A need for modern pedagogies
Presenters: Lutendo Mudau, Caroline Khoathane, Ingrid Mokgobu, Mpho Muloiwa, Marianna Vivitsou, Hannele Niemi
Explore how collaboration between universities and local government can enhance water management practices, leveraging academic expertise for real-world solutions.
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Time
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Program
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08:00 – 09:00
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Registration & Networking
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09:00 – 09:15
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Opening Ceremony
• Welcome address by Prof. Hannele Niemi (DAIA Project Lead) • Keynote speeches from South African and Finnish education leaders • Ministerial addresses & video messages from key stakeholders |
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09:15 – 10:25
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Keynote & Panel Discussion
• Keynote 1: Ecosystems for Transformation in DAIA Cooperation – Sustainability & Future Growth (Industrial Perspective) • Panel Discussion: Leading voices from academia and industry discuss pathways to sustainable education ecosystems |
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09h15 – 09h30
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Keynote address from SA Minister of Higher Education and Training, Hon. Dr. Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane
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09h30 – 09h35
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Video address of Minister Anders Adlercreutz, the Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland
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09h35 - 09h45
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Remarks from SA Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Hon. Mr. David Mahlobo
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09h45-09h55
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Dean of AU Ambassador, Andre Nzapayeke, CAR
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09h55 – 10h05
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Keynote Speech 1: Digital Transformation and enabler for Industrial Transformation in Africa – A Business Perspective (Demand-Side), Dr Sandile Mbatha
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10h05-10h10
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Dr Lulama Wakaba, CSIR Executive Cluster Manager of NextGen Enterprises and Institutions
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10h10 – 10h15
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Slaven Gajovich, CEO of Maximum Group
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10h15-10h20
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Alf White, CFO, MWK
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10h20 – 10h25
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Kemoniloe Phatoli, CEO, National Youth ICT Council
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10h25 – 10h30
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Sandile Mahlaba, Senior Executive, Microsoft
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10h30 – 10h50
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Plenary Discussion
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10h50 -11:15
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Coffee Break
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11h15 – 11h30
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Keynote Speech 2: Education and Training for Digital Transformation – A Supply-Side Perspective
Deputy Minister, Hon. Mr. Mondli Gungubele, Department of Communications and Digital Technologies |
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11h30-11h35
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Lebogang Madise, Education Sector Specialist, Microsoft
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11h35 – 11h40
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Dr Anthony Gewers, National Business Initiative (in discussion)
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11h40 – 11h45
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Mpho Mookapela, EWSETA CEO
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11h45 – 11h50
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Jorma Säteri, Head of School of Construction, University of Applied Sciences, Metropolia
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11h50- 12h00
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Prof Hannele Niemi, DAIA Chair
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12h00- 12h25
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Plenary Discussion
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12h25 – 12h30
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Maximum Digital, CEO Mitesh Chotu
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12:30-14:00
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LUNCH and NETWORKING
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14.00 - 15.30
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Co-Creating Future Skills with DAIA - Joint Presentations of Finnish Researchers and Companies
1. Introduction to DAIA Project (5 min) 2. Frontier Technologies (20 min) 3. TVET Renewal (20 min) 4. Transformational Leadership and Training (25 min) 5. Conclusion & Audience Comments (20 min) |
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15.30-15.40
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Introduction to Parallel Sessions and Moving to Breakaway Rooms
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Parallel session tracks
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15.40-17.00
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Effective Training for the Future
Moderator: Petri Home
• Future of Learning: Insights into Frontier Technology (Dr. Jenny Niu & Prof. Hannele Niemi) • Effective Training and Authentic Learning (University of Applied Sciences, Metropolia with video and photos of Living Labs) • TVET in Transition: South African Challenges & Solutions (Dr Terence Yuh & Dr. Tapio Rasa) • Co-Creating Change: Training & Mentoring of Trainers (Doctoral researcher Ari Myllyviita & Prof. Umesh Ramnarain: Digital competences for teachers, and MA, Doctoral researcher Miikka Turkkila & Dr. Tapio Rasa: Co-creation for effective training) Small-Group Discussions • Group 1: Frontier Technologies • Group 2: TVET Renewal & Industry Collaboration • Group 3: Training and mentoring trainers |
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15.40-17.00
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Effective Training for Future Demands in Water Sector
Moderator: CEO Mika Jantunen
Key note speaker: Daryl McLean Panellists: Mpho Mookapela, CEO, EWSETA Benoit Le Roux, CEO, South African Water Chamber Topi Helle, CEO, Finnish Water Forum Terence Young, Researcher, Helsinki University Asief Alli, Manager, Rand Water Academy |
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15.40-17.00
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Construction & Mining
Moderator: CEO Mitesh Chotu
Key note speaker: Slaven Gajovich Panellists: Sami Haapoja Dr. Keitumetse Mothibeli (Foreign Direct Investment) Slaven Gajovich Romeo Twala – Mining Opportunity Vusi Mnguni, Training manager, Sandvik Tapio Rasa, Researcher, Helsinki University • Smart Infrastructure and Mining Technologies • Sustainability in Construction and Mining Practices • Digital Tools for Efficiency, Safety, and Cost Reduction • Skills Development for a Digital Workforce • Collaboration Between Industry, Government, and Education |
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15.40 - 17.00
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Agriculture
Moderator: CFO, Alf White
Key note speaker: Wandile Sihlobo Open Forum Discussion |
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17:00 – 17.30
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Summary of the Summit and Conclusions
Mika Jantunen/David Makhura Summary of insights |
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17:30-19:00
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Social evening: Ambassador Pekka Metso, Finnish Embassy
Sponsor: CEO Mikko Myllys, Funidata |
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