Program
Transformative Learning Ecosystems – Lessons Learnt and Ways Forward
16
September 2025
Campus of Future Africa, University of Pretoria
This is a preliminary program. Stay tuned for the updated agenda, featuring detailed session highlights.
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Time
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Program
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Morning Session:
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Setting the Stage
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Registration & Networking
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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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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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Keynote 2 & Plenary Session
Keynote 2: Transforming Learning Ecosystems – Education & Training for Sustainable Growth Plenary Discussion: Engaging the audience in reflections on innovation in education and workforce development |
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Coffee Break & Networking
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Afternoon Session:
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Co-Creating Future Skills
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Parallel Sessions
Participants will engage in interactive presentations, case studies, and discussions led by Finnish and African researchers, industry experts, and policymakers. Session Themes: Water, Mining, Construction, and Agriculture: Case studies on industry-academia collaboration Digitalization in Education & TVET: Leveraging AI, VR, and AR for learning transformation Future Learning Competencies & Leadership: Building 21st-century skills and leadership in education |
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Coffee Break
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Final Session:
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Takeaways & Future Roadmap
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Roundtable Discussions & Learning Café
• Interactive discussions based on Call for Proposals contributions • Collaborative reflections on the future of digital education ecosystems |
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Closing Remarks & Key Insights
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Social Evening & Networking Reception
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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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