Advancing Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education : Innovative Approaches for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success in South Africa

This volume is a build up to the success of Volume 1 (Redefining Education and Development Innovative Approaches in the Era of the Sustainable Development Goals) which was published in 2024. The book aims to demonstrate how higher education institutions are integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into various aspects of education such as teaching, research and institutional practices. Through a series of chapters, the book highlights theoretical frameworks and real-world applications providing evidence-based discussions on how efforts on SDGs impact student engagement, curriculum design, community engagement and future employability. The book is distinct in the sense that it moves beyond general discussions and focusses on practical implementation. The contributors to the book examine case studies, pilot initiatives, culturally rooted methods and technologically driven innovations which offer pathways for rethinking pedagogy and student support. This second volume caters for academics, policy makers, who might be looking for scalable strategies for achieving SDGs in higher education.

Divided into six main sections which opens up with an introductory section. Following the introductory section is a segment that takes a holistic view of SDGs in Higher Education. This section details how sustainability principles shape everything in class pedagogies to broader student support systems, ensuring an integrated approach rather than fragmented once off interventions. The third section delves on cultural context and inclusivity where an exploration of cultural values such as Ubuntu and Hip-Hop Pedagogy. Such approaches examine how responsive teaching and learning methods can break down barriers and enhance inclusivity for diverse student populations. The fourth section of the book looks at Innovative, Practice – Oriented pedagogies which covers the incorporation of digital platforms, camera obscura photography, or entrepreneurship curricula and other creative approaches can result in increased student engagement and better learning outcomes. The fifth section deals with long term impacts and alumni perspectives focussing on employability and entrepreneurial mindsets all which speaks to quality education SDG 4 a critical component of SDG 4. The last section touches on evidence-based Recommendations and Models which touches on delivering quality education.

Kaitano Dube is a full professor of tourism geography at Vaal University of Technology and a visiting professor at Emirates Aviation University. He is currently director of Center of Sustainable Livelihood at Vaal University of Technology. He has distinguished himself as a researcher in tourism, aviation, climate change and sustainability. He has published 16 book chapters and several journal articles and book chapters which has been highly cited and has helped shaped policy and practice. He is a mentor and research consultant of note. 

Dr. Liemiseng Masebala Tjabane is an Academic Staff Development Manager at Vaal University of Technology’s Centre for Academic Development. She is currently in the Academic Staff Development Unit at the Centre for Academic Development. He job involves contributing to various teaching and learning development initiatives aimed at enhancing scholarly and evidence-based teaching and learning. She studied education in the global South context and hold a Master's degree in Education from the University of the Witwatersrand and a PhD in Education policy from the University of Pretoria. She is also involved in teaching and supervising education studies at the postgraduate level and serve as an advisor on the national Teaching Advancement in University (TAU) project. She has published in higher education policy, educational development, teaching excellence, Action Research and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). In addition, she is a member of the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of South Africa (HELTASA) and currently participating in a project on Teaching and Learning in Society 5.0 based on the Telagogy framework.