Prof Busisiwe Alant

Prof Busisiwe Alant of Technology Education in the Science and Technology Education Cluster in the School of Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Edgewood Campus)

I am an Associate Professor of Technology Education in the Science and Technology Education Cluster in the School of Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Edgewood Campus). I have served the past +/-20 years as an academic at UKZN. I hold a PhD in Physics Education (University of the Western Cape) and a Masters in Science Education (University of Durban-Westville – Cum Laude). I am a former Chief Editor and Associate Editor (Technology Education) of the African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (AJRMSTE: 2019-2021-2)

I serve in the Strategic committee of the School of Education focusing on Strategic Goal 5: Targeted Internationalisation. Within Goal 5, globalisation is seen as a key driver of internationalisation in the Higher Education sector. I am the Southern African Representative of the International Organization for Science and Technology Education (IOSTE) and a member of the highly prestigious Epsilon Pi Tau and international Honor Society for professions in Technology (US based). I serve on the Editorial Board of the Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education (CJSMTE).  Furthermore, I am the founder and director of a biotech start-up called BATM TRADMEDS Pty Ltd. Last year, my company was shortlisted for the Gauteng Accelerator Programme 2023 Innovation competition under Bio Medical (medical solutions and devices).

As a specialist in the area of Technology Education, I have developed a particularly strong interest in the area of Engineering Education, particularly public perceptions on the adoption and adaptation of new alternative solutions and technologies and their transfer. This is reflected in my initiatives, over the past 15 years, to develop the Technology Education curriculum at UKZN (both undergraduate and postgraduate levels) in such a way as to maximize the students’ ability to successfully integrate Technology Education and Engineering Education. Furthermore, I have become involved in collaborative activities with Design companies such as FormulaD Interactive (SA-Cape Town) as well as SIEMENS (SA and Germany) and Heliocentris (Germany) and incorporated their Micro automation tools and Clean Energy Trainer into our Technology Education curriculum on Industrial Automation and Renewable Energy Technologies. In addition, I was invited as a visiting scholar and researcher by the University of Indiana, Bloomington, USA, School of Education, Curriculum and Instruction – Science Education, Creative Lab, Make-Innovate & Learn Lab (April 2017). Currently, I am in the process of establishing a Mechanical Engineering Lab in the School of Education, which will focus on the teaching of Systems and Control. Work is due to be completed in 2024/5. I have learnt over the years, that it is through a dedicated space in the form of a Lab facility that a niche area is developed and nurtured.