Conference Information

International Higher Education Teaching, Learning, and Student Support Conference, 2026

Hope through Transformation: Advancing Sustainability, Inclusion, and Digital Innovation in Higher Education Practices

Overview

The International Higher Education Teaching, Learning, and Student Support Conference (ITLC 2026) advances the momentum of 2025’s gathering by focusing on resilience, transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, digital inclusion, and hope in higher education (HE). In 2026, the conference explores how institutions can transform moments of crisis and places of desperation into opportunities for innovation, inclusion, and sustainable growth—turning AI and digital tools into a beacon of hope. At its core is the interplay between sustainability, transformation, and AI-driven inclusive digital learning, reimagining curricula, policies, and institutional cultures to foster epistemic justice, equity, inclusivity, and diversity. Participants are encouraged to showcase research and practices that embed human-centred support within educational practice, moving HE communities from vulnerability to empowerment and from fragmentation to collaboration.

Key Areas of Focus

The 2026 programme is organised around the following tracks and themes:

  1. Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Education
    1. Integrating AI into teaching, learning, and assessment
    2. Ethical and responsible use of AI in HE
    3. AI for student support and personalised learning pathways
  2. Immersive and Experiential Learning Environments
    1. Virtual, augmented, and mixed reality for HE
    2. Simulation and gamification for deeper engagement
    3. Beyond the classroom: creating hybrid immersive spaces
  3. Student Digital Resilience and Well-Being
    1. Supporting student mental health in digital-first universities
    2. Equity and access in the face of digital divides
    3. Building resilience for lifelong learning in fast-changing tech landscapes
  4. Inclusive and Decolonial Pedagogies in a Digital Age
    1. African perspectives in digital teaching and learning
    2. Culturally responsive teaching and learning
    3. Redefining knowledge systems for global equity
  5. Reimagining Teaching, Learning, and Support Ecosystem
    1. Data-driven decision-making and learning analytics
    2. New roles for academic staff in digitally transformed universities
    3. Human-centred student support systems in HE
    4. Future literacies for uncertain futures (inclusive language, code-switching, disability access; digital, ethical, social & global literacies)
  6. Sustainability, Green Technologies, and the Future of Higher Education
    1. Eco-friendly digital infrastructures
    2. Linking edtech to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
    3. Responsible innovation for a just and sustainable future
  7. Translanguaging in Higher Education
    1. Pedagogical strategies and language inclusion
    2. Digital tools and AI for multilingual learning
    3. Africanisation of language practices; fair assessment for multilingual students
    4. Evidence-based impacts on learning outcomes, engagement, and well-being
  8. Curriculum/Scholarship of Transformation and Abundance Intelligence
    1. Embedding African knowledge systems and perspectives
    2. Access, diversity, and social justice in African HE
    3. Leveraging technology to drive transformational teaching, learning, and research
    4. Institutional and pedagogical sustainability; staff and student wellness
    5. Policies for African transformation; AI & digital inclusion in curricula
    6. Case studies that enhance outcomes and promote Africanisation collaboration

Conference Dates and Location

Dates: 04 – 07 May 2026

Conference Location: Kgorong Building, Unisa, 274 Preller St, Muckleneuk, Pretoria

Conference Mode

The conference will be held in a hybrid mode, accommodating both in-person attendance and online participation to ensure broad, inclusive engagement.

Conference Structure

  • Pre-conference Workshops: In-depth learning and skills development sessions on specialised topics aligned to the 2026 tracks.

  • Keynote Presentations: Insights into the latest trends, challenges, and strategies in HE from renowned experts and thought leaders.

  • Panel Discussions: Engaging debates and discussions on topical issues by experts in the field.

  • Breakaway Sessions: Focused sessions allowing detailed exploration of specific themes and topics.

  • Workshops and Interactive Sessions: Practical sessions aimed at enhancing skills and know-how in areas of interest.

  • Poster Presentations: A platform for showcasing research and innovative practices in higher education.

  • Networking Opportunities: Designed to facilitate connections and collaborations among attendees.

  • Gala Dinner: A formal event to celebrate achievements and foster further collaborations.

Participation and Engagement

ITLC 2026 offers multiple avenues for participation, including presenting research, attending workshops, engaging in panel discussions, and networking with peers. It promises to be an enriching experience for all attendees, fostering collaboration, innovation, and advancement in the field of higher education.