Research

AI specialist to kick off Unisa’s Research and Innovation Week

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Prof Nyna Amin, Interim Director of the Teaching and Learning Portfolio at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, will unpack Rewriting the Rules: AI as Academic Collaborator and Challenger during the formal opening of Unisa’s Research and Innovation Week on Monday 19 May 2025 in the Senate Hall, Muckleneuk Campus.

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Prof Nyna Amin

The college-driven Research and Innovation Week takes place from 19 to 23 May at the university’s Muckleneuk, Science and Midrand Campuses.

Under the banner Proudly African and Globally Relevant, the week seeks to address the unique challenges faced by the African continent, while also contributing valuable insights to the broader global community. It is grounded in the rich cultural, historical and socio-economic contexts of the continent, focusing on locally appropriate and universally applicable solutions, from sustainable agriculture and healthcare innovations to climate resilience and digital transformation.

Through discussions, presentations and interactive sessions, participants will explore how African research shapes global conversations in healthcare, technology, sustainability and social development.

The week-long programme provides a unique opportunity to engage with thought leaders, researchers and innovators who are driving change both locally and globally, and to discover how their work is contributing to a more sustainable, equitable future for all.


Formal opening keynote address

Monday 19 May, Senate Hall, Muckleneuk Campus

08:30-10:00

Rewriting the Rules: AI as Academic Collaborator and Challenger

  • Breaking Boundaries: Discover how revolutionary thinkers shattered paradigms to advance knowledge – and how AI is your next frontier-pushing partner.
  • Ethics with Edge: Master the art of responsible rule-breaking with AI - learn when to follow conventions and when to boldly challenge them.
  • Power Tools for Academic Rebels: Get acquainted with cutting-edge AI applications that transform how you research, analyse and generate breakthrough ideas.
  • Human + Machine = Revolution: Forge a new academic ecosystem where your expertise combined with AI creates possibilities neither could achieve alone.

RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/j9WbpfWQG8 


About the speaker

Nyna Amin is a full professor of curriculum studies and an NRF-rated social scientist, currently serving as interim director for the University Teaching and Learning Office. Her leadership experience includes roles as cluster leader and academic leader of research. Her academic excellence has been recognised by prestigious awards, including a Fulbright Scholarship at Michigan State University, two Tripartite Alliance Scholarships at the University of Liège and the UKZN Distinguished Teacher Award in 2011.

A dedicated reviewer for the National Research Foundation and numerous international and national journals,  Amin co-founded the journal African Perspectives of Research in Teaching and Learning, is an editor of Alternation (UKZN), and serves on the boards of Africa Education Review and Health Research and Society.    

She has successfully supervised 19 PhD students and 22 master's students. Her scholarly contributions include co-edited books and publishing over fifty research articles, book chapters and editorials. Amin is a member of several professional associations, including the South African Education Research Association, the Disaster Coping Resources Team, the Oxford Symposium in School-Based Family Counselling, and the USAF Community of Practice for Digital Education.

* Submitted by Virginia McManus, Department of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation

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Publish date: 2025/05/08

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