WSU DLT Showcases Its Drive for Excellence

Key Takeaways

• The WSU Directorate for Learning and Teaching (DLT) is strengthening excellence through a values-driven academic culture.
• The initiative develops ethical, innovative, and socially responsive graduates grounded in African contexts.
• Leadership development, curriculum transformation, and student empowerment remain core to WSU’s long-term impact.

Walter Sisulu University’s Directorate for Learning and Teaching (DLT) is reshaping academic life by promoting a respectful and values-based environment. In her recent presentation, Dr Kolisa Siqoko echoed WSU’s central mission: true transformation starts with dignity, civil dialogue, and open intellectual engagement.

Their Story

At the heart of the DLT’s work is WSU’s goal to become an impactful, technology-infused African university. Dr Siqoko explained that structures alone cannot deliver this vision. Instead, everyday behaviour must align with shared values—honesty, integrity, excellence, respect, and ubuntu.

These values guide teamwork, student support, and the evolution of teaching and learning across all campuses.
Moreover, they shape WSU’s goal of developing ethical, scholarly, entrepreneurial, innovative, and sustainable graduates.

The DLT continues to drive this change by professionalising teaching, promoting reflective practice, and designing curricula that embrace social justice and local relevance. Dr Siqoko further stressed the need to link ethics and academic integrity to students’ lived experiences. This ensures that knowledge creation stays reciprocal and grounded in African realities.

The Event / Occasion

During her address, Dr Siqoko showcased the DLT’s strong commitment to leadership development for both academics and students. She noted that excellent academics are not automatically prepared to lead. As a result, the DLT is strengthening leadership training for Heads of Departments and academic teams.

Student empowerment remains a major focus. Continuous orientation programmes and collaborations with platforms such as LinkedIn help students build confidence, responsibility, and purpose from their first year to graduation.

She also shared ongoing work to improve governance frameworks, refine policies, and increase the DLT’s presence within the academic developer community.

Community Reactions

The DDLT’s efforts have been widely welcomed. Staff and students appreciate the push toward a more engaged learning culture. This approach encourages students to move from passive learning to active involvement in social justice. Consequently, WSU graduates are better prepared to enter society as agents of meaningful change—a key pillar of the university’s academic vision.