You are invited to submit an article for possible inclusion in a special issue of African Perspectives of Research in Teaching and Learning Journal (APORTAL).

THEME: Nurturing Holistic and Innovative Approaches in Higher Education Learning and Teaching Contexts

This special issue is linked to the 2024 HELTASA (Un)Conference, hosted by the University of Limpopo and the University of Venda, taking place 26-29 November 2024. The theme of this special issue is related to the theme of the (un)conference. Within Southern Africa, higher education is facing issues relating to funding, equity of access, decolonisation, language, student marginalisation, throughput, attrition, and graduate unemployment. On a global scale, climate change, war, staff burnout, mental health (staff and students), and generative artificial intelligence have led to questions about the relevance and responsiveness of higher education. In addition to how to address the above issues in contextually relevant ways, South African higher education institutions are also considering ways to foster inclusiveness, equity, and diversity, and how our students can be empowered for a sustainable future. The special issue theme of Nurturing holistic and innovative approaches in higher education learning and teaching contexts emphasises the importance of holistic approaches in higher education that promote positive contributions to enhance learning, teaching, scholarship, and broader societal transformations. The theme consists of several related sub-themes:

• Interdisciplinary approaches in learning and teaching in higher education
• Empowering higher education students for a sustainable future
• Fostering inclusiveness, equity and diversity in higher education
• Digital transformation and innovation in higher education
• Health and well-being of students and higher education practitioners

For this special issue, we seek to understand how South African higher education institutions can nurture holistic and innovative learning and teaching spaces to address contextual challenges and opportunities. This special issue of African Perspectives of Research in Teaching and Learning, therefore, invites higher education practitioners and researchers to submit articles around addressing current and future challenges and opportunities to transform higher education learning and teaching in a Southern African context. The issue embraces theoretical or empirical contributions related to interdisciplinary approaches, empowering students, inclusivity and diversity and digital transformation within higher education spaces. The issue is interested in articles that seek to broaden our understanding of nurturing and innovative learning and learning practices and those that seek to push the boundaries in the understanding of innovation and transformation in higher education learning and teaching.