Makgotso Philipine Mcwabeni

Makgotso Philipine Mcwabeni is an interdisciplinary emerging scholar with a background in Zoology and science education, and is currently completing a Master’s degree in Higher Education at Rhodes University, jointly situated between CHERTL and the Department of Zoology and Entomology. Her research focuses on students’ perceptions and use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), with particular attention to epistemic access, knowledge-building, and transformation in higher education. Makgotso has experience facilitating AI and teaching-and-learning workshops, co-facilitated a session at the HELTASA UnConference 2025, and is actively involved in student success initiatives. She is passionate about the holistic and context-sensitive integration of technology in higher education, inclusive communication, valuing diverse knowledge systems, and ensuring that student voices and evidence-based insights inform higher education practice.

Ntombikayise FP Tsabedze

Ntombikayise FP Tsabedze is a Writing Lab Consultant at the Vaal University of Technology, where she supports students in developing academic writing and scholarly communication skills. She holds a Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Public Relations Management, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, all obtained from the Vaal University of Technology.
Ntombikayise is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Higher Education, with research focusing on how AI-enhanced learning contributes to international students’ academic satisfaction. With over two and a half years of experience as a Writing Consultant and former Blackboard Facilitator, she brings expertise in both academic literacies and e-learning. Her professional interests include digital pedagogy, student academic development, and equitable learning practices in higher education.

Adriano Giovanelli

Adriano Giovanelli is a Learning Experience Designer in the Teaching & Learning Unit in the Faculty of Commerce, Law, and Management (CLM). He studied for a BA Fine Arts at the Wits School of Arts (specializing in sculpture and animation). At the end of 2017, Adriano returned to Wits, starting at CLTD as an instructional designer, concentrating on Edx MOOCs. Adriano also has experience in working with the HEPSA-partnered online degrees for Health Sciences. He has built courses on Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, Sakai, and ulwazi and converted an Edx course into a website. His strengths include interactive activities, UX/UI, filmmaking, animation, design, and Game-based learning. He is an evangelist for Universal Design for Learning and accessibility at the University. Currently, he is completing his MA in Digital Arts in Serious games in education.

Balitiye Monareng

Bio coming soon.

Thaiurie Govender

Thaiurie Govender is from a small town an hour away from Johannesburg called Roshnee, she studied for a Bachelor of Education degree from the North-West University Vaal Triangle Campus. She was a teacher for four years and taught Natural Science, Mathematics, Life Science, and Physical Science at General Smuts High School. She later joined the Academic Development & Support Unit at the North West University – Vaal Triangle Campus as an Academic Adviser. She moved to Durban for a short period and joined the CELT team in the Durban University of Technology  as a tutor trainer before moving back to Johannesburg in the role of Educational Technologist at the IIE Varsity College Sandton Campus and moved into the Teaching and Learning specialist role at the IIE Varsity College – Waterfall Campus till present. She has obtained a Master’s Degree in  Education Curriculum Development (NWU-Potchefstroom Campus). She worked alongside the HELTASA Student and Learning Scholarly Projects for five years and the team produced a book called Student Peer Support Initiatives in Higher Education: A Collection of South African Case Studies.

Aviwe Matiwane

Aviwe is a Lecturer at Rhodes University and a research associate at the Albany Museum. She hails from a small village in Mqanduli known as Lower Ngqwara outside Mthatha in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. She obtained both her Honours and Master of Science degrees at Rhodes University looking at the plant biodiversity of the Southern Mistbelt Forests of the Eastern Cape. Aviwe is currently working on a palaeobotanical and biostratigraphic project. Miss Matiwane was also named as one of the Mail Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans in 2018 and recently an Inspiring Fifty South Africans winner. She was also part of the South African FameLab top ten national finalists and was featured in Forbes. Her passion and enthusiasm have captured many people, leading her to be featured in many national and international science communication platforms and guest lecturing in international academic/research institutions, including Harvard University. She has also received numerous awards and accolades for her MSc and PhD work. Aviwe has a strong passion for science communication, animals, education, outreach, and women empowerment.

Adriano Giovanelli

Adriano Giovanelli is a Learning Experience Designer in the Teaching & Learning Unit in the Faculty of Commerce, Law, and Management (CLM). He studied for a BA Fine Arts at the Wits School of Arts (specializing in sculpture and animation). At the end of 2017, Adriano returned to Wits, starting at CLTD as an instructional designer, concentrating on Edx MOOCs. Adriano also has experience in working with the HEPSA-partnered online degrees for Health Sciences. He has built courses on Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, Sakai, and ulwazi and converted an Edx course into a website. His strengths include interactive activities, UX/UI, filmmaking, animation, design, and Game-based learning. He is an evangelist for Universal Design for Learning and accessibility at the University. Currently, he is completing his MA in Digital Arts in Serious games in education.

Leanri van Heerden

Leanri van Heerden is a learning designer with the Central University of Technology, Free State. Her responsibilities include the design and development of online and blended learning and teaching experiences, educational technology training and support, and research. She has a background in visual art which gives her a creative perspective on higher education.