Universities Urged to Rethink Teaching and Assessment in the Age of AI

Universities Urged to Rethink Teaching and Assessment. South African universities have been encouraged to review their teaching strategies and student assessment methods as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape higher education. Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has emphasised that universities must prepare students for an increasingly technology-driven world while ensuring that South Africa develops the skills and resources needed to create and manage its own AI technologies.

Speaking during a national webinar on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, the Minister discussed the opportunities presented by generative AI, as well as the risks that universities must address. He stressed that higher education institutions need to adapt to technological developments without compromising academic integrity, independent thinking or the quality of education.

The webinar, titled The Intellectual Directions of Higher Education in South Africa, was organised by Nelson Mandela University, the University of the Free State, Rosebank International and Higher Education Media Services.

Universities Need New Approaches to Student Assessment

One of the main issues raised by Manamela was the need to rethink how universities assess students. As AI tools become increasingly capable of generating essays, answering questions and summarising complex information, traditional assessment methods may no longer provide an accurate picture of students' knowledge and abilities.

The Minister explained that simply introducing AI detection tools would not be enough to address the challenges associated with artificial intelligence. Instead, universities should focus on determining whether students genuinely understand the subjects they study.

Assessments should encourage students to think critically, examine evidence, develop meaningful questions, make ethical decisions and apply their knowledge to unfamiliar situations. Collaboration, practical problem-solving and independent reasoning should also form an important part of the learning process.

Although AI can support teaching, research, translation and administrative activities, it can also produce misleading information, reproduce existing biases and encourage students to rely too heavily on automated answers.

Universities must therefore help students understand both the benefits and limitations of AI while teaching them how to use these technologies responsibly.

South Africa Must Develop Its Own AI Capabilities

Manamela also highlighted the importance of strengthening South Africa's ability to develop and manage artificial intelligence technologies.

He warned that universities should not become permanently dependent on digital systems, research platforms and technological infrastructure created in other countries. Building local expertise will be important for protecting the country's long-term academic and technological independence.

Universities can contribute by investing in research infrastructure, developing open educational resources, improving access to reliable data and supporting the creation of AI technologies that recognise African languages and local needs.

These efforts could help South African researchers, students and businesses participate more actively in the global digital economy.

The Minister's remarks underline the importance of ensuring that technological transformation benefits local communities instead of creating new forms of dependence on external technology providers.

Funding and Student Access Remain Major Challenges

Alongside technological change, the Minister identified funding, access and institutional sustainability as important issues affecting South African higher education.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has played a significant role in helping eligible students access higher education. However, concerns remain about administrative challenges and the growing pressure between financial commitments and available resources.

Manamela argued that student funding and university funding should be considered together. Expanding access to education is difficult if institutions lack the resources needed to provide quality teaching, maintain facilities and support students throughout their studies.

He stressed that South Africa needs a funding approach that is fair, financially sustainable and practical to implement.

The Minister also called on universities to reconsider how they manage costs, differentiate their academic offerings and cooperate with other institutions.

Rather than encouraging every university to follow the same model, he said the country should build a connected higher education system in which institutions develop different strengths and serve complementary purposes.

University rankings may provide useful information, but they should not become the main factor determining institutional priorities. Improving educational quality, widening access and maintaining financial sustainability should remain central objectives.

Intellectual Transformation and Decolonisation in Higher Education

Another important issue discussed during the webinar was intellectual transformation within South African universities.

Manamela explained that decolonisation involves examining how knowledge is created, whose ideas are considered important and which perspectives are included in academic discussions. It should not simply become a slogan used in institutional policies, nor should it involve automatically rejecting knowledge developed elsewhere.

He emphasised the importance of questioning established assumptions about knowledge and recognising African perspectives within academic research and teaching.

The use of African languages in higher education was also highlighted as an important area for development. Expanding multilingual learning materials, academic terminology and digital educational tools could make university education more accessible while strengthening research and knowledge production.

Supporting African-language technologies could also help students engage with complex academic concepts in languages they understand more comfortably.

Universities Should Address South Africa's Social Challenges

The Minister further called on universities to make their research and teaching more relevant to the challenges facing South African communities.

Issues such as climate change, healthcare, unemployment, water shortages, food security, energy access and failing infrastructure require cooperation between researchers, public institutions and communities.

Universities have an important role to play in bringing together scientific, technical, social and indigenous knowledge to develop practical solutions.

Manamela argued that institutions should remain connected to the communities around them instead of focusing exclusively on activities within their campuses.

Research projects and academic programmes should help address real-world problems while allowing universities to maintain their independence and critically examine existing economic and political systems.

Stronger Partnerships Could Improve Graduate Opportunities

Manamela also encouraged stronger cooperation between universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, community colleges, employers, labour organisations and civil society.

Such partnerships could improve the relationship between education and employment by helping students develop skills that meet changing workplace requirements.

Closer collaboration may also create opportunities for practical training, research, innovation and knowledge sharing. Employers and educational institutions can work together to identify skills shortages and prepare graduates for emerging industries, including those influenced by artificial intelligence.

These partnerships are particularly important as technological developments continue to change the types of skills required across different sectors.

Conclusion

South African universities are facing a period of significant change as artificial intelligence transforms education, research and the workplace. Minister Buti Manamela has called on institutions to rethink student assessment, strengthen critical thinking, improve access to education and develop local technological expertise.

At the same time, funding challenges, intellectual transformation and community engagement remain important priorities.

The future of higher education will depend on how effectively universities balance technological innovation with academic integrity, financial sustainability and social responsibility. By adapting teaching methods and strengthening cooperation, South Africa's higher education institutions can better prepare graduates for the opportunities and challenges of an AI-driven world.