Durban University of Technology (DUT) will host the ICT & Society Student Symposium 2026 and the 10th Annual IEEE Conference on Information Communication Technology and Society (ICTAS 2026), bringing together researchers, industry experts, academics, innovators and students to explore developments in information and communication technology (ICT), engineering, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital finance.
The Student Symposium will take place in a hybrid format on 13 October 2026 at Mansfield Hall, Ritson Campus, while the main conference will run from 14 to 16 October 2026 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Umhlanga, Durban.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of ICTAS, which provides a platform for sharing research, encouraging innovation and strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.
The events will feature keynote presentations, industry discussions, networking opportunities and interactive sessions focusing on emerging technologies and their impact on society. Delegates will also have opportunities to engage with professional bodies and industry representatives, gaining insights into developments shaping the world of work.
The programme will feature local and international keynote speakers, including Professor Lise Getoor from San Francisco, United States; Dr Sandra K. Johnson from the United States; Professor Alessandro Di Nuovo from Sheffield Hallam University in the United Kingdom; Professor Leandros A. Maglaras, affiliated with De Montfort University and Edinburgh Napier University in the United Kingdom; and Refilwe Sarah Buthelezi from Johannesburg, South Africa. They will share their expertise across various technology and engineering disciplines.
DUT’s Executive Dean of the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, Professor Oludayo O. Olugbara, will also present on “Engineering Practice Innovation Project: A Teaching Mode to Enhance Student Learning.”
His presentation will examine how emerging concepts such as Society 5.0, Industry 5.0 and Education 5.0 are influencing education, skills development and preparation for future employment. It will explore how teaching can move beyond the responsible use of AI to address the broader challenge of preparing students for the workplace while strengthening essential academic skills.
The presentation will introduce the Engineering Practice Innovation Project as a teaching approach that connects theory with practical experience through innovative projects, interdisciplinary teamwork and hands-on engineering activities. Drawing on cognitive, humanist, connectivist and experiential learning theories, the approach positions students as active participants in their learning.
Practical implementation of the model has demonstrated gains in concept mastery, peer collaboration, critical thinking and innovation. Portfolio assessments of real projects have also highlighted student ownership, sustained curiosity and increased confidence in applying knowledge to complex social challenges.
The presentation will outline the model’s theoretical foundations, implementation processes, curriculum integration and assessment strategies. It will also consider how institutions can adapt curriculum design and assessment practices to place greater emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving and innovation. This includes rethinking the educator’s role from that of a traditional lecturer to a facilitator who supports students’ learning and development.
The symposium and conference will cover a broad range of fields, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity, data science, digital transformation, the Internet of Things, renewable energy systems, robotics, blockchain and financial technology.
Through these engagements, ICTAS 2026 will provide a platform for sharing new knowledge, building partnerships and exploring how technological innovation can address societal challenges while preparing students for a changing world.
Picture: Supplied
Sinamile Sithole
