In a passionate address at The DaVinci Institute’s 2024 Academic Opening yesterday, we were privileged to witness a powerful vision for the future of education. Samantha Naidoo, our distinguished Registrar, laid out an ambitious roadmap for the year ahead, emphasising the critical role of academic and research excellence in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Her speech highlighted the business school’s commitment to co-creating innovative learning experiences and underscored the importance of integrating academic rigour with real-world applications. Through initiatives like the redesign of the Moodle Learning Management System, the launch of the D@SH student helpdesk, and a series of student support workshops, DaVinci is setting a new standard for educational excellence.
The introduction of industry and academic leaders as subject conveners further enriches our curriculum, ensuring that our students are equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery, innovation, and growth at The DaVinci Institute, where every step forward is a step toward creating a more sustainable and compassionate world.
Navigating New Frontiers: DaVinci’s Vision for 2024 By Samantha Naidoo
To our distinguished guests, esteemed alumni and students, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Directors, Programme Director, respected academic team and staff, and the broader DaVinci community, including those joining us online, I warmly welcome you to The Da Vinci Institute for Technology Management’s 2024 Academic Year Opening.
As we begin this academic year, we gather in the spirit of advancing academic and research excellence. As an institution of higher learning, we recognise our responsibility to co-create new learning experiences, not only for our current students, but also for the benefit of the broader sector. We embrace this honour with deep gratitude and humility, as it reflects our highest aspirations. Through our engagements and partnerships, we continue to generate bodies of knowledge that guide our students’ learning experiences towards sustainable development.
Academic Rigour
With academic rigour, The DaVinci Institute embraces the view that nothing is as practical as a good theory. A well-developed theoretical understanding offers valuable insight and guidance for practical application and problem-solving in real-world contexts.
We translate theory into practice by applying the principles of Mode 2 Knowledge Production in the student learning process. This approach grounds knowledge production in contextual application, transdisciplinarity, heterogeneity, social accountability, and enhanced quality control.
Mode 2 Knowledge Production places teaching, learning, and research within real-world contexts. It does not confine these initiatives to a single discipline-based theoretical framework. Instead, it positions them within a broader extra-disciplinary application, where knowledge responds directly to practical challenges.
We therefore encourage students to interrogate the practices of their workplaces, organisations, or communities. Through collaboration with colleagues, expert Faculty, and Supervisors, students co-create innovative solutions that remain relevant, current, and responsive to real-world needs.
The Year Ahead
In 2024, the Institute will continue to improve the student experience and align its policies, procedures, and practices with the Higher Education Practice Standards of the Council on Higher Education’s recently launched Quality Assurance Framework.
To strengthen customer centricity and service excellence, Davincians, with technical support from external stakeholders, have begun the phased redesign of Moodle, the Institute’s Learning Management System. This project seeks to enhance both the internal and external user experience, while demonstrating the innovative way in which we manage technology for maximum benefit.
The Learning Operations and Governance portfolio is also pleased to announce the launch of the student helpdesk, aptly named D@SH. Through this platform, students can log queries online from anywhere, at any time, and with any department. They will also receive a tracked record of their query and a direct response from the relevant DaVinci team member. This system improves the efficiency of query responses and promotes greater transparency in student engagements.
Student Support
We are pleased to offer a monthly series of student support and enhancement workshops, starting in March. Through these sessions, experts will lead discussions on topics that remain relevant to our students, including mental wellness, activating the mind as an adult learner, Design Thinking for work, and writing for research, among others.
The Executive Dean: Learning Operations and Governance has also introduced student chat groups to place the student voice at the centre of our engagements. This initiative creates a platform for students to raise matters they feel passionate about and bring important issues to the attention of the leadership team.
These student chat groups complement the Institute’s existing feedback mechanisms, including one-on-one calls, student surveys, and other channels that support open communication between students and the Institute.
Our Commitment
Our commitment to expanding the diversity of our faculty has resulted in the introduction of subject conveners who are recognised industry and academic leaders in the areas of technology, innovation, people and systems. We were thrilled to welcome the first of these appointments – Henra Mayer as the Subject Convener of Innovation – Henra is a respected and well-recognised industry player, and we are excited to have her as part of the team and see the impact to our curriculum and student experience.
DaVinci considers professional development to be a fundamental requirement for all staff. We are particularly excited to share that two of our established academics at the Institute reached their Doctoral milestones at the end of last year. Dr Greg Tosen and Dr Mark Fuller had their doctoral degrees conferred at the October graduation ceremony, together with Dr Raymond Toga, from our Learning Coordinator team. Well done on this achievement, Colleagues.
The Institute continued to add yet another Membership badge to its list of achievements, in not only being approved as a Member of the Association of African Business Schools but also successfully submitting its application for AABS accreditation and having been assigned an internationally recognised Mentor in Dr Jean-Phillipe Ammeux to guide us to reach this next milestone.
South African Business School
As the Institute strengthens its position as both a South African and African business school, it has reached an important milestone. With guidance from a member of the newly convened Strategic Advisory Board, DaVinci recently received approval from the Engineering Council of South Africa as a CPD Licensed Body.
This approval enables DaVinci to verify CPD Service Providers and validate CPD Category 1 developmental activities. It also positions the Institute to explore cross-border initiatives across Africa.
Under the leadership of Prof HB Klopper, the research portfolio will focus on attracting top research talent among faculty, partners, and senior students. The Institute will continue to build its research capacity through theme-based priorities across four domains of excellence: innovation, freight forwarding and customs, ESG, and corporate finance.
DaVinci will also advance its thought leadership agenda through initiatives such as MasterMinds, research seminars, focus group forums, and doctoral showcases. These platforms will strengthen the Institute’s research standing in the sector. In addition, DaVinci has begun laying the foundation for a research centre and continues to engage key partners in this process.
Commencing The Year
As we begin 2024 with meaningful endeavours that promote teaching excellence and impactful learning, we must also recognise the important role our industry partners play in supporting our facilitators, supervisors, and staff.
Our facilitators, supervisors, and staff continue to inspire curiosity, ignite new thinking, and nurture the knowledge they share with our students. Their dedication remains steadfast, and their commitment reflects their understanding of the profound role they play in shaping the future.
In their workshops and offices, they do more than share information. They open possibilities, encourage ambition, and help shape the personal and professional journeys of our students. We celebrate these dedicated individuals as architects of tomorrow, guardians of wisdom, and custodians of hope.
As we seek to emulate their dedication, navigate the demands of daily life, and commit ourselves to lifelong learning, we must continue working towards a more compassionate and sustainable world. We must ensure that education remains accessible to all and becomes deeply embedded in our cultural fabric, creating an environment where everyone values and celebrates teaching and learning.
In closing, I leave you with these words from our CEO, Mr Frik Landman:
“The concept of proximity between industry and education is to create a circular personnel economy in which education can be tailored to meet industry and business needs.”
Thank you.
Samantha Naidoo
Registrar: The DaVinci Institute
*The views expressed in this speech present the personal insights of the speaker, which are not intended to represent DaVinci Business School’s official positions or beliefs.
Short Bio: Samantha Naidoo
Samantha Naidoo serves as the Registrar at DaVinci Business School, where she brings extensive experience and expertise in education management. She has built a strong professional background in programme management, business planning, academic report writing, and project management.
Her advanced business acumen, supported by strong academic qualifications, gives her a deep understanding of effective processes and systems. She resolves complex issues, implements meaningful improvements, and helps ensure that the institution not only meets, but exceeds, its required standards.
Samantha is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Educational Management at the University of Johannesburg. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from the University of the Witwatersrand.
One of her key career highlights includes managing the development, accreditation, and registration of South Africa’s first engineering higher education qualification offered by a private education provider. This achievement reflects her leadership, strategic capability, and innovative thinking..
Samantha is an Affiliate Member of the Chartered Institute of Professional Practitioners and Trainers and holds a Master Occupational Directed Practitioner (M.ODP) designation, further testament to her commitment to professional excellence. Samantha Naidoo is a forward-thinking education manager dedicated to fostering academic excellence and innovation at the DaVinci Business School.
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