Advancing Simulation-Based Learning for Skills Development.
On 2 February, the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA), in partnership with the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), marked a milestone in the implementation of the TECH SPARK Africa project with the award of certificates of completion to 22 teaching staff who completed training on leveraging simulation learning technologies for skills development. The ceremony also included the handover of a Virtual Reality Sand Table to HIT, in support of the institution to develop and deliver simulation-based learning modules. The TECH SPARK Africa: Technology Empowerment and Competency Enhancement for Skills, Professional Articulation, and Knowledge Innovation is a regional initiative that supports the transformation of higher technical education in Africa by leveraging digital and simulation learning technologies to strengthen skills development in STEM disciplines. Implemented under UNESCO’s Campus Africa flagship and aligned with the UNESCO Operational Strategy for Priority Africa, the initiative promotes institutional collaboration, innovation, and capacity development to equip young people with future-ready technical, digital, and professional skills. The event formed part of a broader regional effort under TECH SPARK Africa project to strengthen digital and pedagogical competencies of educators across institutions in Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, including the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).
Teacher Competency Development as a Catalyst for Sustainable Educational Transformation
Delivered between October and November 2025, the TECH SPARK Africa online training programme was delivered in partnership with trainers from JIQU Technology, bringing together 67 educators, technical, and administrative staff from HIT, NUST, and BIUST. The programme focused on the practical use of simulation learning technologies, including panoramic learning hardware and specialized software platforms, with an emphasis on curriculum integration and experiential teaching approaches. Participants follow the award of certificates of completion to 22 teaching staff under the Tech Spark project.
The training improved participants’ understanding of simulation learning concepts and frameworks, strengthened their ability to use education hardware and software tools, and increased institutional readiness to adopt simulation-based approaches for skills development. The high level of interest expressed by participants in applying these technologies within their institutions reflects the relevance of simulation learning for addressing skills gaps in higher technical education. Beyond individual capacity building, the TECH SPARK Africa training illustrates the significance of investing in human and institutional systems alongside technology. The programme adopted a learner-centred, “learn–implement–refine” approach, enabling participants to apply new skills within their teaching contexts while engaging in reflective practice and peer learning. Meaningful digital transformation in education depends on educators’ ability to integrate technologies in ways that enhance pedagogy, curriculum relevance, and learning outcomes, rather than treating technology as an end in itself.
Repositioning Higher Education for Skills, Innovation, and Transformation
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Engineer Quinton C. Kanhukamwe, at HIT, emphasized the strategic role of higher education in national development, noting that higher education must be repositioned at the centre of industrialisation, innovation, and sustainable social transformation. He further highlighted the role of virtual simulation learning in enabling experiential learning environments that foster innovation, problem-solving, and industry-relevant competencies. These perspectives align closely with the objectives of TECH SPARK Africa, which seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice by embedding immersive, real-world learning experiences within STEM and higher technical education programmes. Reflecting on the significance of the milestone, Mrs. Rachael Chikoore, Dean of the School of Information Science and Technology at HIT and focal person for the TECH SPARK Africa project, underscored that the ceremony represented more than the conclusion of a training programme. She noted that it demonstrated the value of sustained partnerships with UNESCO ROSA in empowering institutions to adopt innovative learning tools, while also strengthening their capacity to serve students and wider communities. She further emphasized the importance of building on this momentum through continued collaboration and joint efforts. Her reflections highlight the central role of institutional ownership and partnership-driven approaches in ensuring that digital innovation initiatives translate into lasting educational impact.
Looking Ahead: Supporting Simulation Modules Development
Building on the completion of the training, UNESCO ROSA will continue to support trained educators at HIT, NUST, and BIUST in the design, development, and integration of simulation-based learning courses in 2026. Planned next steps include partnering with private sector education technology providers, establishment of specialised task teams, continued technical and pedagogical support, alignment of simulation modules with national curricula and labour market needs, and the collection of evidence to inform policy development and system-wide digital transformation.
UNESCO and HIT leaders during the Tech Spark event.
As TECH SPARK Africa progresses into its next phase, UNESCO ROSA remains committed to working with partner institutions to ensure that simulation learning becomes a sustainable and embedded component of higher technical education, contributing to youth employability, innovation, and inclusive socio-economic development across Southern Africa.
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