The Centre for Advanced Learning Technologies in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (CALTSTEAM), housed within the Faculty of Education at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), has been announced as a finalist in the 2025 Global Triple E Awards. The centre is led by Professor Umesh Ramnarain, a distinguished scholar and advocate for innovative educational practices.
The Triple E Awards—Entrepreneurship and Engagement Excellence Awards—are internationally recognised accolades that celebrate institutions demonstrating outstanding efforts in promoting entrepreneurship and societal engagement in higher education. CALTSTEAM’s shortlisted entry, titled “Empowering African Innovators in Advanced Learning Technologies at School and University”, is a contender in the category of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Activators of the Year.
CALTSTEAM’s nomination underscores its pioneering work in leveraging cutting-edge educational technologies to transform learning experiences for both school learners and university students in South Africa. The centre plays a pivotal role in bridging the digital and innovation divide by integrating emerging technologies—such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML)—into STEM and STEAM education contexts.
More than just introducing these technologies into classrooms, CALTSTEAM places a strong emphasis on developing the skills necessary to create and innovate with them. The centre actively supports the training of youth in the design and development of advanced digital applications, thereby nurturing a new generation of tech-savvy African innovators and entrepreneurs. This approach not only enhances digital literacy but also provides young people with viable pathways to participate in the global digital economy by founding their own educational technology (edtech) startups.
By fostering a strong link between education, innovation, and entrepreneurship, CALTSTEAM contributes meaningfully to national and continental priorities related to skills development, economic inclusion, and digital transformation.
The Triple E Awards are hosted by the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU), a globally influential body that promotes institutional transformation through entrepreneurship and engagement. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, which will be held from 10 to 12 September 2025 in Prague, Czech Republic.
This international recognition reflects UJ’s growing impact on the global stage in advancing inclusive and future-oriented education through innovation.
