Professor Ng’ambi will present his lecture, “Technology changes what matters – what matters changes technology,” on Friday, 25 July 2025 at 17:30 SAST in Lecture Theatre 1, Neville Alexander Building on lower campus.

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping education, Professor Ng’ambi invites us to ask: What is truly important in education – and for whom? He will examine the evolving interplay between technology and educational values through the lens of three transformative projects, including the innovative Open Educational Resource of Indigenous Games (OERiGA). His lecture will challenge us to remain grounded in purpose as we embrace digital tools and to ensure that innovation remains in service of equity, relevance and human dignity.

Professor Ng’ambi is a leader in educational technology and digital pedagogy. He is a professor in the School of Education at UCT and programme head for the Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s in Educational Technology. As founder of the Educational Technology Inquiry Lab, he has championed the professional development of educators through creative and inclusive approaches. His scholarly work bridges theory and practice and continues to shape how technology can serve socially just and contextually grounded education.

Professor Ng’ambi’s impact extends across the African continent. He played a key role in building capacity at Makerere University in Uganda, which led to the establishment of a blended Master’s programme in Instructional Design and Technology for East Africa. In recognition of his contributions, Makerere University awarded him a Plaque of Honour. He also holds appointments as a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Greenwich in the United Kingdom; and a Visiting Professor at Dom Bosco Catholic University in Brazil.

He currently leads the OERiGA project, which spans 12 African countries. This initiative documents and integrates indigenous games into school curricula, promoting cultural heritage, advancing decolonisation efforts and providing Generation Z teachers access to these resources through the OERiGA mobile app.

Professor Ng’ambi holds a PhD in Information Systems from UCT, an MSc in Computer Science from the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom), and a BSc in Mathematics from the University of Zambia.

• Register to attend the lecture.