This is an open access book.It is a common cause globally that the abrupt emergence of Covid-19 wreaked havoc in all sectors, including the higher education system. The sudden closure of campuses as a social distancing measure to prevent community transmission has shifted face-to-face classes to online teaching and learning, a transformative experiment for academics and students in most institutions. This has thrown the focus on utilising Learning Management Systems (LMS), eLearning tools and platforms for effective student engagement, which may have limitations of accessibility and affordability for many students. The pandemic has exposed the shortcomings of the current higher education system and the need for more training of academics and practitioners in digital technology to adapt to the rapidly changing educational climate. In the post-pandemic situation, eLearning and virtual education may become an integral part of the higher education system, hence the question of re-inventing higher education. The higher education institutions and universities need to plan the post-pandemic education and research strategies to ensure student learning outcomes and standards of educational quality. With the move to online teaching and learning, subsequently, traditional assessments followed and were adapted and adopted for online assessment. Assessments lie at the heart of the teaching process. It shapes students’ understanding of the curriculum and determines their ability to progress. Reflections on assessments during Covid-19 abounded with the challenges that both academics and students faced regarding online assessments, including cheating and quality assurance issues. The focus on quality extended to the quality of teaching and learning in general. Moreover, the pandemic brought about the question of staff and student health and psychosocial support also became important. For academics, the abrupt shift to adapt to working from home and implementing online learning has led to over-work, low work-life balance and compromised mental health. With a view on constructive and futuristic discourse, the sub-themes of the 2022 Focus conference encapsulate the current realities in the higher education sector and beyond. It further provides opportunities for an in-depth analysis based on the benefit of hindsight and foresight. The Organising Committee specifically coined the theme, Re-inventing higher education: Insights, trends and lessons learnt from, specifically for the conference to reflect on and address the matters mentioned earlier. Academics, scholars, and practitioners in the higher education sector are called upon to share their research and express their perspectives on the reinvention of higher education.

This is an open access book. The 2023 Focus Conference will focus on Goal Four (Quality Education) of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SGD). Goal Four is seized with providing “equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education including university.” Quality education, in this context, means the ability to function, provide and derive value in society. The theme of the conference is therefore coined as “The Role of Higher Education in the Attainment of Sustainable Quality Education.” Through this theme, the conference will provide a space for participants to share practical knowledge, experiences, and possible solutions to the myriad of problems that confront the higher education sector. Universities are often thought of as ivory towers far removed from the realities that confront global societies. To compound this, higher education is increasingly being questioned for its relevance in providing practical and innovative solutions to existing societal problems. Such questions often navigate around the relevance of the academic programmes being offered, curriculum, the capacity of staff, employability of graduates, and generally the ability of these institutions to understand why they exist. Indeed, higher education’s role in creating a sustainable future will presumably take on greater importance as the world continues to become increasingly globalised and interdependent.

This is an open access book.It is a common cause globally that the abrupt emergence of Covid-19 wreaked havoc in all sectors, including the higher education system. The sudden closure of campuses as a social distancing measure to prevent community transmission has shifted face-to-face classes to online teaching and learning, a transformative experiment for academics and students in most institutions. This has thrown the focus on utilising Learning Management Systems (LMS), eLearning tools and platforms for effective student engagement, which may have limitations of accessibility and affordability for many students. The pandemic has exposed the shortcomings of the current higher education system and the need for more training of academics and practitioners in digital technology to adapt to the rapidly changing educational climate. In the post-pandemic situation, eLearning and virtual education may become an integral part of the higher education system, hence the question of re-inventing higher education. The higher education institutions and universities need to plan the post-pandemic education and research strategies to ensure student learning outcomes and standards of educational quality. With the move to online teaching and learning, subsequently, traditional assessments followed and were adapted and adopted for online assessment. Assessments lie at the heart of the teaching process. It shapes students' understanding of the curriculum and determines their ability to progress. Reflections on assessments during Covid-19 abounded with the challenges that both academics and students faced regarding online assessments, including cheating and quality assurance issues. The focus on quality extended to the quality of teaching and learning in general. Moreover, the pandemic brought about the question of staff and student health and psychosocial support also became important. For academics, the abrupt shift to adapt to working from home and implementing online learning has led to over-work, low work-life balance and compromised mental health. With a view on constructive and futuristic discourse, the sub-themes of the 2022 Focus conference encapsulate the current realities in the higher education sector and beyond. It further provides opportunities for an in-depth analysis based on the benefit of hindsight and foresight. The Organising Committee specifically coined the theme, Re-inventing higher education: Insights, trends and lessons learnt from, specifically for the conference to reflect on and address the matters mentioned earlier. Academics, scholars, and practitioners in the higher education sector are called upon to share their research and express their perspectives on the reinvention of higher education.

The isolated nature of academic disciplines restricts the potential for collaborative problem-solving and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. This fragmentation limits the effectiveness of educational outcomes and fails to prepare students for the multidimensional demands of the modern world. To address this pressing issue, Transdisciplinary Approaches to Learning Outcomes in Higher Education provides a comprehensive framework for transdisciplinary research in higher education. This book offers a systematic approach to transdisciplinary research and equips researchers, educators, and policymakers with the tools needed to break down disciplinary barriers and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. Through a series of case studies, theoretical frameworks, and practical guidelines, the book demonstrates how transdisciplinary approaches can lead to more effective teaching practices, curriculum design, and student engagement. It highlights the importance of integrating digital transformation, creativity, communication skills, and information technology tools to enhance learning outcomes in higher education.

This is an open access book. The 2023 Focus Conference will focus on Goal Four (Quality Education) of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SGD). Goal Four is seized with providing "equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education including university." Quality education, in this context, means the ability to function, provide and derive value in society. The theme of the conference is therefore coined as "The Role of Higher Education in the Attainment of Sustainable Quality Education." Through this theme, the conference will provide a space for participants to share practical knowledge, experiences, and possible solutions to the myriad of problems that confront the higher education sector. Universities are often thought of as ivory towers far removed from the realities that confront global societies. To compound this, higher education is increasingly being questioned for its relevance in providing practical and innovative solutions to existing societal problems. Such questions often navigate around the relevance of the academic programmes being offered, curriculum, the capacity of staff, employability of graduates, and generally the ability of these institutions to understand why they exist. Indeed, higher education's role in creating a sustainable future will presumably take on greater importance as the world continues to become increasingly globalised and interdependent.