Vice-Chancellor, University of Botswana
Talk Title: Experiential Learning for Sustainable Development
Professor David Norris holds a PhD Degree in Quantitative Genetics and Animal Breeding from the Michigan State University. He read for his MSc in Animal Science at the University of Reading. He has attended a number of leadership and professional programmes including Strategic Leadership; Multi Stakeholder Strategies and Processes; Change and Process Management; Gender Mainstreaming. His competencies include: Innovative Teaching & Learning; Research Development and Innovation; Higher Education Administration and Management. David Norris is currently the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Botswana. He is an experienced leader, researcher and lecturer, having served in different capacities in Botswana, USA and South Africa.
Experiential learning, also known as “learning by doing,” offers a transformative approach to sustainability education by actively engaging learners in real-world problem solving. Sustainable development requires robust skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, innovation and teamwork. Experiential learning has become a particularly important pedagogical shit in institutions of higher learning. The move away from traditional, teacher-centred methods towards more student-centred, interactive and engaging practices is critical for supporting sustainable development particularly in poorer nations. There is urgent need for curricular evolution that encourages innovative problem-solving in the face of global social and environmental challenges. Experiential learning not only enhances academic outcomes but also fosters civic responsibility and innovation. This paper explores models where students co-create solutions to pressing environmental and social challenges through fieldwork, service-learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Grounded in reflective practice and systems thinking, experiential methods empower learners to internalize sustainability principles and develop actionable skills