In this episode, we explore leadership in digitally enabled education and the strategic decisions shaping the future of higher education with Sukaina Walji, Director of Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Sukaina reflects on navigating digital transformation, from reimagining undergraduate assessment through technology to embedding blended and online learning at scale. We discuss how leaders can communicate a clear vision, align diverse teams, and manage cultural change in universities. The conversation also examines the rise of AI in education—its opportunities, challenges, the issue of erosion of trust between staff and students, unreliability of AI detection tools, implications for institutional strategy and being intentional in designing learning. We also consider the leadership qualities essential for guiding universities through the next decade of innovation and digital adoption as emerging technologies continue to disrupt Higher Education.

Sukaina is the Director of CILT. She oversees operational functions for the department including supporting the growth and development of CILT’s capacity to design and develop blended and online courses. She provides strategic advice for university senior leadership for digitally enabled education, participates in university level committees and initiatives, and is Chair of the Online Education sub-committee. She is also the member of Assessment Framework Working Group and co-lead of the UCDG project ‘Transforming Undergraduate Assessment’.

In her previous role as Coordinator of CILT’s Curriculum and Course Design team she oversaw the work of the Digital Media unit and the Learning Design team. Her research interests include learning design, MOOCs, Unbundled Higher Education and assessment practices. She has a Masters in Online and Distance Education from the Open University UK, and a BA (Hons) in History from Oxford University.