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Unlocking Potential: Human-Centred Design in Higher Education
(2025-10-29) Rama, Kishan; Nel, Marguerite A
In the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, digital tools like learning management systems and student portals are pivotal to student success, faculty efficiency, and administrative excellence; yet they often frustrate more than they inspire.
In this dynamic talk, UX expert Kishan Rama, drawing from his extensive experience in television, sports, banking, and e-commerce, unveils the art and science of crafting user-centred digital experiences tailored for academia.
Through compelling case studies, such as simplifying student portals and co-designing inclusive learning platforms, Kishan reveals how understanding human behaviour and applying behavioural science principles can transform clunky interfaces into intuitive, engaging, and accessible systems. Attendees will discover low-resource UX techniques, debunk common usability myths, and learn how to leverage empathy and inclusivity to boost engagement for diverse students and staff.
Packed with humour, practical insights, and actionable strategies, this session will empower professionals in academia, technologists, and designers to spark a UX revolution in higher education, creating digital experiences that not only work but also enchant.
Comprehensive chemoanatomical mapping, and the gonadal regulation, of seven kisspeptin neuronal populations in the mouse brain
(Wiley, 2025-05) Hernandez, Vito S.; Zetter, Mario A.; Hernandez-Perez, Oscar R.; Hernandez-Gonzalez, Rafael; Camacho-Arroyo, Ignacio; Millar, Robert P.; Eiden, Lee E.; Zhang, Limei
Kisspeptinergic signaling is well-established as crucial for the regulation of reproduction, but its potential broader role in brain function is less understood. This study investigates the distribution and chemotyping of kisspeptin-expressing neurons within the mouse brain. RNAscope single, dual, and multiplex in situ hybridization methods were used to assess kisspeptin mRNA (Kiss1) expression and its co-expression with other neuropeptides, excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter markers, and sex steroid receptors in wild-type intact and gonadectomized young adult mice. Seven distinct kisspeptin neuronal chemotypes were characterized, including two novel kisspeptin-expressing groups described for the first time, that is, the Kiss1 population in the ventral premammillary nucleus and the nucleus of the solitary tract. Kiss1 mRNA was also observed to localize in both somatic and dendritic compartments of hypothalamic neurons. High androgen receptor expression and changes in medial amygdala and septo-hypothalamic Kiss1 expression following GDX in males, but not in females, suggest a role for androgen receptors in regulating kisspeptin signaling. This study provides a detailed chemoanatomical map of kisspeptin-expressing neurons, highlighting their potential functional diversity. The discovery of a new kisspeptin-expressing group and gonadectomy-induced changes in Kiss1 expression patterns suggest broader roles for kisspeptin in brain functions beyond those of reproduction.
Synthesis and characterisation of DOTA-kisspeptin-10 as a potential gallium-68/lutetium-177 pan-tumour radiopharmaceutical
(Wiley, 2025-03) Kleynhans, Janke; Reeve, Robert; Driver, Cathryn Helena Stanford; Marjanovic-Painter, Biljana; Sathekge, Mike Machaba; Zeevaart, Jan Rijn; Ebenhan, Thomas; Millar, Robert P.; bob.millar@up.ac.za
Kisspeptin (KISS1) and its cognate receptor (KISS1R) are implicated in the progression of various cancers. A gallium-68 labelled kisspeptin-10 (KP10), the minimal biologically active structure, has potential as a pan-tumour radiopharmaceutical for the detection of cancers. Furthermore, a lutetium-177 labelled KP10 could find therapeutic application in treating oncological diseases. DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid) was attached to the NH2-terminus of KP10 as we posited from our previous publications that this modification would not impair biological activity. Here, we showed that the biological activity, as monitored by stimulation of inositol phosphate accumulation in HEK293 transfected with the KISS1R gene, was indeed similar for KP10 and DOTA-KP10. The optimisation of radiolabelling with gallium-68 and lutetium-177 is described. Stability in serum, plasma and whole blood was also investigated. Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution were established with micro-PET/CT (positron emission tomography/computerised tomography) and ex vivo measurements. Dynamic studies with micro-PET/CT demonstrated that background clearance for the radiopharmaceutical was rapid with a blood half-life of 18 ± 3 min. DOTA-KP10 demonstrated preserved functionality at KISS1R and good blood clearance. These results lay the foundation for the further development of DOTA-KP10 analogues that have high binding affinity along with proteolytic resistance.
Fostering programming skill and critical thinking through AI-assisted PBL integration
(Springer, 2025-09) Omeh, Christian Basil; Ayanwale, Musa Adekunle; Mnguni, Lindelani; Olelewe, Chijioke Jonathan
Despite the increasing emphasis on computational literacy in higher education, we observed that many undergraduate students particularly in developing contexts struggle to master fundamental programming skills and develop critical thinking. Conventional instructional approaches often lack interactivity and personalized scaffolding, which are essential for teaching abstract programming concepts. In response to this challenge, we examined the effect of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted problem-based learning (PBL) on students’ programming skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities in Java programming. Grounded in a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test control group design, we involved 62 s-year computer science education students from two public universities in Nigeria. Participants were assigned to either an experimental group that used Google Gemini (AI) within a PBL framework or a control group exposed to PBL adopting instructional videos. We employed four validated instruments to measure computer programming skills (CPSAR), critical thinking (CTS), problem-solving (PSS), and academic ability. Using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), we analyzed group differences while controlling for pre-test scores and tested moderation effects of academic ability and age group. Our results revealed a statistically significant improvement in programming skills among students in the AI-assisted group, with a large effect size. Critical thinking and problem-solving skill outcomes did not differ significantly between the groups. We also found a significant interaction between the teaching strategy and academic ability, indicating that high-ability students benefited more from AI integration into computer programming instruction. This study provides original insights into AI-enhanced pedagogy and has practical implications for improving programming instruction, particularly in resource-limited educational environments.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of communal goat farmers on the prevalence and control of gastrointestinal nematodes in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
(Wiley, 2025-07) Ndwandwe, Khanyisani Cyril; Chimonyo, Michael; Tsotetsi-Khambule, Ana Mbokeleng; Marufu, Munyaradzi Christopher; chris.marufu@up.ac.za
Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) are a significant impediment to communal goat production, causing considerable economic losses, making their control imperative. The objective of this study was to determine farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices on the control of GIN in communal goat flocks. A structured close-ended questionnaire was used to conduct face-to-face interviews with communal goat farmers (n = 384) across four local municipalities in uMkhanyakude District Municipality. Elderly farmers were 1.4 times more likely to underdose compared to younger farmers (p < 0.05). Diarrhoea and emaciation were the most reported clinical signs observed in goat flocks. Farmers were aware of clinical signs of GIN infections (p < 0.01) on their farms. However, lack of professional veterinary assistance (p < 0.01), low socioeconomic status and low levels of education (p < 0.01) reduce the effectiveness of GIN control. Farmer’s inability to read manufacturer’s instructions was associated with incorrect dosing (p < 0.05), which contributed to ineffective management and worsened the impacts of GIN infections. An immediate intervention is required from various stakeholders to achieve sustainable nematode control, with a particular emphasis on women, the elderly farmers and those with low levels of education.