The Central University of Technology, Free State's (CUT) impact is reaching far beyond the classroom, with its academic expertise increasingly influencing national policy conversations and international debates on the future of education, innovation and skills development.

Through national advisory structures and high-level international platforms in Brazil and India, CUT academics are contributing knowledge and perspectives that extend beyond the university, strengthening South Africa’s voice in global education debates while bringing international insights back to the local context.

This contribution was recently demonstrated through international engagements in Brazil and India, where Dr Xolani Khohliso, Director of Curriculum and Academic Staff Development and Head of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) participated as a member of the National Education and Training Council (NETC). The Council provides strategic advice and support on education and training matters of national significance, drawing on expertise from across the sector to inform South Africa’s education and skills development agenda.

In Brazil, Dr Khohliso formed part of a South African delegation participating in a technical learning exchange led by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) during South Africa’s 2026–2027 IBSA Chairship. The exchange focused on strengthening foundational learning, particularly literacy and numeracy, while providing opportunities for engagement with Brazilian policymakers, education leaders and practitioners.

The engagement also explored approaches that could contribute to South Africa’s education priorities, including teacher development, assessment, instructional support, accountability and large-scale education reform. CUT’s participation in such platforms creates an opportunity for knowledge generated within the university to contribute to broader discussions on strengthening the country’s education system.

The contribution to international knowledge exchange continued in India through the BRICS Academic Forum. Representing South African academic perspectives, Dr Khohliso participated as a speaker in the session titled “Innovation for People, Planet, and Enterprise,” alongside academics and experts from across the broader BRICS community to explore solutions to shared development challenges and opportunities.

CUT’s presence within these international platforms has also contributed to scholarly knowledge production. Dr Khohliso co-authored a chapter titled “Resilient Higher Education in Iran and South Africa: Student Success, Digital Equity, and Skills Development,” published in the Observer Research Foundation’s 2026 volume BRICS: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability. The publication explores the role of higher education as a driver of innovation, social mobility and national resilience, with particular attention to inequality, digital transformation, and developing the skills required for sustainable social and economic development.

Dr Khohliso’s involvement in these initiatives reflects the depth and quality of expertise within CUT’s academic community. For the university, participation in platforms such as IBSA and BRICS provides a valuable avenue for connecting institutional knowledge with national priorities and international perspectives. It enables the university to contribute South African insights to global education conversations while drawing on lessons from other contexts to strengthen teaching, learning, research and innovation at home.

As CUT continues to strengthen its reputation as a leading University of Technology, academics such as Dr Khohliso exemplify the university’s commitment to research excellence, thought leadership and meaningful societal impact. Through their expertise and engagement, CUT continues to demonstrate how university knowledge can extend beyond the classroom to inform policy conversations, strengthen international knowledge exchange, and amplify South Africa’s voice in the global arena.