WSU’S SIBUKELE GUMBO MAPS 4IR JOURNEY: FROM CODING TO CONSTRUCTION, HEIs STEP INTO THE FUTURE

Walter Sisulu University’s own Sibukele Gumbo lit up the WSU-CBE Conference breakaway sessions on Monday 7 July with a powerful presentation titled: “Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Skills Development in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): A Journey through Three Eras.”

Her research systematically analysed 657 peer-reviewed articles, using bibliometric and thematic methods to uncover how HEIs have been reshaping curricula, governance, and infrastructure to keep up with 4IR trends.

She traced this evolution through three key eras: before 2016 (when the term 4IR was still emerging), post-2016 (when the 4IR conversation took centre stage), and post-2022 (with the rise of generative AI).

Gumbo explained that her findings revealed a clear shift from narrow, discipline-specific training towards more interdisciplinary, digitally integrated, and sustainability-focused programmes.

“The review showed how HEIs are recalibrating to meet both the evolving labour market needs and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she said.

One of the most interesting discoveries, she pointed out, was the organic but significant rise of Construction and the Built Environment as a niche area in 4IR skills development. This field, she noted, has emerged as a strong vehicle for delivering hands-on, employability-oriented skills while contributing meaningfully to sustainable development globally.

“As someone working primarily in digital skills and 4IR I was encouraged to see how the principles of 4IR are being applied in fields like the built environment. While my background is in IT, it is clear that 4IR is not confined to coding or data science but is a cross-cutting enabler across disciplines, including construction and sustainability,” she added.

Reflecting on the broader impact of the conference, she added that the conference highlighted built environment programmes, ensuring that all fields are prepared for a rapidly evolving world.

“It was a timely reminder that embedding 4IR skills into diverse disciplines can drive both innovation and contextual relevance in HEIs,” she said.

Ms Gumbo’s presentation inspired the WSU community to see the 4IR not just as a tech trend but as a transformative force shaping every corner of higher education.

By: Yolanda Palezweni