Lecturer grabs prestigious National University Teachers Award

Dr Vusi Mshayisa, the pioneering first doctoral graduate in Food Science and Technology at CPUT, has proudly emerged as a winner of the prestigious 2025 National University Teachers Award.

The National University Teaching Awards (NUTA) is an initiative established by the South African University Teachers (SAUT). The primary aims of NUTA are to cultivate a group of academics who can inspire and lead in teaching and learning within their disciplines, both within their institutions and beyond. Additionally, NUTA seeks to recognise innovative approaches to teaching and learning in higher education on a national level. This recognition is intended to encourage the professional growth of academics as university educators and to celebrate the unique ways in which these educators respond to their contexts, leading to transformative practices in their teaching.

NUTA has found Mshayisa to be “a highly committed and influential teacher”. “You employ innovative teaching and learning practices which have led to significant changes beyond your individual teaching, to the departmental, institutional, and global context. Your pedagogical approaches are creative, thought-provoking, and inclusive, and your portfolio contains sufficient evidence that demonstrates that your teaching methods are effective and appreciated by your students,” read a statement from NUTA.

The award will be presented to the Lecturer and Curriculum Officer: Department of Food Science and Technology (DFST) at the NUTA Gala Awards ceremony on November 21, 2025, at Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg, celebrating excellence and inspiring future leaders in the field. Mshayisa stated that this award does not belong to him alone; it represents the collective dedication of his colleagues and students, who inspire him daily to push boundaries and set new standards. He feels honoured to carry the CPUT flag high and remains committed to advancing his faculty and institution on both the national and global stages. 

“For me, this award is both humbling and affirming. It represents years of perseverance, resilience, and dedication to transforming how we teach and how students learn. Personally, it validates the challenges I’ve overcome in my academic journey. Professionally, it places both myself and CPUT on a national stage, showing that our work in teaching innovation is not only relevant but world-class.”

Mshayisa expressed deep gratitude to Dr Zandisile Sitoyi and Dr Xena Cupido from Fundani for their unwavering dedication, which ensured the portfolio aligned perfectly with the NUTA guidelines. He recognised Dr George Charimba, his head of department, for his steadfast support and visionary leadership that continue to elevate DFST as a beacon of innovation and excellence. He also honoured Prof Muhammad Nakhooda for his invaluable encouragement and wise counsel throughout this journey. 

“My philosophy has always been simple: no student should be left behind. I design my teaching around inclusion, innovation, and engagement. Whether it’s through flipped classrooms, blended learning, or active learning tools like Plickers, my focus has been to make learning meaningful. Students are not just consumers of knowledge—they are co-creators. That shift in mindset is what drives both my teaching and my research in education.”

He said the award reinforces his vision of making CPUT a hub for both teaching excellence and research innovation. “My research in food science, particularly edible insects, aligns closely with my teaching innovations. Both seek to solve real-world problems: one addresses food security, while the other addresses student success. Together, they prepare the next generation of food scientists to think critically, work collaboratively, and innovate responsibly.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: BoyceAp@cput.ac.za