Teaching & Training

Africa BEDI Teaching and Training programs translate groundbreaking research into practical skills and support expanding career opportunities for both students and seasoned professionals. We achieve this through a focus on inter- and transdisciplinary learning through digital leadership and technical (re)skilling .

For Students & Graduates: We cultivate the next generation of leaders by providing them with the cross-skilling and experience needed to pioneer novel solutions and accelerate their careers in the digital built environment.
For Industry & Government: We offer our partners vital upskilling opportunities benchmarked against international standards, ensuring their teams drive innovation and remain relevant in a rapidly evolving sector.

This dual approach places the University of Pretoria at the forefront of innovation in education.

Current Teaching Pilots: 2025

PILOT 1:
COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN & DIGITAL FABRICATION

Department of Architecture 2025

This elective introduces students to the fundamentals of parametric design and subtractive digital fabrication through hands-on engagement with Rhino and Grasshopper.

Students will learn to think algorithmically about architectural design, translating conceptual forms into tectonic details and fabrication-ready outputs.

The course blends weekly tutorials, theoretical inputs, and a practical design assignment, culminating in the application of a parametric waffle algorithm within a relevant architectural scenario.

Emphasis is placed on iterative learning, peer collaboration, and software proficiency, preparing students for digital design workflows in contemporary practice.

PILOT 2:
DIGITAL WORKFLOW DESIGN FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE PROJECTS

Department of Architecture 2025

This elective equips students with practical skills in digital workflows including BIM-driven and automation-driven design optimization and interdisciplinary project coordination.

Through hands-on workflows, automation tools, and real-world case studies, students learn to streamline digital design processes and enhance project delivery.

The course also introduces intellectual property (IP) protocols essential in multi-consultant environments, culminating in a simulated coordination meeting and documented workflow.

PILOT 3:
DIGITAL SCENARIO DESIGN FOR DATA-DRIVEN FUTURE STATE ANALYSIS

Department of Architecture 2025

This elective offers an engaging introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and interpretive mapping using QGIS, an open-source platform.

Students will develop foundational spatial analysis skills through hands-on learning, focusing on site, network, future states, and density-based analysis.

Emphasizing storytelling and scenario planning, the course culminates in a final spatial report and interactive Story Map.

Weekly feedback sessions guide students through an iterative project development process, equipping them with practical tools to interpret, visualize, and communicate complex spatial data for urban analysis and design.

Proposed Teaching Pilots: 2026

PILOT 4:
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING & 3D PRINTING IN AFRICAN BUILT ENVIRONMENTS

Department of Architecture 2025

This pilot course explores the cutting edge of additive manufacturing and 3D printing, with a special focus on developing and testing experimental processes and bio-based materials. Students will develop skills in material-led design, learning to optimize digital models for layer-by-layer fabrication and exploring how material composition defines an object's form, texture, and performance. The curriculum combines hands-on fabrication workshops, lectures on material science, and a cycle of rapid prototyping, culminating in the design and production of a unique artifact using a novel material. Emphasis is placed on hands-on experimentation, sustainable innovation, and interdisciplinary thinking, equipping students to pioneer new possibilities in bespoke manufacturing and circular design.

PILOT 5:
LEAN DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION SUITE OF COURSES FOR THE AECO INDUSTRY

Department of Architecture 2025

This comprehensive suite of courses introduces the core principles of Lean methodology as applied to the architecture, engineering, construction and operations (AECO) industry, focusing on maximizing value and eliminating waste across the entire project lifecycle. Participants will learn to critically analyze project workflows, identify non-value-adding activities, and implement strategies that foster continuous improvement and predictable outcomes. The curriculum features in-depth case studies, interactive simulations of the Last Planner System, and practical workshops on value stream mapping, culminating in the development of a Lean execution plan for a complex construction scenario. Emphasis is placed on collaborative planning, systems thinking, and a culture of continuous improvement, preparing professionals to lead high-performance teams and deliver projects with greater efficiency, safety, and quality.

PILOT 6:
BIO-BASED DESIGN & MANUFACTURING FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENTS

Department of Architecture 2025

This advanced pilot delves into the practice of bio-based design, exploring how materials derived from living systems — such as timber, mycelium, or bioplastics — can form the foundation of a regenerative built environment practice. Students will learn to design in partnership with biological-digital interfaces, mastering techniques that harness the unique properties of living materials and considering their entire lifecycle, from cultivation to end-of-life. The course integrates deep research into material ecosystems with hands-on fabrication and prototyping, culminating in the design and manufacturing of a building component using innovative bio-based techniques. Emphasis is placed on material innovation, lifecycle thinking, and ecological integration, preparing students to lead the transition towards a built environment that sequesters carbon and actively contributes to ecosystem health.