The University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) E-Education Unit has been honoured with the 2026 Blackboard Catalyst Award for Leading Change, in recognition of the Unit’s impact in driving transformational change on campus and across the wider education community, with particular recognition for its innovation, collaboration and scalable best practices.
Blackboard is a leading educational technology brand whose learning management system is used by more than 1 200 educational institutions and 15 million learners worldwide. UP uses Blackboard, rebranded as clickUP, as its official online teaching and learning system. The Blackboard Catalyst Leading Change Award recognises institutions that have driven transformational change on campus and across the broader education community.
UP’s E-Education Unit received the award in recognition of its leadership of the institution-wide transition to Blackboard Ultra (clickUP Ultra at UP), the latest version of Blackboard’s learning management system. The initiative achieved widespread adoption across the University and contributed to improved student success indicators.
“We are honoured to receive this international recognition for the team’s work at UP – and at national and international level – to advance digitally enabled teaching and learning,” said Dr Dolf Jordaan, Deputy Director: E-Learning and Media Development at UP.
“It affirms the University of Pretoria as a national benchmark for purposeful digital transformation in higher education, recognising a shift from technology adoption to a sustainable, institution-wide model for teaching excellence. The clickUP Ultra staff development programme demonstrates how pedagogy, professional development, accessibility and responsible use of artificial intelligence can be woven into a single, scalable change strategy that strengthens teaching presence and deepens student engagement.”
Dr Jordaan added that, beyond institutional benefits, the award elevates UP to a regional thought-leadership role, positioning its transferable model of capability-building, embedded support and evidence-led improvement as a blueprint that peers across Africa can adopt.
“At a global level, it signals a decisive move from platform consumer to platform co-shaper, with UP actively shaping the future of the learning management ecosystem through collaboration and shared innovation. Strategically, the recognition consolidates UP’s standing as a forward-looking institution where people, pedagogy and technology converge to redefine the educational experience.”
Dr Melvin Govender, Regional Director: Africa for Blackboard, said, “The University of Pretoria stands as a beacon of excellence in higher education across Africa. This prestigious global award recognises not only the institution’s successful transition to Blackboard Ultra but also the leadership, dedication and innovation of the E-Education team behind it.
UP has become a true lighthouse for edtech (educational technology) on the continent, demonstrating how strategic partnership, institutional vision and a relentless focus on student success can create a model of digital learning that resonates far beyond South Africa’s borders.”
This sentiment was echoed by Mr Nicolas Albouze, Vice President: Growth for EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) and APAC (Asia-Pacific) at Blackboard, who said, “The University of Pretoria’s Catalyst Award for Leading Change places it among a select group of institutions worldwide setting the pace for digital education. What UP has achieved with its transition to Blackboard Ultra, combining scale, evidence-based practice and a genuine focus on student success, is a reference point we now share with universities across EMEA and APAC. It is a powerful example of what a true long-term partnership between an institution and Blackboard can deliver, and we are proud to celebrate this recognition alongside the E-Education team.”
The University was selected as one of the winners from a pool of 30 institutions across 11 countries nominated in the 2026 Leading Change category. The nominees included other highly ranked institutions such as Boston University and the University of Reading, as well as multiple institutions whose strengths lie in applied, vocational, online or institutional-change implementation.
The annual Blackboard Catalyst Awards recognise innovation, leadership and excellence across Blackboard’s global community of practice. Each year, winners are selected by a cross-functional team of Blackboard experts and embody the creativity, dedication and vision driving the future of education worldwide.
Bruce Dahlgren, CEO of Blackboard, congratulated UP and the other Blackboard Catalyst Award winners. “We’re inspired by the institutions and educators recognised through this year’s Catalyst Awards,” he said. “These winners represent the very best of innovation, collaboration and commitment to learner success. Their work is helping shape the future of education in ways that are more accessible, engaging and impactful for learners around the world.”
