Tandem Talk Tandem Talk
The Impact of (Atypical) Personal Learning Journeys on Resilience
Date Thursday, Dec 4 Time – Room: Potsdam III
What inspires a lifelong commitment to learning? In this Tandem Talk, the speakers explore how atypical learning paths, life’s ongoing turning points, and unconventional choices can lead to resilience and professional growth. Drawing from their own diverse careers - from researcher, entrepreneur to comedian, they reflect on the personal sparks, mentors, and challenges that shaped their journeys. Through storytelling and audience interaction, this spotlight invites participants to reflect on their own learning paths and discover the hidden drivers that have guided them through change and into education.
Inge de Waard
Learning Strategist and Connector, EIT InnoEnergy
Inge de Waard is the learning strategist at EIT InnoEnergy, she is a longtime researcher, activist, award-winning learning innovator and (e)Learning coordinator. She developed multiple online & hybrid courses, co-designed AI tools, and embedded learning innovations. Inge coaches and co-creates international, blended curricula with engineers and teachers, and explores innovative learning formats. Her expertise is recognized by peers, resulting in additional co-authored papers, invited talks and keynotes in both academic and professional conferences, workshops and seminars. She recently founded the Power Elders initiative to spotlight role models who changed their lives at any age beyond 50. Most of all, she likes to connect with people and share stories.
Links
Nadia Starr
CEO, SAQA
Ms Nadia Starr is the Chief Executive Officer of SAQA. Prior to SAQA, Ms Starr spent 10 years in senior management and non-executive director roles in the public sector, working with education and training policy development, quality assurance, youth skills development, and funding mechanisms. She has previously served as Chief Executive Officer of a high-performing Sector Skills Council.
Ms Starr holds a Bachelor's and a Postgraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and a Master of Education from the University of Witwatersrand (Wits), along with several occupational certifications.
Ms Starr currently serves as an executive director on the Board of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and non-executive director on the National Boards of the Human Resource Development Council of South Africa (HRDC), National Skills Authority (NSA), Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), Council on Higher Education (CHE), Quality Council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi) as well as non -executive director on the International Boards of the Groningen Declaration Network (GDN) and United States Qualifications Framework (USQF). Ms Starr was also elected to serve as Co-President of the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) Network.