Prof. Gideon P van Tonder

Prof. Gideon P van Tonder, currently serving as an Associate Professor at North-West University, South Africa, has established a notable reputation in the field of Self-Directed Professional Development for Teachers. He plays a vital role in the Research Unit for Self-Directed Learning at the university’s Faculty of Education. Van Tonder’s academic journey includes degrees such as a BCom, HED, BTech in Education Management, MEd in Education Management, and a PhD in the same field. He has made substantial contributions to the academic world, notably through his extensive publications in prestigious international journals on education management, critical thinking, metacognition, and teacher professional development. Since 2015, van Tonder has published various chapters for reputable publishers like Van Schaik and AOSIS. His efforts at NWU are marked by initiatives to strengthen research skills among faculty and to foster self-directed learning competencies in pre-service teachers, employing innovative pedagogical methods. Van Tonder’s commitment extends beyond academia into community engagement, particularly through projects. One project is dedicated to embedding entrepreneurship education in all school subjects and educational levels in South Africa by 2030. Van Tonder’s dedication to research is further highlighted by his successful supervision of numerous master’s and PhD candidates. His passion and excellence in teaching were recognised in 2019 when he was awarded the NWU Teaching Excellence Award and the prestigious Distinguished Teaching Excellence Award.