“Educators are naturally creative when it comes to delivering knowledge, and Adobe Express makes this process even more seamless.”
Mr Mahomed Sheik, a Support Consultant in the IT Department at the University
of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), has seen a few technologies in his time.
He has been at the forefront of integrating digital tools into academic settings. With a career that spans over three decades, from video production to pioneering streaming technology at UKZN, he is dedicated to equipping students and lecturers with the digital skills necessary for today’s evolving job market. He recently shared his experience using Adobe Express with Learning Curve, an Adobe Education Elite Partner.
What’s Important to Him?
Mr Sheik believes in using technology to bridge the gap between traditional teaching methods and the modern, fast-paced digital world. His priority is making digital content creation accessible so that lecturers and students alike can enhance their projects without extensive technical knowledge.
In the new world of work, the skills needed to be employable constantly change. With this in mind, he emphasises that employability hinges on the ability to produce professional, polished content that meets industry standards. “Our goal is to equip students with the skills they need for the evolving digital landscape, ensuring greater employability and innovative teaching methodologies.”
How Adobe Express is Transforming Learning at UKZN
Last year, UKZN piloted Adobe Express in its Law Department, where faculty members upgraded their lesson content and created an interactive digital information board.
“This initiative demonstrated how digital tools can enhance both teaching materials and student engagement,” Mr Sheik explains. The university is now expanding its efforts by introducing Adobe Express to the Teaching and Learning Office, where instructional designers work together with lecturers to integrate multimedia into their curriculum.
Adobe Express is key in making learning materials more engaging and interactive. It bridges the gap between students and academic staff, enabling instructors to design visually compelling presentations that resonate with today’s learners.
The future is exciting. Mr Sheik says, “Looking ahead to 2025, UKZN is focused on empowering staff and students with digital technology to enhance their projects and improve their learning experiences.”
Enhancing Creativity and Engagement
Creativity is a critical component of education, and Adobe Express provides a versatile and intuitive platform to explore it.
At UKZN, lecturers leverage the software to create dynamic course content, moving away from the static presentation software that has been a staple of this space for years. The university is set to launch a dedicated Lecturer Training Program in 2025, focused on helping educators fully harness the capabilities of Adobe Express.
Generative AI is also big. Mr Sheik highlights that AI-driven tools are streamlining workflows and increasing efficiency. “Generative AI has been a game-changer, and have already demonstrated their ability to streamline workflows, save time, and enhance productivity. AI is not just an efficiency booster—it is a crucial skill for the modern workforce.”
Ease of Use and Professional Development
For educators, transitioning to Adobe Express has been seamless. Many have historically used tools like PowerPoint, and the intuitive design of Adobe Express allows for them to intuitively adapt these existing skills to its easy-to-use interface.
It’s amazing how the built-in features of Adobe Express, such as AI-powered design assistance and multimedia integration, give that professional edge to academic content creation. Mr Sheik actively advocates for the adoption of Adobe Express across UKZN. The software enhances learning outcomes by simplifying complex design processes, ensuring that educators can focus on delivering impactful lessons.
Conclusion
Adobe Express at UKZN shows the importance of accessible, intuitive digital tools in education. As more faculties integrate multimedia content into their teaching, students gain valuable experience in visual communication, branding, and digital storytelling—skills they cannot do without in today’s job market.
For Mr Sheik, the journey is far from over. His mission is to continue driving digital transformation at UKZN, ensuring that staff and students alike stay ahead of industry trends.
When asked if he would recommend Adobe Express to other institutions, his answer is unequivocal: “Absolutely! I actively promote and advocate for Adobe Express among educators because it simplifies content creation while enhancing engagement and learning outcomes. It is truly a game-changer for teaching and learning—offering endless creative possibilities with minimal effort.”
By integrating Adobe Express, colleges and universities can ensure that students and faculty spend less time struggling with design tools and more time focusing on creativity, storytelling, and impactful communication.
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