The IRSPBL K-12 Conference

Now in its 10th edition, the International Research Symposium on Project-Based Learning (IRSPBL) is a biennial global forum organised under the auspices of the Aalborg UNESCO Centre for Problem and Project-Based Learning (Denmark). The symposium brings together educators, researchers, policymakers and industry partners from around the world to explore how Project-Based Learning (PBL) transforms teaching, curriculum design and learner outcomes. Since 2008, the IRSPBL has been hosted by leading universities across the globe — including Aalborg University, MIT, Harvard, Coventry University, Tsinghua University and now the University of Pretoria in South Africa — advancing knowledge that links research, practice and innovation.

On 17 November 2025, South Africa made history by hosting the world’s first K-12 Conference within the IRSPBL. Organised by Future Nation Schools, the K-12 Conference showcased African leadership in education innovation and strengthened collaboration between local and international experts. Under the theme Reimagining classrooms: global PBL perspectives in K-12, this world-first event highlighted South Africa’s pivotal role in shaping learner-centred education that fosters creativity, critical thinking and future-ready skills.