TUT leads ground-breaking international music and Artificial Intelligence project

TUT proudly announces its leadership role of a new, innovative project entitled the South African Music Technology, Innovation and Capacity-building (SAMTIC) project, funded by the ERASMUS + programme

This project brings together a host of universities from South Africa and the European Union with the intention of transforming music education at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in South Africa through technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cross-cultural collaboration. Over the next two years, SAMTIC will focus on equipping HEIs with modern music technology skills, upgrading recording and training facilities, revising curricula and creating professional and artistic outputs.

This project is a direct response to the urgent need within South African higher education where numerous music departments lack up-to-date digital infrastructure and training facilities. Through the connection of local expertise as well as leading European institutes in Germany and Bulgaria, SAMTIC allows for both educators and students to gain access to cutting-edge practices, such as digital audio production, recording, music for film and gaming and the creative use of AI in music.

The project brings together staff and students from TUT, the Hochschule für Musik Nuremberg, the University of Sofia at St Kliments Ohridski, University of Pretoria, UNISA and the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS). Over the next two years the project will unfold through eight intensive work packages. The key activities include staff training in Europe and South Africa, infrastructure upgrades to recording spaces and laboratories and curriculum revision that embraces current trends in music technology and AI.

One of the most exciting outcomes from this project is the production of three collaborative CD recordings between the South African and European partners. These recordings will be released on international digital platforms and will highlight both artistic collaboration and the high level of skills acquired through the ERASMUS + partnership.

Prof Karendra Devroop The SAMTIC project was conceptualised by Prof Karendra Devroop from TUT who will serve as the project coordinator. Prof Devroop is an internationally recognised musician, researcher and arts administrator with over 25 years of experience managing large-scale, cross-cultural initiatives.

According to Prof Nalini Moodley, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design at TUT, “this grant will significantly advance research, innovation, teaching and learning at TUT – particularly within the Faculty of Arts and Design – by enabling the adoption of some of the most current technologies available globally. We are indeed honoured and proud to spearhead this ground-breaking project that firmly establishes TUT as a global leader in the field of music technology and AI.”

The success of this ERASMUS + grant was made possible with the direct support of TUT’s senior management. Dr Vathi Papu-Zamxaka, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC): Research, Innovation and Engagement, played a critical role in supporting and providing guidance during the grant application process and grant agreement stages.

Similarly, this grant would not have been possible without the support of Prof Ben van Wyk, DVC: Teaching, Learning and Technology, who personally advocated for internal funding to support the upgrading of the TUT recording studio. The support of both DVCs for this project ensures that TUT aspires and achieves the highest possible standards in research, innovation, teaching and learning while highlighting TUT’s leadership role in the arts in South Africa.

SAMTIC is funded by the European Commision through the ERASMUS+ Capacity Building in Higher Education programme (CHBE), a well-known funding opportunity that supports cooperation between European and partner countries. This project promotes digital transformation, skills development as well as internationalisation priorities that align closely with South Africa’s need to prepare future generations for a rapidly evolving, digitally creative community, while also addressing the strategic priorities of the European Unions’ 2021-2026 Digital Education Action Plan.

For more information, visit www.samtic.co.za