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Sethu Nguna

Learning Experience Design & Instructional System Development

                    sethnguna@gmail.com
                    |
                    linkedin.com/in/sethu-nguna
                    |
                    seth-arc.github.io
                    |
                    Williamsburg, Virginia
                

Professional Summary

Innovative Learning Strategist and Senior Instructional Designer with over 10 years of experience designing high-impact, data-driven learning ecosystems and technical capacity-building programs. Proven expertise in leading cross-functional creative teams, developing advanced interactive learning systems and content (Moodle/D2L/Wordpress, xAPI/SCORM/Articulate 360, Simulations, AR/VR, AI tools), and serving as a strategic learning advisor. Deeply versed in adult learning theory, experiential instructional design, and digital transformation, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex technical specifications into scalable, measurable performance solutions across fast-paced environments.

Professional Experience

Training & Instructional Design Manager

2023 - Present

AidData Research Lab | William & Mary, VA

Translate complex technical subjects (development finance and data) into robust online & in-person learning experiences.
Lead end-to-end instructional design using authoring tools and custom web integrations for scalable CBT modules.
Platform administrator and technical lead for LMS environments; analyse learner metrics to increase retention.
Launched "Navigating Global Development Finance" course and AidData Training Hub learning platform.
Awarded 2024-2025 Learn, Discover, Innovate Grant from William & Mary for immersive learning innovations.

Lead Instructional Designer

2021 - 2023

University of KwaZulu-Natal | Durban, SA

Led team of instructional designers, establishing design standards and driving continuous professional feedback.
Spearheaded the university's holistic digital learning strategy through root-cause analysis with academic leadership.
Launched the first UKZN Instructional Design Expo to evangelize modern learning theory and technology tools.

Academic Coordinator

2016 - 2021

University of Zululand | Richards Bay, SA

Supervised 40+ postgraduate student assistants across multiple faculties.
Designed the UNIZULU 101 first-year core curriculum pilot - integrated across 4 faculties and 10 programmes.
Maintained 75%+ engagement for a 1,200+ student cohort during COVID-19 emergency remote learning transition.

eLearning Consultant

2022 - 2023

Code for Africa

Evaluated digital capacity and engineered a relaunch strategy for custom eLearning platforms.
Developed rich multimedia content and interactive modules for technical data analysis skillsets.

Publications & Presentations

The Pedagogy of Play: Incorporating Gamification and Simulation in Training Environments. W&M Teaching & Learning Symposium, 2025
Utilising Data-Driven Insights to Improve Performance Metrics. Siyaphumelela Network Conference, 2023
Humanising Digital Experiences: Enhancing Collective Meaning-Making Through Experiential Design. SAERA, 2021
The Digitalisation Trend in Policy: Systems Integration & Change Management. 2021
Learner Voice in Shaping Systemic Training Interventions. Siyaphumelela Network, 2021

Core Competencies

Strategic Learning & Design

// Adult Learning Theory (ADDIE, Agile, SAM)
// Curriculum Modeling & Future-Thinking Pedagogy
// Stakeholder Advisory & Cross-functional Liaison
// Needs Analysis & Data-Driven Evaluation

Technical & Technologies

// Articulate 360, Storyline, Adobe CC
// LMS Administration | xAPI/SCORM
// Interactive Simulations & 3D/VR (Unity, Three.js)
// Front-End Dev (WP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
// AI Productivity Tools & Prompt Engineering

Education

MA, Education

Liverpool John Moores University, UK

Thesis: Scheinian Exploration of Digital Transformation at a SA Public University

2023

BCom Honours, Economics

University of Zululand, SA

2021

BCom, Economics & Management

University of Fort Hare, SA

2015

Certifications

// Building LLM Applications With Prompt Engineering (NVIDIA, 2026)
// Complete Guide to Game Design (HP, 2026)
// Generative AI Fundamentals (UNITAR & Microsoft, 2024)
// Professional Project Management (Google, 2023)
// Learning Analytics (SAAIR, 2022)
// Education Sector Project Design (UNESCO, 2021)
// VR, AR & Mixed Reality (Lancaster University, 2020)
// Educational Neuroscience (CQU, 2020)

Sethu Nguna

Training and instructional design leader focused on measurable learning performance across complex systems, simulations, and digital transformation programs.

Experience

10+ Years

Scale

2,500+ Learners

Delivery

Global + Low-Resource

Featured Work

Simulation

Starlink Kit Setup

Tier-1 onboarding module designed to cut time-to-proficiency from 10 to 5 days.

Systems

AidData Training Hub

Enterprise learning ecosystem serving stakeholders across 20+ countries.

Simulation

Missing Classrooms

Offline-first education system with 87% completion across 15 communities.

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Sethu NgunaLearning Architect

Selected Works

Title

Core Methodology

Project Impact

Get in touch.

Sethu Nguna

Professional Summary

Professional Experience

Training & Instructional Design Manager

Lead Instructional Designer

Academic Coordinator

eLearning Consultant

Publications & Presentations

Core Competencies

Education

Certifications

Sethu Nguna

Featured Work