SACLA 2026: The 55th Annual Conference of the Southern African Computer Lecturers' Association UCT GSB Academic Conference Centre, Protea Breakwater Lodge, Waterfront, Cape Town. Cape Town, South Africa, July 15-17, 2026

SACLA 2026 Call for Papers

Fundamentals First: Learning to Walk Before Running in the Age of Emerging Technologies

SACLA 2026 invites researchers, educators, and industry representatives to contribute to the discourse on computing education. The conference explores how we can strengthen the teaching of computing fundamentals while preparing students to navigate and leverage emerging technologies. In an era of rapid technological change, it is critical that students first develop a solid understanding of core principles before moving on to advanced applications.

Topics of interest within the overarching theme include, but are not limited to:

1. Teaching the core principles and foundations of computing.
2. Designing curricula that build strong conceptual understanding before advancing to complex applications.
3. Innovative teaching methods and learning environments that reinforce fundamentals.
4. Assessment strategies that emphasize understanding, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
5. Preparing students for practical integration and application of computing knowledge.
6. Human-centred approaches to computing education, including inclusive and accessible teaching practices.
7. Bridging the gap between theory and practice across diverse computing disciplines.
8. Exploring the role of emerging technologies in enhancing, not replacing, foundational learning.

For more information visit the conference webpage.

Submission Categories

Full Papers:

1. Full papers will be reviewed following a double-blind peer review process. Papers will be evaluated according to their novel research contribution, methodological soundness, theoretical framing and reference to related work, quality of analysis, and quality of writing and presentation.
2. Only original, unpublished, research papers in English will be considered.
3. As in previous years, the programme committee will submit an application to Springer for publication of the conference’s best full papers in a Communications in Computer and Information Science (CCIS) volume (Scopus-indexed).
4. Accepted full papers not selected for the (potential) Springer CCIS publication will be eligible for inclusion in the SACLA 2026 local conference proceedings.
5. All accepted full papers are DHET subsidy-bearing.
6. Accepted full papers must be presented at the conference to be published in either volume.
7. All submitted papers will undergo a pre-screening process by the programme chairs before sending them out for review. The programme chairs reserve the right to perform early rejection of any paper that does not meet the minimum quality/formatting/scope requirements.

Author Guidelines:

1. All papers must strictly follow the Springer LNCS template and Author guidelines. Papers that do not follow the template and guidelines may be subject to early rejection.
2. Full Papers (minimum of 12 pages and a maximum of 16 pages in the Springer LNCS format) that report on completed research, inclusive of results.
3. Authors should guarantee the anonymity of their submissions by removing names and affiliations from the first page and elsewhere in the paper that would allow reviewers to easily identify authors.
4. Please submit papers to EasyChair.

Important Dates:

1. Call for papers: February 2026
2. Paper submission deadline: 29 March 2026
3. Notification of acceptance: 4 May 2026  
4. Camera-ready submission (for Conference Proceedings): 1 June 2026
5. Registration: 4 May – 14 July 2026
6. Conference dates: 15 July – 17 July 2026

For inquiries, contact the Conference Chairs Dirk Snyman (dirk.snyman@uct.ac.za) and Tendani Chimboza (tendani.chimboza@uct.ac.za).