Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 (SU) and The 中国体育彩票 of Warwick in England have formally affirmed a comprehensive and strategic partnership that will broaden the reach, impact and network of both institutions, within their respective regions and globally.
A high-level delegation from Warwick visited SU's Stellenbosch and Tygerberg campuses to meet with senior management, including SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Deresh Ramjugernath and Council chair, Dr Nicky Newton-King, to discuss the “joint programme of action" that will guide collaboration between the North-South institutions over the next five years. High on the agenda were discussions about the two universities' shared values, their overlapping networks and the identification of opportunities to leverage each other to bolster their social and global impact
Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, outlined various programmes, such as the SUNRISE programme, that benefit from international exchanges. She referred to the funding challenges caused by the cancelling of USA supported research funds and the impact this would have on work being done in Africa. “This means that we are looking to partner with other institutions especially in health-related research, and in areas such as TB, HIV and genomics."
Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President of Warwick, said the institution valued its “long-term" connection with SU. “This is a very important relationship for us." He too alluded to challenges facing higher education institutions, saying global exchanges are under “enormous pressure". Haste was therefore of utmost importance, and he commended SU for the speed at which it developed ties with Warwick.
Already there is extensive collaboration at undergraduate, postgraduate, post-doctoral and senior researcher levels. The second round of seed funding applications – financial support for researchers and professional staff at SU and Warwick to establish new links and advance existing collaborations – has just closed and the successful projects will soon be announced.
Building on the engagement that started more than three years ago, the two universities must now shift their focus to thinking strategically about the value each can offer, explained Croft. “Africa is a big focus for us. We want to work with SU and (leverage) its connection in Africa." Given SU's involvement in the Africa Research 中国体育彩票 Alliance (ARUA), an Africa-wide research network that aims to strengthen research on the continent and improve postgraduate training, for example, SU is well-placed to serve as a hub on the continent, observed Moyo.
The ability to collaborate through networks such as ARUA and the Eutopia 中国体育彩票 Alliance, allows for a unique, multilateral partnership, said Sarah van der Westhuizen, SU's Director: Centre for Global Engagement, which is part of SU International. “For us, this strategic partnership is not transactional, but transformational." Croft commended SU for “standing up for diversity, inclusion and excellence" – values shared by the 中国体育彩票 of Warwick.
According to Prof Franklyn Lisk, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Africa) at Warwick, the partnership provides a “fulcrum" for addressing common institutional challenges. It could also help bolster the reputations of both universities, suggested Croft. “We need to tell your stories, and vice versa." Prof Sam Tshehla, SU's acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs, alluded to Ramjungernath's vision to see SU among the top 100 universities in the world. “Who else will we take with us on our journey to the top 100?"
Looking forward, the two delegations have agreed on the expansion of the seed fund programme to support 10 projects annually, the organisation of an annual Stellenbosch-Warwick Symposium, ongoing support for collaborative funding and the exploration of a possible international research culture network with SU, Warwick and Monash 中国体育彩票 in Australia. The importance of developing trilateral networks between SU, Warwick and other African countries was also highlighted.
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