Page 54 - Thetha Issue 7

PARTNERS

Our University has
20+

formal partnerships on the African continent

25 Years of Cooperation

South African partnership with German university is ever growing

elson Mandela University and
the University of Oldenburg in
Germany have marked the 25th
Nanniversary of a productive
academic partnership.
As part of commemorating the
anniversary, a delegation from Oldenburg
visited Nelson Mandela University at the
end of 2022. In June 2023, a delegation
from Mandela University paid a reciprocal
visit to Oldenburg.
On this year’s visit to Germany, Nelson
Mandela University Vice-Chancellor,
Professor Sibongile Muthwa, signed a
Roadmap for Cooperation 2023-2028, a
strategic implementation plan for the next
five years.
This is intended to consolidate,
strengthen, and further develop existing
relations. The universities also held
symposia discussing the outcomes of
different collaborative research projects
and initiating new ones. Vice-Chancellor Professor Sibongile Muthwa presented University of Oldenburg President
Professor Ralph Bruder with a gift of South African beadwork in the colours of Nelson
“We value our partnership with the Mandela University
University of Oldenburg,” said Prof Muthwa.
“Both universities have much to share and learn from education in 1998 and today is active across a wide range
each other, so the relationship is mutually beneficial. of disciplines.
“It enables us to pursue various niche collaborations Professor Ralph Bruder, President of the University of
that straddle the three academic missions of learning and Oldenburg, said that internationalisation was “at the heart
teaching, research and innovation, and engagement.” of everything we do”.
The relationship was first established in the field of “To find answers to the major questions facing society in
the 21st century, researchers, students and administrative
staff work closely together,” said Prof Bruder.
Where we will collaborate “Within our network, Nelson Mandela University is one
In the next five years, collaborations between Nelson of our closest partners.”
Mandela University and the University of Oldenburg As part of the renewed five-year partnership the two
will focus on areas that include: universities are intensifying efforts to support early career
researchers. This will include joint training courses, as
• Education: internationalising teacher education, well as organising joint summer schools and applying for
diversity and inclusion and research on digitalisation exchange programmes.
of higher education institutions The partnership will prepare students and graduates for
• Sustainability Science and deep transitions more flexible career paths within and outside the University
• Marine Sciences: ocean and coastal environments environment.
• Humanities and the Social Sciences In addition to continuously growing professional
• Medicine and Health Sciences exchanges and joint projects financed by third-party funds,
• Renewable energy. Nelson Mandela University also is an attractive study
destination, especially for students from Oldenburg.

52 | Thetha Edition 7 | 2023