Page 7 - Thetha Issue 7

GLOBAL FOOTPRINT

to Mandela and met his wife from the Seychelles who was
also studying here. They now have a baby, a very good baby
whom they brought to our Berlin event in June this year.
Read more about their story on page 60.
Vice-Chancellor Sibongile Muthwa and the South
African Embassy in Berlin hosted an alumni and stakeholder
event called ‘An evening with Nelson Mandela University’ We want all our
on 29 June, which was attended by more than 60 alumni
and former study abroad students. This wonderful cocktail international linkages
event took place at the South African Embassy and followed to grow, and we have
on the celebration of our University’s 25-year partnership
with Oldenburg University and the signing of a new five had requests from a
year partnership agreement with Oldenburg. Prof Muthwa
emphasised that alumni of all ages, irrespective of whether number of areas to
they are pre- or post-merger are all part of the Mandela create Mandela groups
family. We had a strong turnout of alumni from previous
decades attending, which is very encouraging as it means in their country or city,
they identify with Mandela University.
The VC shared recent institutional developments and our such as in Berlin.
strategy to advance education for a sustainable and socially
just world. She invited everyone to support the University
on its journey to be in service to society. Support ranges
from recommending the University as the higher education
institution of choice for undergraduate and postgraduate
studies, helping to grow international partnerships and and businessman, Prof Alex Bashasha, who is a great
linkages and donating funds. Given the current exchange ambassador and passionate promoter of the University.
rate, even small amounts in dollars or euros can make a big We want all our international linkages to grow, and
difference in our part of the world. Read more about our we have had requests from a number of areas to create
Giving Campaign on page 12. Mandela groups in their country or city, such as in Berlin. At
Last year in October we held alumni events in Washington the German event, many of the alumni met each other for
DC and at the South African Consulate General in New York, the first time and they were so pleased to connect.
which were also well attended. The purpose of the US trip Our online alumni networking platform, Mandela Alumni
was to reconnect with existing members of our US-based Connect, and other digital and communications forms offer
ecosystem, including alumni and other partners, and to the University and alumni the opportunity to connect with
cultivate relationships with potential new members such as the institution and other alumni as well as share information.
US universities, philanthropic organisations, government We want to significantly expand our reach to include many
institutions and the private sector. more of our alumni, to find out where you are and get you
Also in 2022 we had events and engagements in on board. We would love to hear from you, and encourage
Uganda and Kenya. Uganda has a number of very active you to get in touch.
PhDs from Mandela promoting the University. The event
was sponsored by a senior alumnus, philanthropist, lawyer

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