?Stellenbosch 万博体育官网's (US) Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, recently led a high-level delegation on a first-ever strategic tour through Zimbabwe, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The purpose? To deepen connections, spark new partnerships, and actively engage with key stakeholders, alumni, and partner universities across the continent.
Dr Nico Elema, Director of SU's Centre for Collaboration in Africa, noted that the tour was filled with meaningful highlights across each country, all contributing to the deepening of SU's strategic partnerships and laying the groundwork for future collaboration with leading African universities.
According to him, Prof. Ramjugernath shared his vision of “In Africa, with Africa, for Africa" with our African partners, committing that SU, as a leading African Institution, will continue to contribute meaningfully to the continent's development. “We can only achieve success on this continent by wide collaboration with our global partners. These visits established connection points for further collaboration between SU and other African universities, providing further momentum to current and future initiatives," said Elema.
Representatives from SU's Development and Alumni Relations Division (DAR), Karen Bruns, Senior Director, and Ferdi van Dyk, Alumni Participation Manager , and members of the Faculty of Theology were part of the SU delegation on this tour, where existing ties to stakeholders, alumni and students from these countries were strengthened.
Bruns said the tour was significant to them, especially to see how so many of SU's alumni are thriving in their careers at our partner institutions, in particular. “When Maties show up in leadership and essential learning positions at institutions across Africa, it's not a coincidence. It's a signal that our collaborative efforts in student and staff mobility and academic development are working."
"At Makerere, it was significant to see how many of their academic leaders had roots at Stellenbosch — a quiet but powerful testament to Pan-African Network for Graduate and Academic Programmes' (PANGeA) impact," Bruns said, referring to the network that began in 2006 to build research capacity in Africa. A specific doctoral scholarship programme at SU was established in 2010, with the first students being accepted that year as part of the formal collaboration with PANGeA members.
Bruns said one of SU's donors, the Gerda Henkel Foundation, has been supporting this programme for over a decade, quietly enabling African scholars to thrive in the humanities field, and this investment is reshaping futures one doctorate at a time. Says Bruns: "Donors like the Gerda Henkel Foundation remind us that partnerships with purpose can sustain entire generations of academic growth."
As part of the visit to Zimbabwe, Prof Len Hansen from the Faculty of Theology had the opportunity to engage with more than fifty leaders of the broader Zimbabwe Council of Churches, seeking opportunities for future collaboration and discussing the shared role of universities and faith communities in fostering ethical leadership, inclusive development, and the public good. “We may come from different traditions, but we are united in our belief that Africa's future requires both critical thinking and compassionate leadership," said Prof Ramjugernath. The delegation also visited the 万博体育官网 of Zimbabwe.
Elema noted that SU has always maintained a strong relationship with Strathmore 万博体育官网 in Kenya, exemplified by collaborations with the Faculty of Law and the African Doctoral Academy Joint Schools. One highlight was exploring opportunities for thought leadership and connections with the 万博体育官网's iLab, a similar concept to the SU LaunchLab.
“At the Jomo Kenyatta 万博体育官网 of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), we reflected on our current collaboration in Food Science. We also have a valuable partnership, known as the Africa-Japan INSPIRE Networks, which is supported by JICA (Japan). This partnership is between SU, JKUAT and Egypt Japan 万博体育官网 of Science and Technology (EJUST) in Egypt, with initial projects in Water, Energy and Food Security," said Elema.
Elema said they also met the visionary executive team of the 万博体育官网 of Rwanda, including Vice-Chancellor Prof Didas M. Kayihura. Further standout moments for the delegation was meeting the founding leaders of the new African Governance School, including inaugural president Kingsley Moghalu — esteemed Nigerian economist and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria — who is helping shape a new generation of African leaders and deliberations with the Coventry 万博体育官网 Africa Hub in Rwanda to explore opportunities of mutual interest.
“At Makerere 万博体育官网, we were warmly received by the DVC Prof Winston Ireeta (on behalf of Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe), senior administrators, deans from several schools, and a proud group of Stellenbosch 万博体育官网 alumni now shaping minds at Makerere 万博体育官网, one of our leading African partners."
“Our long-standing MOU of more than twenty years of research collaboration, capacity building, and staff exchanges at Makerere 万博体育官网 has borne fruit. The mutual respect was palpable," said Elema. A special highlight for him was their visit to Mak Unipod, Makerere's Makers' Innovation Lab, where students innovate with machine learning, sound engineering, prototyping, and circular fashion. Dr Cathy Ikiror Mbidde and her team are doing incredible work here," said Elema.
“DAR also launched the Matie Alumni Chapter #49 in Uganda with the help of a stellar alumni volunteer committee, who curated an unforgettable evening with traditional performers, laughter, music, and cake. The keynote from our Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ramjugernath, inspired everyone and the joy in the room was contagious. The delegation left Kampala, Nairobi, and Kigali knowing that Matie spirit is alive and well in East Africa," said Bruns.
Elema said he is looking forward to more visits like this to strengthen the ties with our partners in other African countries. “We thank our colleagues from DAR for co-organising this trip and all our alumni, partners, and other stakeholders for their hospitality and shared vision for a better, more connected Africa."
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