From 9 to 12 October, Stellenbosch University (SU) International's Unit for Global Education (UGE) hosted Global Week 2023. The week was marked by various engagements to drive conversations around student mobility, sustainability, and global citizenship.
According to Bantubonke Louw, UGE's programme manager of Semester Mobility, the Global Week initiative started in response to the need to intentionally incorporate an international, intercultural and global dimension into the on-campus experience at SU. This forms part of the University's strategic objective to offer both local and international students a transformative experience. “The objective was to provide opportunities for all students and staff to engage in internationalisation-at-home programmes, events and activities. These not only promoted global citizenship, but also fostered integration and intercultural awareness," he says. “The activities and events aimed to contribute to the attainment of SU's graduate attributes and a transformative student experience."
The week kicked off with the Sustainability World Café on 9 October, hosted in collaboration with the SDG/2063 Impact Hub. The event brought together diverse voices and perspectives from various environments and sectors. “The World Café was an enriching experience that underscored the importance of education, individual initiative, collaboration and leadership on our collective journey towards a more sustainable world," says Corina du Toit, programme manager of the SDG/2063 Impact Hub. “The discussions also highlighted the significance of collaboration as a cornerstone of sustainability efforts. By working together, sharing ideas and pooling resources, we can achieve more and create lasting change on a global scale."
On 10 October, students gathered at the Krotoa building for the summer and winter school exhibition, were students who had previously attended an SU summer or winter school shared their experiences with their peers. The exhibition was followed by a student funding information session by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
Later that day, students and staff were treated to a free anime movie screening hosted in collaboration with the SU Japan Centre. In keeping with the aim of Global Week, namely to promote internationalisation, intercultural competencies, and conversations among students and staff, the film, Spirited Away, enabled students to experience some Japanese culture. The central location of the film was a Japanese bathhouse where various Japanese folklore creatures, including kami (the deities or holy powers venerated in the Shinto religion), came to bathe.
The week concluded with a Study Abroad fair and the much-loved international food evening.
Bantubonke says it was rewarding to see how students and staff engaged informally in meaningful conversations on key topics such as the sustainable development goals and the part each of us have to play in achieving them, the benefits of and available funding for Study Abroad opportunities, appreciating diversity, and being aware of others' culture. “In essence, the week provided students and staff the opportunity to 'travel' across the world, while remaining right here on campus, and most definitely opened up a world of possibilities to explore, engage and learn more about themselves and others," he says.
