Stellenbosch University (SU) has a long history of cooperation with the European Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) and has been an active participant in its Erasmus+ programme since its inception in 2014. The Erasmus+ programme has a range of key actions whereby it implements its activities. Key Action II: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices[1] makes provision for projects focused on capacity building in higher education (CBHE).
The CBHE projects support the modernisation, accessibility and internationalisation of higher education in the eligible partner countries (such as South Africa), by supporting them in addressing the challenges facing their higher education institutions (HEIs) and systems. These challenges include those of quality, relevance, equity of access, planning, delivery, management and governance. The projects also contribute to cooperation between the European Union (EU) and these countries, by promoting interpersonal contacts, intercultural awareness and understanding.
The objectives of these CBHE projects include improving the quality of higher education and enhancing its relevance for the labour market and society; improving the levels of competencies and skills in HEIs by developing new and innovative education programmes; and fostering regional integration and cooperation across different regions of the world through joint initiatives, the sharing of good practices and cooperation.
Over the past seven years, SU has been a partner (and in some cases, coordinator) in 12 CBHE projects. The following six (6) projects have been successfully completed and we still reap the benefits of these projects in capacity and structures that have been developed at the University, especially in terms of the support of postgraduate students, the internationalisation of PhD studies and research management in HEIs:
- Enhancing Postgraduate Environments (EPE) (https://postgradenvironments.com/)
- International Learning Network of networks on Sustainability (LeNSin) (http://www.lens international.org/about)
- Development of a HArmonized MOdular Curriculum for the Smart Grid (DAMOC)(https://damoc.eu/)
- Strengthening of collaboration, leadership and professionalisation in research management in SADC and EU higher education institutions (SToRM) https://sites.google.com/view/projectstorm/home) (SU was the coordinating partner)
- Building capacity by implementing Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) mobile intervention in SADC countries (MEGA)
(https://mega.turkuamk.fi/) - Development of the Internationalisation of PhD studies in South Africa (YEBO!) (https://yebo.cut.ac.za)
We are involved in six (6) active CBHE projects, most of which have received an extension due to the challenges and limitations of the Covid-19 pandemic. These projects are predominantly focused on curriculum development and the strengthening of relations between HEIs and the wider economic and social environment:
- Internationalising local development: A Global University Network for Vini/viticulture (VitaGlobal) (https://www.vitaglobalproject.org/)
- Bakeng se Afrika (https://www.up.ac.za/bakeng se afrika)
- Improving Early Nutrition and Health in South Africa (ImpENSA) (https://www.earlynutrition.org/impensa)
- 21st Century Climate-Smart Forestry Education for Livelihood and Sustainability in South Africa (FOREST21) (https://www.forest21.org/)
- Living Laboratory in Climate Change (LiLaCC) (http://lilacc.org/)
- Nematology Education in Sub-Saharan Africa (NEMEDUSSA) (https://nemedussa.ugent.be/)
The collective budget for these 12 projects is more than 11 million euros and funds aspects such as staff costs, travel costs for staff and student mobility, equipment costs, and subcontracting costs for the successful implementation of the projects. The collaborative efforts in these consortiums have really strengthened our cooperation with some existing bilateral partners and have led to new initiatives with partnerships developed through these projects. It has also played a big role in developing cooperation between universities in South African in support of the wider higher education landscape. We are also excited about the new possibilities that the Erasmus+ 2021-2027 will bring and partners are welcome to contact Alecia Erasmus on aleciaerasmus@sun.ac.za should they be interested in pursuing some of the new opportunities.
[1]This will change to Key Action 2: Cooperation among organisations and institutions under the new Erasmus+ programme and some of the aims and objectives may be adjusted.
To find out more about SU International activities, visit our website: www.sun.ac.za/international.
