| AC21 Legacy Symposium paving the way for future learning collaborations on sustainable development goals | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10529 | | AC21 Legacy Symposium paving the way for future learning collaborations on sustainable development goals | Petro Mostert | <p>AC21 Legacy Symposium paving the way for future learning collaborations on sustainable development goals.<br></p><p></p><p>At its inception, the Academic Consortium21 (<a href="http://www.ac21.org/">AC21</a>) was established with the objective of unifying universities and facilitating meaningful dialogue about their impact on society. This year, the AC21 will conclude at the end of March. However, its legacy will continue, especially after the valuable seeds planted at the recent Legacy AC21 Symposium jointly hosted by Stellenbosch University and the Universities of Strasbourg in France and Freiburg in Germany from 10-12 March 2024. </p><p>Exploring international education and research collaborations on the United Nation's Sustainability Development Goals (SDG) 3 Good Health and Well-Being, 7 Affordable and Clean Energy, and 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, delegates learned from leaders in the field in discussions on topics ranging from e-waste reusing solutions in the Congolese market, using bio-wastes of the cassava plant for production of high-performance bio-concrete, using jackfruit for biogas, to riverine hydrokinetic turbines, sustainable aquafarming, understanding energy poverty and developing ceramic water filters for people with no access to clean drinking water.</p><p>Since the United Nations adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in September 2015, people around the globe have formed partnerships and collaborations to collectively tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing the world today.</p><p>In her welcome address, Prof Hester Klopper (Deputy-Vice Chancellor: Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs) said that Stellenbosch University's membership in AC21 has provided an invaluable platform for collaboration and exchange. "Through this partnership, we have fostered meaningful engagement with universities across the Asia-Pacific region, nurturing bilateral relationships with esteemed institutions like Freiburg and Strasbourg, as well as NC State Raleigh in the USA, and Adelaide University in Australia."</p><p>"We are also delighted to witness high interest from universities within our African networks, fostering a legacy of collaboration across the continent. Institutions such as Makerere University (Uganda), Luanda University (Angola), University of Lagos (Nigeria), Universities of Cape Coast and Ghana (Ghana), Maasai Mara University (Kenia), and the University of Buea in Cameroon represent the wealth of academic excellence within Africa."</p><p>Attendees remarked on the symposium's attention-grabbing format: a 20-minute keynote address introducing each track, followed by 10-minute impactful presentations on various topics.<br></p><p>After an introduction to Strasbourg University and its impact in its region by Prof Tsamadou-Jacoberger (Vice-President for International Relations), Prof Bertrand Rose, representing the University's Industrial Engineering Department at its Faculty of Physics and Engineering, opened the symposium's first track on SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), taking the audience back to Henry Ford's production line in explaining the journey from lean to green, and then from green to safe.</p><p>The next track was introduced by Prof Melanie Arndt (incoming DVC from the University of Freiburg, following Prof Anke Weidlich, the Chair for Control and Integration of Grids from the Department of Sustainable Systems Engineering (INATEC), opened the second track of the symposium with her take on Pathways to Net Zero Energy Systems under the banner of SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean energy).</p><p>Stellenbosch University covered the final track of the symposium with Prof Bob Mash, the Executive and Divisional Head of the Department of Family Emergency Medicine, from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science on Tygerberg covering the final track, SDG3, with discussions around good Health and wellbeing. His talk led a panel discussion on Health, climate change, and primary health care.</p><p>It was refreshing to see how universities on the African continent embrace innovation around sustainable development goals and are in touch with the surrounding communities. Together, they find sustainable solutions for the challenges they face daily: hunger, poverty, energy, clean water, and more.</p><p>Dr. Kolawole Adisa Olonade, from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Lagos in Nigeria, painted the future of Africa along the theme of the rapid pace of urbanization in Africa – highlighting the constant need for housing, buildings, and infrastructure. Although urbanization is a worldwide phenomenon, they didn't look for a solution further than their front porch. In their search for potential biomaterials in their environment, they used the waste of their staple food — Cassava — to develop ash that could replace cement while enabling a possible 15 percent carbon emission saving.</p><p>They constructed a solid concrete structure from Cassava ash cement on their campus to prove their theory. But it didn't end there: They went back to the communities where primarily women harvest Cassava and were taught how to produce the ash, which they can now sell for additional income to the community. They closed the circle.</p><p>Dr Olonade's presentation was one of many that showcased the culture of innovation and collaboration that exists between universities and their communities. They use what they have readily available to innovate and give back to the community to prosper.</p><p>Delegates left the conference with valuable information and motivated to find solutions to help this world reach the 2050 net zero future goal.</p><p>The Symposium was hosted by Robert Kotze and his team at SU International and the programme coordinated by Corina du Toit at the <a href="https://susdev.sun.ac.za/">SDG/2063 Impact Hub</a> at the Centre for Collaboration in Africa (at SU International). Keep an eye on SU International website and social media for more information on this legacy event. The event was a runner-up to the release of the latest <a href="https://susdev.sun.ac.za/files/2024/03/SusDevAnnualReport_22_23_StellenboschUniversity.pdf">Sustainable Development Annual Report 2022/2023</a> produced by the Hub that was released in the same week.<br></p><p><br></p><p> </p><p><br></p> |
| SIAN 2024 delegates dissect dos and don’ts of internationalisation in higher education. | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10519 | | SIAN 2024 delegates dissect dos and don’ts of internationalisation in higher education. | Daniel Bugan | <p>The intricacies of internationalisation in higher education came under the spotlight at the Stellenbosch International Academic Networks (SIAN) 2024 meeting hosted by Stellenbosch University (SU) International from 13 to 15 March.<br></p><p>SIAN is an annual gathering of SU's international partner universities. This year, more than 100 delegates from 70 university partners across 27 countries attended.<br></p><p>“Since its inception in 2003, SIAN has matured into a significant network dedicated to bringing together our partners to share experiences, build partnership capital and foster personal connections," said Prof Wim de Villiers, SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor, in his welcoming address. “I wholeheartedly support all efforts to explore potential for collaboration because that is the only way we will be able to address the complex issues that society faces today." And with Africa's population expected to almost double by 2050, there is enormous opportunity for growth and collaboration in higher education on the continent, he added.<br></p><p><strong>Four cornerstones for successful African collaboration</strong></p><p>While it has a global reach, SU remains firmly rooted in Africa. This saw the first session of the meeting explore trends in international higher education on the continent, featuring speakers from both SU and fellow African institutions.</p><p>In his talk, Dr Nico Elema, director of SU International's Centre for Collaboration in Africa, identified four cornerstones of successful collaboration between African partners. “The first is context. Africa is not one country; the continent is massive. Support local and regional initiatives within larger African programmes to drive the African agenda," Dr Elema said. “The second is equitable partnerships that drive local research and capacity development. In the African context, an equitable partnership means 100/100. Only then can we find common ground to move forward."</p><p>He continued: “The third cornerstone is institutional commitment to create an enabling environment for African science academies, universities and research institutions to thrive. Here, we need to answer some tough questions: How mature are our national science systems? How autonomous are our higher education institutions really? Are we solely relying on external funding from the Global North? The fourth and final cornerstone is personal commitment. Remain Afro-optimists and engage with other colleagues on the continent. Support Africa's established and emerging researchers, mobility exchanges, think tanks and capacity development programmes."</p><p><br></p><p><strong>New African-based school-leaving qualifications unlock higher education opportunities </strong></p><p>SIAN delegates also heard from SU's Unit for International Credentialing (SU-UIC), whose work includes quality-assuring external school-leaving qualifications administered in and for Africa. </p><p>“The cross-border movement of people has become more diverse and complex and is increasingly affecting education opportunities and systems," said Prof Sarah Howie, director of the Africa Centre for Scholarship. “From 1960 to 2015, international migrants increased from 93 million to 241 million. Immigration rates in countries as diverse as Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Malaysia and South Africa are two to three times above the global average." This is why the SU-UIC is working with both the South African Independent Examinations Board (IEB) and the Examinations Council of Lesotho to ensure homegrown yet high-quality school-leaving qualifications that offer access to higher education at top institutions on the continent and further afield.</p><p>With the IEB, the Unit quality-assures the International Secondary Certificate (ISC), which is comparable to the United Kingdom's AS-levels and the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate. Also benchmarked nationally by Universities South Africa (USAf), the ISC has been found to be on a par with South Africa's National Senior Certificate, and students who pass it with merit could apply to institutions worldwide. The ISC is currently offered in Namibia, Mozambique and Eswatini.</p><p>Consultations with the Examinations Council of Lesotho, in turn, are aimed at quality-assuring the new Lesotho Advanced Secondary Certificate. Preparations for the implementation of the qualification are under way, including the training of quality assurance officers and the review of syllabi, sample papers and processes.</p><p>“The SU-UIC's focus is more on quality enhancement than mere conformity to standards," said Unit coordinator Mia Andersen. “We are moving beyond a compliance culture as we collectively try to navigate this complex and dynamic world of internationalised education."</p><p><strong>Internationalisation at African partners</strong></p><p>Delegates from other African institutions also shared their internationalisation strategies. According to Meryem El Alaoui from Université Internationale de Rabat (UIR) in Morocco, their internationalisation strategy aligns with the goals of the Kingdom of Morocco, the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, as well as King Mohamed VI's plan to strengthen relations with other African countries. “To this end, our integrated strategy includes encouraging students and staff to participate in mobility programmes. We have also developed joint degrees with our partners, as well as English-focused courses. In addition, we try to recruit international students – 10% of them are currently from sub-Saharan Africa – and we integrate internationalisation at home through different activities."</p><p>Elaborating on the University of Namibia's internationalisation strategy, Dr Romanus Shivoro said: “Our strategy rests on the pillars of global partnerships and networks, a diverse international student and staff body, international research activities, and being a responsive industry partner. We have developed key partnerships with countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, as well as the Americas. Internationalisation is key to us, and we hope to explore further partnership agreements through this SIAN event."</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Reflecting on responsible internationalisation</strong></p><p>In a session devoted to responsible internationalisation, Robert Kotzé, senior director of SU International, stressed the importance of knowing, understanding and working with your institution's context. “At SU, for instance, we understand that our institution is rooted in Africa, with a global reach. That is the context that determines how we think about internationalisation, and how we engage with it," he said.</p><p>“If your institution is pursuing responsible internationalisation, your internationalisation policy, strategy and understanding should also speak to the values that your institution aspires to," he added. Again referring to SU as an example, he said internationalisation at SU was informed by a purposeful commitment as guided by the University's Vision 2040 and Strategic Framework 2019-2024. “We aim for comprehensive internationalisation, integrating an international, intercultural and global dimension into all aspects of the University, based on SU's values of excellence, compassion, accountability, respect and equity. We also aim to advance quality research and innovation, learning and teaching in service of society. In this way, we hope to be an internationally recognised research-intensive institution rooted in Africa, with a global reach."</p><p>Responsible internationalisation also requires institutions not to lose sight of local and national imperatives, Kotzé concluded. “In South Africa and at SU, we have a responsibility to address inequality and improve our employment equity profile. Therefore, our recruitment of international students and staff must not hamper our employment equity efforts. We also have more work to do to offer socioeconomically disadvantaged students opportunities to participate in mobility. Currently, fewer than 5% of students participating in outgoing mobility are from disadvantaged backgrounds."</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Reimagining being an internationalisation practitioner – opportunities for support staff</strong></p><p>Internationalisation goes far beyond academic exchanges, however. Every university stakeholder, including those in the professional administrative support services (PASS) environment, can and should be an internationalisation practitioner. To explore this further, three partner universities discussed how they joined forces to facilitate mobility opportunities for their PASS staff.</p><p>According to Lidia du Plessis, programme manager for Staff Internationalisation at SU International, when SU in 2018 introduced its Vision 2040 and Strategic Framework 2019-2024, mobility programmes were still only meant for academic staff. “As SU International, we had to reimagine staff mobility, and that is when I approached one of our partners, Lund University in Sweden, and we initiated the blended international programme for PASS staff," she explained. “The programme, which ran over six months, was a combination of online sessions and in-person mobility weeks at both Lund and SU." Through this unique programme, participants were able to develop intercultural skills, foster inclusion, discuss internationalisation in diverse university fields, share best-practice examples, and engage in job shadowing.</p><p> </p><p>The opportunity then arose for a trilateral staff development programme when Northwestern University in the United States joined forces with partners Hamburg and Stellenbosch universities. Running since 2022, the programme ends this year. Each university is afforded an opportunity to serve as host and choose a theme that plays to their strengths. Each partner selects five participants. First up as host, SU presented the 2022 event under the theme “Inclusive internationalisation competences". In 2023, Northwestern chose the theme “Alumni engagement and development". The Hamburg-hosted event this year will conclude the programme. Positive spinoffs from the programme include the development of an online intercultural competency programme hosted by Northwestern, new connections between and within partner institutions, the ploughing back of new knowledge at home institutions, and staff's personal development and growth.</p><p>Northwestern's Kim Rapp, assistant vice-president of International Relations, confirmed that the trilateral staff development programme had strengthened institutional partnerships with SU and Hamburg. “One of the things I really like is that Northwestern is now well known among the staff at Hamburg and Stellenbosch, which raises our visibility. New relationships also developed between staff outside of our respective international offices." Internally, the programme also fostered collaboration between Northwestern's own units, with staff learning about one another's departments and roles, she added.</p><p>Hamburg University's objective with participating in the programme was to facilitate the internationalisation of staff at all levels, develop intercultural competencies, strengthen strategic partnerships, and increase visibility of partnerships and their work within the university. So said Eva Leptien, manager of Partnerships in Hamburg University's Department of International Affairs. “Staff exchange programmes are one of the building blocks of our internationalisation strategy," she added. Leptien also used the SIAN meeting as a platform to announce the theme for the 2024 trilateral staff development event, namely “Integrating sustainability across higher education institutions". </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Being intentional about partnerships</strong></p><p>The final session focused on universities' partnership portfolios, and best practices in managing those. Speakers from Leipzig University, the University of Groningen and SU delved deeper into the topic.</p><p>Marie Plinke of Leipzig University said that her institution's process to structure their partnership portfolio included the “adaptation of existing university agreements into appropriate formats, intensification of active existing university partnerships, and reduction of the administrative burden". She made the key point that the identification of active international partners could help guide and inform strategic decision-making by university management.</p><p>SU International's Sarah van der Westhuizen, director of the Centre for Global Engagement, shared the lessons that SU had learned from being an active partner in a strategic partnership. “Through being an active partner, a specific working process was identified that could be applied to other strategic or comprehensive partnerships," she said. She added that an alignment of funding and collaborative instruments at both partners was essential for a successful partnership, as were joint ownership, shared evaluation measures, and discussions about equity.</p><p>“In an increasingly complex world, partnerships, including strategic partnerships, are essential for maintaining and enhancing the quality of education and research, and to ensure a joint approach towards solving small and grand societal challenges," said Anita Veldtmaat of the University of Groningen. She also emphasised the need for internal seed funding as a key requirement for partnership success.</p><p>In addition to the formal sessions, the SIAN meeting also included workshops on building institutional capacity for international higher education and responsible internationalisation in Africa. At a Study Abroad fair, SU students were able to connect with potential foreign study destinations. A visit to SU's Ukwanda Rural Clinical School in Worcester and an excursion to the V&A Waterfront were the perfect way to finish the programme.</p><p>Images from the <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WuDZhK33ViNYcUST3Q6W1TBKDEtk1I41?usp=sharing">SIAN 2024.</a><br></p><p><br></p> |
| ADA Summer School empowers tomorrow’s scholars | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10482 | | ADA Summer School empowers tomorrow’s scholars | Corporate Communications and Marketing | <p>February was a prolific month for the African Doctoral Academy (ADA) at Stellenbosch University (SU). Over the course of three weeks, the ADA welcomed PhD students and academics from 15 African countries who participated in the Academy's Hybrid Summer School. On offer this year was 16 different courses of which five were new – including one on artificial intelligence and scientific research. <br></p><p>The courses were presented by a group of highly skilled local and international academic experts from countries such as Ireland, the United Kingdom (UK), Germany and America. Several successful ADA scholarship holders from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Mauritius and South Africa attended the Summer School, as well as delegates from the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Centre of Excellence in Energy.</p><p>The ADA Summer School strives to provide comprehensive training in impactful research design and methodology, along with opportunities for academic readiness and career advancement. The courses are designed for doctoral students and prospective PhD candidates, their supervisors and researchers.</p><p>Irene Mutuzo, a PhD student in organisational psychology from Makerere University in Uganda, was full of praise for this year's doctoral school. “I've recently switched over from the corporate world to academia and at the start of my PhD journey, I felt a bit overwhelmed. The past two weeks have been amazing. I've learnt so much and I've acquired skills that I believe will enable me to work smarter and faster. I've also met incredibly intelligent and inspiring mentors." </p><p>His experience at the doctoral summer school was very enlightening, said Bathromeu Mavusa, a PhD student in political science at SU. “I was initially very sceptical about artificial intelligence, but Dr Sonja Strydom completely changed my mind in her lecture. I learned that AI can be a valuable tool in academia, offering support and insights rather than replacing human intelligence. It's crucial to strike a balance between human intellect and AI assistance. The discussions on power relations and ethical considerations surrounding AI were eye-opening, especially regarding its implications for the Global South." Additionally, he found the Mixed Methods research course particularly beneficial as it expanded his understanding of research methodologies, Mavusa said. </p><p>The opportunity to connect fellow delegates from various African countries and beyond with international and local presenters during the ADA Summer School has been invaluable, fostering a sense of academic fellowship and collaboration, said Dr Natalie Kowalik, ADA Programme Manager at the Africa Centre for Scholarship at SU. </p><p>“These experiences will hopefully not only propel individual academic trajectories but also contribute to the collective advancement of scholarship across Africa and beyond," Kowalik noted. “The ADA's doctoral schools have sparked considerable interest, yet delegates often face financial challenges. In response, the ADA this year offered its first full 'hyflex' course (a format that allows students to choose between attending classes in person, remotely, or through a combination of both), showcasing the ADA's commitment to offering impactful doctoral training, catering to delegates unable to travel. The Mixed Methods course received immense positive feedback from delegates – in-person as well as those joining online."</p><p>On 5 February the ADA and the Postgraduate Forum for Southern Africa (PGFSA) hosted a joint event which culminated in the official relaunch of the PGFSA. The event took place at the Wallenberg Conference Centre at STIAS, under the theme “International Trends in Postgraduate Education and Fostering Research Collaboration Across Africa and Beyond". </p><p>Prof Hester Klopper, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs at SU, offered a warm welcome to local and international guests. The guest speaker at the launch event was Prof Gina Wisker from the University of Bath in the UK who gave an insightful presentation about trends in doctoral studies internationally.</p><p>A panel discussion facilitated by Dr Henriette van den Berg of the PGFSA focused on international trends in postgraduate education and ways of fostering research collaboration across Africa and beyond. </p><p>The ADA's Hybrid Summer School was concluded on a high note when Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at SU, gave an inspiring guest lecture on the strategic imperatives of fostering research collaboration. Moyo challenged the ADA summer school participants to use their newly acquired insights and networks to find innovative solutions for challenges such as poverty, inequality, unemployment and corruption.</p><p><strong>PHOTO: Ignus Dreyer</strong></p><p><br></p> |
| Beyond Boundaries: Stellenbosch University's Winter Camp in China | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10458 | | Beyond Boundaries: Stellenbosch University's Winter Camp in China | CISU | <p>The 2023 Winter Camp to China, jointly organised by the Confucius Institute at Stellenbosch University (CISU) and Xiamen University, embarked on a transformative fourteen-day expedition in December. There were 16 students and one teacher who participated in the camp.<br></p><p>The Winter Camp were hosted by the China Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), which plays a key role in promoting the development of international Chinese language education and strengthen Chinese-foreign humanistic exchanges. As such, the overall aim of the visit was to meet the needs of overseas youths to learn Chinese language and culture, and to stimulate their enthusiasm for learning.</p><p>Upon their arrival, the group was welcomed by Xiamen University's vice dean of Chinese International Education, Gen Hu</p><p><strong>Immersed in both education and culture</strong></p><p>With the theme of "Minnan Heritage", this winter camp covered Chinese language learning, cultural lectures, research experience and other contents, and the campers experienced the charm of Minnan culture from a close distance.</p><p> They visited Beijing and the cities of Xiamen and Quanzhou in Fujian Province for cultural exchanges and study tours, like Chinese food culture, instrument(Guqin), historic building Kulangsu Islet and so on. Visits to iconic landmarks such as the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall in the snow complemented the experience.</p><p><strong>Valuable takeaways</strong></p><p>The winter camp in China served as a transformative journey for participants, reshaping perceptions, and deepening cultural appreciation. Here's a synthesis of insights from the diverse group:</p><p>Johnne-Leigh was captivated by iconic landmarks like the forbidden & summer palaces and the Great Wall. His misconceptions about the Chinese were dispelled, highlighting the nation's genuine warmth. Shieka's admiration for the Great Wall and the efficiency of Chinese transport systems underscored the nation's blend of ancient wonders with modernity. Maxine De Lange's enchantment with China's architecture was a common sentiment, with many participants echoing her shift in media perception after experiencing the country firsthand.</p><p>Nina's deep dive into Chinese instruments and culture resonated with others' experiences of confirming positive pre-visit views. Hylton and Chelsea both acknowledged the stark contrast between media portrayals and the vibrant realities they encountered, emphasizing the camp's role in fostering global understanding. Jessica Clarke and Maysoon found immense value in the camp's diverse experiences, with Jessica particularly highlighting China's cleanliness and safety. Kevin Syfert and Tamzin recognized the nuances often overlooked by media, such as China's eco-initiatives and rapid development. Lastly, Thomas's emphasis on Chinese hospitality and the genuine cultural immersion the camp provided was a sentiment echoed by many.</p><p> Overall, the camp emerged as a pivotal experience, with participants unanimously advocating for its transformative impact and considering future engagements with China.</p><p><br></p> |
| Speech therapist overcomes mental health challenges after years of struggling | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10395 | | Speech therapist overcomes mental health challenges after years of struggling | Corporate Communications and Marketing (Hannelie Booyens) | <p>When Firdous Sulaiman walked across the stage to get her degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Therapy on Tuesday (12 December), it was a triumphant conclusion to years of struggling. Having had to repeat three years of her studies at Stellenbosch University (SU), a car accident in 2020 became a catalyst for major change in her life. While receiving therapy for post-traumatic stress after the accident, Sulaiman was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and dyslexia. <br></p><p>The subsequent interventions and support Sulaiman received radically changed her life. From feeling despondent and doubting that she was ever going to graduate, she ended her final year as one of the top students in the class of 2023. This remarkable turnaround and Sulaiman's tenacity to keep going after failing three academic years, earned her a Rector's Award for Excellence in Academic Resilience in October this year. </p><p>Receiving the award meant the world to her because it recognised the perseverance and drive it took to achieve success, Sulaiman says. She always yearned to receive a medal or certificate, she adds. “It's with great happiness that I'm now able to say that when it mattered most, at the end of my undergraduate journey, I received recognition that trumps all the previous awards I wished I'd received. My uncle told me something quite profound as he congratulated me on the Rector's Award. He said anyone can be recognised for achieving top marks and distinctions, but it takes a special person to be awarded something specifically for their character."</p><p><strong>Getting help</strong></p><p>Sulaiman recalls that at the end of matric a parting message pained her: “You have so much potential". “I never had it easy at school. I always had to work hard beyond my capabilities and never saw the results I expected. All I ever heard was that I had to pull up my socks because I could perform so much better. When you have mental health issues, it looks like you're lazy, as though you're not taking studying seriously. I would do my best and give 110%, but it was never good enough. Because I didn't show the typical signs of being dyslexic – I've always been a good reader – teachers couldn't understand why I didn't perform better." </p><p>Only after the dyslexia diagnosis did Sulaiman realise that being a fluent reader does not mean you fully comprehend what you're reading. </p><p>The therapist Sulaiman saw after the accident, Karin Huyssen, advised her to get help from SU's support structures for students with disabilities. “She referred me to the Disability Unit, and she recommended that I get special assistance such as extra writing time during tests and exams." Huyssen also wrote to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at SU to advise how they could accommodate Firdous' special needs in the classroom. Huyssen recommended a speech therapist who specialises in treating autistic patients. The Disability Unit funded the sessions which helped Sulaiman navigate exams and other academic challenges.</p><p>She also started seeing an educational psychologist, Lamees Chetty, at the Tygerberg campus. Sulaiman credits therapists and lecturers, along with the unwavering support from her parents, with helping her through her struggles and motivating her to get back on track after making a difficult decision to interrupt her studies in 2020. </p><p>“I had been pushing my body and mind beyond its limits for four years. I didn't allow my mind the rest it needed, I didn't take care of my sensory needs and debilitating anxiety but ended up using it as fuel to push myself. It took a lot of counselling and education to convince me why an interruption to my studies was the best move forward. Educating myself on my diagnosis and my needs was a major game-changer which impacted not only my academic life but also my relationships with family and friends," Sulaiman explains.</p><p>Until she started taking medication for anxiety, Sulaiman thought it was normal to feel nauseous every day. “Apart from medication, what worked for me was seeing specialists and getting special concessions from the faculty. A specific lecturer was designated for me whom I would see once every two weeks to address any issues. I had extra tutorials with the module coordinator once a week which made it easier to maintain my academic focus." </p><p>Sulaiman also found inspiration in a support group for autistic and neuro-divergent students to help them navigate challenges. Better understanding her needs enabled her to forgive herself for not performing as well as other students over the years. </p><p><strong>Becoming an advocate for mental health</strong></p><p>Small adjustments changed the trajectory of her life, such as taking care of her sensory needs. “In classes and during exams I was allowed to take time out when I felt overwhelmed. The results of these changes were amazing. Last year was the first year I didn't need to repeat any modules. This year, my lecturers were shocked that the student who had always been struggling had become one of the top clinical achievers in class," Sulaiman laughs.</p><p>She says it's difficult to describe what graduating at the end of 2023 means to her. “I was so used to constantly struggling that it feels unreal to do so well." Being celebrated for her achievements is a novel but wonderful feeling, Sulaiman admits.</p><p>Over the past two years, she has become an advocate for mental health awareness, also at home where she advised her parents to get help for her younger brother who was struggling at school. “He has also been diagnosed with dyslexia and autism and since he started getting therapy and accommodations were put in place for him, he's now a straight-A student," Sulaiman says proudly. </p><p>Being neuro-divergent has made her a better speech therapist, she believes. “I'm able to personally relate to patients who struggle with disabilities. I don't need to mask when I'm around them, I can just be myself." Although she is keen to eventually do research about how to best accommodate the needs of autistic patients in speech therapy, Sulaiman now looks forward to taking a break from academia to start working as a speech therapist. </p><p>“I am so fortunate to have truly fallen in love with speech therapy through finding myself. Within my community, I have identified a lot of misunderstandings and miseducation regarding mental health. Parents often only start seeing it as something to be addressed once it impacts their child's academic performance. In many instances speech disorders are a result of underlying neurological, physical, or psychological differences. As a speech therapist I'll be able to identify warning signs and advocate for intervention where appropriate. I also plan on providing education and promotion to communities that are most at risk," Sulaiman says. </p><p>As she celebrated graduating with friends and family, she reminded loved ones of a famous Albert Einstein quote: “It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I have stayed with problems longer."</p><p><strong>PHOTO: Stefan Els</strong></p><p><br></p> |
| Disaster risk scholars engage at first Periperi U CARP workshop | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10358 | | Disaster risk scholars engage at first Periperi U CARP workshop | SU International | <p><span style="text-align:justify;">T</span><span style="text-align:justify;">he Periperi U secretariat, situated in Stellenbosch University (SU) International's Centre for Collaboration in Africa, hosted its first workshop under the Climate Adaptation Research Programme (CARP) at Ardhi University in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The aim of the event, held from 30 October to 2 November 2023, was to help establish the CARP community, which offers early-career and established African professionals working in the climate adaptation field a platform to network, engage and collaborate.</span><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Among the 70 participants were Tanzanian government officials, underscoring the importance of engagement between risk reduction practitioners and policymakers to address the continent's climate adaptation challenges. </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Cross-border collaboration</strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;">CARP is run in partnership with the Humanitarian Assistance Technical Support (HATS) project at the University of Arizona and is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Its intention is to support applied climate adaptation research in Africa, with a particular focus on the implications for disaster risk reduction policies and strategies.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Apart from Tanzania, countries represented at the workshop included South Africa, Senegal, Nigeria, Algeria, Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Morocco, Rwanda and the United States. Participants included emerging scholars from the 33 CARP research projects taking place across ten African countries. The programme featured several discussion sessions, group activities, research poster presentations as well as field excursions to project sites focused on reducing flooding vulnerability and risk in Dar es Salaam. </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>CARP expansion plans formalised </strong></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The event also saw the Periperi U secretariat sign an agreement with the University of Arizona to expand CARP up to 2028. The expanded initiative, CARP-PLUS, with its additional budget of $2,05 million will provide more funding for vital climate change and disaster risk research, travel to major strategic events, and sponsorship to attend training across the continent. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The next CARP workshop will be held in 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. <br><br></p><p><br></p> |
| 2023 SU–Lund staff development programme draws to a close | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10359 | | 2023 SU–Lund staff development programme draws to a close | SU International | <p><strong>2023 SU–Lund staff development programme draws to a close</strong><br></p><p>Following a group of ten Stellenbosch University (SU) staffers' visit to Lund University in Sweden in September 2023 as part of a first-of-its-kind mobility programme for support services staff, a Lund delegation reciprocated in November, travelling to Stellenbosch for an in-person engagement. </p><p>According to Lidia du Plessis, SU International's programme manager of Staff Internationalisation, the six-month bilateral mobility initiative focuses on the professional development and continuing education of professional administrative support services (PASS) staff. The programme offers PASS staff a chance to learn new skills and have an international experience while interacting with peers. </p><p>Activities of the blended programme kicked off in June with an online session, which offered both SU and Lund participants an opportunity to get to know one another before their in-person visits. </p><p><strong>Innovative and inspiring </strong></p><p>“The programme provides an international opportunity to develop support staff and contributes to SU's core strategic themes of building purposeful partnerships and inclusive networks and being an employer of choice," says Lidia. “Seeing its impact on not only the participants, but also the environments they come from inspires me to keep developing opportunities for PASS staff to take part in international mobility and to expose them to their peers globally." </p><p>Dr Pär Svensson, senior advisor for African Partnerships at Lund University, is equally satisfied with the programme the two institutions have created jointly. “The Lund-SU programme is unique in giving support staff the chance to internationalise and job-shadow colleagues at another university overseas," he says. “It is innovative in combining digital and physical mobility to establish long-term friendships." </p><p><strong>Valuable lessons learnt</strong></p><p>Melissa Siegelaar, learning and teaching support officer in the office of the dean of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS), was one of the Stellenbosch staffers who job-shadowed her Swedish peers. “The visit to Lund University was a great learning experience," she says. “The lessons that I learnt were not necessarily specific to my role in EMS, but will help me do my job better and more efficiently overall."</p><p>The programme concludes on 4 December 2023 with a final online reflection. </p><p><br><br></p><p><br></p> |
| SU Japan Centre hosts inaugural JICA Chair lecture | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10362 | | SU Japan Centre hosts inaugural JICA Chair lecture | Sue Segars | <p><strong>SU Japan Centre hosts inaugural JICA Chair lecture</strong><br></p><p>Marking another milestone in its longstanding collaboration with Japan, Stellenbosch University (SU) hosted the first Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chair lecture in October. The event was facilitated through SU's Japan Centre.</p><p>The lecture was delivered by Dr Shinichi Kitaoka, a former president of, and now special advisor to, JICA, which, according to Japan Centre director Prof Scarlett Cornelissen, is one of the world's largest providers of bilateral development assistance. The theme of the seminar, hosted at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), was Japan's modernisation and global development cooperation. </p><p><strong>Lots to learn from Japan's transition</strong></p><p>Titled “The making of modern Japan", Dr Kitaoka's talk focused particularly on the Meiji era from 1868 to 1912, which ushered in a period of economic, social and political reforms. The catalyst for Japan's modernisation was the 1868 political revolution, or Meiji Restoration, which ended shogunate reign under feudalism and restored imperial rule. </p><p>Dr Kitaoka highlighted some of the “dividends" Japan enjoyed during this transition, such as commercial growth, high levels of literacy, and the preservation of its unique culture. While Japan had made many mistakes, he said, its successful transition to democracy provided many lessons for developing countries. </p><p><strong>Cherishing ties with Japan</strong></p><p>Prof Hester Klopper, SU's Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs, says SU was honoured to host the lecture just a year after the launch of the University's Japan Centre as a hub of academic, research and cultural exchange between the two countries. In 2024, SU will also host the sixth South Africa–Japan University Forum in Stellenbosch as part of its ongoing collaboration with Japan. </p><p>The JICA Chair series helps SU realise its vision of being Africa's leading research-intensive university, notes Klopper. “As a university, we are responsible not only for the academic training of our students, but also for preparing our students to make a difference and contribute to a sustainable future," she says. “Initiatives like this help us build bridges and create a social justice space across the globe for the future."</p><p>Klopper adds that SU has a long history of cultural exchange with Japan. Records from the SU Archives document visits dating back to 1935, when the consul of Japan was invited to present films about Japan to the SU community. “SU wishes to build on this work that was initiated years ago," Klopper says. In 2018, the University also collaborated with the embassy of Japan to host a seminar in joint celebration of SU's Centenary and the centenary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. <br><br></p><p><br></p> |
| Looking towards 2024 | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10363 | | Looking towards 2024 | Prof Hester Klopper, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs | <p>As another year draws to a close, we reflect again on how far we have come and look towards the future to what we would like to achieve in 2024.<br></p><p>Over the past year, there have been many highlights, of which the biggest one is probably that Stellenbosch University celebrated 30 years of formalised internationalisation in March. Many of our partners from across the globe – 128 participants representing 76 institutions from 37 countries – joined us in Stellenbosch for this huge milestone.</p><p>This event set the tone for 2023, and our successes are evident in the impact of our work through our partnerships and participation in global networks and consortia. </p><p>For 2024, we plan to build on our achievements of this year through further enhancement of SU's commitment to comprehensive internationalisation. From a strategic perspective, we will focus on continuing to augment the integration of an international, intercultural and global dimension into the purpose, functions and programmes for all our students and staff members.</p><p>We therefore want our students and staff to have an even more enriching experience in attaining global competencies. This implies that our partners who collaborate with us and whose students come to study at our campuses benefit even more from their exchanges with Stellenbosch University.</p><p>In 2024, we will continue to build partnerships with more diverse institutions and leverage our participation in multilateral networks and consortia for the advancement of higher education globally. </p><p>But first, in South Africa, universities we will be closing for the summer holidays and taking a well-deserved break. It is a time to recharge, and we plan to come back middle January with renewed vigour and tackle the many exciting projects in internationalisation that we have planned.</p><p>Be sure that we will take you – our valued institutional partners and collaborators in networks and consortia – on an exciting journey within the global higher education space in 2024.</p><ul><li><strong><em>Prof Hester C. Klopper, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs</em></strong></li></ul><p><br></p> |
| Team Stellenbosch networks at EAIE conference | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10360 | | Team Stellenbosch networks at EAIE conference | SU International | <p>Stellenbosch University (SU) International was well represented at the 2023 edition of the European Association for International Education (EAIE) conference in Rotterdam in the Netherlands at the end of September. The ten-member delegation were drawn from the areas of student mobility and exchange, student recruitment, financial management, partnership development, Erasmus+ programming, as well as student development and integration. The event offered an opportunity for staff development as well as to engage with partner universities.<br></p><p>To make full use of their visit, the delegation attended various events hosted by SU's partner universities in the run-up to the conference. Partners visited included KU Leuven, the universities of Antwerp and Tilburg, VU Amsterdam and Radboud University. These engagements offered a more intimate opportunity to discuss partner-specific topics.<br></p><div><p>In addition, along with representatives of other South African universities attending the EAIE conference, the Stellenbosch group were invited to a reception at the residence of South Africa's ambassador to the Netherlands, Vusi Madonsela. <br></p><p>Aside
from attending the various sessions on the conference programme, SU
International also hosted an SU booth on the EAIE exhibition floor . This offered a place to meet up and connect with peers, complete
with space for Pokkel, the University’s squirrel mascot <br></p><p>The evening programme featured a number of receptions across Rotterdam, including an SU-hosted event for the International Network of Universities (INU). SU currently holds the INU presidency, and the conference offered a good opportunity for the network's members to reconnect and to meet new guest member Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine.</p><p><img src="/english/PublishingImages/Lists/dualnews/My%20Items%20View/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-12-04%20at%2011.29.07.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2023-12-04 at 11.29.07.jpeg" style="margin:5px;width:474px;" /><br><em class="ms-rteFontSize-1">(South Africa's ambassador to the Netherlands, Vusi Madonsela visited the SU Booth).</em><br></p><p><em class="ms-rteFontSize-1"></em> Click<a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1z-AQZFx9J94wlsrsgouVe04adp5VfGRT?usp=drive_link" style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong> here</strong></a><span style="text-decoration:underline;"> </span>to view some images from the EAIE.<br><br><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p></div> |
