During its 25 years of existence, Stellenbosch University (SU) International has provided study-abroad and exchange opportunities to thousands of SU students, affording them an international experience of note. Given the chance, many students have gone on mobility programmes at partner institutions only in Europe, North America, Asia or Australia. This is about to change – SU students can now take part in short mobility programmes at 26 partner institutions on the continent.
In September 2018, five Students' Representative Council (SRC) members from the Stellenbosch and Tygerberg campuses travelled to the University of Ghana as part of a leadership development programme. The group, accompanied by staff members from Student Affairs and SU International, visited the West African country to connect with peers and to visit places of interest, such as the Ghana House of Parliament, the South African Embassy and the National Museum. In March 2019, another group of Matie students will travel to Egypt to take part in the American University in Cairo residential life exchange programme. Here, they will participate in a rich cultural experience, creating meaningful connections with their North African peers. Further to this, SU International has also created student exchange opportunities for students studying BCom International Business, with Strathmore University in Kenya hosting two students for the second semester in 2019.
Nico Elema, Manager of the Centre for Collaboration in Africa (CCA) at SU International, says that the University strives to nurture networks and collaboration connections and encourages students to take part in mobility programmes on the continent. “Students, for the most part, are interested in opportunities abroad. We want to make it attractive for students to consider opportunities on the continent."
Over the years, a number of initiatives has been implemented to foster relations where students and staff can engage with peers on the continent. Both academic and support services staff can take part in mobility programmes, collaborating with other researchers or going on benchmark visits. For postgraduate students, mobility opportunities exist in programmes such as the Transdisciplinary Training for Resource Efficiency and Climate Change Adaptation in Africa programme, which provides doctoral and master's training to postgraduates from six leading African universities.
What sets the new programmes apart from previous ones is that they are specifically targeted at undergraduate students and student leadership, who will spend a short period at identified partner institutions. Nico says that the University is exploring ideas to develop short programmes on the continent further. For the CCA, a benchmark programme is the Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven/SU Think Tank, managed by SU International, Student Affairs and the Frederik van Zyl Slabbert Institute. The think tank allows 15 postgraduate students to interact with peers at the KU Leuven in Belgium. Engaging via the internet, e-mails and video conferencing facilities, students participate in monthly seminars. The year-long programme culminates in a two-week visit, where the different groups visit the KU Leuven or Stellenbosch.
“We hope the Cairo residential life exchange programme and University of Ghana leadership development programme will develop into annual programmes. Ideally, we would like all incoming SRC members to participate in the Ghana leadership programme and to host our peers from the University of Ghana. This experience should give them an appreciation for the continent, ploughing back into student leadership on their return."
Visiting Ghana are from left; Nico Elema, Kevin Oira, Minette Sieberhagen, Aluwani Ramarumo and Anele Mdepa
Picture: Angelo Jephtha
