​Dr Nyambura Mwagiru is at the helm of Tygerberg International, located in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS). She enjoys working in the challenging, multifaceted and dynamic space of advancing the internationalisation mandate of Stellenbosch University (SU).

As part of SU's Women's Month celebrations, Nyambura tells us more about her role and the leadership qualities it requires.

Tell us more about your role at Stellenbosch University.

I head up Tygerberg International, which provides internationalisation advisory, liaison and support services, to FMHS departments, divisions, and research centres. I work closely with a superb team of specialised international higher education practitioners to advance the FMHS strategic vision and internationalisation objectives, supporting the successful application and admission of international candidates to take part in high calibre, cutting-edge clinical and non-clinical research and training activities offered by FMHS at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The role includes assessing and strengthening FMHS's institutional partnerships with universities and organisations abroad guided by FMHS Vice-Dean, Research and Internationalisation and in tandem with SU International (SUI). We also facilitate and aim to expand international mobility and exchanges through global engagement with potential applicants and strategic partners.

What do you enjoy most about this role?

What I enjoy largely is the opportunity to align FMHS's internationalisation strategy with that of the institution more broadly. As a governance practitioner, I also enjoy and gain from engaging with the FMHS Internationalisation Committee (FMHS-IC) which provides a valuable forum for committee members to discuss their internationalisation approaches and efforts within FMHS departments, divisions and research centres.

The role incorporates a strong regulatory and compliance focus, so I value the constant learning generated from policy-related engagements with external bodies such as the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) among others. In addition, I attain positive benefits through ongoing consultations with current partners and potential collaborating institutions across the world who are interested in engaging with FMHS, Stellenbosch University. Institutional partnership development is a gradual process, so it is most rewarding to establish international cooperation initiatives, co-mobilise adequate support mechanisms and see these consultations bear fruit in terms of new inward and outward mobility pathways for students and staff.

I highly regard the wealth of interaction with FMHS teaching, professional support and research staff, as well as with our international students. Finally, I also appreciate insights acquired through working with my internationalisation colleagues to improve our internal processes and increase the efficiency of our services and stakeholder engagement.

What do you think are the key leadership qualities required to fulfil your role?

• Being agile and responsive, as the demands of the role continue to change as new queries test the capacity of our institutional mechanisms to respond.
• Patience and close attention to detail, especially in terms of understanding policies, processes and procedures in the Tygerberg International, FMHS and SU environment.
• An appreciation for diverse perspectives enables one to accommodate the interests of multiple stakeholders and optimise solutions that are inclusive and sustainable for all parties.
• Creativity, openness to new ideas, and a collaborative approach. This includes an ability to negotiate and create suitable inclusive forums where views, perspectives and insights can be shared.
• And ultimately also an awareness of the local and international climate and application of responsible and transformative leadership to have a positive, sustainable and long-lasting impact on internationalisation at SU and FMHS.

I have always received and been blessed with infinite support from my family. My parents taught me that one can achieve anything one put your mind to. My motivation thus stems from knowing that there are no limits to the imagination and that with intelligent application of knowledge, and education as a foundation, success in life can undoubtedly be achieved.

Institutional development and change processes can be gradual and slow-going, so I have learned to celebrate incremental change. I am continually motivated by the outstanding and relentless pace as well as tremendous progress of the Tygerberg International team, despite the demanding regulatory environment in which we operate. It is a privilege to be part of a team genuinely committed and constantly striving to remain responsive to our students' and staff's needs.

FMHS receives international visitors throughout the year. When I observe this high interest in SU and FMHS, I am inspired to continue achieving even better and more efficient ways to support and broaden our internationalisation efforts.

I am further encouraged by continued and dedicated contributions from FMHS staff and students who are collaboratively and progressively accelerating the progress of the Faculty's internationalisation work.

What would your message be to the next generation of aspiring female leaders?

The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Keep moving towards your dreams, and the horizons of future opportunities will always be within your reach.

Stay the course and never lose motivation, even if your well-made plans must change. Life is an emerging process, and there are infinite pathways to reach our chosen and intended destinations.

Life and our respective personal and professional journeys provide a multitude of valuable and unique learning opportunities if one is prepared to face challenges. Consequently, we inevitably grow, develop, and refine our skill set by facing testing times. Be comfortable with constant shifts, as it is this trials-by-fire that shape our leadership capabilities.​

​Photographer: Wilma Stassen