SU International
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

The Africa – Europe Clusters of Research Excellence Conference

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29 September – 2 October 2024, Stellenbosch, South Africa

​Welcome to Stellenbosch for the 2024 Africa – Europe Clusters of Research Excellence Conference! 


We are looking forward to hosting you 29 September to 2 October 2024.

The conference will bring together researchers from Europe and Africa to take the work of the 20 Clusters forward, share their progress and strengthen the collaboration between the members of The Guild and ARUA. We trust that Stellenbosch University will provide you with the space to foster these collaborations.​​


View Conference Booklet>
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​Clink on the links below to join the Hybrid Plenary Sessions , to view the full programme of the day, click here.


​​08:00 

​STIAS​- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study 

Arrival and registration 

​08​:3​0 - 10:1​​​5​ ​​

​Plenary Session 6​​

Join Online Session Here

CoRE Conclusions​ and Feedback​​

Session Conclusion Remarks ​by: 

ARUA: 

Prof John Gyapong, Secretary-General, ARUA 

The Guild: 

Prof Jan Palmowski, Secretary General, The Guild 

Stellenbosch University:

Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Stellenbosch University 

Session Chair: Prof Hester Klopper, DVC: Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs​

​10:15 - 10:45

​Tea Break

​10:45 - 12:15 

Plenary Session 7​​

Join Online Session Here

Policy Round Table 

  • Dr Laurent Bochereau - Delegation of the European Union to the African Union.
  • Botho Kebabonye Bayendi - Director Strategic Planning and Delivery African Union Commission.
  • Aidan Darker - Director of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
  • Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo - CEO National Research Foundation​

Respondents 

​​The Guild

 Professor Anders Hagfeldt: Chair of The Guild and Vice-Chancellor (Uppsala University)​

Professor Funmi Olonisakin, Vice President, International, Engagement and Service, King’s College, UK

ARUA 

Prof Oluyemisi Bamgbose, DVC: Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, University of Ibadan, Nigeria 

Prof John Gyapong: Secretary-General, ARUA

Session Co-Chairs: 

Prof Jan Palmowski, Secretary General, The Guild 

Prof Sibusiso Moyo, DVC: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, Stellenbosch University

​12:15 - 12:45

Closing Plenery 

Join Online Session Here

Concluding Remarks: 

ARUA and The Guild Secretary Generals

​12:45- 15:00

​Lunch and Networking Entertainment provided by Just Friends Duo and Lokxion Foundation

​15:00

Transfers back to accommodation



Visa-exempt ordinary passport holders can enter the country as visitors, as the conference will only last a few days. However, non-visa-exempt ordinary passport holders must apply for a visitor visa to attend the conference. Please note that the list subject to change: 

​ Where to apply for a temporary residence visa: 

Any international visitor who wants to enter South Africa must apply for the appropriate temporary residence visa at:

  • the South African diplomatic representative in his/her country of origin, or
  • at a South African diplomatic representative in a neighbouring country if there is no ​

Applications for temporary residence visas are processed and finalised at the foreign offices of the Department of Home Affairs. Arrangements to travel to South Africa must only be made once the temporary residence visa has been issued. ​

To read more click here​.

The town of Stellenbosch offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget. Conference delegates can find a list of recommended accommodations  here.  Please note that transportation to the conference venue will be provided from the accommodations shared in the list. .

For the ARUA DVC meeting we recommend the following :

​Hotel 

​Contact  

​Email

Oude Werf Hotel

​+27 21 887 4608

​reservations@oudewerf.co.za

Stellenbosch hotel 

​+27 21 887 3644

​reservations@stellenboschhotel.co.za

​​Coopmanshuijs

+27 (0)21 883-8207​

​reservations@coopmanhuijs.co.za


We will arrange airport transfer from Cape Town International Airport to your accommodation in and around Stellenbosch. 

 If you choose to book accommodation outside of central Stellenbosch and not on the list provided above, you will need to arrange your own transportation to the venue.

Book Airport Shuttle here


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More information regarding the conference 

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The links on this page are also relevant to the ARUA DVC's attending the meeting on Friday 27 September. The links provide information regarding the current draft programme, accommodation in and around Stellenbosch and our support for visa letters and airport transfers.

We are currently accepting registrations until 10 September 2024.

Please note the following:

  • Registration: There is no registration fee for particpating in the conference.
  • Meals: Meals will be provided from Sunday evening until Wednesday lunch.
  • Travel and Accommodation: Travel and accommodation costs are not covered by Stellenbosch. Each Cluster is responsible for their own arrangements regarding these expenses.
  • Housing: There is a high demand for accommodation close to the campus and in Stellenbosch. If you book housing elsewhere, please ensure it is within 15 km of the conference venue. Transport to and from the conference venue will be provided as far as possible. The housing list below will be updated regularly.

Please let us know if you need further information.

Robert Kotzé (rk@sun.ac.za)

Senior Director: SU International​

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MORE INFORMATION

​CONTACT PERSONS

  • Robert Kotze
  • rk@sun.ac.za
  • Randall Adams 
  • adamsr@sun.ac.za
  • Sibusiso Lukhele
  • slukhele@sun.ac.za