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Welcome to Stellenbosch University

Speakers

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​Pre- conference Workshop Facilitators 


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Dr. Darla K. Deardorff is the chairholder of the UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competence at Stellenbosch University.

 In addition, she is a research fellow at Duke University and holds several other faculty appointments at universities around the world including in Japan, China, and Canada.  She is also a former faculty member at Harvard University's Global Education Think Tank and Future of Learning Institute.  ​

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Werner de Wit, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Werner is the Senior Programme Manager of the Unit for Student Mobility at Stellenbosch University International, and the 
Operational Coordinator: UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competences. He is responsible for the UNESCO Chair operations and is the international liaison. He holds BComm & LLB Bachelor degrees, and an MPhil (Higher Education). His Masters Thesis topic was on the Development of students' Intercultural Competences through a study abroad experience.

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Keynote Speaker:​


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Keynote Panel:

Milton Nyamadzawo, Institute for Economics and Peace,

Milton Nyamadzawo is the Director for East and Southern Africa at the Institute for Economics and Peace. With a vibrant passion for promoting peace, advancing social cohesion, and sustainable development, Milton is a driving force behind strategic initiatives and policy development at both national and regional levels. Through his roles and experience, Milton has cultivated strong partnerships with a diverse array of partners spanning government entities, regional bodies, and NGOs throughout Africa and beyond.

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Professor Joanne Hughes, Queen's University, Belfast Northern Ireland.

Professor Joanne Hughes, MBE, FAcSS, UNESCO Chair Joanne Hughes is Professor of Education in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, and Director of the Centre for Shared Education in the School. She also holds a UNESCO Chair in education. Her main research interests are in the role of education in divided societies, and inter-group relations in conflict and post-conflict societies.




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Dr Leslie van Rooi, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. 

Dr Leslie van Rooi has a PhD in Church Law and Church History, Stellenbosch University (SU), and completed the Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD Business School in Fontainebleau, France. He has published numerous academic articles and book chapters, which focus on Church Polity, Church History, Social Impact, Transformation, and Visual Redress in the Higher Education context. He is currently SU’s Senior Director for Social Impact and Transformation (since 2018).  ​

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Dr Stephen Macharia, Strathmore University,  Kenya. 

Dr. Stephen Macharia is a lecturer and Head of the Writing Centre at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences of Strathmore University. He teachers Communication and Public Relations. Among his areas of interest is intercultural communication and digital communication. He holds a Bachelor of Education degree (Arts), a Master of Arts (Linguistics), a PhD in Communication Studies and a post-graduate diploma in Digital Communications from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. 


​​​​Presenters: Parallel Sessions & Posters​​

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Dr Charles Kebaya, Machakos University, Kenya.

​Dr. Charles Kebaya is a senior lecturer of Literature, Department of Linguistics and Languages, Machakos University, Kenya. His co-edited books include Reimagining Kenyan Cinema (Peter Lang, 2022) and Cultural Archives of Atrocity: Essays in the Protest Tradition in Kenyan Literature, Culture and Society (Routledge, 2019). Some of his recently published book chapters include, “Using film as an active instructional tool in teaching and learning in Kenyan secondary schools” (2023) and “Representations of trauma as a national crisis: Reading the scar as a trope in Kenyan film” (2024). Currently, Dr. Kebaya is a co-editor of a book project entitled, A Handbook of Women Filmmakers in Kenyan Cinema.
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Mr Jeremy Solomons, Managing Partner, JSA Consulting (Rwanda) Ltd, Rwanda. 

In the Intercultural field, Jeremy Solomons is an independent intercultural coach, facilitator and trainer, based in Kigali, Rwanda. Born, raised and educated in England of Jewish, Lebanese and Persian heritage, he has lived, studied and worked for extended periods in a total of nine countries on four continents. Before going solo, Jeremy worked as a full-time banker, educator and journalist in six multinational organizations, including Citibank, JP Morgan, Reuters News Agency and the World Bank. 

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Mr Bongumusa Walter Ngema, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa.

Bongumusa Walter Ngema is a dedicated professional with a strong academic background and a commitment to fostering positive change in various fields. He holds a Bachelor of Paralegal Studies from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration. As the Secretary General of the CPUT BRICS Student Commission, Bongumusa has demonstrated exceptional leadership, organizational, and communication skills. His professional experience spans legal assistance, sales, marketing, and environmental sustainability initiatives.

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Mr Siphilangenkosi Dlamini, University of the Free State, South Africa. 

Siphilangenkosi Dlamini is a Research Assistant at the University of the Free State and the acclaimed author of Magic and Other Authentic Experiences. Since 2019, he has contributed to the Initiative for Creative African Narratives'. His passions include authentic African storytelling, decolonization, and transformative practices.

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Ms Jacqueline Irimu, EDU Africa, Kenya.

Jacqueline Irimu is a Master's candidate in Educational Management. She is currently working with EDU Africa, an organization dedicated to providing transformative learning journeys. This role allows her to combine her passion for education with practical experience.

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Dr Gera de Villiers, Stellenbosch University , South Africa.

Dr Gera de Villiers holds a doctorate in Visual Arts from Stellenbosch University, where she is currently Project Coordinator for the Visual Redress Project. In addition to authoring book chapters and academic journal articles, she co-edited the book Visual Redress in Africa from Indigenous and New Materialist Perspectives (2023) with Elmarie Costandius. Her interest lies in the role of arts and culture in the production of space and social justice.

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Professor Patrice Kabeya Mwepu​, Rhodes University, South Africa.

Patrice Kabeya Mwepu is a literature professor at Rhodes University in South Africa, where he serves as Deputy-Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, in charge of research and postgraduate affairs. He is a member of Rhodes University Council, and Chair of Senate Nominations Committee. A former Head of the School of Languages and Literatures, he holds a PhD in French Language and Literature and has extensive experience in teaching and researching Francophone literature from Africa.

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Dr Monica Gakii Ituma, Chuka University, Kenya.

Monica Gakii Ituma is a lecturer in the Department of Education at Chuka University. She brings 17 years of secondary school teaching experience and 10 years of teacher training experience. Monica is passionate about improving teaching practices and enhancing educati​​onal outcomes.​


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​Dr Magdalene Adhiambo Ngala-DimbaStrathmore University, Kenya.

Magdalene Adhiambo Ngala-Dimba is a Senior Lecturer and the Dean of the School of Humanities at Strathmore University, Kenya. She holds a PhD in Educational Administration and Planning from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, a Master's in Economics of Education and a Bachelor of Education in Economics and Geography from Moi University, Kenya. Magdalene is an experienced educationist, administrator, and researcher.

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Dr. Jennice McCafferty-Wright, Missouri State University, USA.​​​​

Dr. Jennice McCafferty-Wright is an associate professor in the College of Education at Missouri State University where she is the Dean’s Fellow for Global Education. She holds a PhD in learning, teaching, and curriculum from the University of Missouri. Her commitments include learning from and with teachers working in public diplomacy initiatives, associations, and NGOs. She currently coordinates Missouri State University’s Global Education Lab and a virtual exchange for new and future teachers from the United States and North Africa.



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Dr David Thuku, Kenya.

Dr David Thuku is an executive coach, leadership development facilitator and author of "Just Being" (a reflection on life, coaching and the evolving story of the future Africa). He is passionate about Africa and considers himself an evangelist of Africa’s positivity. He has served in senior executive roles within the banking industry, with his last role being MD and CEO of a mid-tier bank in Kenya. David holds a Doctor in Business Administration (DBA) from the University of Liverpool, UK; Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nairobi; and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from Kenyatta University and he is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

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Dr Allison Witt, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA

Dr. Allison Witt is the Director of International Programs in the College of Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she teaches Global Studies in Education and is the Program Leader for the International Education Administration and Leadership program. Allison is a former Assistant Director of Academic Affairs at the Illinois Board of Higher Education, where she contributed to state higher education policy in Illinois. She is the author of Shifting Tides in Global Higher Education (2011) published by Peter Lang. Allison earned a Ph.D. in Education Policy Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She has worked in international education for over 20 years, now with particular interest in internationalizing teacher education. Teaching Assistant Professor Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership.
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Wanah Bumakor​, ​Cultural Infusion, Cameroon.

Wanah Bumakor is Cultural Ambassador – Africa at Diversity Atlas and a peace and conflict management researcher and practitioner with more than a decade of research, consultancy, analysis and programming experience in the domain of African International relations, conflict management, governance, peacebuilding, humanitarian, intercultural communication and dialogue. He is experienced in providing practical solutions and creative problem-solving skills by bringing people to find common ground to achieve a particular goal. He has advised, trained and assisted high level officials in peacebuilding approaches, conflict and crisis management and successfully led and designed several programs in intercultural dialogue, human rights, social integration and youth empowerment, humanitarian responses. 


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Ms Marie-Hélène Girardin​, MG Link, France ​

BA in International Trade and Management from San Jose University, USA .Master II from INSEEC Business school, Bordeaux, France .Certified in Emotional Intelligence, EQI, 2020  and Inclusion IBI, 2023. Certified coach, CRM, 2024.