The Office of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships recently hosted the first Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) hybrid-sponsored forum on the continent at the Cape Town Hotel School.

This thematic forum, titled  Equity-sensitive Strategies of Higher Education in South Africa Internationalisation @home in Post-Pandemic Times, was conceptualised and hosted by the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships in collaboration with their counterparts from the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The forum addressed Higher Education internationalisation strategies and focused on one of the phases of “internationalisation@home>,” which includes collaborative online international learning (COIL).

“The case study presented by the host aims to advance institutional practices at universities in the Western Cape and technical universities throughout South Africa.”

The forum also served to launch, pilot and thus validate the research agenda of the new research project to be established at CPUT, embedded within the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho, said: “I have the distinct privilege to welcome all of you on behalf of CPUT Executive Management to the AIEA Forum hosted proudly at our beautiful Granger Bay Campus and seat of our world-class Hotel School.”

Phaho said the Forum’s theme could not be timelier. “It is held when academic institutions both at home and abroad are looking at developing and implementing mutually value-adding internationalisation strategies,” he continued.

“Amidst these deliberations, COVID-19, like a thief in the night, came and upended our lives like nothing the world, at least in my lifetime, has seen: every hamlet, village, town or city is and continues to  be directly and indirectly affected by the most devastating and consequential black swan event in a generation.”

Phaho said the unprecedented challenges brought by COVID-19 “is already forcing us to rethink and re-engineer our ways of working, teaching, research as well as engagement be it in the classroom, places of work and/or leisure”. “The biggest casualty is obviously our collective internationalisation agenda where the global travel bans severely constricted student and staff mobility over the past two years or so,” he continued.

“Despite these challenges and the unimaginable hardship and sorrow resulting from the pandemic, we are turning a corner and adapting to a new normal. We are now in a post-pandemic mode as reflected in the theme of today’s Forum.”

Director Of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, who is also the Transnational collaborations and centring the periphery chair, Prof Judy Peter, said: “We are grateful to have the opportunity to meet in person and virtually as we navigate a fluid and changing world order. We look forward to a productive day of deep engagement to contribute to the growing body of the complex discourses of the internationalisation of global education and the revaluation of internationalisation as practised at our various institutions.”

The programme included a virtual keynote address by Prof Emmet Woldegiorgis from the University of Johannesburg,  a session on Sustainable Development goals- Gender, education and collaborations in Africa, which Tracy Beckett chaired from UWC, and the keynote address by CPUT’s Dr Michael Twum-Darko. Nichola Latchiah chaired another session on stream income, global learning, and digitisation from the University of Cape Town, and the keynote address was by Dr Upasana Singh, an Academic Leader In the discipline of Information Systems and Technology from the University of Kwazulu-Natal.

Another case studies session, Internationalisation Policy and Strategy Development, was chaired by Dr Tasmeera Singh, Manager of International Relations at CPUT. Chief Directorate: Higher Education Policy Development and Research at the Department of Higher Education and Training, Mahlubi Mabizela, also addressed the forum.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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Internationalisation has become accepted as one of the critical processes advancing the fundamental business of universities, as such CPUT recently hosted a delegation from Réunion Island.

Dr Tasmeera Singh, Manager: International Relations, said the initial exploration of this research collaboration between CPUT and the University of Reunion Island commenced in 2020 in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE). Singh said the collaboration was placed on hold due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2022, Dr Marco Leroy Adonis and Deon Kallis travelled to Reunion for the first exploratory discussions regarding research collaboration and student mobility/exchanges.

In addition to these meetings, two FEBE staff members will also present lectures to students of the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering (DEECE) and possibly the wider FEBE. “The delegation is also interested in expanding the partnership and hence the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS) has also been invited to this meeting,” said Singh.

The delegation included Prof Richard Lorion - Head of the Institut Universitaire de Technologie) at the University of Reunion Island, Prof Edel Lynch - academic at the Department of Sustainable Construction at the University of Reunion Island, Jean Pierre Faucon – Research and Telecommunications and Dr Florence Trentin - International Relations of the University of Reunion Island.

The CPUT representatives included Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho, Prof Judy Peter – Director Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, Dr Singh, Dr Marco Adonis: FEBE, Ian Van Zyl: FEBE, Deon Kallis: FEBE and Andiswa Mrasi: FBMS.

“There is motivation and enthusiasm to grow the partnership into a sustainable collaboration,” said Singh.

Phaho said CPUT has prioritised Internationalisation as an integral part of our Research, Innovation and Community Engagement agenda and welcomes collaborations, especially from countries in the Global South. “The Delegation from Reunion were enthusiastic about collaborating with CPUT in a number of areas now that we are post-Covid. The pandemic had interrupted initial engagements.

“There are already identified areas of collaboration by the CPUT Faculty of Engineering and their counterparts from the Reunion University. Also, the primary focus on student mobility especially for undergraduate students from both institutions is welcomed,” said Phaho.

He said the CPUT benefit from the partnership will be more international collaboration opportunities, not just in research but also in teaching and learning for “our undergraduate students.” “The proximity of the Island to South Africa also negates long travels and hence less costly for the institution.”

Mrasi said the interest from the FBMS was to strengthen the relationship between the two institutions. She said the meeting was very positive and fruitful. “[The] Engagements have already started with the Marketing Department from FBMS. [We are]Looking forward to collaborations that will emanate from this partnership.” Mrasi said the highlights of the meeting were the research collaboration, internship opportunities for students from both institutions, as well as staff and student exchanges.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) wrapped up Africa month with a celebration at the Granger Bay Campus, including an exhibition of African artifacts.

Guests proudly donned their diverse tradition attires while information sharing about the importance of the Africa Day was also on the agenda.

The DSA’s intention with hosting Africa Day was to commemorate and affirm the Division’s commitment to the CPUT vision 2030, in promoting the ‘oneness and smartness’. Commemorating Africa Day was crucial given that it allowed a platform for conversations. “In our quest to partner with relevant stakeholders to build relationships and enhance strong relationships between local and international students, Africa Day provided a platform to engage on common continental issues, this was done through conversations, exhibitions, learning from each country and providing opportunities that can benefit students and staff,” said Njabulo Maphumulo, Deputy Dean of Student Affairs.

The outdoor festivities included performance by a marimba band, African traditional dance groups and African countries craft stalls and exhibition. There was a screening of the “Preserving Khwe/Xam Heritage, a creative expression.

In his opening address, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said Africa Day was an exciting annual event where the institution joins other Africans in celebrating the mother continent, its rich resources, its astonishing beauty, and its profound cultural diversity. “This is an important day to us as it gives us a very rare opportunity to reflect and to talk about issues affecting us as Africans. It’s an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to work collectively with other institutions on the continent and promote responsible internationalisation.”

Prof Simphiwe Sesanti from the Faculty of Education, University of the Western Cape, also took to the stage and shared his views on: Contextualising Africa Day and its meaning in the Higher Education Context. There were also messages of support from the diplomatic community, which included Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Angola.

The keynote speaker, Honourable Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister, International Relations and Cooperation, delivered his presentation on celebrating Africa Day through education, innovation and culture”. Alfonce Ngasirmoi from Kenya and Milka Bazeka, a Democratic Republic of Congo native, both shared their experiences of students and staff in a higher education context.

Reflecting on the event, Maphumulo said it was a major success, given that it was a unique project that combined the academic project by the Cape Town Hotel School Hospitality students who showcased their culinary skills as they prepared African cuisine during the day. “The event was further a success as it showcased the rich culture and diversity of our students who displayed their talents through music, traditional dance and cuisine.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Internationalisation has become an entrenched feature in higher education, where students and staff exchange opportunities, collaborative online learning, and collaborative qualification offerings have become the norm.

As such, the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS) recently hosted a three-day International Week at Granger Bay and Bellville campuses. The event was attended by the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Directorate, national and international academic, industry partners, and government representatives, both in person and online.

The industry partners included: ABSA, Sea Harvest and the South African Institute for Government Auditors. The government officials were from the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape provincial government. Speaking at the event, Assistant Dean: Teaching and Learning: FBMS, Prof Desiree Scholtz, said the benefits of these endeavours are unparalleled in creating life-long learning experiences. Scholtz said the operative word “here being ‘experience’ since the experience of being abroad is a life-long encounter”.

“Internationalisation opens new vistas of thinking, knowing, and doing that no theoretical learning can offer. The CPUT, and more importantly here, the FBMS has a growing number of partnerships in the Euro Zone, BRICS countries, Africa, and Canada with additional agreements being signed on a regular basis,” she noted.

Scholtz said the value assigned to internationalisation endeavours extends beyond developing academic prowess. “While the exchange of learning, teaching and curriculum is important to advance the academic agenda, we have found that personal engagement results in long-standing partnerships between departments and our faculty,” she said.

During the proceedings, delegates were given a slot to present an overview of their institutions. This started with the hosts, followed by other institutions such as the University of the Western Cape, the Polytechnic University of Porto, Portugal, the University of South Africa, and many more.

Reflecting on the conference, the organising committee chair, Andiswa Mrasi, said the FBMS Hybrid International Week is an annual event hosted by the FMBS.

Mrasi said the event's primary purpose is to create a platform where practitioners in the field of international education engage on important topics to enhance this discipline and share best practices. Mrasi, who is also a manager: Strategic Initiatives and Projects: FBMS, said: “This year, which marked the second Hybrid FBMS International Week was once again a resounding success. We were particularly pleased to witness the participation of local institutions.”

One of the event's highlights was the participation of local and international institutions, and the workshop on Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), presented by Dr Pieter Steenkamp from the Marketing Department and Simon Kavanagh from Kaospilot, Denmark.

“We are encouraged to see the growth in engagements pertaining to Internationalisation,” said Mrasi.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

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