Global Citizenship Development Program

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Programme overview

Introduction

Global citizenship is not an innate competency; rather, it must be intentionally cultivated to enable individuals to navigate the complexities of the globalised 21st Century. For global citizenship scholars, universities bear a responsibility to foster students' global citizenship skills as part of the broader educational mandate (Grad and Van der Zande, 2022:13). In fact, the DHET's policy framework for the internationalisation of higher education makes global citizenship initiatives not an option for South African public universities (DHET, 2019). While universities in the Global North have traditionally led efforts to promote global citizenship, especially through 'study abroad programmes', institutions in the Global South have historically lagged behind in terms of such initiatives (Massaro, 2022).

At the University of the Free State (UFS), the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) recognises the necessity and urgency of strengthening global citizenship development within the African higher education context. Therefore, the DSA launched a Global Citizenship Programme with a deliberate African-centred and experiential learning focus, prioritising the development of global citizenship competencies among student leaders.

The initiative commenced in 2024 through a partnership with the University of Zambia (UNZA). In 2025, the programme was expanded to include collaborations with the University of Botswana and the University of Namibia. This continuing expansion reflects the DSA's commitment to advancing an African-centred global citizenship development agenda, aligned with the University of the Free State's Vision 130 and 2023-2028 Internationalisation Strategy (UFS, 2020; UFS, 2023).

The programme seeks to

promote a global citizenship mindset among UFS students, particularly student leaders;
enrich and prepare young leaders to lead effectively in contexts characterised by collaboration, diversity, and constant change;
develop future leaders equipped with skills and knowledge, such as intercultural competence, that are essential to navigating international environments and driving meaningful global impact; and
provide a platform for the exchange and benchmarking of best practices in student support systems and student welfare initiatives.

In 2026, the programme has been further expanded through a partnership with the Cooperative University of Kenya (CUK). Following a rigorous selection process, the selected cohort will spend time at the partner institution, engaging with culturally distinct student environments and exploring leadership, diversity, and student support practices within culturally dissimilar African university contexts.

IMG-20260908-WA0112 — 2025 CohortGlobal Citizenship Programme delegation

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Institutional comparison

Shared Institutional Values

5/6 Institutional values shared between UFS and CUK. Care, Empathy and Patience remains unique to UFS.

Values	UFS	CUK
Excellence / Professionalism / Customer Centricity
Impact / Innovation
Accountability / Integrity / Transparency
Care / Empathy / Patience
Social Justice / Equity / Inclusivity
Sustainability

Encouraged by the above values, both institutions have a mission to respond to current and future societal challenges through research, teaching and learning, innovation, and community engagement programmes. The DSA at the UFS holds that the Global Citizenship Programme contributes to both institutions' journeys towards the fulfilment of their interconnected missions.

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Strategic alignment

Institutional Strategies

3.1 Cooperative University of Kenya

The 2023-2028 Strategic Plan of the University of the Free State (UFS) aligns closely with the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan of the Cooperative University of Kenya (CUK) through a shared commitment to academic excellence, research and innovation, institutional sustainability, digital transformation, and societal impact. The UFS goal of improving academic excellence, reputation, and impact resonates with CUK's focus on relevant quality education and training, which emphasises quality teaching, relevant programmes, graduate competence, and university-industry linkages. Similarly, the UFS emphasis on impactful research and innovation similarly aligns with CUK's research, innovation, and outreach priority, which promotes research capacity, innovation, commercialisation, and community engagement. Furthermore, the UFS focus on agility, effective governance, digital technologies, and evidence-based decision-making also corresponds with CUK's priorities around corporate management and organisational sustainability, and physical and ICT infrastructure.

Furthermore, the UFS' commitment to social justice, diversity, care, and an inclusive institutional culture reflects CUK's emphasis on equity, inclusivity, sustainability, customer centricity, and cooperation. Overall, both strategies position the universities as institutions that seek to produce quality graduates, advance knowledge and innovation, strengthen institutional sustainability, and contribute meaningfully to socio-economic development.

3.2 The Strategic Contribution of the UFS-DSA Global Citizenship Programme

Within the shared strategic directions of the two universities, the UFS DSA Global Citizenship Programme serves as a significant co-curricular initiative that operationalises their institutional goals and strategic priorities by fostering intercultural competence, ethical and civic responsibility, and global awareness among a selected cohort of student leaders. At the Cooperative University of Kenya, the programme complements the university's aspiration to develop globally competitive graduates who contribute to sustainable development, innovation, and community transformation by providing opportunities for international collaboration, cross-cultural learning, and socially responsible leadership.

Across both institutions, the programme translates institutional strategies into meaningful learning experiences that strengthen global partnerships while preparing students to address complex local, regional, and global challenges.

IMG-20251206-WA0054 — 2025 CohortBuilding institutional partnerships

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Comparison data

Aligned Graduate Attributes

The UFS is intentional about producing graduates who possess globally required employability attributes. As such, the DSA Global Citizenship Programme offers an opportunity to foster or enhance the following graduate attributes.

Graduate Attribute	Alignment to Outcomes
Critical Thinking	This programme will develop critical thinking among participants as they analyse complex international issues and formulate solutions and strategies.
Oral Communication and Written Communication	The nature of the programme creates an environment for students to develop intercultural communication competence, which is the ability of interlocutors to communicate effectively and appropriately with culturally dissimilar individuals (Sarwari et al., 2024: 2). These skills include, but are not limited to, mindful listening, cultural empathy, mindful reframing, cultural humility, and adaptive code-switching (Rivera Sanchez and Du Plessis, 2020: 208-210). These are essential 21st-Century communication skills that student leaders need. Furthermore, the programme is set to enhance confidence in engaging unfamiliar cultural audiences. Participants will be able to articulate their thoughts clearly in both oral and written communication.
Problem Solving	Participants will develop the ability to create innovative solutions to problems, while demonstrating resilience and adaptability.
Community Engagement	Participants will learn to respect cultural differences, understand their diversity, and improve communication.

As students will be equipped with skills to contemplate, discuss, and engage with issues of diversity, leadership, and citizenship in the programme, they are expected to enhance their knowledge and skills, compare international perspectives with the situation at the UFS, and ultimately act as agents of change upon their return. In essence, they should develop the cognitive, behavioural, and affective capacity to deal with the diversity, leadership, and citizenship demands of the 21st Century.

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Programme journey

The Selection Process

Students were selected based on strict criteria that focused on their commitment to learning, academic record, leadership abilities, and participation in student life. The programme is three-fold.

1 Selection and preparatory phase

2 Abroad phase

3 Return-learning phase

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Eligibility framework

The Criteria

To be considered, applicants had to meet all of the following requirements. Each item is tagged Required or Preferred.

Required6.1 Student Registration

Must be a currently registered UFS student (Bloemfontein, Qwaqwa, and South Campuses) for the 2026 academic year.
Must have completed at least three consecutive semesters of study at the UFS at the time of application.

Required6.2 Academic Performance

Must have a good academic record (minimum average of 60% is recommended).
Must provide an official academic transcript as proof of performance.

Required6.3 Student Conduct

Must have no history of disciplinary action or unresolved matters with the Student Discipline and Mediation Unit (SDMU).

Required6.4 Citizenship and Travel Requirements

Must possess a valid passport (with at least six months' validity from the date of departure).
Must be eligible and available to travel for the duration of the programme.

Required6.5 Leadership and Campus Involvement

Must demonstrate strong leadership qualities, community engagement, or active involvement in student life activities.
Must be willing to participate in all phases of the programme:

Pre-departure preparation and training

Study visit abroad

Return-learning and student engagement phase

Required6.6 Personal Motivation

Applicants had to submit a motivational letter (500-700 words) that clearly outlined the following:

Their motivation for applying
What they hoped to learn
How they intended to contribute to the UFS upon return

Required6.7 References

Applicants had to provide two reference letters:

One from an academic staff member
One from a Student Affairs or student organisation adviser (for example, SRC, residence head, society chair)

Preferred6.8 Preferred Attributes

While not mandatory, preference was given to students who:

had participated in volunteering, mentoring, or community outreach initiatives;
had held leadership positions within student organisations or societies; or
demonstrated a keen interest in African development, internationalisation, or intercultural learning.

Required6.9 Programme Eligibility and Participation Limitations

Only undergraduate students registered at the UFS were considered for this programme.
Students who had previously participated in this programme, or any other overseas or international opportunity offered by the UFS, were not eligible to apply.

Required6.10 Submission Requirements

A complete application had to include the following:

Completed application form (online)

Valid passport copy

Academic transcript

Two reference letters

Motivational letter

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Panel process

The Selection

A panel was assembled at the discretion of the Executive Director: Student Affairs, Sport, Arts and Culture to shortlist and interview all prospective delegates.

After the shortlisting and interview process, students entered the final stage of the selection process. The International Office organised a pre-departure orientation as part of the GCDP Kenya Mobility Programme. The orientation equipped students with the information and guidance they needed ahead of their visit to Kenya.

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Outcomes

Return on Investment

An investment that pays forward, for students and for both institutions.

Upon their return, these students are expected to actively engage in campus life by participating in student-life programmes, investing their skills and time in volunteer initiatives, and establishing mentoring schemes for their peers. For the partner institution, the selected students represent an ideal cohort for conducting empirical research to not only advance the university's internationalisation agenda and the Global South internationalisation knowledge pool but also generate meaningful societal impact.

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Closing statement

Conclusion

IMG-20260908-WA0011 — 2025 CohortGlobal citizens, ready for the journey ahead

The UFS DSA Global Citizenship Programme represents a strategic, values-driven, and future-orientated investment in the development of African student leaders. Rooted in shared institutional commitments to excellence, ethical leadership, innovation, and societal impact, the programme translates institutional strategies into lived student experiences that foster intercultural competence, critical thinking, responsible citizenship, and transformative leadership. By partnering with CUK, the UFS is paving the way towards an African-centred model of inter-university engagement - a model that prioritises regional collaboration, reciprocal learning, and sustainable societal futures.

Through a rigorous selection process, structured developmental phases, and intentional return-investment, the programme ensures meaningful impact - not only for participating students but also for the partners' broader university community. This initiative places the UFS, together with the partner institutions, on the right pathway to becoming a leader in cultivating globally aware, socially responsible graduates equipped with 21st Century skills to navigate diversity, contribute to African development, and serve as agents of change in an interconnected world.

Global Citizenship Developmental Programme