Communities worldwide share a fundamental goal: the sustainability of our planet and the resilience of the environments we inhabit. This core message was highlighted at the recent symposium between the University of the Free State (UFS) and the Arizona State University (ASU). Held on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus on 13 and 14 March 2025, the event was a collaborative effort between delegates from the UFS Department of Chemistry and ASU's School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment.

Co-chaired by Prof Karel von Eschwege from the UFS and Prof Elham Fini from the ASU, the symposium on Environmental Sustainability and Community Resilience brought together experts from various disciplines, including the UFS Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, the University of the Witwatersrand, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, and industry representatives. Discussions covered vital topics such as biomass applications for carbon sequestration, soil enhancement, pollution mitigation, sustainable building materials, and mine land remediation.

Shared environmental challenges

According to Prof Von Eschwege and Prof Fini, a central theme of the symposium was the shared environmental challenges faced by both regions, particularly those related to arid land biodiversity and mining activities. “Arizona and South Africa both have high potential to leverage algae biotechnology for water treatment, given their shared environmental conditions, including high sun intensity and dry climates. Both regions can also take advantage of biomass production, utilising these favourable environmental factors to enhance carbon sequestration, improve soil quality, and support sustainable agricultural practices. These common strengths highlight the opportunity to develop innovative, impactful solutions that can address water scarcity, land rehabilitation, and ecosystem restoration,” they explained.

Collaborative strengths and innovation

The symposium further emphasised the complementary strengths of the ASU and the UFS, such as the ASU's significant advances in algal technology development and the UFS' deep expertise in arid land ecosystems. “These shared strengths create a unique opportunity to enhance collaboration, driving use-inspired, impact-oriented innovations in areas such as mine land rehabilitation, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem restoration,” notes Prof Fini.

Future collaborations and academic exchange

The event concluded with plans for future collaborations in research, training, and academic exchange programmes. The ASU, known for its leadership in innovation, and South Africa, with its distinctive environmental context, both offer valuable insights into how to address some of the planetary boundaries essential for human well-being. Researchers identified key areas for joint projects in chemistry, geology, engineering sciences, and mineral biogeochemistry. Industry stakeholders expressed strong interest in supporting the implementation of emerging technologies. Plans are already underway for a UFS delegation to visit the ASU in the second half of 2025.