is marking more than a decade of collaboration with the Babeș-Bolyai University in Romania, reinforcing international efforts in sustainable disaster risk management through the Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Programme.

According to Prof Abiodun Ogundeji, Director in DiMTEC, the strength of the partnership lies in both its academic and cultural exchange. “It is the shared interest in European and African culture, as well as the academic exchanges,” she says, noting that the collaboration has enabled student and staff mobility, participation in the Disaster Management Summer School in Romania, contributions to the International Conference on Integrated Disaster Risk Management (IDRiM), and continued guest lectures and joint activities.

Over the past ten years, these engagements have contributed to teaching and learning at the UFS. “At the UFS, we have engaged in an interesting academic approach, namely guest lecturing,” Dr Olivia Kunguma, Senior Lecturer at DiMTEC, explains. “It is helping us grow, share knowledge, and build relationships with other departments at the university and across disciplines at the Babeș-Bolyai University.”

International exchange deepens learning and collaboration

As part of the continuing exchange, Prof Ogundeji, Prof Alice Ncube, Prof Johannes Belle, and Dr Kunguma recently visited Romania. Reflecting on the experience, Dr Kunguma highlights both the academic and cultural value of the visit. “The culture, the food, the people – almost everything stood out,” she says. “Visiting a medieval city felt surreal, as though I had stepped onto the set of Game of Thrones.” She adds that engaging with international colleagues provided valuable insight into research on outdoor recreation and human-wildlife interaction.

In return, Dr Cristian Valeriu Maloș and Dr Vlad Măcicășan visited the University of the Free State, where they engaged with staff and students across disciplines. Their visit included a welcome meeting attended by representatives from the UFS Directorate for International Partnerships and Relations, Prof Lynette Jacobs and Bongani Vilakazi. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration beyond the Erasmus+ programme and aligning future initiatives with the university’s strategic vision. This vision, led by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Hester C. Klopper, emphasises addressing global challenges through sustainable development and the advancement of responsible societal futures.

Reflecting on the visit, Dr Măcicășan described the experience as both academically and personally enriching. “The Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Programme at the University of the Free State was a truly meaningful academic and personal experience,” he says. “I deeply appreciated the warm welcome, the openness of the DiMTEC team, and the opportunity to exchange ideas on protected areas, environmental governance, biodiversity conservation, and sustainability.” He adds that the visit reinforced the value of global collaboration: “It confirmed the importance of international academic dialogue, especially when different regions face similar challenges related to climate change, environmental management, and societal resilience.”

During their visit, the Romanian colleagues delivered lectures titled Coexistence through Sustainable Outdoor Activities and Natural Protected Areas in Europe: Governance, Management Challenges, and Emerging Biodiversity Priorities in Romania. These engagements prompted reflection on shared global challenges. “Even though we are on different continents, we are all facing similar challenges related to climate change and man-made disasters,” says Prof Ncube. She notes that advanced systems such as early warning technologies, including geofencing and air pollution monitoring, offer valuable lessons for the African context.

Expanding impact for students, research, and communities

The collaboration also creates significant opportunities for students, according to Prof Belle. “Many students have the opportunity to travel abroad for the first time, which broadens their horizons significantly,” he says. “This exposure enhances their global perspective and strengthens their research capacity, both theoretically and practically.”

Looking ahead, the partnership is set to expand further. “There are many opportunities, including research projects on climate change, water-related disasters, and environmental issues,” Dr Kunguma explains. “One I am looking forward to the most is a disaster risk management summer school hosted by the European Union in Bloemfontein.”

The collaboration has already delivered tangible outcomes, says Prof Ogundeji. “We have successfully co-supervised and graduated PhD candidates in partnership with our European collaborators,” she says. “We are also jointly developing an application for a UNESCO Chair, aimed at empowering youth through training in disaster management.” Additional initiatives include participation in global IDRiM conferences and the development of a community-engaged course, From Vulnerability to Resilience, which bridges theory and practice.