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14 July 2020 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Sonia du Toit (Kaleidoscope Studio)
Prof Hussein Solomon was recently appointed as visiting professor to Osaka University.
With an appointment as visiting professor to Osaka University (OSU) in Japan, Prof Hussein Solomon is reaping the academic collaborative fruits of a decade-long MoU between Osaka University in Japan and Department of Political Science at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Prof Solomon is a leading expert on Islamic extremism in Africa. He is also a senior lecturer and acting Head of the Department of Political Studies and Governance at the UFS. 

“As part of this MoU I am in involved on a research project with the Osaka School of International Public Policy on Southern African peace and security,” says Prof Solomon. He added: “I am also expected to co-supervise some doctoral students of theirs and they will in turn return the favour.”

MoU facilitates sharing of knowledge 

The MoU is as part of the establishment of the Southern African Centre for Collaboration on Peace Studies (SACCP) in 2010. The SACCP brings together academics, security experts and the general public to share ideas and knowledge through the facilitation of conferences aimed at both researchers and practitioners, academic exchanges within the region and joint research projects. 

The SACCP founding members are from the UFS, OSU, Osaka School of International Public Policy on Southern African peace and security, the Japan Society for the promotion of science, the University of Zambia, the Zambian Open University, and the Mozambique-Tanzania Centre for Foreign Relations. The operation of the centre is currently through a blog, conferences, workshops, and an online journal.  

“Through the SACCP we have regular conferences, seminars and publications,” says Prof Solomon. He adds there is staff and postgraduate mobility between the institutions and that frequent co-supervision of doctoral students takes place “ in an effort to build capacity between the universities”. The organisation also hosts annual workshops at the UFS and Osaka.  

Prof Solomon and Prof Virgil Hawkins from the Osaka School of International Public Policy on Southern African peace and security co-edits a journal on Southern African Peace and Security Studies.

News Archive

Student leaders' hard work rewarded
2013-05-01

Four student leaders on our Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses each received a scholarship of R15 000. Handré Hay, Estine Cronje, Tsepang Lenka and Jean Vermaas were rewarded for the positive impact they had on the student community in the past three years or more. Student Affairs' scholarship programme acknowledges the contribution of student leaders in the upliftment of the student community.

Read what the four have to say about leadership:

Handré Hay:

Handré Hay, a third-year BSc Physiotherapy student who holds several leadership positions on our Bloemfontein Campus, served for two consecutive years on the committee of Armentum residence. He was also a member of the executive council in the Students' Representative Council (SRC) and served in two SRC portfolios. "Leadership is about being able to serve. When people see that you are willing to put other people's interests above your own and that you are willing to serve unselfishly, despite a position of authority, you will get far," said Handré.

Estine Cronje:

Estine Cronje is the current prime of Marjolein residence. This was the second time the fifth-year Psychology student were re-elected to this position."Leadership is very important to me. One needs leaders in everything you do. I believe a leader should never think herself better than the rest and should work as hard as her team. She should command respect, be disciplined, an example to others, accessible and open to the opinions of other people.

Tsepang Lenka:

Tsepang Lenka is the SRC President of our Qwaqwa Campus. Tsepang, who was twice elected as prime of his residence, has already obtained his BA degree in Public and Business Management. He is currently working on his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). "To me leadership means to serve. As a leader you don't lie to people when things are taking the wrong direction, you stand firm and tell the truth; in that way, people don't lose trust in you. The scholarship inspires me to work even harder," Tsepang said.

Jean Vermaas:

Jean Vermaas is a former SRC member who is currently studying for his LLB degree. Some of Jean's achievements include leadership positions of the Juridical Society and the Broad Students' Transformation Forum. In 2012 he was a founder member of the Student Elders' Council."Leadership is of extreme importance to me. It formed me into the person I am now. Leadership isn't always easy, but in the challenges you face you grow as a leader and as an individual."

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