“There are many shared values between the US and SA, such as a commitment to institutions, the belief in the importance of science and research, investment in education, and a commitment to human rights. This comes through in partnerships such as this; science-based, collaboration-based partnerships designed at their core to strengthen the University of the Free State and the Appalachian State University.”
These were the words of the
US Consul General in Johannesburg, Vincent Spera, during his visit to the Qwaqwa Campus on Wednesday 23 March 2022.
His visit reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between the University of the Free State Qwaqwa Campus and the Appalachian State University in North Carolina, USA.
Consul general commends research partnership
Spera said as the representative of the US Government, it was powerful and important to learn more about the research and capacity-building initiatives that are taking place as a result of the partnership between the two institutions.
The US Consulate is a key link in the strategic partnership between the two institutions. In 2020, the US Embassy and Consulates in South Africa funded the implementation of projects at the two institutions through the
R8 million mountain-to-mountain research grant.
Since then, the grant has introduced two master’s degree offerings in Community Development and Mountain Environments, five meteorological weather stations – with one based on the Qwaqwa Campus, leadership capacity building for black women in academia, and doctoral research projects. This grant is funded by the US Embassy and Consulates in South Africa.
“It’s exactly why we have these university partnerships, and it’s really meaningful to see it in practice,” he said.
Spera and his delegation were given an overview of the ongoing projects by the UFS project leaders,
Dr Grey Magaiza and
Prof Geofrey Mukwada, and the Appalachian State University project leader and Vice-Chancellor for International Education and Development,
Dr Jesse Lutabingwa.
The long-term relationship began in 2008 as a framework for academic and scientific cooperation across multiple scopes of teaching and research activities for students and staff members on the Qwaqwa Campus.