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Future of COIL discussed at iKudu closing conference

28 May 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Nelia Oosthuizen

The Office for International Affairs at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently hosted the iKudu closing conference, celebrating the past five years of achievements of the iKudu project, as well as the start of the future iKudu network.

Welcoming delegates to the international gathering of ten consortium universities, external advisers, and the core project working groups, was Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation. He said that collaboration is key to internationalisation, as it is evident from international gatherings like this, showcasing how higher education can break silos between institutions and people.

He remarked, “At this closing conference, closing is not about closure; it is also a space to reflect, to think deeply about not only the past and the present, but also the future of this initiative. The project was carefully designed to develop a South African concept of internationalisation of the curriculum, which integrates collaborative online international learning (COIL) as a tool within the discourse of transformation and decolonisation. Transformation is not a tick-box exercise, but a continuing, unfinished business.”

Inclusive internationalisation

Prof Reddy believes key to this project is the concept of inclusive internationalisation. He is of the opinion that it is fundamentally about recognition, providing staff and students the opportunity to develop international intercultural competencies by engaging with students and colleagues from abroad on their home campuses. Students who are differently abled, in a disadvantaged financial position, or located in geographically diverse areas, are not excluded. “In a project like this, one would have found capacity building, deep synergies, and connections across diverse spaces. Our synergies often override major differences,” he said.

According to Prof Reddy, this project has much do to with a sense of belonging. “In many ways it is about celebrating different ways of being and knowing,” he commented.

Referring to the journey of the past five years starting in 2019, he commented on the parties involved who steered this project, acknowledging the changes they made to see it through. “You as consortium members have shown resilience and a deep commitment to succeed. What you promised, you delivered, and in many ways probably exceeded these milestones.” He expressed his appreciation not only for the commitment and dedication but also for those who were forward thinking.

A highlight of this conference was the symbolic journey through the different stages of the project. Delegates walked together through the timeline, beginning in 2019 and culminating in the recent closing conference. Milestones included overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic; engaging in round-table discussions on decolonisation of the curriculum; reconceptualising key concepts based on the understanding of South-North collaboration, including transformation and internationalisation of the curriculum; developing considerations for guidelines on internationalisation of the curriculum; discussing shared virtual collaborative curriculum practices; and refining the internationalisation strategies.

In the discussions that followed, the focus was on preserving and intensifying the relationship between individuals and consortium universities that had been created over the past five years. Attendees also actively collaborated on plans for the iKudu universities to continue working together and to become a network that impacts beyond the project.

Participants engaged in short, to-the-point presentations titled ‘Where did it begin?’, ‘Becoming COILers through COILing’, ‘I am because we are’, ‘How to internationalise the curriculum’, ‘What does COIL look like’, ‘Spreading the word’, ‘Listening to students, ‘Putting the IoC and COIL together’, and ‘Making the project work’.

Established networks and interconnectedness

One notable aspect of the project lies in the community of practice within the iKudu consortium. During the discussion of 'I am because we are', Valeria Baloyi (Univen) and Alun de Winter (Coventry University) emphasised the ancient African concept of ubuntu, which underscores the interdependence of humanity. They highlighted that humans rely on connections, community, and mutual care; our existence is inherently tied to one another. They said, "I am because we are," illustrating how this concept resonates within the iKudu consortium through established networks and interconnectedness. The Southern context, and the philosophy of ubuntu in the project has perpetuated inclusivity, equality, and demystified patriarchal systems in knowledge production and bearing. COIL promotes global citizenship among practitioners and students. In the Northern context, while ubuntu may not be widely known, it intersects with principles of equality, diversity, collaboration, global citizenship, environmental sustainability, and social justice, fostering cohesion between humans and nature.

Prof Alessandra Viviani (University of Siena) and Prof Lynette Jacobs, Acting Head of the Office for International Affairs at the UFS and conference convener, delivered another thought-provoking presentation titled ‘Internationalisation of the Curriculum: Why and how?’ Particularly noteworthy was the emphasis on inclusivity, reflecting a core aspect of the project. According to Prof Jacobs, an important aspect of this project is for students to appreciate themselves and feel that they are as much part of the world and belong as others. She said, “In curricula, students need to get the opportunity to understand that diverse perspectives and knowledge exist; become aware of cultural biases and how these are shaped; and get the opportunities to critically engage with different knowledge systems and what they are based on.”

Achieving personal and professional milestones

At the gala dinner, Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, addressed delegates. He attended the first iKudu meeting five years ago, as well as the most recent one, reflecting on the remarkable journey. He commended the delegates for the collaboration that underpinned the iKudu journey. “COIL gives us the opportunity to potentially engage all students in international collaboration,” he said.

Prof Petersen also congratulated the delegates for their determination to make a success of this initiative, especially during a very challenging time, and praised the passion that the project exuded – a passion that he believes was integral to its success. He also expressed his excitement about building on what has been achieved through the iKudu network.

Chevon Slambee, responsible for Strategic Projects and Virtual Engagement and the iKudu Project Manager in the Office for International Affairs, also shared insights with delegates at the gala event. Reflecting on the symbolism of the kudu, she highlighted its spiralling massive horns as a representation of strength and power, likening it to the project's ability to navigate challenges. Slambee celebrated the project's resilience and surpassed goals, achieving 57 COIL projects.

She then emphasised the kudu's eyes and large ears, illustrating the project's appreciative enquiry approach. This method allowed recognition of local strengths and the creation of a space valuing all universities. Lastly, she drew parallels to the kudu's long legs, symbolising agility and strength in distress. She noted the project's significant progress, both in meeting deliverables and personal growth. “Looking at where we started and where we are now, we have made massive leaps and bounds in terms of not only meeting our project deliverables, but also achieving personal and professional milestones,” she said. In conclusion, she added, “Through this project, I no longer focus on the challenges on the continent, but I appreciate that we have a valuable and essential contribution to make in the world.”

News Archive

UFS awards degrees at autumn graduation ceremony

2009-04-28

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) autumn diploma and graduation ceremony took place this week in the Arena on the South Campus in Bloemfontein (formerly known as the Vista Campus). This arrangement has been made because of the large-scale renovations to the Callie Human Centre on the Main Campus.

Friday, 24 April 2009
Faculties of Health Sciences, Law and Theology Diploma ceremony

Law student’s achievement excels 80%
Four Law students obtained the LLB degree at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) summa cum laude and were awarded the Moritz Bobbert Medal. They are from the left: Lezelle Olivier (80%), Albert Nell (91%) and Amanda du Toit (83%). LiFeng Chien were absent during the photo.

UFS awards degrees at autumn graduation ceremony
Today 331 students and five doctorates in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Law and Theology received their qualifications at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS). Michael Molahloe (left) and Mamokete Ntholeng both received their LL.B. degrees in the Faculty of Law.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

This year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) was held on the South Campus. From the group of students that received their qualification from the Faculty of Law, is from the left: Janine Jonson, Anneska van der Spoel, Andrea Coetzer, and Jo-Mari Visser.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Students in Nursing receive their degree
A group of students from the Faculty of Health Sciences received their B.Soc.Sc. degree at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS). At the occasion were, from the left: Ruth Beukes, Basetsana Panana, and Dipontsheng Tsolo.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

UFS Faculty of Health Sciences awards degrees
Liezl Swanepoel (left) and Heide van der Merwe received their BSocSC degrees at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) autumn graduation ceremony.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

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Thursday, 23 April 2009
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences & Chancellor’s Dinner

UFS awards unique doctorate
Dr Rodney Douglas, who had never obtained any formal undergraduate qualification, this week received a Ph.D. in Geography and Geology during the autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS). The name of his thesis is “A new perspective on the geohydrological and surface processes controlling the depositional environment at the Florisbad archaeozoological site”. He had four papers published in journals that were related to his thesis. He obtained his South African Museums Association Diploma in Biology in 1988 and his M.Sc. in Environmental Biology at the University of Natal, Durban in 1992. He was accepted as a Master's degree student at that university based on research that he had conducted on, amongst others, the diets of reptiles. He has been working at the Department of Herpetology at the National Museum, Bloemfontein since 1984, where he holds the post of Principal Museum Scientist and Head of Department.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Chancellor’s Dinner: UFS honours doctoral students
Last night, the University of the Free State (UFS) honoured students who had received their Ph.D. degrees at the autumn graduation ceremony this past week, at the Chancellor’s Dinner. A total of 25 doctorates were awarded during the respective ceremonies. Attending the occasion were, from the left: Dr Annemarie Kühn, Ph.D. in Chemistry, Prof. Jeanet Conradie, Department of Chemistry at the UFS and Dr Kühn’s promoter, Prof. Teuns Verschoor, Acting Rector of the UFS, Prof. Corene de Wet, Department of Comparative Education and Education Management at the UFS, and Dr Mafu Rakometsi, Chief Executive Officer of Umalusi and former head of the Free State Department of Education who received a Ph.D. in History. Prof. De Wet is Dr Rakometsi's co-promoter and the late Prof. Leo Barnard, former Head of the Department of History at the UFS, who passed away at the beginning of April 2009, was his promoter.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Mrs Annemarie Kilian, Mr Willem Kilian (BSc. Hons) and Prof Stephanus Kilian
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

Mr Jaco van der Merwe, Mr Renico Pretorius and Mr Rion Terblanche (all BSc. Quantity Survying)
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

Ms Mamakoanyane Amelia Shata (BSc. Genetics and BSc. Hons. Plant Molecular Biology) and Mrs Maente Adelinah Shata.
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

Mr Maurice Ambrose and Mr Owen Monk (both BSc. Quantity Survying).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

Ms Tobeka Mehlomekhulu (Lecturer: Department of Geography), Mr Neo Mokgosi (BSc. Hons. Genetics) and Ms Nwabisa Mehlomekhulu (BSc. Hons. Food Science).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

Mr John Mdane, Mr Fana Mdane (BSc. Information Technology) and Mrs Agnes Mdane
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

Mr Kevin Vermaak (BSc. Hons. Geohydrology) and Ms Michelle Steenkamp (BSc. Hons. Geology).
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe

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21 April 2009
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

Prof. Magda Fourie's daughter graduates
Nadia Fourie, daughter of Prof. Magda Fourie, former Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS and now Vice-Rector: Teaching at Stellenbosch University, received the B.Com. Law degree.
Photo: Lacea Loader

724 degrees were awarded during the ceremony of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Here are, from the left: Simon Serutla, B.Com. Accounting, Lourencia Hamuaka, B.Com. Honours in Financial Economics and Investment Management, Sunet Opperman, B. Accounting, and Yolandi Greyling, B. Accounting.
Photo: Lacea Loader

Students in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences graduated this week during the University of the Free State's (UFS) autumn graduation ceremony. Altogether 724 degrees were conferred. Here are, from the left: Marie-Louise Lombard, B.Com. Law, Adriaan van der Merwe, B.Com. Law and member of the Student Representative Council (Legal and Constitutional Affairs), Basanio Ncike, B.Com. Economics, and Richard Schooling, B.Com. Banking.
Photo: Lacea Loader

Center for Accounting honours top achievers
The Centre for Accounting at the University of the Free State (UFS) honoured the top ten students in the third-year B.Com. and B.Com. Hons. programmes respectively during this week's autumn graduation ceremony. Here are, from the left: Prof. Ronell Britz, Chairperson of the centre, Nils Kotze, first place in the B.Com. third-year group, and Madri Victor, first place in the B.Com. Hons. group; back: Prof. Hentie van Wyk, Programme Director: Accountant Training.
Photo: Stephen Collett

Accounting firms in Free State help with recognition of top achievers
Accounting firms in the Free State have contributed to a fund at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Centre for Accounting to give recognition to top achievers in the third-year programme for the B.Com. and B.Com Hons. degrees respectively this week. It is evidence of the good relationship that exists between the Centre and the South African Institute for Chartered Accountants (SAICA), Free State. Here, from the left, are: Mr Pieter Clase, CoetzeeSmit Chartered Accountants, Mr Oswald Wentworth, KPMG, Mr Ettienne van Niekerk, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Herman Leach, Gobodo Inc. Chartered Accountants, and Mr Stefan Strydom, Havenga, Rossouw & Viljoen; front: Mr Ian Smit, Enslins Bloemfontein, Ms Thelma Crossman, Mazars, and Ms Daphline O'Brien, Ernst & Young.
Photo: Stephen Collett

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20 April 2009
Faculty of Education, Faculty of the Humanities.

CHESD awards 15 masters degrees
A group of 15 students received the Structured M.A. (Higher Education Studies) of the Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development (CHESD) at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS). This is the biggest group in the centre's history to be awarded master’s degrees, while four of the students received distinctions. Also of interest is that six of the 15 students already have doctoral degrees. At the occasion were, from the left: Dr Dipane Hlalele, Qwaqwa Campus, Ms Liesl Hoare, Central Univeristy of Technology, Welkom Campus (best achiever), and Dr Fanus van Tonder, Programme Director: Higher Education Studies and Research, CHESD. Ms Hoare received the Deans medal in the Faculty of the Humanities as the best master’s graduate student at the graduation ceremony. At the faculty’s prize function she also received the Kovsie-Alumni Trust award as the best M.A student in the faculty. She also received the CHESD Prize for the best achievement in the Structured M.A. (Higher Education Studies).
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

UFS awards degrees at autumn graduation ceremony
Five hundred and eighty six degrees and nine doctorates were awarded this week during this year's autumn graduation ceremony on the South Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) to students in the Faculty of the Humanities. At the occasion were, from the left: Nicola Bekker, Madré van der Merwe and Esté Scholtz. All three the ladies received the qualification B.A. Language Practice.
Photo: Lacea Loader

This year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) is held on the South Campus in Bloemfontein. Today a group of students from the Programme: Governance and Political Transformation in the Faculty of the Humanities received their qualification. From the left, front are: Dr Tania Coetzee, Head of the Programme: Governance and Political Transformation, and Mr Itumeleng Liba, Chief Operation Officer at CENTLEC; back: Mr Kennett Sinclair, Vice-Chairperson of COPE in the Northern Cape, Ms Nicole Joannou, Goldfields Business and Catering, and Mr Tembeni Lobe from Bloemfontein.
Photo: Lacea Loader

Some of the students who received their qualifications during this week's graduation ceremony of the Faculty of the Humanities were, from the left: Shu-Jung Chan, B.Mus. Hons., Brian Gxavu, B.Mus., and Mpolokeng Lepote, B.A. Media Studies.
Photo: Lacea Loader

UFS’s CHESD awards doctoral degree
Ms Mardi Delport (middle), Assistant Director: Media and Communications at the Central University of Technology received her Doctoral degree at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS). The title of her thesis is: “An internal communication model for the Central University of Technology, Free State as a multi-campus institution”. With her are her promoter Prof. Driekie Hay (left), Vice-Rector: Academic Planning, and her co-promoter, Prof. Annette Wilkinson (right) from the Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development (CHESD) at the UFS.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

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