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04 October 2024 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath | Photo Supplied
International Young Scholars Conference 2024
International Young Scholars Conference.

The University of the Free State (UFS) continues to advance its global academic collaborations, as evidenced by the recent keynote address delivered by Prof Hussein Solomon at the prestigious International Young Scholars Conference at Jawaharlal Nehru University on 3 October 2024. In addition to his keynote, Professor Solomon presented a thought-provoking lecture titled "India’s Contribution in Ensuring Africa’s Security" at Jamia Millia Islamia on 4 October 2024, highlighting India’s significant role in the African security landscape.

Throughout his visit to India, Prof Solomon actively participated in multiple conferences at various universities and institutions, reinforcing the importance of academic dialogue between the two regions. His engagements reflect UFS’s unwavering commitment to fostering international knowledge exchange and collaborative partnerships.

A notable outcome of this visit is the pending finalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Delhi University. This agreement aims to expand the current partnership with Jawaharlal Nehru University from a faculty-level agreement to a comprehensive, institution-wide collaboration across multiple disciplines beyond the humanities. This development will facilitate joint research initiatives, collaborative PhD supervision, and joint funding proposals, marking a significant step forward for both institutions.

Reflecting on the potential of these partnerships, Prof Solomon remarked, “The Indian academic landscape is incredibly dynamic. With India poised to become the world’s largest economy by 2050, strengthening ties with Indian institutions provides the UFS with immense strategic opportunities.”

Prof Solomon’s academic contributions extend beyond administrative agreements. He is co-editing a forthcoming book on BRICS and climate change with Prof Bashabi Gupta from the Department of Geography at Delhi University. This work aligns with the upcoming BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, later this month. Moreover, plans are underway for a second volume, as well as a new book focused on feminist decoloniality from African and Asian perspectives, which seeks to amplify marginalised voices in global scholarship.

In line with the UFS’s dedication to expanding its international reach, Prof Solomon continues to build on existing relationships and pursue new collaborations with Indian scholars, particularly within the BRICS and BRICS Plus frameworks. These efforts will enhance academic exchange and research opportunities, further positioning UFS as a key player in global academic discourse.

As UFS broadens its global footprint, such initiatives not only elevate the institution’s reputation but also enrich the academic experiences of its students and researchers, promoting a more interconnected academic landscape. 

News Archive

‘I’d rather wake up at 8’clock for nothing than to sit at home’
2015-08-26


Tawanda Kaseke is on a mission to give back to the community one holiday at a time.

Studying towards a degree is one aspect of being a student. Investing time in worthwhile extra-mural activities forms a significant part of your student years. Tawanda Kaseke demonstrates how volunteering time to a good cause makes for a responsible student and citizen.

 

The second-year Public Administration student’s moral obligation to community development led him to spend approximately two months of his June 2015 holidays volunteering. Serving as a volunteer Admin intern at Afrika Tikkun’s ignited his aspiration to assist children from underprivileged communities to access education.

 

From cradle to career: a journey from infancy to varsity and beyond

 

Afrika Tikkun is a non-profit organisation (NGO) that works toward a future where today’s children and youth are tomorrow’s productive citizens. The NGO adopts a cradle-to-career model, which invests in the development of disadvantaged children from early infancy through young adulthood into the world of work.

 

Raising funds for the “Like Change” movement – a division of the “From Cradle to Career” project - is Tawanda’s primary objective for his November to February summer vacation.

 

Tawanda encourages social media users to contribute by clicking on the “Like” option on the ‘Like Change’ Facebook page.  A private company automatically donates R35 towards the education of an underprivileged child on your behalf.

 

Making your mark begins with a dot; university holidays are Tawanda’s dot. A passion for community development and a willingness to volunteer one’s time can go a long way in making South Africa a better place.

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