The University of the Free State (UFS) is proud to participate in an exciting international collaboration as part of the newly established UNESCO Chair in Education, Gender Equity and Well-being. This four-year partnership brings together institutions from three continents, led by the University of Minnesota (UMN) in the United States, with CHRIST (Deemed to be University) in India, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and the UFS in South Africa. Headed by Prof Joan DeJaeghere, the UNESCO Chair aligns closely with two of UNESCO’s global priority areas: Africa and gender equality. For the UFS, it presents a significant opportunity to deepen global partnerships, contribute to meaningful interdisciplinary research, and amplify African perspectives on equity and education.
“This partnership is a powerful opportunity for us at the University of the Free State to bring African perspectives into global conversations on education, gender equity, and well-being. It affirms our commitment to research that not only deepens academic knowledge but also transforms lives and challenges inequalities in our societies,” said Prof Mikateko Mathebula.
The partnership aims to foster a vibrant intellectual community through regular public seminars, monthly research workshops, and collaborative publishing opportunities. Graduate students, early-career researchers, and faculty members across the participating institutions will benefit from sharing knowledge and learning from scholars from both the Global South and the Global North.
“Working alongside colleagues from the Global South and the Global North allows us to co-create knowledge that is both contextually grounded and globally relevant. For our students and researchers, this is a chance to learn, to contribute, and to ensure that African epistemologies and experiences are at the forefront of shaping a more just and equitable future,” said Prof Mathebula.
At the UFS, the initiative is anchored in the Centre for Development Support and the Higher Education and Human Development Research Programme (HEHD), which focuses on advancing social justice through higher education. The programme’s research, carried out by doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and academic staff, explores how education can either contribute to or challenge inequality. With a growing interest in gender analysis within the programme, the new collaboration comes at an opportune time to explore gender and well-being through a capability lens, particularly in African contexts. The partnership also builds on the Research Alliance for Higher Education in Africa, a network that supports African scholars and promotes intra-African knowledge exchange.
Representing the UFS in this initiative, the local liaison and coordinator will help plan the chair’s events and contribute to a foundational working paper that reviews interdisciplinary literature on well-being and education with a focus on equity. UFS faculty and postgraduate students will be able to present their work in international webinars, engage in symposia, collaborate on joint publications, and expand their academic networks beyond South Africa.
The partnership will officially launch in October 2025 at the University of Minnesota, where representatives from each partner institution will share comments, alongside contributions from other UNESCO chairs and the Advisory Board, including Prof Melanie Walker of the UFS. The discussions and feedback at the launch will inform future plans and activities.
Looking ahead, the UFS is expected to host a symposium in 2027 under the theme: Epistemic Injustice, Well-being and Coloniality of Youth in Africa's Higher Education. The event, proposed by Dr Paul Michael, a postdoctoral fellow at HEHD, will provide a platform for early-career researchers to foreground African epistemologies and contexts in scholarly discussions on equity and well-being. It is envisioned as a space to challenge dominant paradigms and amplify local knowledge that speaks to African experiences and aspirations.
Through continuous workshops, research engagement, and public communication, the partnership will significantly contribute to the internationalisation of the UFS and the global visibility of its academic work. These activities will highlight the university’s contributions to critical issues in education, gender equity, and human development, while creating spaces for action and reflection among diverse stakeholders – from academics to community organisations and policymakers.
Students and staff at the UFS are encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect with global scholars, participate in cutting-edge research, and be part of a community dedicated to knowledge exchange and positive change. Those interested in learning more or getting involved are invited to reach out to Xun Yu at yu015390@umn.edu for updates and announcements.