The delegation includes the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, the Executive Director: Institutional Advancement, the Head of Fundraising, David Marupen, and Prof Lynette Jacobs from the Directorate for International Partnerships and Relations. Their participation reflects a coordinated effort to deepen global engagement in line with the UFS Strategic Plan 2023–2028.
“The summit comes at a time when African universities are being asked to respond to increasingly complex realities,” says Prof Hester C. Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal. “For us, this is about how we translate our strategy into practical action – how we build institutions that remain relevant, adaptable, and grounded in the societies we serve.”
A platform for shaping African higher education
The summit will bring together university leaders, policymakers, and researchers to explore how African institutions can respond to shifting social, economic, and environmental pressures. For the UFS, this engagement is closely linked to its focus on building responsible societal futures through research impact, partnerships, and student success.
A key moment for the university will be Prof Klopper’s keynote address on 31 March, delivered during a panel discussion on practical frameworks for creating resilient, future-ready African campuses. The theme speaks directly to the university’s emphasis on adaptability, relevance, and long-term societal contribution.
Strengthening partnerships across borders
“Engagements such as the THE Africa Universities Summit create space for meaningful collaboration between institutions that share similar challenges and opportunities,” says Prof Jacobs. “For the UFS, internationalisation is not only about mobility, but about building partnerships that contribute to knowledge that matters in our context.”
She adds that there is a growing shift towards more intentional, Africa-centred collaboration. “This includes joint research, staff and student exchanges, and partnerships designed for long-term impact rather than short-term visibility.”
Beyond rankings, the summit offers an opportunity to strengthen relationships with partner institutions across Africa and beyond. Prof Jacobs’ participation reflects continuing work to expand mobility opportunities, collaborative research, and cross-border academic initiatives.
Advancing sustainable support for the academic mission
The presence of Institutional Advancement, including David Marupen, points to another strategic priority: securing sustainable support for the university’s academic mission. Engagements at the summit are expected to open conversations around partnerships that can strengthen student access, research capacity, and innovation.
“Our participation is also an opportunity to engage with peers across the continent on what resilience looks like in context,” says Prof Klopper. “There is no single model. What matters is whether our teaching, research, and partnerships are making a tangible difference where we are.”
Across the continent, universities continue to navigate complex challenges – from resource constraints to the need for curricula that respond to rapidly changing societies. At the same time, Africa’s role in shaping global knowledge systems is increasingly gaining recognition.
Within this context, the UFS continues to position itself as a university that contributes meaningfully beyond its campuses. Its participation in the summit reflects an outward-looking approach, grounded in collaboration and informed by local realities.
As the summit approaches, the university’s involvement signals more than attendance. It reflects a continued commitment to shaping higher education in ways that are relevant, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of society.
In Nairobi, these conversations will take on a practical form, linking institutional strategy with continental collaboration and local impact with global engagement.