UKZN Hosts Successful International AAE Summer/Winter School and ARTEM OCC Symposium

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In an effort to achieve the international image that is integral to the University’s aspiration to be a world-class African Higher Education Institution, the School of Management, Information Technology and Governance (SMIG) hosted the 15^th American African European (AAE) Summer/Winter School in Durban which is hosted on a rotational basis between the partners.

The School is involved in a joint initiative between SMIG at UKZN (South Africa); Chemnitz University of Technology (CUT) in Germany, and the International Creative (ICN) Business School in France.

Against the backdrop of current complex disruptive socio-economic global events, the Summer/Winter School was aptly themed: A Holistic and Integrated Approach to Creativity, Innovation and Sustainability in the Age of Disruption.

This year, the Summer/Winter School featured the ARTEM International Organisational Creativity and Sustainability Conference (ARTEMOCC) - a brainchild of the ICN Business School whose mission is to continuously develop impactful research, enhance its societal responsibility, consolidate its close relationship with the business world and reinforce its international standing.

The 15^th AAE Summer/Winter School was officially opened with an address by the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the College of Law and Management Studies, Professor Managay Reddi. In her address she congratulated SMIG for continuing with the strong partnership between UKZN, CUT and ICN.

During the opening session, the Dean and Head of SMIG Professor Stephen Mutula also congratulated the three partner institutions for their continued mutually beneficial collaboration. ‘Dealing with global disruptions such as COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine requires radical new solutions and changes of mindsets and behaviour,’ said Mutala. ‘Reactions and solutions need to provide future perspectives and not trigger further destructive side effects. This requires creativity, sustainable thinking and innovation in a multidimensional and transdisciplinary way.’

Since the inception of the AAE collaborative efforts in 2006, the goals were to intensify cross-institutional relations and set up joint research projects on intercultural and cross-boundary issues. These collaborations attract students pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees who then participate in the Summer School which involves international universities.

Professor Stefan Hüsig, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Chemnitz University of Technology in Germany, commended young researchers for their participation.

The AAE Summer/Winter School was followed by the ARTEM OCC Symposium featuring a keynote address by Professor Betty Mubangizi, NRF/SARChi Chair in Sustainable Rural Livelihoods located in SMIG.

Fostering Collaborative Rural-Urban Linkages While Embracing Creativity, Innovation, and Sustainability in the Age of Disruption was the title of Mubangizi’s presentation which challenged researchers to be inclusive in developing solutions for societal problems. Mubangizi said: ‘In the age of disruption, embracing innovation is not a choice but a necessity. As we embrace creativity and innovation, let us remember that the future is not just about technology but about the human spirit, Ubuntu and the ability to adapt and collaborate.’

UKZN Information Systems and Technology expert, Professor Manoj Maharaj delivered a presentation titled: Minds and Machines: Navigating through Artificial Intelligence (AI’s) Disruption.

The highlights of the Summer/Winter School included: a round table presentation of students’ current interests and research topics and thought-provoking presentations by international and local academics as well as local industry experts.

Delegates were treated to a visit to the Dube Trade Port which was facilitated by Professor Henry Wissink, the Acting Director of the Aerotropolis Institute Africa based at UKZN. Delegates also enjoyed an informative tour of the City of Durban which was sponsored by eThekwini Municipality.

The Summer/Winter School and Symposiums ended on a high note with a gala dinner at the Cargo Hold Restaurant at UShaka Marine Theme Park sponsored and hosted by the eThekwini Municipality.

The 10-day programme afforded budding and seasoned researchers publication opportunities such a being featured in a book by Springer Nature and other accredited local and international journals.

Participants in the Summer School were awarded certificates at the end of the programme.

The success of the above events would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of a highly efficient organising committee. The co-ordinator of this organising committee was Mr Taahir Vajeth, strongly supported by Professor Debbie Ellis, Professor Indira Padayachee, Professor Henry Wissink, Ms Ruvania Nayager and Mr Jediael Dhawraj.

Words and photographs: Hazel Langa