International Partner Week Puts Innovation and Globalisation at the Forefront

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The Corporate Relations Division (CRD) at UKZN proudly hosted this year’s International Partner Week, bringing together an exceptional network of delegates from leading universities and agencies across South Africa and the globe. Attendees represented over 20 countries, including Tanzania, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Belgium, and the USA, among others, making it a truly international gathering focused on strengthening strategic partnerships.

Anchored in UKZN’s Strategic Plan for targeted internationalisation, the programme centred on both deepening existing partnerships and creating new connections, underlining UKZN’s commitment to global academic excellence and innovation. Throughout the week, delegates visited UKZN’s centres of excellence, exploring research projects and cutting-edge innovation hubs, culminating in the International Summit, a highlight that set the stage for impactful discussions on collaborative and inclusive growth.

In his welcome remarks, UKZN Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Nana Poku articulated the transformative potential of global collaborations, emphasising partnerships that extend beyond borders to drive substantial change. ‘We are all looking for collaborations and partnerships that are global in their inclusive potential, reach, and, ultimately, impact. This is not an exaggeration, as university and public-private collaborations have been instrumental in the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines,’ he said, adding that the summit’s focus on innovation encompassed more than just medical breakthroughs. ‘Innovation is needed in all sectors of human life, from infrastructure and services to transformative social models.’

Poku expressed pride in UKZN’s world-class centres of excellence, sharing his vision for fostering fruitful collaborations. The summit then saw contributions from thought leaders, including Professor George Painter, CEO of Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory University (DRIVE), who highlighted the critical role of sustainable frameworks for pandemic preparedness through equitable Global North-South partnerships. ‘The partnership between UKZN and Emory University is a powerful one; infectious diseases demand a global response,’ said Painter.

Further highlighting UKZN’s unique position, Professor Michael Brooks, Director of the Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI), spoke on the University’s suborbital test station - the only one in Africa - and ASRI’s efforts in advancing STEM education. Brooks discussed ASRI’s mission to build expertise in liquid rocket engineering and engage communities through STEM outreach, fostering a broader understanding of space science and its relevance to daily life.

The summit’s agenda also featured thematic sessions designed to address key areas of globalisation and innovation. In a session on Cross-Sector Partnerships for Innovation, Dr Nhlanhla Msomi, Executive Director of UKZN’s Health Consortium, examined the need for disruptive market models to sustain innovation as a social construct. Dr Richard Lessells of KRISP (KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform) provided insight into fostering partnerships rooted in equity and trust, which proved essential in mobilising rapid pandemic responses.

In another parallel session on Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), panellists including Dr Casey Dinger from the University of Denver, and Dr Lavern Samuels and Dr Divinia Jithoo from the Durban University of Technology (DUT), discussed how COIL serves as a dynamic pathway for global mobility. They underscored COIL’s benefits for students, especially in enhancing digital literacy and making internationalised curricula more accessible and interactive.

Complementing the summit’s broad scope, additional sessions explored themes such as “North-South Mobility”, “Global Academic Networks”, and “Best Practices in Strategic Collaboration for Global Engagement”. Delegates also participated in a pre-summit dialogue on Intra-Africa Internationalisation, led by Ms Nonhle Mdlalose of DUT, who discussed the African Partnership Universities Alliance’s (APUA) vision for deepening intra-African collaboration in Higher Education.

One of the week’s standout workshops, presented by Dr Akan Odon, Head of African Strategic Partnerships at Lancaster University, offered a practical guide on internationalisation and resource mobilisation. His session on funding strategies emphasised the importance of aligning expertise with funding sources, grounding projects in data-backed problems, and forming a “Money Crew” to manage all aspects of grant acquisition - from sourcing and finance to proposal writing.

The week’s close was a cultural celebration that honoured the diversity and vibrant traditions of attendees through cuisine, fashion, and music, along with a scenic tour of Durban. Executive Director of CRD, Ms Normah Zondo, reflected on the power of connection and collaboration that resonated throughout the summit. ‘This week highlighted the immense value of dialogue and co-operation. While the International Partner Week may have ended, the partnerships we’ve created are just beginning,’ she said, extending her gratitude to the CRD team, participants, and contributors for their role in the week’s success.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photographs: Sethu Dlamini