Social Science Students Awarded Bursaries to Attend University of Bremen in Germany

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International scholarly exchange is a pivotal part of the learning process in Higher Education and has benefitted countless UKZN students but with the advent of COVID-19 in 2020 the opportunities were few.

Acutely aware of this, Professor Rozena Maart, an academic in the School of Social Sciences at UKZN, used her position as an International Research Ambassador to the University of Bremen in Germany, to advocate for student exchanges to continue.

Together with other University of Bremen Ambassadors, Maart tabled concerns regarding overseas bursaries for students and how to ensure they were able to spend a semester at the University of Bremen. ‘With all of our input the International Office at the University of Bremen made the joint application to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD Deutsche Akademischer Austauschdienst), and in June it was confirmed that each of the Ambassadors could invite a master’s and a PhD student for a semester,’ said Maart.

The two UKZN students selected by Maart for this opportunity were Ms Philile Langa and Mr Braedon Steven. Discussing the selection, Maart said: ‘Apart from their outstanding work, both Philile and Braedon have shown consistent leadership in Gender Studies and a commitment to building a community of scholars who support and uplift each other, which is the kind of community and scholarly spirit Social Science as part of Humanities at UKZN embraces.’

Both students show promise as future academics and have a philosophy background in common with Langa having also studied Conflict, Transformation and Peace Studies.

While at Bremen, Langa will work towards the completion of her PhD dissertation titled: “Shifting the Parameters of Reason: Gender-Based Violence against Men during Armed Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1960-present)”. Said Langa: ‘Being in Bremen puts me near researchers who are in the same niche field as I am. The enormous opportunity could not have happened without the support of the University of Bremen’s International Office, and the host Professor Kerstin Knopf who Professor Maart works with and who signed off on the bursary. I am also grateful to the UKZN’s Research Office and the College of Humanities.’

Steven will work towards the completion of his master’s dissertation: “An Entanglement of Gender, Sexuality and Race: A South African Indian Case Study”. ‘I want to thank my exceptional supervisor for nominating me and I encourage other students to see this as a valuable lesson: hard work can open many doors, regardless of who you are or where you come from, a wealth of opportunities awaits you,’ he said. ‘I also want to thank the University of Bremen’s International Office, UKZN’s Research Office, and the Deanery in Social Science and the School’s Research Office for going out of their way to assist us.’

While at Bremen University both students will sit in on classes across their disciplines.
To capitalise and share this experience with other students, Maart is committed to creating a platform for Langa and Steven to share their experience in a public forum with UKZN students, upon their return. ‘I think it’s important for all students to recognise their potential and to know that they can excel.’

Maart also hopes the opportunity can be made available on a continuous basis saying: ‘The research ambassadors - there are 10 of us - meet with the University of Bremen’s International Office throughout the year where we highlight the importance of these exchanges and are working towards ensuring they continue. The International Office at the University of Bremen does great work in ensuring that these exchanges happen and do so with funding from the German Academic Exchange Fund.’

Words: Jennene Naidu

Photographs: Supplied