As part of the expansion of its global reach and influence, the University of South Africa (Unisa) on Monday, 23 September 2024 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FernUniversität Hagen, Germany that will allow for a stronger collaboration between the two institutions for the benefit of the collective student body.
The two universities share a collaborative working relationship that spans almost three decades, with both universities demonstrating an unwavering commitment to making higher learning accessible to a diverse student population.
Established in 1974, FernUniversität, is Germany’s first and only distance learning university and the institution is currently led by its first woman Rector, Prof. Dr Ada Pellert. Unisa’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, who led a delegation of Unisa academics, researchers and executives at the MoU signing said,
“I would like to believe that at the core of this partnership lies a shared vision – a vision that seeks to empower our societies and continues to break geographical barriers through the provision of life-long learning using the Comprehensive Open Distance education Learning model”.
Commenting on the academic rigor in the wide range of academic disciplines and programmes they offer, FernUniversität Rector, Prof Pellert said,
“Both institutions collectively provide the fodder for a rich academic environment and the MoU will create a playing field that fosters the sharing of resource management, research, academic and programmes development, and student and staff mobility programmes, to name but a few areas of collaboration.”
This shared vision underscores the institutions’ roles as leaders in distance education, where the principles of promoting lifelong learning come to life. This MoU is supported by the technology that bridges the geographic gaps between both institutions, and allows for creative interactive platforms to engage students and staff, in order to facilitate communication and the cross-pollination of ideas and research. Prof LenkaBula emphasised the importance of these open lines of communication and engagement, saying:
“The signing of this MOU between our universities symbolises a partnership which we believe will lead to many new joint research initiatives that produce new synergies and add academic value for both universities in the years ahead.”
The signing of the MoU between Unisa and Fern Universität of Hagen significantly enhances both academic and sociopolitical relations between the two institutions and their respective countries. By fostering collaborative research initiatives, student exchanges and joint academic programmes, the partnership will undoubtedly promote cross-cultural understanding and knowledge sharing, enriching the educational experiences of students and faculty alike. Furthermore, this collaboration will serve as a geopolitical bridge between South Africa and Germany, strengthening diplomatic ties and promoting global citizenship.
Collectively, Unisa and Fern Universität of Hagen will address shared challenges and leverage their unique strengths and contribute from the front in championing a more interconnected and informed international academic community.
The signing ceremony forms part of a 3-day programme which includes the 19th Annual Conference of the Society for Higher Education Research (GfHf), under the theme, The Future of the University: Global, Sustainable and Inclusive; where Unisa and Fern Universität are co- organisers. Prof Mpine Makoe, Executive Dean: CEDU was the key organiser. Preceding the signing ceremony was the university tour of Hagen’s facilities which included the recently opened Immersive Collaboration Hub, which explores the intersection between research, learning and working within virtual and augmented realities; a visit to the interactive multimedia centre where creative concepts and recording of lectures takes place; and engagements with the engineering department as part of exploring opportunities for Unisa’s automotive niche area collaboration.
The VC’s delegation included Prof Mpine Makoe, Executive Dean: College of Education; Prof Mpfari Budeli, Executive Dean: College of Law; Prof Tukishi Manamela, Head of Graduate Studies and Research, Prof Boitumelo Senokoane, Executive Director: Department of Institutional Advancement; Dr Thuli Phetla, Chair of Department: English Studies, Dr Angeline Magabane, Director: Internationalisation and Partnerships; Ms Nolwazi Mwabi, Director: Communications, Marketing and Events and Ms Yvonne Mathole from the Office of the Principal and Vice- Chancellor.
