DVC Research, Innovation and Engagement speaks on TUT’s internationalization efforts

Several international partners are closely associated with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) as it drives its internationalization strategy. As well as establishing memorandums of understanding with many international universities and corporations, the university values its academic development programs.

Research, Innovation, and Engagement Deputy Vice-Chancellor Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka.

DVC Research, Innovation and Engagement speaks on TUT’s internationalization efforts

The Internationalisation efforts are spearheaded by Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Engagement.

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Q: We understand that Universities are becoming increasingly globalised, like businesses. What is your take on internationalisation in universities?

A world-class academic environment is fostered by the practice of internationalisation. Taking into account a student’s culture goes beyond recognizing his or her background. Diverse cultures are understood, embraced, and integrated into the educational process. DVC Research

Q: What would you say is the 2023 highlight for students regarding internationalisation thus far?

The year 2023 has started off well! For the following program, we were able to seal collaborations and partnerships:

• Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain) Student Exchange Program
  There were two master’s students who participated in the UPV student exchange program (January to June 2023) – Faculty of Information and Communication Technology

• Association of Commonwealth Countries
  The University of Cape Town is one of three South African institutions that has been successful in hosting Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships for incoming international students.

• Fulbright Foreign Scholarship
  The New York University Faculty of Arts and Design at New York University has awarded one TUT student a Master’s Scholarship for Film (Scriptwriting and Directing) in 2023.
  Two TUT students are finalists for a Fulbright Scholarship in 2024 (the awards will be announced later in the year). Our students and alumni have been subjected to scholarship promotions from the U.S Embassy. DVC Research

• University of Trento (Italy) – Mobility Program
  One Master’s student from the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment attended TUT from January to June 2023.

Q: What would you say were the highlights for staff members?

We are pleased to announce that we have made great progress between January and June, especially in the Faculty of Management Science and ICT.

• Joint Research Project under ICSSR (India) and NIHSS (South Africa) 

  A researcher from the Central University of Punjab, India stayed at TUT in the field of Social Sciences from 1 June to 31 July 2023 as part of the Joint Research Programme in the field of Social Sciences.

  Moreover, TUT will seek to expand its collaboration with Central University of Punjab through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

• Fulbright Foreign Scholarship

  There is one Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program (incoming) – Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies at TUT.

  Currently, TUT has one Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence in the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (outgoing).

• CatChain Project – Faculty of Management Sciences
  The Catchain Project will host two researchers from Complutense University of Madrid and the Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology from the United Nations University. DVC Research

Q: Do we have any success stories on funding received this year?

Our internationalization strategies include partnering with companies, governments and businesses – providing TUT with more resources and funding for our research as well as expanding our research areas.Following are the joint applications we have submitted with our partner universities, for which we are waiting for feedback:

• Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Science (HSWT)

  HSWT – Faculty of Science has submitted a joint funding application with Erasmus + Capacity building for higher education. We expect to hear back in September about this funding.

• Erasmus+ Programme KA107 Staff and Student Mobility exchange

  The Czech University of Life Sciences Prague is submitting a joint application with the Faculty of Science at the Technical University of Turin (Department of Crop Sciences).

• South Africa (SA) – Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) Research and Innovation Grants in Russia
  One of two research and innovation grant proposals has reached the second phase of evaluation for the JINR Research and Innovation Grants. Upon confirmation of the final outcome and amount in 2023, the grant will be announced. DVC Research

Q: Dr Papu-Zamxaka, please share with us how MOU’s and MOA’s benefit universities and how many you sealed from January to now?

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) establishes reciprocal principles that guide the academic and research activities of two institutions. By forming these partnerships, you will be able to facilitate both short- and long-term exchange programmes for undergraduates and postgraduates.

Among the many opportunities facilitated by this partnership are joint research projects, cosupervision of postgrad students, co-hosted postdocs, implementing Cotutelle programs, joint funding applications, and guest lecturing.

We sealed the following agreements

• University of Eastern Finland (Finland)

  Through the MoU, combined research development can be fostered (joint research projects, co-publishing), staff and student exchange can take place, and academic activities can be organized (workshops, conferences). DVC Research
  Duration: March 2023 to February 2027.

• The University of Economic and Humanities in Warsaw (Poland)

  Through the MoU, students and staff can exchange, co-supervise master’s and doctoral students, and work together on joint research projects.
  Duration: May 2023 to April 2027

• Schmalkalden University of Applied Science (Germany)

  By signing the MoU, a joint research project, staff capacity building program, student exchange program, curriculum development partnership, and co-publishing are promoted, thus increasing research output.
  Duration: February 2023 to January 2027.

• Russian Biotechnological University (Russian)

  Through the MoU, students and staff will be able to participate in joint research projects, participate in student and staff exchanges, and co-publish in Applied Sciences.  DVC Research
  Date: March 2023 to February 2027

Q: Other partnerships in the pipeline?

There are many countries with which TUT has existing collaboration agreements, including Sweden, Poland, Germany, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Russia, Ireland, Australia, and the USA. The SADC region and the African continent are also being considered for expansion of our collaborations.  DVC Research

The University Alexandru Ioan Cuza din Iași (Romania), the Jonkoping University (Sweden), the Democratic Republic of Congo Brazzavile and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden) are just a few of the organizations with which we are currently discussing MoUs and partnerships.

Q: Parting shorts

As universities operate in a global and competitive environment, we are committed to promoting international student recruitment and mobility through internationalisation strategies. Furthermore, we are looking forward to leveraging our global connections and internationalisation efforts to position our university internationally in the future. DVC Research