Not a single facet of higher education has escaped the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant national lockdown and international travel ban. Like most other institutions worldwide, Stellenbosch University too has moved the majority of its operations online for the sake of business continuity and the completion of the academic year. Over the past months, academic and professional administrative support services (PASS) staff have also had to rethink ways of collaborating with their colleagues abroad.

Shortly before the lockdown, the first staff mobility call for 2020 closed, and the assessment of applicants was about to commence. The imposition of the nationwide lockdown brought the process to a grinding halt. Once the implications of our new reality sank in, SU International regrouped to redesign the traditional mobility options in order to still allow for collaboration despite the travel ban.

With applications in, and partners still eager to collaborate, the first step was to maintain contact. It was decided to host a few online check-ins with partners and collaborators to stimulate discussion on potential new collaborative projects. This was done systematically and strategically, with the scheduling of dates held over until more clarity has been obtained with regard to mobility in the second semester.

Academics who had already been approved to travel were informed that they could still make use of the mobility grants up until June 2021 to honour their commitments. This move was widely welcomed, and created a buzz of excitement as overseas collaborators extended research visit dates into 2021.

In terms of travel on the continent specifically, SU International's Centre for Collaboration in Africa had issued two calls for applications for the Africa Collaboration Grant in 2020. A total of 79 applications were received and 68 grants to the value of R2 225 200 were eventually awarded. Due to the uncertainties relating to the pandemic and its effect on international travel, second-semester awards were again made with the added concession that mobility activities in Africa could be extended to the first semester of 2021.

To support ongoing PASS staff development and collaboration, “the idea arose to host an online three-day workshop-type programme and invite PASS staff from both SU and its international partner universities to join," explains Ms Lidia du Plessis, SU International's coordinator of visiting academics, postdocs and international projects. “It was important to maintain the momentum of the PASS mobility programme, especially after a successful first visit to Lund University in Sweden in October 2019."

Delegates tuning in for the programme will be exposed to various relevant topics in relation to administration and internationalisation. “Participants will then have an opportunity to have online meetings with their counterparts across the globe to discuss challenges and share best practice," says Lidia. The online format will also enable more PASS staff to take part, which is an unforeseen added benefit. Planning for the event has started.

Navigating the landscape of staff mobility through and post-COVID-19, SU International will continue challenging its own traditional thinking about mobility to include more hybrid and online offerings.