How do we keep Stellenbosch University (SU) globally relevant, yet committed to Africa at the same time? How does the University promote global education and provide staff and students with an international experience? What international goals does the institution pursue? These were some of the topics discussed at the Stellenbosch International Academic Networks (SIAN) meeting hosted at SU from 9 to 12 April.

SIAN is an annual gathering of SU's international partner universities. This year, delegates represented 25 partner institutions in 15 countries, including Switzerland, Nigeria, Czech Republic, Ghana, Finland, Belgium, China and Germany.

Prof Hester Klopper, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy and Internationalisation, started off the week-long programme by welcoming the international visitors to campus and giving them an overview of the University, specifically its vision to become Africa's leading research-intensive university. Prof Klopper told delegates about SU's deliberate focus on “building scholarship in Africa". Highlighting the key strategic theme of building purposeful partnerships and inclusive networks, she said Africa remained SU's top priority. “Our South-South relationships are stronger than ever before, while we are also expanding into Asia and North America."

Robert Kotze, Senior Director: SU International, explained his office's function of providing internationalisation support across the institution. Highlighting the various activities undertaken by SU in its 25 years of internationalisation to date, Kotze said the aim was “to develop sustainable, significant bilateral and multilateral alliances, partnerships and collaboration in support of the academic project". He also proudly referred to initiatives such as the AU/NEPAD Southern African Network of Water Centres of Excellence (SANWATCE) and the Africa Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Energy Centre of Excellence, both of which were being administered by SU International, as well as the successful African Doctoral Academy, scheduled to host its 10^th annual Winter School for doctoral candidates in July.

At a workshop for SIAN delegates and SU International staff on Wednesday 11 April, discussions shifted to global education. Here, participants examined global education programmes and internationalisation-at-home initiatives at SU. These include the BCom International Business programme, winter and summer schools, as well as co-curricular short courses presented by SU International in collaboration with the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership Development.

The SIAN event offered delegates an opportunity not only to engage on internationalisation perspectives, but also to interact with peers, students and staff from SU. Their programme for the week included an International Student Mobility Fair, where they showcased study opportunities at their own institutions. They also visited the Bellville Park campus and savoured local and international cuisine at the International Food Evening. 

Dr Volfgang Melecky, director of the International Office at Czech Technical University in Prague, expressed his gratitude to be able to participate in another SIAN event. Attending his third SIAN meeting, Dr Melecky said the platform had enabled him to form ties with people from across the world. “The SIAN meeting has been quite a success in attracting students to Prague. There is definitely interest."

For Annie Lloyd, global mobility officer at King's College London in the United Kingdom, it was her first time participating in a staff exchange conference. “Stellenbosch is good, and such a different environment to King's College. It is much closer and cosier, and students feel part of a family. It doesn't take much persuading sending our students here. As always, we have more applications for Stellenbosch than places available. Now I can go home and tell them this is what the residences look like and what the University is about."