Stellenbosch University (SU) and Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) University in Mumbai, have collaborated to develop a new hybrid learning course titled, “South-South Feminisms: A Feminist Approach to Cross-Cultural Learning". It is the first programme of its kind to be developed in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with SNDT University.

From the Department of English at SU, Dr Nadia Sanger and Dr Megan Jones have been spearheading the new course after receiving a grant from the Fund for Innovation and Research into Learning and Teaching (FINLO) at SU. The grant is used to inspire a culture of innovation and reflection in learning, teaching, and assessment.

According to Dr Jones, “The collaboration flows out of a project with colleagues based at tertiary institutions in Mumbai, India. It will enable an exchange of ideas that will nurture South-South connections between researchers and students. It's an exciting opportunity for students from both universities to gain insight into the lived experiences that shape their worlds as well as the worlds of others."

The course begins in August 2023, and it will be taught in-person and online by lecturers from SU and SNDT. It will involve 14 English Studies Honours students from SU and about 20 Masters students from SNDT, under the supervision of Dr Dhrupadi Chattopadhyay.

Dr Sanger said, “This course is significant for SU and SNDT for multiple reasons, one of which is what it potentially offers students about how we come to gain knowledge about the world; how we learn about the world through listening to others' experiences from elsewhere and reflect on how this positions us in relation to them. It is this knowledge that enables shifts in global systemic power relations, and it begins within the space of the classroom."

“Our interest is in the Global South and the wealth of knowledge and expertise that has been marginalised and erased. One important part of this course is about the methodologies that allow for ethical teaching and learning and how to bring marginalised knowledge to the forefront."

Overall, this new course is an exciting development for both universities and a testament to the value of collaboration and innovation in higher education. ​