CISU received two awards at the 2025 World Chinese Language Conference for outstanding digital innovation, with one project recognised as a Demonstration Case and another as a Finalist Case. The awarded projects showcased successful digital strategies, including viral short-video community engagement for a high school Chinese club and a portable-projector teaching model that improved access to multimedia learning in resource-limited schools. These achievements highlight CISU’s leadership in digital transformation within international Chinese education and its growing impact on innovative teaching, cultural exchange, and scalable, technology-driven practices.

Cultural Immersion: The 12th Japan Day transformed Die Stal at Stellenbosch University into a lively celebration of Japanese culture, featuring workshops, performances, and exhibitions. Tradition Meets Modernity: Attendees explored Japan’s multifaceted identity through tea ceremonies, calligraphy, martial arts, and modern pop culture elements like cosplay and music. Connection & Reflection: The event fostered cultural exchange between South Africa and Japan, with a special Hiroshima Peace Museum display commemorating 80 years since the atomic bombings.

SU deepened its relationship with the General Tadeusz Kościuszko Military University of Land Forces (AWL) through discussions on a new MoU and exchange opportunities in Military Science. A visit to the Wrocław University of Science and Technology (WUST) also opened avenues for collaboration in engineering and applied sciences. At Jagiellonian University (JU), SU worked to renew its partnership agreement, enhance student exchanges, and pursue joint research funding. JU also invited SU academics to apply for visiting professorships in 2025. Participation in JU’s Academic Career Festival and discussions on research networks highlighted opportunities for mentorship and multilateral collaboration. These visits reaffirmed SU’s commitment to building sustainable, globally connected partnerships.

Mr Reginald Kgwedi’s visit to UniAndes highlighted shared goals between SU and UniAndes in sustainability and innovation, fostering opportunities for joint research and co-supervision. The partnership shows how Global South institutions can learn from each other — as seen in South Africa’s adaptation of Bogotá’s Bus Rapid Transit model. Beyond academia, Mr Kgwedi’s experience in Colombia deepened his appreciation for cultural resilience and the value of partnerships built on shared values and mutual learning.

Highlights from the UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competence Conference in Rabat, Morocco

Alejandro Hurtado, an Industrial Engineering student from Universidad de los Andes (UniAndes) in Colombia, chose Stellenbosch University (SU) for his semester abroad to step outside his comfort zone and experience a completely new environment — becoming the first Colombian student to study at SU. At SU, Alejandro broadened his studies by combining courses in culture, history, and science, including Marine Sciences and the Global Education Programmes (GEP) modules, which helped him connect with South Africa’s rich diversity and learn valuable lessons in independence and self-growth. Alejandro’s exchange marks the beginning of a new partnership between SU and UniAndes, paving the way for future student mobility and academic collaboration between South Africa and Colombia — strengthening ties between the Global South and expanding opportunities for intercultural learning.

Experience Japanese Culture in the Western Cape Province

This session will guide participants through the key steps of planning a rigorous qualitative study, from conceptualisation to structuring the research process.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea, SU International and School for Data Science and Computational Thinking invite you to attend the special guest lecture of Prof. Jae Kyoung Kim.

Join us for an evening of global flavours and cultural exchange where both local and international Maties came together to celebrate diverse cultures through food and connection.