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Prof Barney Pityana, Unisa’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, led a delegation to the United States of America from 10 to 21 May 2010.
The purpose of the mission was to strengthen relationships with existing university partners in America; cultivate new relationships with role players in the enterprise of higher education and training in general, and open and distance learning in particular; and to open up communication with Unisa’s alumni in that country.
The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by Prof Narend Baijnath (Vice-Principal: Strategy, Planning and Partnerships), Dr Joseph Diescho (Head: International Relations and Partnerships Directorate), Ms Patricia Lawrence (Director: Unisa Foundation) and Ms Amanda Masina (Alumni Relations).
First on the agenda was a discussion with Virginia Tech; staff and student exchanges were discussed, as was the sharing of knowledge in various fields. Virginia Tech is a cutting-edge institution in various fields, chief among them ICT, ODL methods of teaching and health sciences. Discussions were held with various foundations and international role players in higher education and democracy development.
A significant Memorandum of Agreement was signed with the Thomas Edison University in Trenton, New Jersey. High-level discussions were also held with Harvard University, MIT, Howard University and selected agents of the US State Department in Washington, DC.
At alumni receptions at the South African Consulate General in New York, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and at the South African Embassy in Washington, the Vice-Chancellor called upon recipients of Unisa qualifications to become involved in the life of the university. He reminded them that as alumni, they are the ambassadors of the university and as such, are also responsible for the sustainability of the university.
The delegation was warmly welcomed by all the partners visited and the university’s brand was further promoted by these visits and discussions. The Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude and satisfaction at the warm reception and goodwill received, and is confident that such a strong foundation can only lead to more meaningful and fruitful partnerships for the benefit of all participants. | 
