Unisa online - Gandhi's legacy spread across Mumbai and Pretoria

Standing (left to right):Abhijeet Gaikwad (MBA student),Soumil Shah (MBA student),Ankush Gupta (MBA student),Olivia Dmello (MBA student),Akanksha Bhalla (MBA student),Sanele Manus (Unisa SRC),Michelle Rebecca Rodrigues (MBA student),Vivek Jain (MBA student),Vallaki Acharya (MBA student);Tarun Dua (MBA student),Richard Chauke (Unisa SRC). Seated (left to right):Athul Pillai (MBA student),Prof. Vikas Naik (UoM Faculty Member),Dr Kavita Laghate (UoM Faculty Member),Sizakele Magubane (Director:International Relations,Unisa),Sujatha Natarajan (UoM Faculty Member),Dr Joe Diescho (Director:International Relations &Partnerships,Unisa) and Godfrey Tshikhudo (Student Affairs,Unisa)

It takes a great soul like Mahatma Gandhi to bring nations and institutions together and this was certainly the case for the University of Mumbai (UoM) when students and faculty members visited Unisa from 30 September to 6 October 2011.

Hosted by the Directorate of International Relations and Partnership,this visit followed an agreement between the two universities prior to initiating an exchange programme (Gandhi Inspired Talks) in celebration of the birth of Gandhi and commemoration of his death. The hope was that this exchange would also lead to the establishment of an annual student exchange programme connecting Indian and South African students on a culturally enriching and academic journey.

The ten MBA students from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management (JBIM) from the Mumbai University New Initiative for Joint Action Now (MUNIJAN),and three faculty members touched down on African soil,eager to soak up the heritage and sprinkle some of their own. The objective of MUNIJAN is to bring positive changes to society at large by involving students of the UoM in a series of constructive socially responsible activities. Mahatma Gandhi was one such leader whose principles and learning are looked up to as the guiding values that can help mould the leaders of tomorrow into globally responsible citizens. The UoM,like Unisa,realises the importance of inculcating these values in students,hence the cultural,social and academic ties have always been apparent,even before this exchange.

During their visit,students and faculty members visited the Lion and Rhino Park in Krugersdorp;Othandweni Children’s Home in Soweto;the Mahatma Gandhi Heritage Exhibition Launch in Lenasia;Gold Reef City as well as the Apartheid Museum to name a few. In addition,discussions and presentations also took place with the Institute for Social and Health Studies (joining the Young Academics Programme);Unisa’s School of Business Leadership;the Institute for African Renaissance Studies,Unisa Student Affairs and the Student Representative Council. Pro-Vice-Chancellor,Professor Narend Baijnath,also hosted a dinner for the Mumbai team.

Director:International Relations at Unisa,Sizakele Magubane,believes that this is not an ordinary delegation as Mahatma Gandhi lived many years of his life in South Africa,with immense contribution to the emancipation of people living with shackles. Hence the academic and cultural links are strong. “Because Unisa is an international university and we live in a global village,it is incredibly important that we spread our footprints in the world as we share ideas,experiences and expertise with countries similar to us. This is also a platform for us to profile our university,” said Magubane. She went on to say that “Our students are our ambassadors so we have to nurture them and at the same time promoting internationalisation.”

Faculty member of UoM,Dr Kavita Laghate,was excited by this experience,more so her first time in South Africa. “The impact of this exchange is tremendous and we’ve been very impressed by the exposure. This is also special for us because Gandhiji spent time here in Pretoria and was a start for the causes he fought for,allowing us to think about the values he inculcated.”

Echoing this was MBA student,Athul Pillai. He said that “It’s very easy to see the relations between South Africa and India because the respect South Africans have for Gandhiji is as great as the respect we have for Nelson Mandela.” He added that,“Unisa has been very kind and hospitable and this exchange is going to be very positive for both learning intuitions.”

The outcomes are promising as selected Unisa students will visit UoM next year in commemoration of Gandhi’s death on 30 January. In addition,many networks have been established,projects discussed and various research areas looked at in connecting students of both universities.