College of Human Sciences

Unisa strengthens global ties through strategic research visit to Malmö University

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Unisa has taken a significant step in advancing global academic collaboration through a strategic research visit to Malmö University in Sweden. From 19 to 23 May 2025, a delegation led by Prof Azwihangwisi Mavhandu-Mudzusi, Director of the School of Social Sciences in the College of Human Sciences (CHS), engaged in a week-long programme aimed at deepening research partnerships and co-developing innovative approaches to sexuality education.

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Prof Mats Lundström, Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies, Malmö University; Dr Ikekhwa Ikhile, Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies, Unisa; Prof Charlotta Holmström, Director, Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies, Malmö University; Prof Zerish Nkosi, Executive Dean, CHS, Unisa; Prof Azwihangwisi Mavhandu-Mudzusi, Director, School of Social Sciences, Unisa; Dr Camilla Palm, Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies, Malmö University; and Dr Ayobami Adekola, Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies, Unisa

Joining Mavhandu-Mudzusi were Dr Ayobami Precious Adekola and Dr Ikekhwa Albert Ikhile, postdoctoral fellows from the Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies, with additional support from Prof Zerish Nkosi, Executive Dean of CHS. The visit was made possible through a seed grant from Riksbankens Jubileumsfond (Bank of Sweden), supporting a collaborative research initiative focused on enhancing sexuality education among learners.

The Unisa team collaborated with Malmö University scholars Prof Mats Lundström, Prof Charlotta Holmström and Dr Camilla Palm from the Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies. Together, they explored critical themes such as sexual and reproductive health literacy, policy effectiveness and pedagogical innovation.

The delegation participated in a series of thematic workshops and strategic planning sessions throughout the visit. These engagements culminated in drafting a joint research agenda, preparing a collaborative grant application, and the initial steps toward formalising a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions.

The project aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). It supports Unisa’s catalytic niche areas, including health studies, feminist and womanist theorisations, and student support.

Beyond academic collaboration, the visit included targeted stakeholder engagements in Malmö and Lund. Highlights included the following:

  • A session with Lars-Ola Nilsson from Malmö University’s Grants Office on EU and Swedish research funding.
  • A site visit to the Lund Youth Centre, focusing on integrated youth services in SRHR and mental health.
  • A meeting with Lee Hildebrand, Lund Municipality’s coordinator for sexuality education, on curriculum and teacher training.
  • An in-depth discussion with RFSU Malmö on norm-critical and pleasure-affirming pedagogical models.
  • A visit to Noah’s Ark Malmö, spotlighting HIV prevention and community outreach.
  • A Unisa-led seminar highlighting South African research in sexuality education.
  • Attendance at the PhD defence of Rebecka Fingalsson, titled "Orientations in Swedish Sexuality Education", supervised by Prof Lundström. 

This impactful visit reinforced Unisa’s commitment to global academic engagement and laid the groundwork for a reciprocal visit by Malmö University scholars to South Africa in November 2025.

* By Khabo Maduna, Marketing and Communication Specialist, CHS

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Publish date: 2025-06-06 00:00:00.0

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