The Unisa Law Clinic recently had the distinguished honour of hosting the Dean of the College of Law at Clark Atlanta University in the United States of America, Dr Christopher Bass, during a visit aimed at fostering international academic engagement and exploring opportunities for future collaboration between the two institutions.

The visit marked an important milestone in strengthening global academic relationships and promoting meaningful dialogue on legal education, community engagement, practical legal training and international cooperation. As institutions committed to developing future legal professionals and advancing access to justice, the University of South Africa and Clark Atlanta University engaged in productive discussions centred on shared values and mutual objectives.

During the engagement, Shaida Mahomed provided an overview of the Clinic’s rich history, foundational principles and significant contributions to legal education and community service in South Africa. Discussions highlighted the Clinic’s longstanding commitment to providing practical legal training to law students while simultaneously rendering much-needed legal assistance to vulnerable and underserved communities.

Bass was introduced to the unique role that the Unisa Law Clinic plays within the broader framework of legal education at the university. Particular attention was given to the Clinic’s efforts to bridge the gap between theoretical legal studies and practical legal experience, thereby equipping students with the professional skills, ethical grounding and social consciousness required to excel in the legal profession.

The discussions also explored potential areas of collaboration between Unisa and Clark Atlanta University. Among the topics covered were possible partnership initiatives, academic exchanges, collaborative research opportunities and student internship programmes designed to enhance experiential learning and international exposure for students from both institutions. These prospective collaborations reflect a shared commitment to preparing graduates for an increasingly interconnected and globalised legal landscape.

As part of the visit, Dr Christopher Bass and Dr Rosalind Bass were taken on an extensive tour of the University of South Africa’s Muckleneuk Campus on Muckleneuk Ridge in Pretoria. The tour provided valuable insight into Unisa’s distinguished history, institutional legacy and its significant contribution to higher education not only within South Africa but across the African continent and beyond.

Bass was allowed to learn more about Unisa’s status as one of the world’s leading open-distance e-learning institutions, serving a diverse student population and promoting access to quality higher education. The visit highlighted the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation and inclusive education.

A key feature of the tour was a visit to the Unisa Library, widely recognised as the largest academic library on the African continent. Dr Bass was introduced to the library’s extensive collections, cutting-edge resources and comprehensive support services that facilitate teaching, learning and research across a broad range of academic disciplines. The visit underscored the library's critical role in advancing scholarship and supporting the university’s academic mission.

The Head of the Unisa Law Clinic, Advocate Kgagudi Morota, actively participated in engagements and discussions throughout the visit. His involvement reaffirmed the Clinic’s dedication to advancing legal education, promoting practical skills development, enhancing community service initiatives and cultivating meaningful international partnerships that enrich the student experience.

The engagements demonstrated the value of cross-border academic cooperation in overcoming contemporary legal problems and creating opportunities for innovation in legal education. By fostering relationships with institutions such as Clark Atlanta University, the Unisa Law Clinic continues to strengthen its global outlook while remaining firmly committed to its mandate of serving communities and developing socially conscious legal practitioners.

The visit concluded on a positive note, with representatives of both institutions expressing enthusiasm for future engagements and the possibility of developing collaborative initiatives that will benefit students, academics and communities alike. Such partnerships represent an important step towards expanding international opportunities, enhancing knowledge exchange and building lasting relationships that advance legal education globally.

As the Unisa Law Clinic continues to pursue excellence in legal education and community service, engagements of this nature reaffirm its commitment to developing future legal professionals while building meaningful international connections that create lasting value for students, the institution and society at large.

* By Kgopotjo Lebepe, Communication and Marketing Officer, Unisa Law Clinic