The University of South Africa (Unisa) and Canada's Carleton University have formalised a partnership aimed at expanding academic cooperation in research, exchanges, innovation and other areas of mutual interest.

The two universities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Unisa's Muckleneuk Campus on 22 September during a meeting between senior representatives from both institutions.

The Carleton delegation was led by its President and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wisdom Tettey, and included Prof David Hornsby, Vice-Provost: Academic and Global Learning, and Prof Samuel Oloruntoba, Senior Scholar at the Institute for African Studies.

Unisa management and the Carleton University delegation

Discussions focused on areas of potential collaboration, including joint research, student and staff exchanges, expertise-sharing and projects linked to Unisa's specialised Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs).

The agreement provides a framework for the two universities to pursue joint research and pilot projects, exchange academic staff and students, and collaborate through seminars, conferences and workshops. It also provides for the sharing of academic information and publications.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor Prof Puleng LenkaBula said the partnership represented a commitment to strengthening international academic cooperation while contributing to broader societal development.

"Today marks more than the signing of an agreement. It reflects a shared commitment to advancing knowledge, strengthening global academic cooperation, and contributing meaningfully to the social, economic and intellectual development of our societies," she said.

From left: James Christoff, High Commissioner of Canada to South Africa; Dr Adv T L Mabusela (standing); Prof Wisdom Tettey, President and Vice-Chancellor of Carleton University; and Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa.

LenkaBula said the partnership would create opportunities for students and academics from both institutions to learn from one another and share their experiences and expertise.

The partnership also received support from Canada’s diplomatic mission in South Africa.

His Excellency James Christoff, High Commissioner of Canada to South Africa, said the agreement built on the long-standing relationship between Canada and South Africa and provided a basis for deeper cooperation between Unisa and Carleton.

"Today's MOU builds on a foundation that creates opportunities to work together. The next step is to turn it into practical cooperation through joint research, student and researcher exchanges and stronger links between research and innovation," he said.

Christoff identified climate and sustainable energy, artificial intelligence, water and Indigenous knowledge as potential areas for further collaboration.

"These are important research priorities that also speak directly to skills, technology and innovation that our countries need," he said.

For Carleton, the agreement builds on engagement that has already taken place between the two institutions.

Tettey said the signing recognised the foundations established through previous work while creating a basis for continued collaboration.

"Today is not just a symbolic gesture, it is a representation of a commitment that we give to one another. Today we’re validating the work that has been done before, to recognise the foundations that have been built for us, and the responsibility to carry on," he said.

He said the two universities had a shared responsibility to support one another and work towards common goals.

"We all know that when we flourish in any space, we ought to collectively lift one another up. When the world seemed fractured, may we be the glue that binds people together," he said.

The MOU was signed by LenkaBula; Prof Mpho Ngoepe, Unisa Vice-Principal: Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation; Tettey; and Hornsby.

Prof David Hornsby and Prof Mpho Ngoepe during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The agreement provides a broad framework under which specific collaborative projects can be developed through the universities’ academic departments, faculties, schools and institutes.

The partnership is expected to provide a platform for the two institutions to translate the agreement into practical academic and research initiatives in areas of shared interest.

* By Noxolo Miya, Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement

Photographer: Shooheima Champion, Unisa Multimedia