The university recently reaffirmed its strategic partnership with the African Union (AU) following a high-level engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration in research, education and capacity building in support of Africa’s development agenda. The engagement follows Unisa’s recent graduation ceremonies held in Addis Ababa in early December, underscoring the institution’s sustained academic presence and impact in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.

The engagement was led by Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC), who was accompanied by Prof Moloko Sepota, Unisa Registrar, Dr Matsheliso Molapo, Vice-Principal: Strategy, Risk and Advisory Services, Mathabo Nakene, Chief Information Officer and Vice-Principal: Information and Communications Technology, and Ambassador Prof Iqbal Jhazbhay. The delegation met with the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi, as part of broader engagements with the African Union leadership.

The visit took place against the backdrop of the appointment of a new leadership for the African Union Commission, providing a timely opportunity for Unisa to reconnect and reaffirm its commitment to continental priorities. Unisa’s leadership emphasised the importance of deepening collaboration with the AU, particularly given the Union’s dedicated focus on education, science and innovation as key drivers of its Agenda 2063.

Central to the discussions was a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in February 2021 by Unisa and the African Union Commission. The MoU provides a comprehensive framework for cooperation in advanced research, capacity building and the exchange of expertise across priority areas, including education and training, peace and security, governance, agriculture, environmental sustainability, public health, women and youth empowerment, and science and technology. Unisa reaffirmed its commitment to advancing joint research programmes and developing focused, high-impact initiatives aligned with the AU’s strategic priorities.

Discussions under way

The VC also used the opportunity to brief key Ethiopian stakeholders on Unisa’s work and regional impact. These engagements included Prof Berhanu Nega, Minister of Education of Ethiopia,  Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of Ethiopia, and Bikila Hurisa, Head of Public and International Relations of the Prosperity Party. Discussions highlighted Unisa’s contribution to higher education, skills development and research collaboration in Ethiopia.

Unisa remains the only South African university with a physical presence in Addis Ababa, serving as a strategic academic gateway to the region. Since the inception of its programmes in Ethiopia in 2007, 1 168 students have graduated from Unisa, including 65 recent master’s and doctoral graduates, reflecting the institution’s sustained commitment to accessible, high-quality education and continental development.  

* By Nolwazi Mwabi, Director: Communication, Marketing and Events, Department of Institutional Advancement