Page 49 - Transformation Report

2. Internationalisation Strategy Implementation Plan

The International Office conducted an audit of the our involvement in international networks and collaborative
University’s international partnership portfolio in 2020 to international research projects. The African expansion project
assess how these should be expanded and strengthened. and implementation plan will be based on Nelson Mandela’s
The results of the audit showed that the total number of travels on the African continent in 1962. The implementation
partnership agreements being managed was 73, of which 53 of this project is expected to start in 2021.
are active, 19 require revision, and one is pending further
information. These partnerships are distributed throughout The University has finalised memberships in the Global
Europe (43), North America (16), Africa (5), the Asia-Pacific Challenges University Alliance 2030 (GCUA 2030)
(5), and Latin America (4). The University is pursuing a and the Australia-Africa Universities Network (AAUN).
dedicated programme of expansion of its African footprint. The International Office developed a proposal for the
The International Office is finalising the Internationalisation effective management of memberships and engagement
Strategy Implementation Plan, which will prioritise the in international networks and associations, including a
expansion of our African partnership footprint, enhance procedure for the review of existing memberships and a
the University’s profile and visibility globally, and facilitate procedure for proposing new institutional memberships.

3. International Student Mobility Strategy

The International Student Mobility Strategy is being finalised, of conducting research and producing cutting-edge scientific
together with a proposed implementation plan to expand discoveries at the University is located within an exciting
the recruitment of students from Africa, BRICS countries, and period of institutional transformation. This has necessitated
countries in the Global South and North. This includes aligning framing internationalisation efforts within the transformative
the applications, admissions, and registration processes for goals of the institution, particularly in research and innovation
international students with those of the University to ensure collaborations. The research we embark on at Nelson Mandela
that these are integrated, user-friendly, and streamlined. University strives not only to challenge the conventional
wisdom that frustrates development; but also to champion
Advancing a more comprehensive internationalisation the exploration of epistemically diverse knowledge through
strategy paves the way for greater connectedness, from interdisciplinarity. Nelson Mandela University encourages
the research field to the classroom, and thereby provides the application of different or new pedagogical techniques
life-changing learning experiences to our students and in research because this is key in redefining the boundaries
academics alike. As it is, Nelson Mandela University is home of science and challenging those axiological and ontological
to more than 1 000 international students from over 60 perspectives that perpetuate injustice and inequality and
different countries as a result of such connectedness. The undermine the values of ubuntu.
learning experiences of these students and the experience

4. Internationalisation and Global Engagement Policy

With the Internationalisation Policy of DHET being expanding meaningful academic and research linkages with
promulgated, an opportunity arose for our University other Universities across the African continent and the global
to enter into strategic partnerships with international South. To this end, focus will be placed on postgraduate
partner universities, in offering joint degrees. The Office (Masters and Doctoral) research degrees to enhance our
for International Education drafted an Internationalisation research collaboration with foreign institutions and our
and Global Engagement Policy, which is currently under ability to attract research funding from foreign donors and
discussion in faculties. The policy will have a major focus on foundations.

49 TRANSFORMATION REPORT