{"id":20373,"date":"2025-07-21T10:41:28","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T14:41:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/africanstudies\/?p=20373"},"modified":"2025-08-25T13:33:47","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T17:33:47","slug":"carleton-expands-research-and-educational-partnerships-in-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/africanstudies\/2025\/carleton-expands-research-and-educational-partnerships-in-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Carleton Expands Research and Educational Partnerships in Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Dan Rubinstein<\/strong><\/p>\n

A delegation from Carleton University visited South Africa and Uganda in late May on a partnership building trip \u2014 a significant step towards Carleton\u2019s goal of expanding international research and educational collaborations and an acknowledgement of Africa\u2019s increasing importance on the global stage.<\/p>\n

The trip embodies Carleton\u2019s principles- and values-based approach to working with partners and aligns with the Africa Charter, a framework for advancing transformative research collaborations that will uphold the continent\u2019s place in the global production of scientific knowledge.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\n<\/em>The Carleton University delegation met with officials at the University of Johannesburg<\/em>
\n<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u201cPartnerships like the ones we\u2019re building with universities and other organizations in Africa are crucial, considering the trend we\u2019re seeing around the world of nations turning inwards,\u201d said Carleton\u00a0President Wisdom Tettey<\/a>, who led the delegation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs universities, we need to look for bridges and opportunities to draw one another together.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

One of the ways in which Carleton is demonstrating its leadership is through the South Africa-Canada Universities Network (SACUN), which aligns higher education institutions in Canada with their partners in South Africa.<\/p>\n

As SACUN\u2019s anchor institution in Canada, Carleton coordinated the establishment of the network and is helping to execute plans to collectively address challenges such as reconciliation, climate change and sustainable development.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Indigenous Knowledge Systems<\/h2>\n

Among the stops during the trip was a conference in Entebbe, Uganda, to launch the African Indigenous Knowledge Research Network (AIKRN), which aims to connect African Indigenous knowledge with technology and global ideas in areas such as food security, biodiversity, natural resource management and environmental protection.<\/p>\n

Supported by the Mastercard Foundation and led by Carleton African Studies researcher\u00a0Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba<\/a>, AIKRN aims to unlock entrepreneurship opportunities in Africa through the traditional knowledge, practices and beliefs held by Indigenous communities. Indigenous groups and institutions in Canada are among its members, including the First Nations University of Canada, which was represented in Uganda by President Jacqueline Ottmann.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nCarleton\u2019s David Hornsby and President Wisdom Tettey with students at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesbur<\/strong><\/em>g<\/h6>\n

In her virtual keynote address, Mastercard Foundation CEO Reeta Roy talked about the opportunities for economic transformation through Indigenous knowledge systems, noting that meaningful and lasting impact arises when communities lead the process.<\/p>\n

The conference brought together scholars, practitioners, Indigenous community members, cultural leaders and youth from 16 countries: Australia, Botswana, Benin, Canada, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, the United States and Zambia.<\/p>\n

Among the outcomes were the mentorship opportunities for young scholars; new ideas for integrating Indigenous knowledge into sustainable development; the creation of market access for Indigenous artisans; and support for smaller institutions by exposing them to international networks.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Amazing Things Together<\/h2>\n

The group from Carleton, which included Vice-President (Research and International)\u00a0Rafik Goubran<\/a>\u00a0and Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Academic)\u00a0David Hornsby<\/a>, also held a series of bilateral meetings with South African universities.<\/p>\n

At the University of Cape Town, discussions with humanities scholars mapped out opportunities for connectivity in areas of shared interest such as the ethics and impact of artificial intelligence (AI). Among the action items coming out of this meeting were the possibility of a joint seminar series.<\/p>\n

Discussions at the University of Johannesburg focused on joint degree programs and the pursuit of collaborative grants through SACUN. There were also conversations about joint pedagogical training opportunities to exchange teaching strategies, particularly around large classes and new educational technologies.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nDavid Hornsby, Vice-President Rafik Goubran and President Tettey with scholars from the media studies program at the University of Johannesburg<\/em><\/h5>\n

At the University of the Witwatersrand, physics collaboration was on the agenda, in particular the Square Kilometre Array project in South Africa,\u00a0the world\u2019s largest radio telescope. Carleton researchers and Witwatersrand colleagues are already collaborating in areas such as particle physics but want to do more work together \u2014\u00a0for instance, supporting one another on researcher skill development and exporting Carleton\u2019s undergraduate skill development\u00a0FUSION<\/a>\u00a0program.<\/p>\n

At the University of South Africa (UNISA), there was strong interest in collaboration around the digital humanities, online learning and AI, and UNISA\u2019s participation in SACUN was also discussed.<\/p>\n

Opportunities to utilize the SACUN call for grants were discussed at the University of Pretoria, where Carleton has established a new partnership, with plans to explore additional shared funding streams together.<\/p>\n

At Stellenbosch University, beyond talking about the school\u2019s participation in SACUN, Carleton met with professors from the Faculty of Engineering to talk about AI, among other subjects, and potential collaborative research projects.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nPresident Tettey with Letlhokwa Mpedi, Vice Chancellor and Principal at the University of Johannesburg<\/em><\/h5>\n

The Carleton delegation also met with Universities South Africa to talk about collaboration in two areas: mentorship opportunities through the organization\u2019s Thuso Connect initiative, which focuses on the supporting early career researchers, and shared training on the use of AI in teaching through Carleton\u2019s\u00a0Hands-On AI<\/a>\u00a0series.<\/p>\n

At South Africa\u2019s National Research Foundation, discussions focused on the foundation\u2019s forthcoming collaborative grants call and ways to draw in Canadian organizations such as the International Development Research Centre and MITACS.<\/p>\n

Lastly, the group from Carleton met with James Christoff, High Commissioner for Canada in South Africa, and Caroline Bolduc, Canada\u2019s Trade Commissioner in the country, and participated in the Africa Week science leadership summit at the University of Pretoria, where Tettey took part in two panel discussions.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Carleton we are always open to engaging with global partners who align with our purpose and our values in order to co-learn, share knowledge and advance our commitment to innovation that addresses complex issues and promotes inclusive and mutually flourishing communities,\u201d said Tettey.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cWe look at partnerships as truly authentic and meaningful collaborations, not as the North coming to the South or vice-versa. If we put our minds together in a common purpose, we can do amazing things together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A Long History of Collaboration\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Carleton has a long history of research and educational activity in Africa.<\/p>\n

The university\u2019s\u00a0Institute of African Studies<\/a>\u00a0is the only stand-alone unit of its kind in Canada, an academic home for researchers such as South African-born\u00a0Shireen Hassim<\/a>, the Canada 150 Research Chair in Gender and African Politics.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Carleton also hosts initiatives like the\u00a0Queen Elizabeth Scholars Programs<\/a>, which supports cross-cultural exchanges with African universities for researchers who work in areas such as climate change and societal transformation.<\/p>\n

\u201cMeeting with our African partners was a vital step in deepening our international partnerships and fostering impactful, collaborative research and programs,\u201d said Goubran.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cThese important connections not only strengthen our global engagement but also create meaningful opportunities for the recruitment of graduate and undergraduate students, the establishment of joint and cotutelle programs, as well as exchange opportunities for both students and faculty, benefitting communities both locally and abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s First Africa Strategy<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Carleton\u2019s efforts in Africa are timely, coming in the wake of Canada releasing its first-ever\u00a0Africa strategy<\/a>\u00a0this past March.<\/p>\n

The federal government\u2019s new foreign policy states that \u201cat a time of global economic and geo-political volatility, Canada must seize opportunities to strengthen its economic and national security,\u201d including engagement with Africa \u201ctoward greater economic cooperation, strengthened peace and security partnerships, enhanced engagement of African diaspora communities in Canada, and international assistance that supports economic development and youth employment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The strategy focuses on trade and investment but is less concerned with areas such as science, technology, innovation and education, according to Hornsby, creating opportunities for Carleton to take an active leadership role.<\/p>\n

Networks like SACUN are poised to support this work by addressing \u201cgrand challenges that transcend traditional borders and boundaries,\u201d said Hornsby.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe challenges that we face have been unequally felt around the world, and countries in Africa have consistently been marginalized. This network rallies us to recognize that we have a lot in common and need to work together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Source<\/strong>: https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/story\/carleton-expands-research-partnerships-africa\/\u00a0<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Dan Rubinstein A delegation from Carleton University visited South Africa and Uganda in late May on a partnership building trip \u2014 a significant step towards Carleton\u2019s goal of expanding international research and educational collaborations and an acknowledgement of Africa\u2019s increasing importance on the global stage. The trip embodies Carleton\u2019s principles- and values-based approach to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":55,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[234,80,1,81,277,236],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nCarleton Expands Research and Educational Partnerships in Africa - Institute of African Studies<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"By Dan Rubinstein A delegation from Carleton University visited South Africa and Uganda in late May on a partnership building trip \u2014 a significant step\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/africanstudies\/2025\/carleton-expands-research-and-educational-partnerships-in-africa\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"GabrielHabiyaremye\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/africanstudies\/2025\/carleton-expands-research-and-educational-partnerships-in-africa\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/africanstudies\/2025\/carleton-expands-research-and-educational-partnerships-in-africa\/\",\"name\":\"Carleton Expands Research and Educational Partnerships in Africa - 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