Carleton Anchors International Collaboration Through South Africa-Canada Universities Network
By
Ahmed Minhas
Photo Credit:
Brenna Mackay
Building on more than three decades of Canada-South Africa academic collaboration, Carleton University is helping formalize a new era of partnership — one that brings together universities, national research councils and researchers to advance shared priorities across both countries.
On Nov. 20, Carleton welcomed leaders from South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) and Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), for the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that strengthens their bilateral commitment to joint research.
The agreement also marks a major step forward for the South Africa-Canada Universities Network (SACUN), which Carleton helped establish and continues to anchor in Canada. The network supports collaborative research, training and dialogue in areas such as reconciliation, health, environmental sustainability, artificial intelligence and inclusive economic development.
“Carleton is proud to serve as the anchor institution for the South Africa-Canada Universities Network,” said Rafik Goubran, Carleton’s Vice-President (Research, Innovation and International). “We value these partnerships not only for their scholarly achievements, but also for the bridges they build between our academic communities.”
He also highlighted the momentum behind Carleton’s global research efforts, noting that external research funding has tripled in recent years, creating opportunities for innovation, discovery and international leadership.
Deepening South African-Canadian Academic Cooperation
The event brought together leaders and researchers from South African universities and Carleton — including Carleton researchers Paul Peters, Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba and Shireen Hassim — who spoke to the work currently underway; South Africa’s High Commissioner to Canada, Riaz Shaik; and representatives from the NRF and SSHRC, to celebrate the signing and outline plans for a joint seed-funding initiative expected to launch in 2026.
David Hornsby, Carleton’s Vice-Provost (Academic and Global Learning) and a driving force behind SACUN, reflected on the network’s origins and the significance of the moment.
“From the beginning, SACUN was built on a simple but powerful premise: the challenges that matter most to our societies do not stop at national borders,” said Hornsby. “It has been my privilege to help foster and watch SACUN grow from an initial idea in 2023 into a vibrant, tangible network.”
He underscored the role universities must play in strengthening international engagement at a moment when countries are turning inward.
“As universities, we have a responsibility to demonstrate the value of a cosmopolitan outlook,” said Hornsby. “We must be the bridge builders, the connectors, the institutions willing to look outward and see opportunity rather than division.”
Prudence Makhura, NRF Executive Director, International Grants and Partnerships, spoke to the importance of sustained, researcher-led collaborations; while Valérie La Traverse, SSHRC Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, emphasized the growing alignment between both countries’ research ecosystems.
While NRF and SSHRC have collaborated before, the new agreement establishes a more formal bilateral framework to support joint projects and sustained institutional connections.
Carleton’s Role as an Anchor Institution
As SACUN’s anchor institution, Carleton continues to guide its development in close collaboration with South African partners and respective national granting councils.
Carleton remains committed to fostering opportunities for research mobility, student engagement and cross-country collaboration as the network expands.
“The signing of the memorandum of understanding between the NRF and SSHRC, along with the introduction of a joint call for seed funding, demonstrates a shared commitment to expanding research cooperation and supporting new connections across our two countries,” said Goubran. “Carleton is honoured to provide a home for this milestone moment.”
The MoU reinforces Carleton’s leadership in fostering international research partnerships that advance knowledge, drive innovation and create meaningful societal impact. It also reflects a shared commitment to strengthening academic cooperation through SACUN.
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