About

South Africa-Canada research collaboration has deepened over the past three decades, contributing significantly to post-apartheid research and innovation policy development. Carleton University is the anchor institution for the recently established South Africa-Canada Universities Network (SACUN) – a strategic initiative aimed at addressing global challenges through collaborative research, education and innovation.

Universities in South Africa and Canada are globally recognized as leaders and sites of valuable knowledge creation. SACUN leverages the longstanding research links and strengths of both countries in natural sciences, social sciences and arts, including experience with inclusion and reconciliation.

Bringing together researchers, educators, students, university leaders and other partners, the initiative becomes a platform to improve knowledge sharing and develop innovative solutions to common global challenges. Motivated by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the network offers research grants, scholarly exchanges and other partnership mechanisms.

Explore SACUN’s five prioritised themes to learn more about how the network aims to empower the next generation and emerging researchers in both countries to become globally engaged citizens with knowledge, skills and innovation potential to tackle major societal challenges.

9 officials from Carleton and the University of Johannesburg pose for a group photo in the lobby of an academic building. — A delegation from Carleton University visited South Africa and Uganda in late May 2025 on a partnership building trip.