NOZIPHO N GUMBI
Responding to the Principal and Vice-Chancellor’s call for partnerships and the institution of working relations through memoranda of understanding with Brazilian universities, a Unisa delegation led by the Executive Dean of the university’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology recently set out on a collaboration visit to Universidade de São Paulo in Brazil.
On August 13 to 17, a Unisa delegation visited Universidade de São Paulo (USP) to identify and cement common areas of research interest and undergraduate programme offerings between the two institutions.
USP is one of the oldest public universities in Brazil, with its origins dating back to 1934. The talent and dedication of its staff and students has been recognised by various world rankings.
Currently, USP is responsible for more than 20% of the Brazilian scientific research production.
The visit was prompted by a call made by the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, earlier this year at the lekgotla on the lack of formalised partnerships between Unisa and universities in Brazil, while the country forms part of the BRICS consortium. This she identified as an oversight and missed opportunity for the university to engage in.
BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Within Unisa’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology, there are already researchers who are in possession of BRICS research grants and who have been working and collaborating with institutions in Brazil. One such BRICS grant was obtained last year by Professor Vijaya Vallabhapurapu from the Department of Physics at Unisa in partnership with Professor Igor Porlikapov from the Institute of Physics in Sao Carlos at USP.
The Unisa delegation comprised of academic researchers and support staff working on a range of research topics and research areas, including integrated catalysis, fuel cells and renewable energy solutions research, membrane science and technology for water treatment, and novel materials in physics and their application.
Members of the Unisa delegation selected to participate in the Brazil collaboration visit are close to the actual action of execution and implementation of the research activities that will be identified within the partnership. This visit by the Unisa delegation covered engagements with the Institute of Physics and the Institute of Chemistry at the São Carlos campus of USP, and USP’s Agency for National and International Academic Cooperation in São Paulo.
In setting the scene, the Executive Dean of College of Science, Engineering and Technology , Professor Bhekie Mamba, who led the delegation, presented an overview of Unisa and its offerings and zoomed in on the different research focus areas. “Generally,” he said, “when BRICS research grant calls are put out, it becomes some sort of a marriage of convenience wherein researchers from the BRICS member countries search online for each other in order to out together a compelling research grant proposal.
But when a research proposal is foregrounded by a relationship being established and evidence is shown in the application that the institutions are already working together using resources that provided by the respective universities, then this sets the application apart and in good standing of succeeding.”
Mamba continued: “One of our key interests as a university and college is formulating joint master’s and doctoral degree programmes. It creates a lot of depth with regards to the collaboration in being able to produce world-class students collaboratively.”
Presentations were also made by enthusiastic researchers from both Unisa and USP on their various research projects which then enabled the identification of common areas of interest and possible research projects to kick off the collaboration before an actual memorandum of understanding (MoU) is signed and instituted.
The Unisa delegation was also taken on a campus site visit and laboratory tours within the São Carlos campus of USP. The laboratory visits showcased state-of-the-art facilities within USP, some of which are similar to those available at the Unisa Science Campus. This visit also provided an opportunity for both Unisa and USP to work together, collectively utilising their research facilities to assist other, less fortunate spaces.
Commented Professor Dr Sergio Oliva, Deputy Provost for International Corporation at USP: “Here in Brazil, we are far from everywhere in the world. As such, our students tend to be isolated. Therefore, such partnerships with countries like South Africa chart a path in which we show the world to our students.”
He continued: “Mobility grants do exist within USP, wherein undergraduate and postgraduate students are sent to and received from countries in continents like America, Africa and Asia.”
He explained that key indicators of successful student mobility include project scope defining, willing academics, identification of suitable students and resources to support the mobility.