Report - South Africa – Sweden University Forum · 2019. 5. 10. · The South Africa-Sweden University Forum (SASUF) is a strategic internationalisation project running from

REPORT

SOUTH AFRICA – SWEDEN RESEARCH

& INNOVATION WEEK

6 – 10th of May 2019

ABOUT SASUF

The South Africa-Sweden University Forum (SASUF) is a strategic internationalisation project running from

2017-2020 with the overall aim of strengthening ties between Sweden and South Africa in research, education

and innovation.

SASUF is a collaboration between 36 universities in Sweden & South Africa together with embassies, funding

agencies & ministries in both countries. Uppsala University has the task of coordinating the project.

OBJECTIVES

During the lifespan of the SASUF project (2017-2020) the project aims to fulfil the following objectives:

- Bring together researchers from Sweden & South Africa in seminars, exchanges & projects

- Create innovative ways to approach internationalization & utilize the power of digital tools in

international collaboration

- Connect researchers with funding agencies, industry, ministries & surrounding society in working

towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

FUNDING

SASUF has a budget of 22 000 000 SEK and is funded by STINT (Swedish Foundation for International

Cooperation in Research and Higher Education), the National Research Foundation and the Department of

Higher Education & Training in South Africa, in combination with partner universities.

PARTNER UNIVERSITIES

In 2017 when SASUF commenced, there were originally 7

partner universities from Sweden and 23 from South Africa.

This year, 2019, SASUF has grown to include 13 partner

universities from Sweden and 23 from South Africa.

The current partner universities in SASUF are the following:

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Central University of Technology

Durban University of Technology

Nelson Mandela University

North West University

Rhodes University

Sol Plaatje University

Stellenbosch University

Tshwane University of Technology

University of Cape Town

University of Fort Hare

University of the Free State

University of Johannesburg

University of KwaZulu-Natal

University of Limpopo

University of Pretoria

University of South Africa

University of the Western Cape

University of Venda

University of Witwatersrand

University of Zululand

Vaal University of Technology

Walter Sisulu University

Uppsala University (coordinator)

Lund University

Karlstad University

KI – Karolinska institutet

KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Linköping University

Malmö University

Stockholm University

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Umeå University

University of Gothenburg

University West

Örebro University

S O U T H A F R I C A – S W E D E N R E S E A R C H S E M I N A R 2 0 1 9

The main event during the South Africa – Sweden Research & Innovation Week was the South Africa

– Sweden Research Seminar that took place during the 8-10th of May 2019 at Stellenbosch University.

Group photo of participants to the South Africa – Sweden Research & Innovation Week. Pictured outside the

Stellenbosch University Konservatorium Building. 10th of May 2019, South Africa.

The Research & Innovation Week was opened informally on Wednesday the 8th of May with a

welcoming reception and mingle. The opening ceremony was initially planned to take place on the

Wednesday, however due to logistical reasons surrounding the South African General Elections that

took place on the same day, the programme was accustomed to this.

The Research & Innovation Week was officially opened on Thursday the 9th of May with an opening

ceremony for an audience of 500 persons. Professor Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor at

Stellenbosch University welcomed the guests, followed by a key-note speech from Professor Thuli

Madonsela, Law Faculty Trust Chair for Social Justice at Stellenbosch University. The opening

remarks were held by Professor Hans Adolfsson, Vice-Chancellor at Umeå University.

RESEARCH CHALLENGES

Upon the submission of abstracts, the participating researchers were asked to select one of six

thematic areas, referred to as Challenges, which were derived from the UN Sustainable Development

Goals (SDGs).

Each challenge consisted of roughly 60-70 participants, with some variation, and were subsequently

divided into 2-4 subgroups within each challenge. The format for the research seminar and the

division of participants into groups was coordinated by the Academic Advisory Committee (AAC) for

each challenge.

The 6 Challenges were the following:

Climate change, natural resources and sustainability

Education for a sustainable society

Social transformation through change: Knowledge and social development strategies

for society

Understanding the burden of disease in Sweden and South Africa and its impact on

the health systems of the two countries in the future

Sustainable urbanization, travel and tourism in the 21st century

Digital technologies, big data and cyber security

PARALLELL SESSION 1: CLIMATE CHANGE

Academic co-chairs: Professor Ntebogeng Mokgalaka (Tshwane University of Technology) and

Professor Hans Linderholm (Gothenburg University)

The Theme 1 programme was divided into four subthemes with 12 parallel sessions over two days.

The presentations were 15 minutes and allowed a question and answer session at the end of each

presentation as well as during group discussion sessions.

The subthemes were as follows: General, Food, Water and Energy.

The General subtheme had 21 presentations covering topics in biotechnology and restoration,

climate change impacts and modelling, circular economy, policy and natural resources.

The Food subtheme was made up of 15 presentations with topics in aquaculture and new food,

reducing losses and new topics in food.

The Water subtheme delivered 10 presentations in membrane technology, monitoring and

integrated resource water management.

The Energy subtheme had 4 presentations in renewable energy and energy storage. 8 poster

presentations took place in the different subthemes. 6 networks were established and it is expected

that they will submit proposals for funding.

As a result of the research seminar, networks were formed in the following areas:

1 - Microbial diversity & biotechnology

2 - Soil, plant and arthropod management

3 - People and ecosystems at risk

4 - Food production on land & in aquaculture

5 - Water, purification and management

6 - Energy, renewable energy sources

PARALELL SESSION 2: EDUCATION

Academic co-chairs: Professor Per Assmo (University West) and Professor José Franz (University of the

Western Cape)

The programme for theme 2 consisted of three sub-themes and began informally on Tuesday May 7th

with a “meet and greet” for participants to get acquainted prior to the research seminar. The sub-

themes were as following:

Sub-Theme 1. Global Education – challenges and opportunities

Many contemporary educational thinkers emphasize the important role of education in a globalized

world, including terms such as global citizenship and intercultural education. What role(s) can

education play to enhance an equal sustainable society? How can changes of existing prevalent

orders of educational and political discourses, at both practical and theoretical levels, be challenged

to fulfil the notion of sustainability (SDG 2030)?

Sub-Theme 2. Educational Theories and Methods - Otherness, plurality and inclusion

Contemporary arguments often claim that there are many rationalities, also in relation to educational

theories and methods. In this post-modern era, how do we view new (alternative) educational

concepts, models and design, as well as curriculum development, that highlights terms such as,

otherness, plurality and inclusion, as well as post-colonialism and de-colonialisation?

Sub-Theme 3. Transformation of Educational Institutions and Structures – New educational orders?

In contemporary societies, increasing socio-economic stratification, poverty, migration, and second

language learners, lead to more diverse multi-cultural student bodies. How can transformation

and/or creation of (alternative) educational orders, in educational institutions, organizations, and

structures, be formed to effectively promote policies and strategies aiming for fair and equal access

and pathways to education?

A total of 50 researchers were registered to attend theme 2 and each participant was delegated a

sub-theme according to their research area. The seminars consisted of 15 minute presentations for

each participant, with 5 minutes for questions.

PARALLELL SESSION 3: SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

Academic co-chairs: Dr Vasna Ramasar (Lund University), Professor Dee Smythe (University of Cape

Town)

In theme 3 a total of 34 researchers were registered to attend the seminar.

The main focus of parallel session 3 was to meet and develop funding proposals together so that

teams could start working together during and after the sessions. Thus, groups were formed around

areas of the participants own interest with the intention of creating space for discussion and sharing

of ideas. The parallel session was structured to allow for proposal ideas and drafts to be developed

that could be submitted after the research seminar had ended.

Participants were divided into sub-themes and were encouraged to prepare a maximum of 5 slides

covering the following: Current affiliation, Current research and interests in keywords, Current

teaching if relevant to the theme, Ideas for proposals/collaboration that you would like to pursue.

Parallel session 3 resulted in the idea of creating a thematic book together as a group. The creation

of this book is in progress and will be published in due course.

PARALLELL SESSION 4: HEALTH

Academic co-chairs: Professor Per-Olof Östergren (Lund University) and Professor Noddy Jinabhai

(Durban University of Technology)

During the conference in Stellenbosch there were 59 presentations in the three allocated time slots.

This represents a two-fold increase compared to the 30 presentations the previous year. The

presentations were given in four thematic sessions (NCD, nutrition and oral health; Health Systems

and mHealth; Infectious diseases, mental health, disability, child and maternal health; and Cancer).

This required two parallel tracks. The presentations were organized in the traditional format of 10-15

minutes oral presentation by the abstract author, followed by questions from the audience and a

short discussion.

A brief analysis was made of the presentations/abstracts of Theme 4, which showed the following:

Out of the 59 (30) presentations at the 2019 conference 18 were from South African researchers and

41 from Sweden, which showed that the balance had shifted somewhat to the Swedish side since the

corresponding figures for 2018 were 14 and 16, respectively. Someone remarked that this could be

due to the circumstances that the organisers had put a ”ceiling” on the number of participants from

South Africa, which resulted in an overall higher number of participants from Sweden at the

conference.

Among the submitted abstracts for the 2019 conference 43 contained information that they were

reporting on an on-going SA/Sweden collaboration and an additional 16 were seeking partners. The

corresponding figures for 2018 were 15 and 15, respectively. This seems to be strong evidence of a

rather sharp increase in new collaborations and/or other on-going SA/Swedish collaborations had

chosen to present their activities at the SASUF conference. Both interpretations should be regarded

as evidence of considerable success regarding the overarching aim of the SASUF initiative.

In the abstract, information regarding which Sustainable Development Goal that was/were

concerned were asked for. This table shows the results, which also include the number for 2018 as a

comparison:

There are two very clear patterns. The first one shows that there are a many more SDGs stated in the

2019 abstracts compared to those from 2018. Moreover that there is a much broader distribution, i.e.

in 2018 typically SDG 3 (Health) was stated and perhaps one or two more, while in the 2019 abstracts

a very wide array of SDGs were presented as relevant for the presented project. A very short

interpretations of the analysis above would be the SDG-concept has become more known and more

widely understood, especially that health more often than not involves a number of other arenas

than health and health care. This is very promising in the perspective that the SDGs and Agenda 2030

should serve as the overarching framework for policy in all areas, and for policy-related activities

such as the production of knowledge by higher teaching institutions.

15 satellite workshops were arranged within Theme 4, compared to four workshops in 2018. In other

words, there was a substantial increase in this type of activates, which according to Chair Per-Olof

Östergren reflects the circumstance that some collaborations which started in 2018 now took the

opportunity to consolidate their collaboration and to invite more partners.

PARALLELL SESSION 5: URBANISATION

Academic co-chairs: Professor Johan Jansson (Lund University) and Professor Josephine Musango

(Stellenbosch University)

In theme 5, a total of 34 participants were registered to attend the parallel seminar. Participants

were divided into sub-themes according to the following:

- Innovation

- Ecosystem services and small towns

- Transportation

- Water

- Informal settlements

Pictured: Participants in Theme 5 sub-theme water.

PARALLELL SESSION 6: DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Academic co-chairs: Professor Jacques Ophoff (University of Cape Town), Professor Nicolette

Lakemond (Linköping University) and Professor Gunnar Holmberg (Linköping University)

Co-chairs for Challenge 6 reported that the participation and engagement in the theme were very good. All

presentations were engaging and showcased a large variety of work, as the theme covered a broad range of

topics. Many different perspectives were discussed – technology, societal, regulatory, management,

applications, etc. As chairs we derived the following thematic classification:

Theme Technology Application Societal

Big Data 3 1

Bio Informatics 2

Cybersecurity 1 2 7

Digitalization 3 2 6

Health Care 7

Higher Education 2 3

During the two days we had 45 participants (24 from Sweden and 21 from South Africa). There were 36

presentations (20 from Sweden, 14 from South Africa, and 2 combined). At least 6 existing and ongoing

collaborations were presented, and we are aware of planning for 8 new collaborations.

ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Each challenge in the research seminar was led by an Academic Advisory Committee (AAC) whose purpose it

was to ensure the academic quality and content of the research seminar programme.

Among the tasks for the AACs was to organize and connect participating researchers within the challenge. To

help identify and suggest satellite events from the perspective of the challenge theme. To coordinate the

academic organization of the research seminar, for example by creating a suitable programme, dividing

participants into subgroups and finding an innovative solution for presentations given the time frame.

The AACs were compiled on the basis of nominations and shown interest from researchers from the 36 partner

universities. For each challenge, an AAC was created, led by two co-chairs. One chair representing South Africa

and one chair representing Sweden. Each AAC consisted of 6-8 persons, representing almost all partner

universities.

Names and contact details to the AACs can be found here: https://sasuf.org/about/academic-advisory-

committees/

https://sasuf.org/about/academic-advisory-committees/

https://sasuf.org/about/academic-advisory-committees/

S O U T H A F R I C A – S W E D E N L E A D E R S H I P S U M M I T 2 0 1 9

The South Africa – Sweden Leadership Summit took place on the 8-10th of May 2019 in Stellenbosch,

parallel to the Research Seminar.

After the Opening Ceremony on Thursday the 9th, the Summit took place at the Stellenbosch

Institute for Advanced Studies (STIAS) with representatives from University Management from the

36 partner universities, Funding agencies; STINT1, FORTE2, FORMAS3, NRF4, Young Academy of

Sweden, as well as representatives from Government Offices; DHET5, DST6, The Ministry of Education

Sweden, and the Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria. There were student unions present from both

South Africa and Sweden.

1 The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education 2 The Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare 3 Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development 4 National Research Foundation, South Africa 5 Department for Higher Education and Training, South Africa 6 Department for Science and Technology, South Africa

The Leadership Summit consisted of three panel discussions;

1. Research collaboration between Sweden and South Africa in 2030

2. Educating a generation of students ready for the challenges of Agenda 2030

3. Cooperation with surrounding society

These three panel discussions consisted of a moderator and 3-4 panellists. The panel discussions

were followed by round table discussions amongst the participants and then moderated

discussions/synopsis as input for the Joint Declaration.

Panel 1 – Research collaboration between Sweden and South Africa in 2030

Professor Hester Klopper, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Strategy and Internationalisation at

Stellenbosch University, gave an introduction and welcome to the Leadership Summit. This was

followed by the commencement of Panel 1, moderated by Professor Mattias Goksör, Pro Vice-

Chancellor at the University of Gothenburg.

Panel 1 consisted of the following:

- Dr. Per Hillbur - Pro-Rector - Malmö University

- Dr. Anna Wetterbom – CEO - Young Academy of Sweden

- Professor Stephanie Burton, Vice-Principal: Research and Post Graduate Education,

University of Pretoria

- Professor Thandi Mgwebi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement

Tshwane University of Technology

Among the topics discussed during panel 1 were networks and flexible funding models to ensure

sustainable research, how partnerships can encourage cultural diversity, strengthening public-private

partnerships, the access of young and emerging researchers to partnerships and networks, research

and it’s dependency on data and technology, the incorporation of the SDG:s in research, ensuring

sustainable virtual communication and connectivity, and the synchronization of student mobility

with teacher teaching and learning, etc.

Key words from the discussions were:

- Mobility – virtual and in real time

- Cultural diversity

- Delivering on the SDG’s in an impactful way

- Digitalisation

- Young researchers

- Senior researcher’s role in developing young researchers

- Task force re mapping

- Technology

- Artificial Intelligence

- Co-creation.

Panel 2 – Educating a generation of students ready for the challenges of Agenda 2030

This panel was moderated by Professor Hester Klopper, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Strategy and

Internationalisation at Stellenbosch University, followed by a discussion on the topic of educating a

generation of students ready for the challenges of Agenda 2030, with the following panelists:

- Mr Ghaleeb Jeppie, Chief Director, International Relations, Department of Higher Education

and Training

- Professor Arnold Schoonwinkel, Vice-Rector: Learning and Teaching - Stellenbosch University

- Professor Clas Hättestrand Pro-Vice Chancellor - Stockholm University

- Professor Sigbritt Karlsson Vice-Chancellor - KTH Royal Institute of Technology

The panel discussion addressed the global mind set of students today. Students are more travelled

today, they are less inclined to travel during their studies. It can therefore be difficult to increase

mobility. However, this can also be seen as positive, students already have this experience and we

can instead ask ourselves how to make use of this. For Swedish students we therefore have to think

in new ways to increase Internationalisation and contribute to sustainability, said Professer

Hättestrand.

Swedish students travel extensively over the world, however how they take in information is

unclear. Our role as universities is to equip the students with tools to take in and process this

information. Students are our future and they need these tools, they also need to be able to think

critically, noted Professor Karlsson.

Many students want to go to the US and UK, added Mr Jeppie. The challenge is to ask how to shift

and change the mind set from a European to an African mind set. One example is through the

curriculum, but also through the hidden curriculum. The social sphere of interests. The question was

raised of how we can harness this to make students feel a part of a global community?

We try to involve students in all aspects of university life, said Professor Schoonwinkel. Collaborative

and network learning are important aspects of this. Collaboration beyond campus, for example

internationally. Networks are therefore important, to address practical solutions to allow students to

collaborate beyond campus.

Key words during the discussions were:

- Internationalisation at home but also away

- Cultural mind set of students to meet SDGS

- Importance for students to also travel

- We should encourage the African perspective

- We should encourage understanding for diversity. This can be done through partnership and

collaboration.

The panel discussion was followed by round-table discussions on this topic.

Panel 3 – Cooperation with surrounding society

The third panel discussion was moderated by Professor Mattias Goksör, Pro Vice-Chancellor at

Gothenburg University. The topic was cooperation with surround society and the panel consisted of

the following:

- Professor Ylva Hillbur - Pro Vice-Chancellor for International relations - Swedish University of

Agricultural Sciences

- Professor Hans Adolfsson - Vice Chancellor - Umeå University

- Professor Henk de Jager, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Technology

- Mr Daan du Toit, Deputy Director-General: International Cooperation and Resources,

Department of Science and Technology

Topics discussed were that we must develop solutions that have both local and global impact. It was

emphasized that work with and focus on education and mitigation on matters such as climate

change, food security, sustainable agriculture, are of great importance. Solutions should be financial

and socially sustainable and find partners to ensure sustainability.

It was discussed that co-operation can take different forms and that the core activities are often on

education and research and that co-operation with society is not always top of mind.

The topic at hand was described as a three-fold mission; teaching and learning, research, and

community engagement. Therefore Universities have a social responsibility also as they were

described as hotbeds of innovation and entrepreneurship with great potential to collaborate.

Key words during the discussion:

- Collaboration in society, universities are in society

- Mapping

- Uniqueness

- Adaptive mobility

- Collaboration with multiple partners

- Differences in grant writing capacity at universities

SOUTH AFRICA – SWEDEN JOINT DECLARATION

At the end of the Leadership Summit on the 10th of May a South Africa – Sweden Joint Declaration

was produced and signed by the 36 vice-chancellors of the partner universities.

The Joint Declaration served as a call to action for governments in Sweden and South Africa to

achieve the following:

To support flexible mobility of academic staff, students encompassing under-graduate, -

graduate, and doctoral students as well as post docs and provide for exchange opportunities

for administrative officials – by strengthening existing funding structures and creating new

ones where gaps exist.

To facilitate the development of early career academics - through the initiation of grant

programmes to enhance collaboration and networking between South Africa and Sweden.

To ensure appropriate flexible funding schemes to facilitate partnerships in research and

education between South Africa and Sweden.

Upon her return to Uppsala University, Vice Chancellor Eva Åkesson presented the Joint Declaration

to Minister for Higher Education and Research, Matilda Ernkrans. The process for handing the

declaration over to the South African Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology is

currently being confirmed.

Pictured – Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University, Eva Åkesson, presenting the South Africa – Sweden Joint Declaration for the

Swedish Minister for Higher Education and Research, Matilda Ernkrans, May 2019.

SATELLITE EVENTS

The 47 satellite events were organized at 18 universities in 13 different cities in South Africa and were

open to all SASUF participants but also to the general public. The events were communicated via an

online scheduling tool and provided to all participants to the forum and via the project website.

The following extracts are reports from some of the events organized within the frame of the South

Africa – Sweden Research and Innovation Week.

Satellite Event: Sustainable Food and Animal Production Workshop (Theme 1)

Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch

This workshop was arranged on the 7th of May 2019 at Stellenbosch University on the topic of Theme

1 – Climate change, more specifically on the topic of sustainable food and animal production. There

were 30 participants at the event from both Sweden and South Africa, with representatives from

within academia, organisations and funding agencies. The workshop began with introductions from

all participants, followed by a short lecture and informal discussions.

The workshop gave possibility to present and discuss research, education and activities in this

context, with focus on food, dairy, beef and wildlife. The organizers expressed a will to encourage

collaborations with animal-, plant- and food scientists for full integration of knowledge within the

value chain from feed resources in the field to the consumer products.

The South Africa – Sweden Research and

Innovation Week gives opportunity for

individuals or groups to organize

independently run events or activities under

the umbrella of SASUF.

These events took place from the 5th – 8th of

May 2019 across South Africa and engaged at

total of 1,500 participants in 47 different

events.

A follow-up seminar took place on Friday the 10th of May to allow for in-depth discussions following

the previous workshop.

Pictured: Some of the participants to the satellite event – “Sustainable food and animal production”

Satellite event: Special Session: Academic Advisory Panel on Science, Technology and Innovations

for Sustainable human settlements (Theme 5)

Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth

This satellite event took place at Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth and was arranged by

Professor Sijekula Mbanga on topic of technology and innovations for sustainable human

settlements.

About 112 delegates participated in this Satellite Event that was held on 6 May 2019 in Nelson

Mandela University, North Campus Goldfields Auditorium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The event

combined an academic paper driven Symposium that attracted sixty five abstracts that were peer

reviewed for presentation of Full Papers in the Symposium. The Symposium was organised in

partnership with the Department of Science and Technology and Department of Human Settlements,

under the Theme "Sustainable Urbanisation through research, innovations and partnerships" broken

down into nine tracks. The Symposium also hosted a Special Session on Science, Technology and

Innovations for Sustainable Human Settlements. The Symposium was concluded with a Networking

Dinner at The Pine Lodge, Marine Drive in Port Elizabeth.

Researchers from the following organisations/universities participated in the Symposium:

1. Nelson Mandela University

2. Department of Science and Technology

3. Department of Human Settlements

4. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

5. Human Sciences Research Council

6. Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements

7. Lund University

8. Stockholm University

9. University of Free State

10. University of Johannesburg

11. University of Fort Hare

12. University of Witwatersrand

13. University of KwaZulu-Natal

14. Mangosuthu University of Technology

15. Durban University of Technology

16. University of Zululand

17. University of Limpopo

18. Human Settlements Action Group NGO

19. South African Cities Network

20. Rhodes University

21. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

22. Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform

23. Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

In the morning of 7th May 2019 delegates visited a housing development in Walmer Airport Valley

where the community works with government through cooperatives to upgrade an informal

settlement. The review of full academic papers will continue until 30 June 2019. Symposium

Proceedings will be published by 30 August 2019.

Satellite Event: Membrane for a sustainable future (Theme 1)

University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

The workshop was presented by Prof Frank Lipnizki from Lund University and Dr Heidi Richards from

University of the Witwatersrand.

The aim of this satellite activity was to provide Master and PhD students with an up to date insight

into membrane technology and to share experiences between South African and Swedish

researchers.

The workshop was very well attended, with a total of 13 participants from various institutions within

South Africa. Participants travelled from University of Limpopo, Tshwane University of Technology

and Vaal University of Technology. The workshop ran over 2 full days and both a theoretical and

practical component. Prof Lipnizki with his extensive experience in membrane applications, had the

participants involved in designing their own membrane plants and the more practical approach to

learning was very useful to the students.

Satellite Event: Open education and social justice: toward a collaborative research framework and

implementation agenda (Theme 2), University of Cape Town, Cape Town

The OESJ initiative hosted the “Open Education and Social Justice: Towards a Collaborative Research

Framework and Implementation Agenda” on 6 and 7 May 2019. The event was hosted by the Centre

for Innovation in Learning and Teaching at UCT.

The Open Education and Social Justice (OESJ) project is a SASUF-funded collaboration aimed at

promoting a more equitable, contextually-appropriate approach to education. Participating

researchers are based at the Gothenburg University and University West in Sweden, and the

University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. The primary

deliverables of the project are to conduct a collaborative literature review and develop a conceptual

framework to facilitate further research and implementation work in the field of open education.

The project has an explicit capacity development component in terms of mentoring emerging

researchers and conducting information sharing sessions with institutional stakeholders. There is

also an imperative to identify possible collaborators for longer-term open textbook implementation

and research case studies.

Satellite event overview

The OESJ satellite event was intended as an opportunity to refine the conceptual framework under

development and boost collaboration between participating researchers. It formed the second in-

person consultative session of the core research team; the first of which took place at the OER19

conference in Galway, Ireland, in April 2019. The event was comprised of two components: (1) a day-

and-a-half working session on 6/7 May attended by the OESJ research team; and (2) an open

consultative and participatory seminar on the afternoon of 7 May with open education and social

justice researchers as well as institutional stakeholders.

Satellite event part 2: Open seminar

This open seminar component of the OESJ satellite event provided an opportunity for OESJ

researchers to share and invite critique of a conceptual framework that can inform research design

and methodological approach of future work in this area. The seminar had 34 invited participants and

led to lively discussion on issues related to social justice and open education.

Dr Anne Algers of Gothenburg University outlining contextual comparisons of the Swedish and South African

higher education systems at the seminar event (7th May 2019)

Conclusion

The SASUF satellite event was valuable to the OESJ project team and scoping process in that it

constituted an important opportunity to have in-person contact in a collaborative process otherwise

defined by virtual, online collaboration. The workshop and seminar provided the core research team

with the space to get to grips with the deep complexities of working across the South African and

Swedish higher education landscapes. The seminar event also provided an opportunity to extend

collaboration to include interested parties beyond the core research team and participating

institutions. The satellite event reinforced the critical nature and importance of the field of open

education and social justice research, and bolstered collaboration between participants. It has

served as valuable impetus to continue development of the open education and social justice

conceptual framework and to pursue funding to extend this work beyond the SASUF scoping period.

LIST OF SATELLITE EVENTS ARRANGED DURING SASUF R&I WEEK 2019

A total of 49 satellite events took place during the Research & Innovation Week 2019. The events

were categorized from Theme 1-6 and an additional theme for cross-cutting events. The satellite

events were published on an online and interactive platform that allowed participants to build their

own schedule from preference. The following is a list of satellite events:

Theme Topic Location Host


New crystalisation methods for resource recovery

Cape Town University of Cape Town


Visit to Sterkfontein caves Johannesburg North West University


Water and wastewater in South Africa

Johannesburg University of Witwatersrand


Microbial diversity and biotechnology for a sustainable future

Pretoria Tshwane University of Technology


Membrane for a sustainable future



Climate change mitigation and adaptation potential of wilder rangelands

Port Elizabeth Nelson Mandela University


Sustainable food and animal production based on natural resources

Stellenbosch Stellenbosch University


Sustainable plant, soil and arthropod management - towards a safe, productive and diverse biosphere

Potchefstroom North West University


The use of constructed wetlands for remediating wastewater in South Africa



Public lecture: Microbial biotechnology, potentials and challenges with a focus on photosynthetic microorganisms

Pretoria University of Pretoria


Tackling invasive threats in a changing climate: preparedness, resilience and response - from omics to local and regional management

Cape Town University of the Western Cape


Development and management of e-learning tools for a learning community in South Africa and Sweden



Work integrated learning: Theories, methods and application

Cape Town Central University of Technology


Research partnership for Agenda 2030 in higher education

Pretoria University of South Africa


Doctoral education at a distance: Seeking solutions to providing doctoral and research training through distance learning



Open education and social justice: Towards a collaborative research framework and implementation agenda



Education for a sustainable society - researchers meet & greet


Social transformation through change: Knowledge and social development strategies for society

The voices of local communities: What should be the agenda for the radical transformation of local-based-economy? "Sithi azibuyele emasisweni sivusele inqolobane yesizwe"

Richards Bay University of Zululand


Migration, mobility and ubuntu: Everyday social work practice

Limpopo University of Venda


Transforming the curriculum: Disruptive thinking and responsible research

Cape Town Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Understanding the burden of disease in Sweden and South Africa and its impact on the health systems of the two countries in the future

Situation analysis of e-health and health SDG 3 in Kwa-Zulu Natal

Durban Durban University of Technology


The burden of disease due to antimicrobial resistance



Biotechnology at the cross-road: Innovations and capacity development at the service of rural and developed communities



Capacity building around strengthening epidemiological, big data analytical capacity

Durban Durban University of Technology


Genetic, social and environmental factors influencing complexes and epidemiology of complex traits in African and European populations - understanding the burden of disease in Sweden and South Africa



Capacity building on "development of framework for community based intervention"



Society based interventions to combat childhood obesity 1

East London University of Fort Hare


Inguinal hernia workshop Cape Town University of Cape Town


SAMRC/Forte collaborative research programme - Inequalities in health and health systems/ health system policies

Cape Town SAMRC/ Forte


Pre-eclampsia research Cape Town Stellenbosch University


Non-communicable diseases in patients with and without HIV and AIDS

Mthatha Walter Sisulu University


Society based interventions to combat childhood obesity 2



Mini-symposium on Immunoproteomics of infectious diseases: diagnostic markers and novel therapeutics



Community mobility of older adults with and without dementia



Are neurodegenerative disorders triggered by alterations in cell metabolism and/or bioenergetics?


Sustainable urbanisation, travel and tourism in the 21st Century

Sustainable urbanization through research, innovations and partnerships



Peri-urban spatial challenges in small rural towns



Urban planning and sustainability in the making: Examples from Sweden


Digital technologies, big data and cybersecurity

South Africa - Sweden University Forum (SASUF) UNIZULU Colloquium



Digital technologies and the future of production - practical applications and emerging research fields

Cape Town Central University of Technology


Making systems trustworthy by model checking and symbolic execution



NEPTTP-eSSENCE Workshop on MSc research work in data science


Cross-cutting event Siphila Ka-nje! This is how we live! Cultural and game tour


Cross-cutting event SASUF - NRF/STINT Joint Researchers' Workshop

Stellenbosch National Research Foundation

Cross-cutting event SASUF Proposal writing course for research grants

Limpopo University of Limpopo

Cross-cutting event Migration and mbiilities: Engaging with civil society in collaborative research and innovation


Cross-cutting event Sol Plaatje University satellite event 2019

Kimberley Sol Plaatje University

Cross-cutting event Business - Academic Collaboration Symposium

Stellenbosch Stellenbosch University/ Lund University

SURVEY 2019

During the course of SASUF an external evaluation has been conducted by Asking AB. This year, 2019,

a second survey was conducted to measure respondents’ view of the South Africa – Sweden

Research & Innovation week 2019.

The survey was sent by mail to 427 persons on the 15th of May. A first reminder was sent on the 22nd

of May and a second reminder on the 29th of June. The survey was open for answers until the 8th of

June.

Below are some extracts from the survey results. To be able to compare with the feedback from the

Research & Innovation Week of 2018 these results have been included in the graphs.

Q I THINK THAT THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE

STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS AND COOPERATION BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND SWEDEN WITHIN MY FIELD:

79%

84%

86%

77%

80%

84%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

SATELLITE EVENTS

LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

RESEARCH SEMINAR

% Strongly Agree/Agree

2018 2019

Q WHAT WERE THE DIRECT RESULTS OF PARTICIPATING IN SASUF?

Participants were given the following response alternatives; Strongly agree – Agree – Slightly Agree

– Disagree – Strongly Disagree. The diagrams above show the results of the percentage of

participants that Strongly Agree or Agree with the question or statement, however it does not

include the percentage that Slightly Agree. Thus, the remaining percentage are those persons that

Slightly Agree, or Disagree.

The participants also had the possibility to leave a comment or specify if another result was achieved.

Among the comments for 2019 were that Swedish participants had the time to plan future

collaboration with South African participants before or after the SASUF conference. Other

commented that they had the opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships, but did not however

initiate any new partnerships. A South African participant commented that the Swedish academics

were “much more open to sharing knowledge and that in itself was a big investment for me”.

Q WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE STRONGEST VALUE OF SASUF?

The results from 2018 and 2019 to this question are similar in comparison. The participants

emphasized the importance of meeting other researchers within the same field but also in other

fields. In 2019 the participants enjoyed the broader discussions that were a result of the meeting

between researchers from different themes. Participants also expressed satisfaction over the

possibility to meet directly and solve problems together over meetings. The results suggest that

40%

58%

66%

74%

83%

76%

86%

50%

52%

62%

71%

71%

72%

84%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ESTABLISHED NEW RELATIONSHIPS WITH …

DEVELOPED COMPETENCES THAT CAN HELP DEVELOP …

UNDERSTOOD HOW TO COLLABORATE BETTER WITH …

UNDERSTOOD HOW TO COLLABORATE BETTER WITH …

GAINED KNOWLEDGE ON POSSIBILITIES TO ACCESS NEW …

NOW A PART OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE …

ESTABLISHED NEW RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESEARCHERS

% Strongly Agree/ Agree

2018 2019

enough time was given to facilitate meetings between researchers and enabled the creating of new

networks.

In the first survey result from 2018, participants mention the bringing together of funding agencies,

governments and researchers. Although there is no specific comment about this in the survey from

2019, the participants perceived that they had received greater information about funding

opportunities this year.

• Understanding how to collaborate with researchers

• Meeting colleagues who are within the same field

• Opportunity to network and build new partnerships

• Better awareness of how multi-disciplinary groups work

• Bringing together funding agencies, governments and researchers

2018

•Establishing relationships and learning from more advanced researchers

•To discuss and establish common understanding on how to make collaboration sustainable

•Creating a network of similar interests and learning about the scope of cooperation. Learning from each other’s experiences.

•Joint discussions on broader themes, enabling different fields to inspire and influence each other

•Meeting on the spot and solving problems over meetings. Understanding the importance of research in the different theme areas. We have a chance to deal with these problems in a more efficient way.

2019

Q AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Some of the comments from 2018 were the following; more opportunity for smaller group

discussions, more structured networking, workshop timeslots for developing research ideas and

applying for funding, opportunity for researchers to meet non-academia, greater engagement of

PhDs.

This year, 2019, the participants expressed that networking and collaboration was a strong outcome

of the research and innovation week. With this said, some participants still commented the need for

more time for discussions and break-away sessions. Given that the time for the parallel sessions was

shortened due to external factors (the general election in South Africa) this factor can easily be

improved in 2020 by allocating more time for the parallel sessions. Some participants experienced

that information about the research seminar and what was expected of them came at a late stage

and could be provided earlier. Some participants felt that the satellite events could be more

centralized in regards to location.

There were no comments in 2019 regarding the involvement of PhDs, suggesting that this parameter

had been sufficiently improved. Similarly there were few or no comments about the need for further

non-academia at the conference, although some participants expressed the opinion that greater

synergies could be found between the research seminar and the leadership summit by encouraging

more interaction between them.

More interaction within the parallell sessions

More time for discussions

Satellite events difficult

to access

More time to write joint

proposals and engage in

break-aways

More clear and prompt information

about expectations

on researchers

COLLABORATION FUNDING

As an incentive for participating researchers at the SASUF research seminar to continue their work together

and to enable future collaboration the opportunity to apply for collaboration funding was presented.

This year, there are collaboration funding opportunities for a total of 50 projects, which is an increase with 30

projects from the previous year. This funding is an opportunity for those researchers that met at the research

seminar to build on or continue a new project idea.

It is possible for researchers to apply for 100.000 SEK/161.000 ZAR and the deadline to submit a proposal for

funding is September 4 2019.

The guidelines for collaboration funding can be found on our website: https://sasuf.org/collaboration-funding/

SOUTH AFRICA – SWEDEN RESEARCH & INNOVATION WEEK 2020

The 3rd South Africa – Sweden Research & Innovation Week will be held on the 4-8th of May 2020 in

Uppsala and Sweden. Nominations for participation should be received from a partner university to

SASUF and will be open from August 2019. Visit https://sasuf.org/ for more information.

https://sasuf.org/collaboration-funding/

https://sasuf.org/

Documents

Report - South Africa – Sweden University Forum · 2019. 5. 10. · The South Africa-Sweden University Forum (SASUF) is a strategic internationalisation project running from