Africa is undergoing a remarkable period of economic and social transformation, with higher education playing a key role. Through deepening our understanding of priorities and development needs of our partners, Warwick is building collaborations rooted in principles of equality and mutually beneficial engagement.

One of our key strategic partners is Stellenbosch University, as Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor explained;

“Our partnership with Stellenbosch University is founded upon a strong history of academic collaboration. Our shared membership of the EUTOPIA Alliance and the Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence provide invaluable opportunities for us to work together to extend the reach of our academic endeavours and foster meaningful connections that transcend borders and disciplines.

The new Stellenbosch-Warwick joint seed fund will play a crucial role in deepening and strengthening our bilateral partnership. Together we will be nurturing new initiatives by fostering connections across research, education and professional services. Our goal is to build sustainable projects that bring real benefits to our staff and students and have the potential to tackle challenges facing our global society.”

The Warwick Africa Hub focuses on advancing new research ideas unconstrained by disciplinary boundaries. Led by Professor Dan Branch and Professor Franklyn Lisk, the vision of the Hub is to bring together the Warwick community to strengthen our engagement with African universities, non-governmental organisations, international institutions, private research institutes and private sector bodies.

The Warwick Africa Hub host a series of guest lectures, presentations and events for Warwick staff and students. On 31 January 2024, Warwick welcomed to campus Professor Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, Stellenbosch University. During her visit, Professor Moyo delivered a guest presentation on the opportunities for collaboration with Stellenbosch in the research and innovation space across all three Warwick faculties. Together, Professor Croft and Professor Moyo announced the launch of the joint seed fund between Stellenbosch and Warwick.

Professor Moyo said;

“The Stellenbosch University and Warwick partnership has had a long history but the launch of the seed fund between the two Universities marks the epitome of this relationship. Through this fund we hope to see more of our Researchers putting joint proposals together for grants and cooperation, as well as involving students as part of future mobility programmes”.

The new Stellenbosch-Warwick Joint Seed Fund will aim to strengthen or initiate exchange between Stellenbosch and Warwick academics and professional services staff by enabling them to jointly undertake preliminary research and education projects, and organise meetings, conferences or workshops. In May we will be welcoming two Post-Doctoral Fellows from Stellenbosch University.

Find out more about the Joint Seed Fund