SASUF Knowledge Sharing, Networking, and Send-off Event
On April 4th 2024, SASUF and the Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria teamed up to host an enriching Knowledge Sharing, Networking, and Send-off Event for South African participants heading to the SASUF Research and Innovation Week in Sweden on May 13 - 17. The event acted as a platform to celebrate and share joint collaborative achievements whilst highlighting the potential of bilateral collaborations.
The day was packed with activities, allowing participants to connect, learn about Sweden and SASUF, and engage with researchers from SASUF-funded projects. The attendees included representatives from the SASUF member universities’ proposed delegations to travel to Sweden, representatives from National Research Foundation, representatives from Department of Science and Innovation, Business Sweden, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and external stakeholders who are important for the bilateral relations between Sweden and South Africa.
Serving as moderators for the day were Nkosi Xhakaza from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, as well as Daniel Hart from University of Pretoria.
Recap of the day
The event was structured into three distinct parts, each with its own objective and focus.
The first part provided an introduction to Sweden and served to equip newcomers to the country with essential knowledge for their upcoming travels. The attendees got to take part of a Sweden quiz and get to know each other by speed dating. This served as an excellent networking opportunity for delegates from various universities to familiarize with each other.
Researchers Ensa Johnson, Kathija Yassim and Emaculate Ingwani, who have received funding through SASUF in the past, each held presentations where they shared insights on their experiences in finding collaborative partners in both countries, their joint research endeavors, the mutual benefits derived by both nations from their research, the tangible outcomes of their SASUF collaboration, and the advantages they perceive in collaborating with researchers from both Sweden and South Africa.
Moderators Daniel Hart and Nkosi Xhakaza
The second part of the event showcased collaborative achievements to add value to the discussion. Researchers, policymakers, and business stakeholders were invited to present their funded research projects through various mediums such as books, leaflets, or audiovisual outputs. Swedish businesses operating in South Africa also had the chance to exhibit their research and designs.
Guests had the opportunity to visit these stalls, engage in discussions with the presenters, and foster connections between academia, civil society, and business, with the goal of promoting shared aspirations and potential collaborations.
Researchers Ensa Johnson, Emaculate Ingwani and Kathija Yassim (left to right)
The final segment of the event featured a policy discussion involving representatives from DSI, NRF, SASUF, and the business sector. This discussion focused on leveraging bilateral cooperation to accelerate collaboration in Africa.
As SASUF prepares for a new phase, this discussion complemented ongoing engagements and discussions from various stakeholders about the future of SASUF. It also offered an opportunity to engage with experts within and outside of academia who were invested in building collaborations that would contribute towards driving innovation and development in the continent.
To conclude the day, closing remarks were held by Martin Jörnrud, First Secretary at the Embassy of Sweden.