Student Network Representative, University of the Free State (SA)

Could you introduce yourself and explain what motivated you to attend the SASUF Research & Innovation Week?

My name is Simba David Matema, an Assistant Researcher in the Reporting and Strategic projects portfolio of the Office for International Affairs at the University of the Free State (UFS). My affiliation in SASUF stretches from being the UFS representative in the SASUF student network to being one of the student network coordinators.

What attracted me to attend the 2024 Research & Innovation Week was the quality of sessions and workshops that were planned by student representatives throughout the week. Seeing these sessions being planned made me even more eager to watch the planning play out. All the student representatives in attendance were present to forge stronger networks with institutions they would like to collaborate with, and to amplify the student voices through fruitful contributions in various engagements.

What workshop or session left a lasting impression on you?

The student-led satellite events were the first highlights for me, as we received an average of 45-50 attendees. This was a true reflection of the value that some delegates saw in the involvement of the student network facet into the broader SASUF. The Sustainability Forum opening ceremony was quite an eye-opener for me as a student representative. It left me with a warm heart, hearing the individuals and delegates that delivered opening speeches mentioning and applauding the student network, and emphasising its importance in propelling internationalisation.

What are the key insights you gained through the week, and how do you plan to apply them in your studies or future career?

As an individual who is still quite new in the realm of academic research, the Research and Innovation Week not only equipped me with many methods for writing and tackling a research paper/thesis through networking with academics, but it also eased the process of finding research collaborators on some of the outcomes that stemmed from “The Hot Topic Dialogue-Debate”.

In conclusionary remarks, the 2024 SASUF Research & Innovation Week was an impeccable success, and I am excited to see what the future holds for the forum and the student network.

Student Network Representative, University West (SE)

Could you introduce yourself and explain what motivated you to attend the SASUF Research and Innovation Week?

My name is Malin Stål, I am a master's student of Work Integrated Political Science at University West. I am also the SASUF Student Network Student Representative for University West. It is through my role as a student rep that I was able to attend the conference in Sweden this year, and I was also able to participate in Cape Town last year. The main reason I wanted to come back and attend the conference again this year was to be able to more fully immerse myself in the experiences available at the conference. I wanted to network with researchers, find potential collaborative projects, and learn more about science and research as a practice which I very much want to get into myself in the future. On top of all that, I think that the collaboration between Swedish and South African Universities is especially appealing to me given the countries' long-standing history of international solidarity, which is my absolute favourite topic to research and discuss.

What workshop or session left a lasting impression on you?

All of the workshops and sessions I attended left an impression on me and I came away with several word-documents full of thoughts and notes. If I have to highlight just one, it will be the workshop by Marina Joubert and Marnell Kirsten about science communication. As a student, I grapple both with sometimes struggling to understand new material, what relevance the material has to me and the "world" both now and in the future, and how I can use the knowledge I gain from the material (or from my own research) to make the world a better place. Being able to effectively communicate scientific knowledge, theories and discoveries to law-makers, fellow researchers and, (in my opinion) most importantly, the public, is key to make sure all of our contributions to science can also become contributions to making our societies more sustainable, inclusive and equal. So that workshop was very helpful to me beginning to learn how to become a better communicator!

What are the key insights you gained through the week, and how do you plan to apply them in your studies or future career?

I think the main insight I gained from attending the conference is the awareness that there are so many people who are as passionate as I am about using science to make the world a better place. To me, it is truly refreshing to come into a context where in every corner of the room, a group of people are having genuine and energized conversations about some niche aspect of their current favourite flavour of science. Especially the multidisciplinary and international nature of these types of conferences presents the opportunity for attendees to explore their thoughts in different contexts as each person brings their unique perspective to the conversation.

Research proposal presenter, University of South Africa (SA)

Could you introduce yourself and describe the research proposal you presented at the Forum?

I am Dr. Ayobami Adekola, a public health researcher at the University of South Africa. My expertise includes leveraging technology to enhance health literacy and reproductive healthcare accessibility in underserved communities. I presented a research proposal titled "Exploring the Nexus Between Health Literacy and Adolescent Health Outcomes in Sweden and South Africa: A Systematic Analysis" at the SASUF Forum. The proposal investigates the relationship between health literacy and adolescent health outcomes in both countries, aiming to inform future interventions to enhance desirable positive health outcomes among young people.

What were the highlights of the Research & Innovation Week for you?

The highlights of Research and Innovation Week included presenting my research proposal, which was well received and opened opportunities for collaboration. I engaged in in-depth discussions on sustainable global healthcare, the role of AI in bridging North-South divides, and community engagement in health interventions. These sessions provided valuable insights and the potential for future collaborative research projects.

How does SASUF support you in fostering collaboration with researchers from Sweden and South Africa?

SASUF supports collaboration by providing a platform for engagement with scholars, researchers, and leaders from both South Africa and Sweden. Through the Forum, I initiated collaborations with researchers from the University of Gothenburg, Malmo University, and Umea University. Additionally, I have other research collaboration initiatives with researchers from the University of Limpopo, the University of Mpumalanga, and the University of Stellenbosch. These engagements are leading to joint research proposals and studies that aim to address critical health issues. The Forum facilitates ongoing dialogues and scheduled follow-up meetings to solidify these partnerships and enhance research outcomes.

Host of Satellite Event, Karolinska Institutet (SE)

Could you start by introducing yourself and explaining your role in the Satellite events?

My name is Yogan Kisten, a postdoc at the department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet (KI), Stockholm, Sweden. My role as a host and organizer of the Rheumatology satellite event was to enable a joint research project and partnership between South Africa and Sweden in understanding the burden of rheumatic diseases in both countries.

I grew up in a little village among the sugar-cane plantations of KwaZulu-Natal during the Apartheid Era of South Africa. I witnessed and experienced some of the harsh conditions imposed on the large majority of South African people, who were deprived of the basic necessities and human rights, proper healthcare and sanitation, and basic formal education among other things, which only started to improve post-1993, affording me the opportunity to achieve a tertiary education and work experience in South Africa and abroad. These experiences have certainly humbled and matured me, yearning to “give back” positively in one way or the other. This is also why the SASUF program was extremely appealing to me. As a dual South African and Swedish citizen, I am very much committed to help promote this international collaboration between both countries, and across continents, hoping to contribute to a sustainable and equitable future for all.

What were some of the most inspiring moments or success stories from the satellite event that you hosted?

When the call for proposals opened for SASUF 2024, we applied to host a satellite Rheumatology event to foster a sustainable partnership between South Africa and Sweden. With assistance from KI for catering and Lars' Vetenskapsrådet grant for hosting our guests and covering other costs, we successfully organized the event. We invited Prof. Bridget Hodkinson and Prof. Riette du Toit from South Africa as keynote speakers. Over 100 attendees, including patients, students, researchers, and stakeholders, joined us both online and in person. We expressed our gratitude to our patient partners, whose participation is crucial for our research, and shared valuable lessons learned in preventing severe disease and improving quality of life, which are significant challenges in South Africa but less common in Sweden due to its advanced healthcare infrastructure.

Our program covered diverse topics, providing insights into rheumatic diseases in both Sweden and South Africa. This highlighted to our Swedish colleagues the challenges faced by those with severe disease in South Africa and across Africa. The event was open to the public, ensuring inclusivity.

How does SASUF support you in fostering collaboration with researchers from Sweden and South Africa?

SASUF supports our collaboration by connecting us with researchers from Sweden and South Africa. Our proposed international postdoc research focuses on how genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors affect Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in South Africa's Western Cape. Hopefully with the SASUF, STINT and National Research Foundation interactions, we aim to leverage cutting-edge technology and international collaboration to improve early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases across continents.

SASUF has guided us in connecting with other stakeholders, such as the National Research Foundation and SANORD programs. We are also interested in joining other research exchanges between South Africa and Sweden, with several of our rheumatology research groups keen to participate.

We look forward to the SASUF international postdoc opportunity offered by STINT and are committed to applying. We deeply appreciate SASUF for this amazing program and are dedicated to a lasting partnership, fostering collaboration between the Global North and Global South.

Workshop host, Mangosuthu University of Technology (SA)

Could you start by introducing yourself and explaining your role in the Sustainability Forum?

Hello, my name is Kavita Behara, and I am a PhD candidate, researcher and educator specializing in artificial intelligence and its applications in healthcare, particularly skin cancer detection.

In the Sustainability Forum, my role was twofold. Firstly, I presented a poster titled "Skin Cancer Classification Using Explainable AI-Powered Deep Neural Networks," which detailed my research on improving the accuracy and interpretability of AI models used in medical diagnostics. Secondly, I conducted a workshop titled "The Impact of Electronic Waste in the Environment and Human Health: Emerging Challenges and Policy Solutions" in collaboration with two Swedish partners, Dr. Carl Dalhammar from Lund University and Professor Katja Devries from Uppsala University. This workshop explored electronic waste's environmental and health implications and discussed sustainable electronic waste management strategies.

What inspired you to be part of a workshop at the Sustainability Forum, and how did your experience align with your expectations?

My inspiration to participate in a Sustainability Forum workshop stemmed from a profound commitment to addressing environmental challenges and leveraging technology for the greater good. The workshop aimed to bring together diverse perspectives and expertise to explore comprehensive solutions and share insights on effective policy measures. My experience at the workshop was incredibly enriching and exceeded my expectations. The participants' enthusiasm and willingness to engage in deep discussions about e-waste management were particularly inspiring. The collaborative atmosphere fostered innovative thinking and the exchange of best practices between South Africa and Sweden.

How do you believe your workshop can contribute to advancing sustainability initiatives in South Africa and Sweden?

I believe our workshop can significantly contribute to advancing sustainability initiatives in South Africa and Sweden. By raising awareness about the critical issue of electronic waste and proposing viable solutions, we can drive policy changes and inspire technological innovations for sustainable e-waste management. One of the primary contributions of the workshop is the development of actionable strategies that can be implemented at both the policy and community levels.

Moreover, the collaboration between South African and Swedish experts fosters a valuable exchange of knowledge and experiences. This partnership allows us to learn from each other's successes and challenges, developing robust and scalable solutions that can be implemented in both countries and potentially serve as models for other regions facing similar issues.

In conclusion, participating in the SASUF Sustainability Forum has been a transformative experience. It has reinforced my belief in the power of international collaboration to address global challenges. It has given me new insights and connections that will undoubtedly influence my future work advancing sustainability initiatives. The insights gained from Swedish culture and the collaborative environment of SASUF will continue to influence my work and interactions meaningfully.

Workshop host, Karlstad University (SE)

Could you start by introducing yourself and explaining your role in the Sustainability Forum?

I'm an anthropologist interested in visual culture and communication. I work in the Department of Language, Literature, and Intercultural Studies at Karlstad University and am a Visiting Associate Professor with the SARChI Chair in South African Art and Visual Culture at the University of Johannesburg. With Professor Brenda Schmahmann, UJ, I chaired the workshop Visual Imagery and Social Change across the Global North-South Divide.

What inspired you to be part of a workshop at the Sustainability Forum, and how did your experience align with your expectations?

SASUF has offered me and the international group of visual studies scholars and practitioners I am part of several opportunities to meet and expand our network. This was the biggest venue so far. It was great to see so many South African colleagues gathered in Sweden at this time of year and to get a chance to attend some of the panels. I especially enjoyed an intriguing comparative discussion about mining and its role in continuously changing living conditions in the Swedish town of Kiruna and South Africa's Johannesburg.

How do you believe your workshop can contribute to advancing sustainability initiatives in South Africa and Sweden?

I come to the issue of sustainability from social science, which means two important things, I think: First, it challenges us to engage with real issues affecting real people and to explore ways in which research can become part of and support people's struggle for a change they can control, and thus also for structure and certainty. This is a hot topic in visual studies, with activism, or "artivism" high on the agenda. Such a focus also, and secondly, allows us to study sustainability as a trope or discourse and to understand what it accomplishes in political, economic, and social terms beyond its laudable aims and ambitions. Our workshop, with presentations by three renowned South African scholars, Karen von Veh, Shanade Barnabas, and Kim Berman, and one Swedish, Erika Larsson, addressed these issues in four fascinating case studies, answering some questions and, more importantly, posing some crucial new ones for future discussions.

Vice Chancellor, Central University of Technology (SA)

From your perspective, what were the main goals of the Research and Innovation Week, and how do you feel these were achieved?

This event provided a space for active engagement and creative thinking about the future of higher education and the transformative impact of research and innovation . I believe SASUF successfully achieved its goals of fostering and supporting collaboration between researchers in South Africa and Sweden.

What do you think were the key highlights and successes from the week?

The participation of over 350 researchers, the depth of the research projects presented, and the engagement between and across stakeholder groups, the students, researchers, and leadership were significant highlights. These interactions were crucial in reimagining SASUF 2030 and beyond.

Additionally, the network's intentionality in realigning and adapting policies impacting the region and the bilateral relationship between South Africa and Sweden stood out. The integration of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda into the working document that will guide SASUF's future constitution and configuration exemplifies the innovative and adaptive nature of the network.

Another highlight was about the validation of the strengths and the uniqueness of the identity of SASUF, also as a North-South initiative between two countries led from across researcher, student and institutional leadership levels, and that has a track record of numerous achievements through the collaborations formed over almost a decade. This provides a solid position of strength to leverage on, going forward.

How do you plan to build on the outcomes of the Research and Innovation Week through future initiatives and collaborations?

To ensure the sustainability of the outcomes from the Research and Innovation Week, I plan to actively support and nurture the initiatives from an institutional perspective. Recognizing the importance of supporting early career researchers and the trajectory of their research careers, it is critical to ensure that internal policies complement and support both current and new SASUF-related initiatives. This support should not only address career development, student pipelines, and research niche improvement but also enable CUT to play a more critical role in the South African higher education sector's response to global challenges. CUT already has a project with University of West on Work Integrated Learning (WIL) which could serve as a best practice model for the whole Forum going forward. We also have a partnerships with Lund University, and we are exploring collaborations with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Malmö University, to benefit both our collective staff and students, including on critical projects such as Women in Leadership training with Uppsala University.