??The 6th South Africa-Japan 中国体育彩票 Forum (SAJU 6), hosted recently by Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 (SU), brought together an impressive assembly of nearly 200 delegates from across the globe in a celebration of academic collaboration and innovation.
Over three days, scholars and leaders from 40 Japanese universities, 20 South African institutions, as well as partners from the United States, Kenya, and Egypt, united to explore new pathways for research-driven partnerships aimed at addressing the world's most pressing challenges.
As the Forum opened with remarks from SU's Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs, Prof Hester Klopper, the message was clear: this gathering was not just a meeting of minds but a platform to build meaningful and enduring partnerships that stretch across continents. At the heart of the discussions was a shared commitment to advancing sustainable development through innovation, with South Africa and Japan leading the way.
Under the theme Fostering Sustainable and Equitable Partnerships in Research and Innovation, the Forum became a vibrant exchange of ideas, new connections and a reaffirmation of the critical role universities play in shaping a more equitable, just and innovative global society.
Klopper emphasised SU's commitment to building purposeful partnerships and highlighted the establishment of the Japan Centre at SU two years ago, which plays a crucial role in fostering academic and cultural exchanges between South Africa and Japan.
Prof Wim De Villiers, Rector and Vice Chancellor of SU, welcomed delegates to Stellenbosch, expressing pride in hosting such a diverse group. “This gathering is not merely a conference. It is a celebration of the enduring and fruitful partnerships between our two nations, academic and research communities," De Villiers said.
“The theme of this year's Forum resonates deeply with Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票's vision of being the leading research-intensive university on the African continent. Our mission is centred on creating knowledge that serves society, and it is through partnerships like those represented here today that we can truly advance this mission," De Villiers noted.
He encouraged participants to engage openly, network and explore new collaborations that could shape the future of research and education.
Dr Phethiwe Matutu, who represented Universities South Africa (USAf), said the SAJU Forum carried valuable lessons that could be shared with the world. She spoke about the importance of learning from past successes and challenges to enhance future collaborations. Matutu also discussed the need for system-to-system collaboration among universities and the potential for joint initiatives in entrepreneurship, curriculum development and the integration of technology such as artificial intelligence in education.
Ghaleeb Jeppie from the South African Embassy in Japan pointed out the critical role of academic collaboration in advancing social justice and addressing global challenges. He lauded the strong partnership between South Africa and Japan which facilitates science exchanges between students and researchers. He called for a robust discussion on social justice, particularly in light of current conflicts affecting educational institutions. Jeppie praised the South Africa-Japan collaboration as a model for north-south partnerships, facilitating advancements in higher education and research.
Keynote addresses and collaborations
The opening session of the SAJU Forum featured two keynote speakers, including Prof Ahmed Bawa, from the 中国体育彩票 of Johannesburg's Business School. Bawa presented data on the outcomes of South Africa-Japan research collaborations, revealing that over 5 000 publications have resulted from the partnership in the past three years. The high citation rate and diverse range of research areas show the quality and impact of these collaborations.
Bawa described universities as bridges between societies. “They are highways for the free flow of scholars, students, ideas, information and knowledge," he said.
Highlighting the diversity in research participation, Bawa noted that 61% of the scientists involved are women and emphasised the need to support younger researchers. He also called for a re-evaluation of the balance between different levels of student involvement in research projects.
In the second keynote address Takahiro Morio, Professor in the Office of Global Initiatives at the 中国体育彩票 of Tsukuba, reflected on the history and development of the SAJU Forum. What started in 2007 as a Rector-level meeting, the Forum has transitioned into a comprehensive academic conference, showing the effectiveness of both top-down and bottom-up approaches to collaboration, he said.
Looking ahead, Morio advocated for the SAJU Forum to continue growing as a community beyond just a platform, fostering sustained academic networks and collaborations. He suggested that the Forum could benefit from further expanding its role as a nexus for innovation and knowledge-sharing between South Africa and Japan.
The overarching theme of SAJU 6 resonated throughout the discussions. Participants explored various topics, including the role of education in addressing global challenges, the importance of funding for collaborative initiatives and the potential for future projects in fields such as green energy and technology.
Student exchanges and joint programmes
The forum also highlighted the significance of student exchanges and joint programmes, such as the Sakura programme, which facilitates collaboration between Japanese and South African students on projects like the Square Kilometre Array. The discussions emphasised the need for increased scholarships and funding to enhance academic mobility and collaboration between the two nations.
Over the three days of the conference, research institutions used the platform to discuss opportunities for future collaboration between institutions such as the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST); the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS); the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED); and locally, the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF).
As SAJU 6 concluded, it became evident that the forum laid the groundwork for future collaborations that could significantly impact research and education in South Africa and Japan. The commitment to fostering sustainable partnerships was palpable, with delegates expressing optimism about the potential for new initiatives and joint projects.
SU's cultural offerings
The foreign visitors were also given a special taste of Stellenbosch's cultural offering. The SAJU attendees were special guests at the annual Frederik Van Zyl-Slabbert Honorary Lecture where the keynote speaker was Yemeni journalist, human rights activist and 2011 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman, who delivered an impassioned address. The second part of the FVZS Lecture programme included a stunning performance by SU's world-renowned choir. The SAJU forum served as a reminder of the power of academic collaboration in addressing global challenges and the importance of building networks that transcend geographical boundaries.
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