Academics and administrators from universities around the world convened at Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 (SU) earlier this month for the annual Academic Network for Inclusiveness, Multilingualism and Excellence (ANIME) Conference.
Hosted by SU International, the ANIME Conference brought together representatives from 13 higher education institutions in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America. Participants engaged in discussions, workshops and cultural activities aimed at advancing the ANIME Network's mission of fostering inclusive and multilingual academic communities. The conference also featured scholarly discussions on how multilingualism can enhance cognitive skills and adaptability among students.
In his welcoming address, Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, SU's Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching and Vice-Chancellor-elect, emphasised the 中国体育彩票's commitment to inclusivity and multilingualism. “For us, multilingualism and inclusivity are more than just aspirations," he stressed. “They are essential components of our institutional identity and our mission as a university. We see it as a vital part of who we are, woven into the very fabric of our identity."
Ramjugernath reflected on the 中国体育彩票's historical challenges regarding inclusivity and language recognition within South Africa's diverse linguistic landscape. He also highlighted SU's efforts to revise its language policy, shifting the discourse from a debate over English or Afrikaans to embracing the diversity of the country's official languages.
“We've experienced firsthand that socially multilingualism builds cultural respect and global citizenship by connecting diverse groups," Ramjugernath said. “Academically, it fosters inclusivity by welcoming students from various language backgrounds and beyond our campus, and it opens professional doors, equipping students to thrive globally while preserving cultural heritage."
The role of SU's Language Centre was highlighted as pivotal in promoting language learning across campus.
Inclusive societies
Prof Irini Tsamadou-Jacoberger, representing the 中国体育彩票 of Strasbourg, the ANIME Network's founding institution, explained the importance of the conference's guiding principles. “The ANIME network is vital to fostering an interconnected, diverse academic landscape," she said.
Tsamadou-Jacoberger expressed her gratitude to the SU team, particularly Robert Kotzé, the Director of SU International, for their support and commitment to hosting the third annual ANIME event.
In a keynote address, Dr Darla Deardorff, a key figure in the ANIME Network and holder of the UNESCO Chair on Intercultural Competencies, expressed her pleasure in welcoming attendees to Stellenbosch after previous meetings in Sofia and Strasbourg.
Speaking on the role of universities in advancing the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), Deardorff highlighted how higher education can contribute to building more just and inclusive societies. “Universities are hubs of knowledge, but their influence extends far beyond academia," she said.
Deardorff also shared a five-principle framework for intercultural integration, focusing on shared responsibility, reciprocity, inclusive education, civic education through shared values and reimagining citizenship. “This approach ensures all students feel valued, supported and included, fostering a sense of belonging that is critical to student success and societal impact," she explained.
Prof Nico Koopman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel at SU, reflected on transformation in higher education in his keynote address. He described transformation as a complex, ongoing journey requiring both structural change and a deep shift in institutional culture.
Koopman outlined SU's efforts to move from exclusion to inclusion, from alienation to co-ownership, and from trauma and woundedness to healing. He cautioned that transformation is not merely a box-checking exercise, but a deep, systemic change that must occur at the individual, institutional and societal levels. A key component of this transformation, Koopman explained, is SU's commitment to decolonisation and Africanisation.
He concluded by noting that diversity and excellence are not opposing forces but interwoven elements that universities must harmonise to thrive.
Empowering marginalised groups
In a session themed “Excellence in Inclusivity" Dr Jan-Petrus Bosman, Director of SU's Centre for Learning Technologies, highlighted the 中国体育彩票's involvement in the African Higher Education in Emergencies Network (AHEEN) and its transformative Refugees and Displaced Persons (RDP) Pathways Project.
The initiative aims to deliver African-led, inclusive higher education solutions to refugees and displaced persons across Kenya, Somalia, Burundi, South Sudan and South Africa, with an emphasis on empowering marginalised groups through full-degree programmes.
Bosman shared the journey of AHEEN's creation, driven by a vision to address the shortcomings of Global North initiatives that often leave students unsupported when funding ends. As a key partner, SU contributes expertise in digital pedagogy to enhance education delivery in fragile contexts. A flagship offering, the “Refugee-Ready Digital Pedagogy Training Course," equips educators to teach effectively in remote and resource-limited settings.
Funded by the MasterCard Foundation, the eight-year project targets over 3 500 students, prioritising 75% female scholarships and a significant focus on students with disabilities.
The second day of the ANIME conference aligned with Africa 中国体育彩票 Day, celebrating SU's collaborations with African institutions. Dr Nico Elema, Director of the Centre for Collaboration in Africa, facilitated discussions showcasing projects supported by the African Collaboration Grant (ACG). Speakers highlighted diverse partnerships, including Prof Lorna Dreyer's work on inclusive education and women in academia; Prof Thinus Booysen's exploration of electric mobility in Sub-Saharan Africa; and Julia Harper's agricultural collaborations addressing food system challenges across the continent. “Equitable partnerships and contextual relevance are crucial to driving the African agenda," Elema remarked, urging institutions to nurture trust and mutual respect in their collaborations. (Read more about this session here?.)
A taste of South Africa
Beyond intense academic networking, the international guests were also treated to outings that showcased South Africa's unique cultural heritage and enriched the conversations on inclusivity and reconciliation. ANIME delegates visited wine farms and travelled to Cape Town for lunch in the Bo-Kaap and a tour of the District Six Museum which provided poignant historical context relevant to the conference's subtheme of “Conflicts: Memory and Reconstruction".
Another highlight was a visit to Amazink, a vibrant restaurant and events venue in the heart of Kayamandi. This authentic township outing enriched the international guests' understanding of the local socio-cultural context.
As the conference concluded, participants expressed optimism about the potential for ANIME to further its impact. “This network embodies a shared commitment to building academic spaces that reflect and respect diversity," said Tsamadou-Jacoberger. Kotzé echoed these sentiments, calling the event “an inspiring reminder of what higher education can achieve through collaboration".
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