18 maj 2024
On May 17 the Swedish South African University Forum (SASUF) hosted the Vice-Chancellors Forum at Malmö University. The panel discussion ”Science Diplomacy: Fostering Global South and North Collaboration in a Polarized World” illuminated effective strategies for international academic cooperation to tackle global issues.
Photo: SASUF
Young Academy of Sweden’s (YAS’s) Lisa Hellman opened the forum with a welcoming address, introduced the panel and set the stage for a dynamic exchange. Anna Sjöström Douagi, Acting CEO of the Nobel Foundation and founder of YAS, emphasized the significant role young academies play in fostering international collaboration. This was further elaborated by Andreas Nord, member of YAS and Moses Basitere, co-chair of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS), illustrating their commitment to excellence, interdisciplinarity, and future leadership.
The discussion was structured around key questions posed by Natisha Dukhi, co-chair of SAYAS, who along with the other panelists, explored why Sweden and South Africa are uniquely positioned to unite in global collaboration addressing the grand challenges of our time despite the structural and societal barriers that limit such efforts. The panel discussion was mixed with interactive ”beehive” sessions, energizing the audience and panelists by joint reflection.
In addressing the solutions to enhance international collaboration through academic leadership promoting science diplomacy, the panelists provided insights on the support needed from university management and academic systems. This discussion transitioned into a plenary session, with vice chancellors Jeff Murugan from UCT/WITS, Kerstin Tham from Malmö University, Professor Nosisi Nellie Feza from the University of Venda, and Annika Östman Wernerson from Karolinska Institutet. The VCs shared their reflections on fostering strong links between the global north and south through supporting career paths for early- and mid-career researchers, and also reflected upon the inspiring aspects of the panel’s insights.
The forum concluded with an open discussion, inviting all attendees to share their thoughts in breakout groups, focusing on support structures for emerging academic leaders in the international arena. Consensus was reached among the attending vice chancellors about the idea to establish support- and networking programs for early- and mid-career researchers within the SASUF collaboration.
Consensus was reached among the attending vice chancellors about the idea to establish support- and networking programs for early- and mid-career researchers within the SASUF collaboration.
The event wrapped up with a summary by Young Academy representatives Lisa Hellman and Natisha Dukhi. This panel discussion underscored the importance of fostering networks and preparing the next generation of academic leaders to harness science diplomacy for addressing the complexities of global crises through informed, evidence-based solutions promoting a just, equal and sustainable global society.
The South Africa-Sweden University Forum (SASUF) started in 2018 as a strategic internationalization project running from 2018–2020, with the overall aim of strengthening ties between Sweden and South Africa in research, education and innovation. In 2021, SASUF was granted further funding for another three years.
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