News & Media

Unisa Internationalisation and Partnerships Directorate – Formation Journey#Unisa150

Share

In honour of Unisa’s 150th anniversary, the Internationalisation and Partnerships Directorate joins the entire Unisa community in celebrating Unisa’s 150 years of “Changing the futures in the service of humanity”.

In this second bulletin and next  two bulletins that will follow, we look at the first events and key activities that have taken place since the establishment of the Internationalisation and Partnerships Directorate. Over the years the directorate has changed names, starting after the merger of Unisa with Technikon SA and annexation of Vista Vudec to form the new Unisa in 2004.

There was the Africa Directorate led by the late Mr Nicolas Bwakira, and International Relations led by Siza Magubane. In 2007/8, the two units merged to form the Internationalisation and Partnerships Directorate (IRPD) with specific focus on Africa by the late Mr Bwakira and Mr Mubu, and International Relations by Ms Magubane. Around the year  2008, Dr Joseph Diescho joined as the head of the Directorate.  By the years 2015/16, IRPD was dissolved to merge with the Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations. The cord has recently been cut again, and the former IRPD separated to form the existing Internationalisation and Partnerships Directorate (IPD).

This bulletin will share the highlights of former staff and directors who served during the formation and transformation phase of the directorate; and will further look at activities and milestones achieved in advancing collaborations, African scholarship and internationalisation, including the establishment of agreements and other partnerships.

Among other memorable events of the year 2015, was the agreement signed between the University of South Africa (Unisa) and South African History Online (SAHO) to build a strong partnership based on shared values and common interests. Unisa was represented by the late Prof Narend Baijnath, former Pro-Vice Chancellor and later Vice Principal: Strategy, Planning and Partnerships.

Share

Publish date: 2023/05/20

Unisa Shop