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Unisa and German Embassy join hands to accelerate the academic project
On 5 November 2021, Unisa and the German Embassy convened at the institution’s main campus for a stakeholder engagement meeting. The meeting was led by H.E. Andreas Peschke, German Ambassador, and Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC), as the two main leaders representing their institutions.
Left to right: Dr Susanne Kieffer, Science Counsellor, German Embassy, H.E. Andreas Peschke, German Ambassador to South Africa, and Prof. Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor
Delivering her welcoming address, the VC explained the importance of partnerships between academic institutions in different countries to advance the academic enterprise, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The VC said she believes that it is important for Unisa to participate and partner with international research and science institutions. Underscoring the importance of education in global partnerships, the VC said: “Our focus area is the professionalism of students. The best citizens are not formed by what they learn in class, but they are formed by co-creating curricula, participating in discourses and making science meaningful.”
Ambassador Peschke expressed his gratitude to be welcomed by the university. “There are many opportunities for both parties to exchange, partner and learn from one another,” he said. ”I am amazed by the number of students Unisa has. This university has a reputation far beyond this country because of its mode of teaching which is more relevant than ever with students globally transitioning to an online learning mode during Covid-19.”
During the meeting, Professor Iqbal Jhazbhay, Acting Director of Projects in the VC’s Office, said that last year when face-to-face institutions transferred their exams online, the Unisa model was widely emulated because of the institution’s vast experience in teaching online. “Because of its teaching model Unisa adjusted well to the issues affecting everyone globally,” he said.
The highly successful meeting was attended by Unisa’s Professor Olaotse Kole, Acting Dean of Law, Professor Pinkie Mabunda, Deputy Dean of Education, Professor Monde Ntwasa, Deputy Dean of Agriculture, Professor Jo-Ansie Van Wyk, Department of Political Sciences, Dr Adri Prozesky, Senior Lecturer, Astronomy, and Mohlatsi Khosi, Junior Lecturer in Philosophy from Unisa. In addition to Ambassador Peschke, the German Embassy was represented by Dr Susanne Kieffer, Science Counsellor.
*By Lesego Chiloane-Ravhudzulo, Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement
Publish date: 2021/11/05
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