Birth of a new SA-German partnership at UWC

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) and Brandenburg University of Technology (BUT) (Germany) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) – a student exchange agreement between the two universities with the aim of advancing and enriching their programmes by sharing resources and information.

The German Minister for Economic and European Affairs, Mr Ralf Christoffers, who was on an official visit aimed at strengthening ties between South Africa and Germany, visited UWC on Wednesday 15 May 2013.

UWC and BUT agreed that the two institutions will be sending two undergraduate students and two post-graduate students to the respective institutions each year. In addition, there will be an exchange of resources and collaboration between researchers in the natural sciences and students on joint courses, colloquia and research projects. This agreement will be in effect for an initial period of five years.

The agreement comes a month after the ending of the German-South African Year of Science initiative, another partnership between Germany and South Africa which has been running from April 2012. The German-South African Year of Science 2012/2013 was aimed at strengthening cooperation between both countries and creating new networks, particularly among emerging young scientists.