Collaboration is a two-way street. While universities in the Global South benefit from resources and expertise, those in the Global North gain access to unique research environments, fieldwork opportunities, and partnerships that enhance their academic pursuits. Knowledge exchange is critical for building sustainable partnerships.

The relationship between Ghent University (UGhent), the Free University of Brussels (VUB) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) has existed for over 20 years. UWC and VLIR-UOS, as well as the Universities of Antwerp, Ghent, Leuven, and VUB, were engaged in a ten-year cooperation programme called ‘The Dynamics of Building a Better Society.’

This past week, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, Prof José Frantz, led a UWC delegation visiting the University of Ghent and Vrije University Brussels to deepen the partnerships. 

This visit follows a visit to UWC in March 2023 by the king and queen of Brussels as part of the royal visit.  

In addition, a team of researchers led by the DVC: Internationalisation, Prof Karin Vanderkerken from VUB, engaged with UWC academics and identified critical areas of collaboration. At the end of the visit, it was decided that there would be a six-month follow-up engagement to further consolidate the relationship between the institutions.

The rector of Vrije University Brussels (VUB), Prof Jan Danckaert, emphasised the shared values between the two institutions, and Prof Frantz highlighted the need to share the solutions from both the South and the North to solve the everyday challenges identified.