North-West University delegation explores new avenues of collaboration at University of Arizona

North-West University (NWU), one of South Africa’s leading higher education institutions, recently sent a team of delegates to the University of Arizona to explore areas of collaboration and deepen the partnership between the two universities. This visit marked the third NWU delegation to Tucson and featured opportunities for knowledge exchange, discussions on collaborative projects, and tours of key U of A facilities.

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Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice Principal of NWU Linda Du Plessis, alongside other prominent NWU officials, met with University of Arizona President Dr. Suresh Garimella, Interim Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Ronald Marx, Vice President for University of Arizona International and Dean of International Education Dr. Jenny Lee, Senior Associate Director for International Education and Director of Africa and Caribbean Programs Rudo Sandy, and U of A faculty from various disciplines. NWU Vice Chancellor Professor Bismark Tyobeka also joined the discussions remotely and provided a comprehensive recap of the U of A-NWU partnership, which was formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2023. Building on that foundation, the visit created new opportunities for collaboration and expanded the scope of shared initiatives between the two institutions.

“This visit was a significant step in strengthening the partnership between North-West University and the University of Arizona,” said Sandy. “The engagement between our leadership teams and faculty, along with the valuable knowledge exchange, reflects our shared commitment to deepening collaboration in meaningful ways.”

One of the highlights of the visit was the meeting between NWU’s Faculty of Humanities and the University of Arizona College of Humanities (COH), where the conversation centered on the interdisciplinary approach that defines U of A’s curriculum. Dean of the College of Humanities Alain-Philippe Durand and Associate Dean for Research and Program Innovation Ken McAllister met with NWU Humanities leaders, including Executive Dean Dumi Moyo, to discuss the possibilities of implementing similar approaches at NWU. The teams also talked about NWU’s plan to establish a Center for Digital Humanities, with the delegation expressing appreciation for the valuable knowledge exchange with U of A’s faculty and administrators, particularly during their in-depth tour of U of A’s own center.

“The entire visit was great, but it all came together at our closing dinner. It was amazing to look around the table and see colleagues from both NWU and U of A laughing, comparing notes, and making plans,” said Durand. “People were talking about a collaboration involving health humanities, integrative medicine and drumming; a digital humanities project involving the high-resolution scanning of historically important objects; and inclusion of NWU in a US federal grant proposal COH is putting together about the humanities and AI in an international context. Every NWU representative in the delegation was impressive and we’re eager to see the partnership flourish!”

Another significant topic of discussion during the delegation’s visit was the establishment of an Arizona Abroad Location at NWU, which would be the first such site in Africa. The initiative would allow U of A students to study abroad at NWU without requiring the traditional reciprocity model of exchange programs. Both universities are eager to see this collaboration come to fruition, with potential academic programs spanning business, humanities, natural and agricultural sciences, engineering, and law. U of A’s Africana Studies program, under the leadership of Dr. Praise Zenenga, is also working toward establishing a faculty-led program at NWU’s Mahikeng campus.

In another promising development, U of A’s College of Public Health and NWU’s Health Sciences department are in discussions to collaborate on a bachelor’s program in Wellness and Health Promotion Practice. The universities also plan to host U of A Global Health Institute Scholars at NWU starting in 2025, further expanding the global reach of U of A’s public health initiatives.
The University of Arizona’s School of Music, led by Director Dr. Lori Wiest, and NWU’s School of Music also had the opportunity to exchange ideas. Both institutions expressed a strong interest in exploring joint initiatives, including collaborative research and performance opportunities, further enriching the cultural and academic ties between the two universities.

In addition to academic exchanges, the NWU delegation toured U of A’s renowned facilities, including the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab, where the world’s largest telescope mirrors are manufactured, and Biosphere 2. A visit to the Arizona Stadium and McKale Center showcased U of A’s impressive athletic facilities, which sparked interest in potential collaborations in the field of sports science, given NWU’s global reputation for its High-Performance Institute of Sport (HPI).

With an eye to the future, both universities are committed to turning these collaborative ideas into tangible projects. The next step includes a visit from NWU’s Dean of Engineering in December, to continue exploring joint programs with U of A’s Mining and Geological Engineering Department, and further discussions on collaborative research in other engineering fields.

“The partnership between North-West University and the University of Arizona has tremendous potential, and this visit allowed us to dive deeper into areas of collaboration,” said Dr. Lee. “It’s inspiring to see both institutions committed to working together on projects that will have a global impact, from establishing study abroad opportunities to developing cutting-edge research initiatives across various fields.”

The NWU delegation’s visit underscored the strength of the U of A-NWU partnership and set the stage for a host of future initiatives that will bring both institutions closer together, benefiting students, faculty, and researchers at both locations.