The South Africa Sweden University Forum (SASUF) proudly hosted its 2025 strategic internationalisation forum to strengthen ties between the two countries in research, education, and innovation on Thursday, 20 March 2025 at the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT) Boardroom, Steve Biko campus.
Conceived in 2017 through a joint initiative of vice chancellors from South African and Swedish universities, the summit was part of SASUF’s broader collaboration, which aims to foster academic exchange, intercultural understanding, and collaboration among students from 40 partner universities in both countries.
Biotechnology and Food Technology Professor Tukayi Kudanga delivered an insightful opening address, highlighting DUT’s commitment to the SASUF network and its potential to strengthen collaborations between the two countries.
“As DUT, we are proud to be hosting the Student Summit. By being part of both the Southern African Nordic Centre (SANORD) and South Africa Swedish Forum (SASUF) networks, DUT has over the years, had productive engagements with 15 universities in Sweden. Through these networks, we have promoted collaborative partnerships in areas of international virtual exchange and research collaboration. Our commitment to the SASUF network is therefore unequivocal. We see this summit as a springboard for even stronger collaborations going forward,” said Prof Kudanga.
Master’s graduate (MSc) in Biotechnology and also DUT SASUF Students leader, Ms Puseletso Kumalo encouraged undergraduate students to get involved in the SASUF Student Network, saying the forum is open to all disciplines and academic fields, as long as the focus relates to sustainable development and collaborations.
“The forum is not limited to any specific faculty or academic field; any discipline can participate as long as the focus relates broadly to sustainable development and bilateral collaboration. SASUF explicitly encourages collaboration on sustainability goals across disciplinary and national boundaries, emphasizing that complex global challenges require input from a wide range of fields. SASUF is not just for senior academics; it has a strong student engagement component,” she explained.
Kumalo expressed her sincere gratitude to the Research Office, especially Dr Mothobeni, Dr Bloodless, and Ms Mhlongo, for their unwavering support throughout the planning and execution of the SASUF Student Summit.
“We are also deeply thankful to Ms Sasha Lee Dalayah from the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT) for her continued assistance. My team, Ms Sithole, Ms Osman, and I, are truly grateful for the invaluable support we have received in making the summit a success,” added Kumalo.
Pictured: Members of SASUF during the 2025 Students Forum.
Thubelihle Dumakude
