The Durban University of Technology (DUT) and Germany’s Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University Ravensburg (DHBW Ravensburg) have marked 20 years of academic partnership, with the two universities now planning to expand their collaboration in research, teaching and entrepreneurship.
The two universities have now identified several priorities for the next five years, including expanding applied research, strengthening entrepreneurship and business start-up support and increasing the number of academics involved in collaborative activities.
The plans were discussed during a recent visit to DUT by a delegation from DHBW Ravensburg, which included a strategic workshop involving the leadership and members of the executive management teams of both universities. Dr Lavern Samuels, Director of International Education and Partnerships at DUT and one of the founding architects of the partnership on the DUT side, said the relationship had achieved significant results. “Over the past 20 years, approximately 500 students and 40 academic staff members have participated in exchange programmes. The partnership has also resulted in 25 joint academic publications,” said Dr Samuels.
The partnership initially focused primarily on student and staff exchanges but has since expanded into joint research and the development of emerging researchers.
Professor Thomas Dobbelstein, who is based at DHBW Ravensburg, initiated the partnership and serves as the academic coordinator, said its scope had grown considerably since the agreement was established. “The partnership began 20 years ago with a primary focus on student and staff exchanges. Since then, it has developed far beyond its original scope,” said Professor Dobbelstein. He added, “Today, joint research projects and the associated development of emerging researchers play a central role. This includes, for example, the joint supervision of doctoral candidates.”
Research undertaken over the past five years has included studies on recycling behaviour in South African townships, the prevention of food waste and consumer behaviour relating to sustainable textiles.
Professor Thandwa Mthembu, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of DUT, said the partnership had benefited from the involvement of colleagues across the two institutions. “This partnership is exceptionally diverse and is sustained by the active involvement of many colleagues. In addition to extensive student exchanges, the two universities conduct applied research projects that address issues of direct relevance to people’s daily lives and generate tangible societal impact,” said Professor Mthembu.
The partnership has also received recognition from government and industry stakeholders, including the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Thomas Schieber, Head of the International Office at DHBW Ravensburg, described the 20-year relationship as a model for developing sustainable international university partnerships. “Even after 20 years, this partnership remains a benchmark and a model for how we seek to establish and develop international university partnerships over the long term,” said Schieber.
He said that sustained personal engagement, reliable institutional structures and the commitment of both universities to continually expand their areas of cooperation had contributed to the longevity of the partnership. Looking ahead, applied research will remain a major focus, while the universities plan to strengthen their work in entrepreneurship and business start-up support. They also intend to increase academic participation in the partnership at both institutions.
Professor Mthembu said the achievements of the past two decades provided a strong foundation for the next phase of collaboration. “The long-standing partnership provides an excellent foundation for its next phase of development,” he said. “Our objective is to involve even more colleagues from both universities and thereby further strengthen our cooperation in research, teaching and entrepreneurship.”
To mark the anniversary, both Dr Samuels and Professor Dobbelstein received accolades in recognition of their visionary leadership and stewardship of the collaboration over the past 20 years. During DHBW Ravensburg’s International Week in May, the university’s President, Professor Dr.-Ing. Robert Watty presented Dr Samuels with a certificate of recognition. Professor Dobbelstein was similarly honoured during his visit to Durban last week.
The 20-year milestone reflects a partnership that has grown from its original focus on academic exchanges into a broader collaboration spanning research, teaching and the development of emerging researchers, with both institutions now focused on extending its impact over the next five years.
Pictured: Professor Thandwa Mthembu, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of DUT and Professor Dr. Thomas Dobbelstein of DHBW Ravensburg.
Dr Lavern Samuels
