Durban University of Technology (DUT) Senior Lecturer Dr Sifiso Myeni visited Saint Petersburg State University in Russia from 1 to 9 October 2026, where he engaged with undergraduate and postgraduate students and explored opportunities for academic collaboration between the two institutions.
Dr Myeni, from the Department of Human Resources Management in DUT’s Faculty of Management Sciences, delivered a guest lecture to undergraduate students and participated in a research seminar with Master’s students. He was hosted by Prof. Sergei Smirnov.
The visit provided an opportunity to share academic knowledge, exchange perspectives on Human Resources Management and discuss areas of mutual interest in teaching and research.
Dr Sifiso Myeni engaging with students at Saint Petersburg State University in Russia.
“Engaging with colleagues and students in an international academic environment gives us an opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from different perspectives. During my visit to Saint Petersburg State University, I was able to contribute to academic discussions while exploring areas where our institutions could work together in teaching and research,” said Dr Myeni.
His academic work includes teaching and research in Human Resources Management, with interests in labour relations and organisational behaviour. These areas provide a basis for exploring shared research interests and opportunities for collaboration with international colleagues.
Discussions during the visit included potential joint research, co-authored publications and future funding opportunities. Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), which connects students and academics across countries through shared learning activities, was also identified as an area for further exploration. Staff and student exchange programmes are among the other possibilities being considered.
“International engagement can create valuable opportunities for students and staff to learn from academic communities beyond their own institutions. Initiatives such as COIL and exchange programmes could help our students gain broader academic perspectives while enabling staff to build relationships that support teaching, research and professional development,” said Dr Myeni.
The visit forms part of ongoing efforts to advance the existing memorandum of understanding between DUT and Saint Petersburg State University. It also aligns with DUT’s internationalisation objectives, which include developing international academic partnerships and creating opportunities for collaboration in teaching, learning and research.
Through continued engagement with international institutions, DUT seeks to expand opportunities for its academics and students to share knowledge, develop research partnerships and participate in a wider global academic community.
Pictured: DUT Senior Lecturer Dr Sifiso Myeni at Saint Petersburg State University in Russia.
Tiyani Mboweni
