The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Brazil, Russia,India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) Research Institute Forum hosted a successful workshop on Monday, 5 June 2023 at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Hotel School in Ritson Campus. The workshop was led by Professor Fulufhelo Netswera: Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences and Head of the DUT BRICS Research Institute.

The event was moderated by Dr Andrew Kamwendo: Acting Quality Promotions Officer within the Faculty of Management Sciences. Dr Kamwendo started by welcoming the attendees present at the event and expressed his appreciation to the esteemed guest’s presence, Professor Anil Sooklal. Prof Sooklal is an Ambassador at large for Asia and BRICS at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

At the event, Dr Kamwendo explained the agenda of the day which was to discuss the expansion of BRICS, the subsequent opportunities and challenges that could arise.

Professor Netswera gave the opening remarks and further covered issues on BRICS and discussed how partnerships have the potential to reshape the global economic landscape. Prof Netswera further touched on how the powerhouses such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa can impact development globally and how partnerships could also benefit the world at large.

Prof Netswera thanked Prof Sooklal for making it to the workshop. He further shared that he had worked with Prof Sooklal before where he jokingly said that he caught fire.

“Matters of international relations are very important and they are about who we are as a nation, the kind of role we play globally and bilaterally with other nations. How we position ourselves as a nation and as BRICS,” said Prof Netswera.

The stage was then given to the guest speaker, Prof Sooklal who began his presentation by applauding DUT for affording the BRICS concept to be launched at one of its venues like the Hotel School. According to Prof Sooklal, when they checked out BRICS for the first time in 2013, one of the core deliverables they set during the first launch of the BRICS digital concept, DUT agreed for it to take place within its premises. He added that they also hosted the academic forum at the DUT Hotel School.

“When we started building the architecture of the BRICS family, we divided them into three pillars that are equally important. The first pillar looks at politics and security, the second one showcases economical and financial issues, the third one depicts the people-to-people pillar,” explained Prof Sooklal.

Following his presentation, a table discussion led by Prof Netswera was held which allowed the attendees the opportunity to hear a more in-depth response to questions surrounding the multinational body. A Q&A session soon followed the discussion giving Ambassador Sooklal and opportunity to display his vast knowledge of international relations. The eye-opening event was then capped off by closing remarks from Dr Kamwendo and Prof Netswera who invited attendees to a take a photo with the Ambassador.

Pictured: The attendees at the BRICS event.

Nikiwe Sukazi