To address the global challenge of climate change, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Business School recently visited the University for Development Studies (UDS) and the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, as well as Mzuzu University and the University of Livingstonia in Malawi. The visit aimed to build mutually beneficial partnerships with these institutions, focusing on climate change research and solutions.
Leading the visit was Professor Simphiwe Nojiyeza of the DUT Business School. He believes that, together, the institutions can develop practical interventions to combat climate change.
At the University of Cape Coast, a community engagement workshop was held, co-hosted by the DUT Business School, the Department of Environment, Governance and Sustainable Development of the University of Cape Coast, and the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly.
“The Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly, including its Environmental Health and Social Welfare departments, the National Disaster Management Organisation, Environmental Protection Authority, and Ghana Water Limited, provided input on their climate change adaptation plans. I presented a keynote address, officially opening the workshop together with Prof Emmanuel Tenkorang, the Dean of the School of Sustainable Development Studies,” shared Prof Nojiyeza.
DUT’s Professor Innocent Nojiyeza with the UDS delegation in Ghana.
At UDS, Prof Nojiyeza met with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Seidu Al-Hassan, and the Dean of the Faculty of Sustainable Development Studies, Prof Adams Sulemana Achanso. He was accompanied by DUT doctoral candidate Ms Masego Tabane, who presented her research proposal to the faculty.
“Prof Al-Hassan highlighted that UDS’s participation in a climate change adaptation project will promote climate action, smart adaptation initiatives, and smart agriculture. He noted that the anticipated project outcomes will be linked to the curriculum. Established during the presidency of Jerry Rawlings, UDS was created to bridge the gap between northern and southern Ghana in access to quality education, now reaching 27 000 students with 2 000 staff. The outcomes of this research project will benefit society and bridge the gap between theory and practice,” said Prof Nojiyeza.
He commended Ms Tabane for presenting her PhD research to international panellists, emphasising that including PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows in such projects fosters an interdisciplinary research culture across Africa and the Global South.
During the Malawi visit, Prof Nojiyeza shared that Mzuzu University actively supported DUT in organising the February 2025 Climate Change Conference. He was accompanied by Dr Mandla Abednico Mubecua.
“Mzuzu University, together with the University of Livingstonia and Lilongwe University of Natural Resources, will support the 2026 Climate Change Conference. In preparation, the universities are collaborating with DUT on a project titled Strengthening the Adaptive Capacity of Local African States – the Case of Ghana, Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe. This initiative supports joint publications, confirms conference themes and speakers, and helps organise scientific and conference committees,” explained Prof Nojiyeza.
Two PhD candidates under his supervision will conduct research in Ghana, Malawi or Zimbabwe, in addition to South African case studies.
The DUT delegation also met with Prof Wapulumuka Mulwafu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Mzuzu University, who confirmed that an MOU is being prepared for signature. The collaboration will include joint fundraising initiatives on climate change, water governance, sustainable development, co-supervision of postgraduate students, co-authorship of research papers, and engagement with state institutions and NGOs.
At the University of Livingstonia, the delegation engaged with Vice-Chancellor Prof Timothy Nyasulu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Bernard Kamanga, and Director of Research Mary Kumwanje. UNILIA hosts a Master of Sanitation programme in partnership with Makerere University of Uganda and the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. UNILIA will assist Mzuzu University in co-hosting the 2026 Climate Change Conference. An MOU between DUT and UNILIA was recently signed to facilitate co-supervision of postgraduate students across faculties.
Prof Nojiyeza described both visits to Ghana and Malawi as a success, noting that the universities pledged their full commitment to collaborative efforts in combating climate change.
Pictured: Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Prof Seidu Al-Hassan, and Dean of the Faculty of Sustainable Development Studies, Prof Adams Sulemana Achanso, welcoming the Head of Research and Innovation at the DUT Business School, Professor Simphiwe Nojiyeza.
Simangele Zuma
