Stellenbosch University: ESI Joint Schools Forge Ahead with Momentum

The Emerging Scholars Initiative (ESI) of SU International’s Africa Centre for Scholarship (ACS) continues to make considerable strides through its joint schools with universities across Africa. The schools provide quality yet affordable competency-based learning at partner institutions of Stellenbosch University (SU) as part of the University’s efforts to develop emerging scholars on the continent.

Earlier this year, the ACS and Makerere University’s Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) hosted a joint school attended by 85 participants, including five doctoral students and staff from SU (see picture below).

ESI is currently preparing for joint schools with the universities of Mauritius, Lusaka (Zambia) and Malawi, whilst engagements with other African partners continue. Courses for the joint schools are developed based on the needs and priorities identified by partner universities, with facilitators and staff from both universities involved in the design and facilitation.

To date, over 350 delegates have participated in the joint schools. Moreover, course facilitation teams were diverse, representing a variety of faculties and disciplines. For instance, of the 33 course co-facilitators, eleven were SU-affiliated and included staff from the University’s Language Centre, the Centre for Higher and Adult Education, the Centre for Health Professions Education, the ACS, the Division of Research Development, and the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology.

ESI has also awarded a total of 108 scholarships to delegates from African partners to participate in the ADA’s schools.