In 2010, the University of Antwerp embarked on what was to be a long standing, ambitious journey of enabling academic connections between South African and Europe.
EUROSA
That year, the EUROSA project was born, funded by the European Commission and coordinated by the International Relations Office of UAntwerp, focusing on the exchange of university staff and students. This project wasn’t just about academic exchange; The programme was marked by a commitment to human development and capacity building in South Africa, specifically targeting those at historically disadvantaged higher education institutions who were in need of financial support.
Over the span of eight years, overarching 5 consecutive EUROSA projects, EUROSA was a scholarship programme that functioned as a catalyst for change. 355 international exchanges between South African and European scholars, involving over twenty universities, were facilitated. The collaboration extended beyond the confines of academia, fostering intercultural dialogue and strengthening international cooperation.
The partner institutions, through their active involvement in EUROSA, gained invaluable insights into managing large-scale international mobility programs. Universities that once had limited exposure to such projects found themselves at the forefront of developing innovative cooperation techniques within the field of internationalization. The experience was transformative, leading to the growth of international offices and the enhancement of staff skills in both Europe and South Africa. In addition, the projects enhanced understanding and respect as cultural and educational differences between South Africa and Europe (institutions and higher education systems) had to be navigated and appreciated, allowing for sustainable cooperation ties to be continued in other projects.
Bilateral agreements and cooperation techniques developed during those EUROSA projects paved the way for sustainable partnerships and new opportunities, allowing for projects such as IMPALA and iKUDU to exist.
IMPALA
Following the successful footsteps of EUROSA, UAntwerp continued its commitment to international academic collaboration with South Africa with the launch of the IMPALA project. This initiative, a ‘spin-off effect’ of EUROSA, was aimed at strengthening the internationalisation processes at four historically disadvantaged South African universities, this time focusing on policy rather than mobility, thus nurturing a community of leaders in international education.
At its core, IMPALA envisioned the creation of a pool of talented staff, who, through training and the establishment of communities of practice, could disseminate their knowledge and expertise on internationalisation, thus enhancing policy within the institution. This train-the-trainer approach allowed for a ripple effect of empowerment and leadership within the academic community, envisioning a sustainable impact on the academic landscape.
The achievements of IMPALA were numerous. More than 80 South African staff members were trained, fostering a culture of best practices in the internationalization of higher education. The project also ignited conversations on decolonizing and Africanizing the curriculum (which would result in another spin-off project, iKUDU). Participants were encouraged to participate in setting up COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) projects between South African partners and European counterparts.
The IMPALA project, much like its predecessor EUROSA, was not just about building bridges between continents; it was about constructing a new model of thinking about internationalisation.
iKUDU
After spearheading five successive EUROSA projects and the IMPALA project, the University of Antwerp passed over the role of coordinator to one of its longstanding partners. In 2019, the baton was passed, and a new chapter commenced with the inception of iKUDU, coordinated by the University of the Free State in South Africa. The iKUDU project emerged with a visionary goal: to craft a contextualised South African model for the Internationalisation of the Curriculum (IoC), incorporating COIL virtual exchanges.
The essence of iKUDU was to revolutionise curricula through internationalisation and virtual exchanges, employing the COIL methodology. Since its inception, iKUDU has guided academics through curriculum internationalisation, fostering a global classroom without borders. The project's impact is evident in the numerous publications, webinars, and conference presentations that have emerged.
Over the years, UAntwerp's EUROSA, IMPALA, and iKUDU projects have sought to foster academic collaboration between South Africa and Europe. While these initiatives have facilitated exchanges and cooperation, they have also prompted critical reflections on internationalisation in higher education. UAntwerp's engagement has involved fostering intercultural dialogue and policy development, aiming to promote a more equitable and inclusive global perspective in education. These efforts have not only contributed to enhancing academic collaboration but have also encouraged self-reflexive approaches that challenge traditional, colonial frameworks of cooperation across the North-South divide, reshaping the academic landscape in both regions.