Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) and Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) co-hosted university vice-chancellors and principals from across the globe at the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) Conference from 14 to 16 October 2016 in Cape Town with the aim of answering the emerging question about higher education’s response, through innovation, to sustainable development goals in a changing world.  The delegates are from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Chile, China, Ghana, Japan, Liberia, Korea, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, USA and South Africa.

CUT and CPUT are currently regional members of IAUP. They represent young and innovative institutions renowned for innovation and applied research; hence the focus of this conference on the role of science, technology and innovation in addressing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as international partnerships for sustainable development. It serves as a continuation of South African Technology Network (SATN) Conference held last week at the same venue and builds on the theme of “Partnerships for innovation and development and broader objectives of exploring alternative strategies to sustainable development outcomes.  IAUP delegates Professor Neal King, chair of the IAUP board of directors, and Professor Fernando Leon Garcia, president of CETYS University in Mexico, participated in discussions around innovation and sustainable development during the SATN conference.

 

“Our theme of this IAUP meeting is an added element of what the SATN conference that has just ended is all about”, said Professor Thandwa Mthembu, former Vice-Chancellor and Principal of CUT, who welcomed guests at the conference on behalf of CUT.  Professor Mthembu, who is IAUP Regional Chair for Southern Africa, was instrumental in bringing IAUP to South Africa while he was still attached to CUT. He commended the board of IAUP for showing confidence in CUT and CPUT as important partners in education to co-host the IAUP. He thanked all members of IAUP who made it to the meeting as many had travelled great distances to be in South Africa. The IAUP is a very strong global network through which representatives of higher education institutions from different countries take hands and work together as partners to create a better global community through education”, said Dr Toyoshi Satow, IAUP President and Chancellor at JF Oberlin University and Affiliated Schools in Japan. 

 

IAUP is non-profit organisation of university chief executives from higher education institutions around the world to promote global awareness and competence as well as peace and international understanding through education. It was established as a result of the need for member universities to ensure that universities continue to support and reinforce cultural diversities that are vital for sustaining the development of personal identities, social cohesion and human creativity. The association is committed to creating cross-border partnerships which will benefit these universities and contribute to South Africa’s status as a competitor and participant in innovation and world markets. 

Images 

1 and 2: International delegates from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Chile, China, Ghana, Japan, Liberia, Korea, Mexico, Spain, Thailand and USA who attended the IAUP meeting in Cape Town. 

3: Dr Chris Nhlapo, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal at CPUT; Ms Cathy Cloete, PR & Events, Marketing & Communication Department at CPUT; and Prof. Alfred Ngowi, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Innovation, Research and Engagement at the IAUP Conference during a welcome address.