CUT and University of Siegen deepen strategic academic partnership: back row from left: Ms Katharina Sommer, Head of the International Office (University of Siegen), Prof. Dr Daniel Stein, Dean: School of Humanities and Professor of North American Literary and Cultural Studies (University of Siegen), Mr Setumo Llale, Executive Director: Resources and Operations (CUT), Dr Valile Dwayi, Senior Director: Centre for Global Engagement and Ms Martina Moss, Deputy Director: Staff and Student Mobility (CUT).

Front row from left: Prof. Wendy Setlalentoa, acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning (CUT), Prof. Pamela Dube: Vice-Chancellor and Principal (CUT), Prof. Dr Petra M. Vogel, Prorector for Students and Junior Faculty Diversity and International Affairs (University of Siegen) and Prof. Samson Mashele, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research Innovation and Engagement (CUT).

The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) hosted a high-level delegation from the University of Siegen in Germany as part of the institutions’ growing partnership and collaboration under the Erasmus Plus Programme KA131 171. The visit marked an important milestone in strengthening academic mobility, research cooperation, and broader institutional engagement between the two universities.

During the visit, Professor Dr Petra M Vogel, Prorector for Students and Junior Faculty Diversity and International Affairs at the University of Siegen, met with CUT leadership to assess progress and explore opportunities for expanding the collaboration. Discussions focused on extending the partnership beyond the Faculty of Humanities, strengthening faculty level connections, and pursuing additional international funding opportunities, including support from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the German Academic Exchange Service.

The partnership between CUT and the University of Siegen is rooted in leadership diplomacy and alumni connections. Following Professor Pamela Dube’s appointment as Vice Chancellor and Principal, the University of Siegen, where she is an alumna, extended congratulations and expressed interest in deepening institutional ties.

In 2023, both institutions engaged in a series of discussions to identify areas of mutual interest, including academic exchange, joint research initiatives, and collaboration between professional support offices. These engagements led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2024, which established a formal framework for partnership and collaboration.

Building on this foundation, the two universities secured an Erasmus+ Inter- Institutional Agreement KA131 171, which became operational in September 2025. This agreement enables funded mobility for staff and students and has already produced tangible outcomes. CUT has sent two academic staff members from the Faculty of Humanities and a PhD candidate in Communication Science to the University of Siegen, while two Master of Education students are scheduled for mobility in March 2026. In return, two students from the University of Siegen will undertake internship mobility at CUT from September to December 2026.

This partnership and collaboration demonstrate how alumni networks and strategic internationalisation can evolve into meaningful institutional relationships. Through mobility programmes, joint research, and sustained academic exchange, the collaboration has enhanced learning opportunities, strengthened research capacity, and promoted intercultural engagement at both institutions. As CUT continues to expand its global footprint, partnerships of this nature remain central to advancing its internationalisation objectives and elevating its global academic profile.