CUT held a successful two-day Virtual Study Abroad Fair. Held in collaboration with the University of the Free State (UFS), Sol Plaatjie University (SPU), the International Relations Departments of the Free State Provincial Government and the Northern Cape Provincial Government, the first-ever regional Virtual Study Abroad Fair took place on 01 and 02 October 2020.

According to the CUT Center for Global Engagement, Universities in the Free State and Northern Cape had been arranging Study Abroad Fairs for many years, however, COVID-19 presented them with the opportunity to enhance their virtual communication with international and local partners, and stage an event that could easily be attended by any person with the interest and ability to take part.

Guest included Free State MEC for Education, Dr Tate Makgoe; CUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Prof. Alfred Ngowi; Sol Plaatje University Senior Manager: Communication and Marketing, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Kashini Maistry and UFS Director: Office for International Affairs, Cornelius Hagenmeier.

Various International Education agencies and Embassies exhibited the various scholarship opportunities available in their countries and globally; including USA, UK, Hungary, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Nuffic Neso South Africa, Southern African Nordic Centre (SANORD), China, Sweden, RUDN University, Switzerland, DHET, France and many more.

Ms Martina Moss, CUT Admin Coordinator: Center for Global Engagement said that the success of the event has shown the need for such an event, and that they plan to continue to hold more in the years to come. “We had 497 registrations yesterday [1 Oct. 2020] and today we are sitting at 334, which is a resounding success for the first-ever Regional Virtual Study Abroad Fair. We hope to make this event an annual event where the partners remains CUT, SPU, UFS FSPG and NCPG,” she said.

CUT employees also benefited from this event as many of the above-mentioned Education Agencies and Embassies shared funding and other opportunities for joint programmes and projects.

“At CUT, our CGE remains open for our students to enquire about these opportunities, they may contact us at studyabroad@cut.ac.za and we will be happy to engage with them on this exciting opportunities,” concluded Moss.

Uploaded: 05 October 2020