Prof. Slim Turki, International Technical Expert, Applied Artificial Intelligence (ETI, F’SATI): Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, Mr Hlomelang Metsing, CUT: Centre for Global Engagement, Prof. Leynet Aurelien, Attaché for science and academic cooperation: Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, Prof. Samson Mashele, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research Innovation and Engagement, Prof. Elisha Markus, Professor, Electrical Engineering and Interim Director: CUT Artificial Intelligence Hub, and Prof. Anish Kurien, Professor and Director: French–South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI) TUT.

On 29 January 2026, Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) welcomed a delegation from the French–South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI) network. The delegation included Prof. Anish Kurien, Director of F’SATI at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Prof. Slim Turki, International Technical Expert in Applied Artificial Intelligence from the Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, and Prof. Aurélien Leynet, Attaché for Science and Academic Cooperation at the same embassy. The visit aimed to officially kickstart activities of the newly established CUT F’SATI node, following CUT’s admission as an Associate Member of the F’SATI network in November 2025.

During the visit, the delegation toured CUT facilities and engaged with academic staff to explore opportunities for collaboration in teaching, research, mobility programmes, and applied innovation. Discussions centred on the development of joint academic programmes, research partnerships, particularly within CUT’s Artificial Intelligence Hub; as well as future staff and student mobility initiatives aligned with F’SATI’s applied technology mandate.

A closer look at innovation in action, F’SATI delegates Prof. Leynet Aurelien and Prof. Slim Turki exploring the Product Development Station and what it has to offer.

The university’s relations with French higher education institutions dates back to 2012 and has since evolved into a robust international partnership portfolio. Currently, CUT maintains partnerships with six French institutions: Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, École Centrale de Nantes, École Centrale de Lyon–ENISE, Strate School of Design, the University of Montpellier, and ESIGELEC School of Engineering. These collaborations support student and staff mobility, joint research, and academic exchange, with more than ten CUT students and staff having participated in mobility programmes to date.