The Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA) and Stellenbosch University (SU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance SARUA’s operational capacity and strengthen higher education collaboration across the SADC region. The agreement establishes SARUA’s operations office within Stellenbosch University, ensuring a stronger institutional base within a member university.
Through this partnership, Stellenbosch University will provide administrative and operational support to SARUA, enabling it to better serve higher education institutions in the region. The agreement also aims to enhance SARUA’s research capacity, supporting evidence-based decision-making and policy development for the sector.
Professor Stephen Simukanga, Interim Executive Director of SARUA, welcomed the partnership, emphasizing its significance for the organization. “Having an operational base within Stellenbosch University marks an important milestone for SARUA. It strengthens our ability to support universities in the SADC region and reinforces our mission to promote higher education responsiveness and resilience,” says Simukanga.
Dr. Nico Elema, Director of the Centre for Collaboration in Africa at Stellenbosch University International, also reflected on the value of the collaboration. “Stellenbosch University is committed to advancing regional higher education cooperation and to be relevant on the African continent. We have extensive experience in hosting secretariats for African higher education thematic networks, and by providing this operational support to SARUA, we are contributing to a stronger, more integrated higher education sector in Southern Africa,” he explains.
The MoU will be implemented in a phased approach, ensuring that SARUA benefits from the full range of administrative and institutional support available at Stellenbosch University. This partnership reinforces both institutions’ shared commitment to strengthening higher education in the region.
