The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Pretoria (UP). This memorandum formally consolidates an existing relationship between the two institutions, one that was created in 2006.
According to UP, “this broad institutional agreement encompasses all aspects of collaborative research, student and staff exchange, as well as collaborative academic programmes.”
The signing ceremony took place on March 21.
Tawana Kupe, the UP vice-chancellor and principal professor, signed the agreement alongside UIUC Chancellor Robert Jones and Dr. Reitumetse Obakeng Mabokela, the vice provost for international affairs and global strategies.
Five other UP delegates joined Professor Kupe on the visit — Professor Barend Erasmus, Dean, Natural and Agricultural Sciences Faculty; Professor Wynand Steyn, Dean, Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology Faculty; Professor Margaret Chitiga-Mabuga, Dean, Economic and Management Sciences Faculty; Professor Christopher Isike, Director of the African Centre for the Study of the United States (ACSUS) and Dr. Farai Kapfudzaruwa, Research and Strategic Partnerships Manager, Future Africa.
In addition to the signing ceremony, the delegation attended tours of different campus facilities such as the JUMP Simulation Center and attended meetings with key faculty representatives such as deans to explore new cooperative opportunities to enhance capacity building between the two institutions.
To read more about the visit, check out this story on the University of Pretoria website: https://www.up.ac.za/news/post_3140595-up-signs-mou-with-university-of-illinois-strengthening-existing-relationship-for-future-collaboration-" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;">https://www.up.ac.za/news/post_3140595-up-signs-mou-with-university-of-illinois-strengthening-existing-relationship-for-future-collaboration-
