A celebration of enduring and fruitful partnerships
The not so hospitable weather in Stellenbosch this week was downplayed as speaker after speaker at the opening of the SAJU 6 Conference counted on drawing warmth from the cordial relations between South African and Japanese academics and researchers.
The host, and Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Stellenbosch University, Professor Wim de Villiers (left), said SAJU 6 was not merely a conference but “a celebration of the enduring and fruitful partnerships between our two nations’ academic and research communities.
“The theme of this year’s forum, ‘Fostering Sustainable Partnership in Research and Innovation,’ resonates deeply with Stellenbosch University’s vision of being a leading research-intensive university on the African continent. Our mission is centred on creating knowledge that serves society, and it is through partnerships like those represented here today that we can truly advance this mission.”
Professor de Villiers said this gathering was not just about knowledge exchange. “It is about strengthening the ties that bind our institutions, promoting the mobility of researchers and students, and fostering innovation through joint research & development initiatives. In this context, the South Africa-Japan relationship stands as a beacon of what can be achieved through sustained collaboration.
He encouraged the delegates to engage openly and constructively as this forum sought to reaffirm the existing partnerships and to fertilise the ground for new collaborations that would shape the future of research and education in both countries.
“We’re honoured to host you,” Professor Hester Klopper (right), Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy, Corporate and Global Affairs, echoed the VC’s words. She added that the spirit of SAJU 6 was also the spirit of Stellenbosch University’s Japan Centre, that serves as a leading hub for academic, research and cultural exchange between SA and Japan, thus contributing to SU’s mission to advance research excellence and knowledge for broader societal benefit.
The Conference featured a number of plenaries, panel discussions, networking activities as well as a detailed exploration of new collaboration areas.
Up to 200 participants from across the world were in attendance. They included representatives from 40 Japanese universities, 20 South African higher education institutions, and other institutions from countries as far afield as Kenya, Egypt, and the United States. Japanese and South African governments were also represented, as were Universities South Africa and key funding agencies in South African and Japan.
SAJU 6 draws to a close today.
