Wits collaborates with Australian universities
- By Deborah Minors
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The Vice-Chancellors of Australia's Monash University and Wits University have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) through which the two universities agree to collaborate and cooperate. Monash's Professor Ed Byrne and Wits’ Professor Loyiso Nongxa signed the agreement in Clayton, Victoria on 16 August 2012. In terms of the agreement, Monash and Wits will cooperate in academic activities by developing programmes to promote and facilitate the international exchange of ideas and research. The MOA allows for the exchange of Monash and Wits staff and students, to lecture, conduct research or study abroad, ultimately enhancing the scholarly efforts of both Monash and Wits and of participating staff members and students.The MOU applies for five years, subject to conditions. Wits' Prof. Nongxa visited Australia from 13 to 24 August 2012. He also visited the Curtin University of Technology, Melbourne University, Sydney University, and the University of Western Australia. Wits University has proposed a separate MOA with Curtin University, which will initially focus on mining, public health and energy. At his meeting with Dr Anton MacLachlan of the University of Sydney, Prof. Nongxa explored the possibility of establishing a tri-lateral relationship between Wits, other African universities and Australian universities. The University of Sydney is at the centre of an informal grouping of Australian universities intent on collaborating with their African counterparts. Professor Robin Crewe at the University of Pretoria is brokering early discussions to this end. The envisaged tri-lateral relationship would further Wits' Africa and internationalisation strategy and the agreement with Monash. Furthermore, increased research output and academic activity supports Wits' vision of ranking amongst the top 100 universities worldwide by 2020. Read about Wits' most recent collaboration between the University's Centre for Mechanised Mining Systems (CMMS) and Australia's University of Newcastle. |
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