NWU and Soroti University Forge Cross-Border Partnership for African Academic Growth
- Karen Scheepers
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
In a week that marked a quiet but significant step in higher education diplomacy, the North-West University (NWU) formalised a new academic partnership with Soroti University of Uganda, an agreement that is expected to shape the future of regional cooperation in science, innovation, and community engagement.
From Dialogue to Partnership
This developing relationship traces its origins back to an IAEA inter-regional Vice-Chancellors’ dialogue held in 2023, which brought together academic leaders from across the continent to explore synergies in higher education. Two years later, that initial connection has matured into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NWU and Soroti University, officially signed this week.
The agreement stands as a reflection of NWU’s strategic internationalisation agenda, particularly its emphasis on African collaboration rooted in mutual benefit, capacity-building, and shared development goals.
Academic Exchange Meets Research Collaboration
The visiting Soroti University delegation engaged closely with NWU’s Faculties of Engineering and Natural and Agricultural Sciences, delving into areas of joint interest such as:
Research collaboration in applied sciences and sustainable development
Curriculum development aligned with both local relevance and global standards
Academic mobility for staff and students across institutions
Community impact projects focused on rural innovation and technology transfer
The discussions were framed not just by technical aspirations, but by a shared commitment to academic transformation, strengthening African-led solutions to challenges that transcend national borders.
A Shared African Vision
The NWU–Soroti partnership is not just about academic agreements on paper, it is about intentional cooperation between institutions that understand the value of working together across geography, culture, and discipline.
In an era when higher education is increasingly shaped by global forces, this new alliance stands as a timely reminder that Africa’s universities have the power to shape their own future, collectively, and with purpose.
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