Strengthening UCT’s strategic partnerships from Africa to Asia

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) engagement at the World University Presidents Forum (WUPF) and the International Forum on Higher Education (IFHE) highlighted UCT’s role in global conversations about the future of higher education. Hosted in Hangzhou, China, the gatherings convened leaders from across the world to examine how artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation and equity can drive sustainable development in the sector.

Dr Myat Htoo Razak, special advisor to Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Mosa Moshabela, delivered UCT’s presentation, titled “Construction of tailored development mechanisms and evaluation systems”.

The session showcased how the university has progressed towards achieving more than 100 Vision 2030 objectives from 2021 to 2024. It also demonstrated how UCT translates its purpose – to unleash human potential for a fair and just society – into measurable key performance areas across faculties and portfolios.

Ensuring sustainable development

Reflecting on the significance of UCT’s participation, Dr Razak said: “In Hangzhou, I emphasised how Strategy 2030 is deepening UCT's commitment in tangible ways, especially through enhancing our digital transformation capabilities, where we believe AI will play a critical role; strengthening equity in higher education, and ensuring the sustainable development of universities for improved academic excellence and societal impact. Platforms such as this allow us to pause, benchmark, share lessons from the Global South, and build intentional strategic partnerships that amplify impact across and for Africa and Asia.”

“Platforms such as this allow us to pause, benchmark, share lessons from the Global South.”

UCT is intentionally broadening its strategic partnerships in Asia, recognising that deeper engagement globally with colleagues will strengthen the university’s research and internationalisation, and innovation and entrepreneurship missions.

These collaborations will help ensure that digital transformation advances equity and contributes to inclusive, sustainable socio-economic development.

Razak noted that UCT’s keynote session was moved forward on the programme, from 9 to 8 November, so that more key leaders could engage with its perspectives on equity in higher education for societal impact. “We adapted swiftly, and the presentation was very well received,” he said.

“Collaboration opportunities across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, America and the Pacific were developed. Possible research collaborations, expanding talent mobility opportunities, technology transfer and joint innovation projects were discussed.”

Commercialisation pathways

Based in Bangkok, Thailand, and drawing on more than three decades of global experience in strengthening higher education and workforce capacity, Razak added: “I was deeply humbled to represent UCT on this global stage, and I look forward to advancing these conversations with colleagues. We want to codevelop initiatives in AI-enabled teaching, leverage access to each other’s research hubs, strengthen collaboration among emerging academic leaders, and share commercialisation pathways. This will help implement Strategy 2030 in ways that is targeted and reciprocal.”

“We want to codevelop initiatives in AI-enabled teaching [and] leverage access to each other’s research hubs.”

The Hangzhou forums spotlighted the future of AI-enabled education, emphasising human machine collaboration, ethical AI norms, global cooperation and inclusive governance. These themes align strongly with UCT’s focus on digital equity and innovation led development.

Beyond the formal sessions, international delegates, including UCT representatives, visited Zhejiang University’s Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center (HIC-ZJU) to explore cutting edge research and commercialisation opportunities.

On 5 December, HIC-ZJU colleagues visited UCT to continue advancing shared research and innovation interests, signalling tangible next steps in strengthening UCT’s Asian partnerships.

In October, Moshabela and Razak also represented the university virtually at Future-Oriented University Research and Collaboration forum in Beijing, which UCT co-hosted with the United Nations University (UNU), the UN in China, and the Beijing Foreign Studies University. The event formed part of the UN’s 80th anniversary celebrations, and contributed to ongoing discussions around the Pact for the Future.

Global cooperation

Themba Kalua, UCT alumnus and director for the Pact for the Future Implementation, in the UN Secretary-General’s Office, noted: “We must renew our commitment to solidarity and global cooperation.”

As UCT moves into the next phase of implementing Vision 2030 through Strategy 2030, its engagements in Hangzhou, and with Asian partners more broadly, mark an important step in positioning the university as a co-creator of solutions with global partners. These collaborations highlight how aligned purpose can turn partnerships into catalysts for addressing shared challenges across regions.