UCT contributes African views at global higher education summit

The University of Cape Town (UCT) Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela recently participated as a “firestarter” panellist at the 2026 U7+ Alliance of World Universities Presidential Summit in Paris, France. His contribution highlighted dual-use research, responsible innovation and the governance of emerging technologies.

Professor Moshabela was accompanied by Global Engagements project manager, Isha Dilraj, who contributed to the international working group that helped shape and draft the 2026 U7+ Communiqué on “The Social Role of Universities in a Divided World”, which framed many of the summit’s central discussions.

The U7+ Alliance of World Universities is a global alliance of nearly 50 university presidents from 19 countries. It was established in 2019 under the patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron to mobilise universities around global challenges and engage G7 governments and multilateral structures on matters of policy, research and societal impact.

In 2026, the alliance was officially recognised as a G7 Engagement Group, strengthening the collective voice of universities in global policymaking and creating new opportunities for collaboration with governments and other international stakeholders. The 2026 communiqué calls on universities and governments to work together to address growing social and political divides, promote responsible and inclusive technological progress, and strengthen civic culture and democratic institutions in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI) and misinformation.

Drawing on examples from the African context, Moshabela emphasised that dual-use research is not an exception in modern science, but increasingly inherent to it. He spoke to the importance of balancing open science and international collaboration with ethical governance, security considerations, and the urgent need to ensure that emerging technologies are developed and applied in ways that advance equity, peace and societal resilience. He also highlighted that universities in the Global South must not only be included in these conversations but should help shape the frameworks that govern the future of responsible innovation.

Shapers of ideas

This year’s summit theme was “Revisiting the Social Role of Universities in a Changing World”. Discussions focused on:

• the social responsibilities of universities in increasingly polarised societies

• climate change and sustainability amid climate denial and climate fatigue

• dual-use research and the governance of emerging technologies

• AI, business, and responsible innovation.

As part of the programme, Moshabela was also among a select group of university presidents invited to a special high-level engagement involving President Macron.

“At a time of increasing global division and uncertainty, universities have a critical role to play as institutions of truth, innovation and social responsibility. The U7+ Summit reaffirmed the importance of global collaboration in shaping more just, inclusive and sustainable futures,” said Moshabela.

He added: “It is essential that African universities are not merely participants in global conversations, but active shapers of the ideas, policies and innovations that will define our shared future. UCT is proud to bring African perspectives and leadership into these important international spaces.” On the topic of dual-use research, Moshabela said: “As universities, we must protect the openness that drives discovery, while ensuring that emerging technologies are developed and used ethically, responsibly, and in service of peace, equity and human progress.”

“The U7+ Summit provided an important platform for UCT to contribute meaningfully to global policy conversations.”

Dilraj noted that it was particularly meaningful to contribute to the drafting of the U7+ Communiqué on the social role of universities. “It reflects the urgent need for higher education institutions to defend truth, advance equity, and work collectively toward more resilient and inclusive societies, especially in our current challenging geopolitical climate,” she said.

“UCT’s participation reflects the university’s growing global visibility and strategic commitment to engaging in international platforms where higher education can influence policy, drive innovation, and advance social impact. Therefore, the U7+ Summit provided an important platform for UCT to contribute meaningfully to global policy conversations while amplifying the voice and role of African universities in shaping solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.”