In a world where international collaboration is reshaping higher education, the University of Cape Town (UCT) is positioning itself at the heart of global conversations about the future of universities. The institution’s recent participation in major international forums in Asia has not only highlighted its leadership but has also created fresh momentum for stronger cross-continental partnerships. This strategic move underscores how UCT is helping define the role of universities in driving innovation, equity and sustainable development on a global scale.
University of Cape Town’s presence in China, at flagship events that brought together presidents and leaders from universities around the world, was about more than formal speeches or ceremonial participation. It signalled a deep commitment to strengthening ties across Africa and Asia with the intention of sharing knowledge, co-developing solutions and contributing to equitable growth through higher education.
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University of Cape Town at the World University Presidents Forum and IFHE in Asia
In late 2025, delegates from UCT travelled to Hangzhou, China, to take part in both the World University Presidents Forum and the International Forum on Higher Education. These gatherings drew top academic leaders from around the world to discuss the pressing challenges and opportunities facing universities. Artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and equity in education were among the key themes driving these conversations.
Dr Myat Htoo Razak, special advisor to UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela, delivered an important presentation that outlined how UCT has been advancing its Vision 2030 goals. These goals focus on realising the university’s mission to unleash human potential for a more just and equitable society and to create measurable performance areas across its academic portfolios.
Speaking in Hangzhou, Dr Razak highlighted how UCT’s Strategy 2030 is enhancing the university’s digital transformation efforts, emphasising how artificial intelligence can be ethically and equitably utilised in higher education. He also spoke about strengthening equity and ensuring that sustainable development remains central to UCT’s work with its global partners.
Collaboration Beyond Borders
One of the messages from the university’s presentations was clear: global partnerships must move beyond simple affiliations and instead focus on purposeful collaborations that deliver practical and sustainable outcomes. UCT’s engagement at these forums opened space for discussions with potential partners across the Middle East, Europe, the Pacific and the Americas, exploring possibilities in research, talent mobility, innovation, technology transfer and joint projects.
By adapting quickly to changes in the programme and presenting early in the schedule, UCT ensured strong visibility for its perspectives on equity in higher education. The talks were met with a positive reception from delegates who recognised the importance of including voices from the Global South in shaping global higher education policy and practice.
Visits outside the conference halls further strengthened ties. Delegates, including UCT representatives, visited Zhejiang University’s Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Centre to explore joint research interests and opportunities for commercialising research outputs. These interactions signal that engagements between Africa and Asia can translate into concrete collaborations that benefit both regions academically and economically.
Back at UCT’s home campus, colleagues from the Zhejiang innovation centre took the initiative to visit Cape Town in early December to deepen these conversations and advance shared research interests. That visit underlined the shift from dialogue to action, emphasising a mutual commitment to exploring new research partnerships and innovation projects.
UCT’s Vision 2030 and Global Cooperation
The efforts to expand UCT’s strategic partnerships align tightly with its Vision 2030 framework and Strategy 2030 implementation plan. These long-term strategies place significant value on international cooperation, innovation, and inclusive development. By bolstering global networks, UCT is not just widening its influence but also enhancing its impact on African higher education systems and global research agendas.
UCT’s work with other global institutions extends beyond Asia. For example, earlier in 2025, the university entered into a landmark partnership with a leading German research institute to advance cybersecurity and trustworthy AI research. This collaboration highlights UCT’s commitment to cutting-edge technology and cross-institutional research mobility, benefiting both scholars and students.
Equally important are other strategic moves that reinforce UCT’s innovation ecosystem back home. The launch of a new University Technology Fund, for example, has strengthened the university’s ability to commercialise research, support start-ups, and nurture innovation that feeds into the broader South African economy.
The Broader Significance for Higher Education
What emerges from UCT’s engagements in Asia is a strategic blueprint for how universities from Africa can play a leadership role in global higher education ecosystems. By actively participating in international forums that focus on future-forward topics like AI, digital equity and sustainability, UCT signals that African universities are not just beneficiaries of global partnerships but equal contributors shaping knowledge systems.
For Nigeria and other African nations, UCT’s approach offers valuable insights. It shows how purposeful international engagement can amplify research impact, enhance academic cooperation and foster innovation pathways that benefit local and global communities. This aligns with broader calls within African education circles for renewed commitment to solidarity, cooperation and equitable partnerships that bolster regional capacity and competitiveness.
Looking forward, UCT’s expanding network of strategic partnerships is set to play a crucial role in knowledge exchange, co-creation of solutions to shared challenges, and driving inclusive socio-economic development. With each partnership, the university strengthens its ability to address global issues and contribute meaningfully to the discourse on higher education transformation.
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