About - UWC | International Relations

31st

UWC’S ranking in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for quality education

200

UWC was included among the top 200 universities in emerging economies in the Times Higher Education 2019 rankings, since its introduction in 1992

157

The ranking awarded in 2019 by the URAP World University Rankings to the Astronomy and Astrophysics disciplines taught at UWC

UWC students have been selected to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, invited to share their ideas on science and medicine with some of the sharpest minds in the world

Vision

The vision of the International Relations Office is to be recognised as the axis of international linkages within UWC, through premier collaborations, partnerships and programmes.

UWC’s Institutional Operating Plan (IOP) is framed as a broad and integrated framework for 2016-2020. It represents an interpretation of UWC’s role as a public African university. The IOP has five cross-cutting themes that intersect with eight goal areas. The Plan projects internationalisation through its seven Faculties, academic and research endeavours, student experiences and community engagement.

Internationalisation is the active commitment to infuse African and international perspectives throughout the teaching, learning, research and service missions of the University.

The goal of UWC’s internationalisation strategy is to partner with institutions across various research and academic programmes to build on existing scholarship, produce new knowledge and address global challenges facing humanity.

The focus of internationalisation is to build resilient North-South partnerships, build co-operative engagements that enhance the quality of knowledge production and develop socially-responsive scholars committed to transforming the lives of the vulnerable and marginalised.

Co-operation

UWC is a unique and prestigious destination for research, student and staff mobility, and scholarly connection in South Africa and Africa.

Networks

UWC’s internationalisation strategy is to partner with institutions across a wide spectrum of research areas and academic programmes, with the goal of deepened connections with institutions in long term sustainable relationships, that aim to create new knowledge, build on existing scholarship and collaboratively address the global challenges facing humanity.

Strategic Partnerships

Co-operation Opportunities

With exposure to an international context, the horizons of possibility expand for our students and staff, ensuring they are capable and equipped to participate in the global knowledge economy.

Mission

The mission of the International Relations Office is to promote UWC’s international profile and standing through the facilitation of beneficial and dynamic partnerships.

UWC is a national university, alert to its African and international context as it strives to be a place of quality and a place to grow. It is committed to excellence in teaching, learning and research; to nurturing the cultural diversity of South Africa and to responding in critical and creative ways to the needs of a society in transition.

The mission of the University’s International Relations Office is to promote UWC’s international profile and standing through the facilitation of partnerships; contribute towards a global perspective for staff and students; to expand the UWC footprint from the African continent to the world and to foster mutual engagement and collaboration between the Global North and South. UWC endeavours to share African-centred research and scholarship for the greater global good.

Highlights

Rector and Vice-Chancellor’s Return to Duty

On 3 August 2020, the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Pretorius, will return to duty from his period of sabbatical.

Chinese Consul Visit

Consul General of China, Jin Ling, visited the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in May 2019.

Golden Key – Issue 4

The 4th issue following the latest news, events and goals of the Chapter

Inauguration of UWC Press and Book launch

Virtual inauguration of UWC Press in partnership with African Sun Media and Book Launch

History

UWC is a national university, alert to its African and international context as it strives to be a place of quality and a place to grow.

The legacy of the late Prof Jan Persens – advocate for Internationalisation 2020

I first met the University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) icon, Professor Jan Persens, at my job interview in May 2008.

Professor Brian O’Connell

In 2001, former Rector Professor Brian O’Connell assumed Vice-Chancellorship. Under his visionary leadership, UWC was challenged to demonstrate that it is capable of competing with the best and of playing a prominent role in the intellectual, social and economic life of South Africa.

UM/UWC: Friends, Not Just Partners

Learn more about the UM/UWC South African Education Program – www.umsystem.edu/president/southafrica

Desmond Tutu: My Two Schools

Learn more about the UM/UWC South African Education Program – www.umsystem.edu/president/southafricaDescription

Services

The International Relations Office aims to advance internationalisation in all of it efforts.

It is the first port of call for local and international students, and provides a range of services, from general enquiries to immigration advice to assistance with matriculation exemptions.

Our Office facilitates programmes for institutional visits from partners and potential collaborators. We represent UWC on platforms and consortia such as AAU (Association of African Universities); ACU (Association of Commonwealth Universities); ANIE (African Network for Internationalization of Education); COIMBRA (Coimbra Group Universities); EAIE (European Association for International Education); IEASA (International Education Association of South Africa); Golden Key (International Honour Society); NAFSA (Association of International Educators); SANORD (Southern African-Nordic Centre) and SARUA (Southern African Regional Universities Association), among others.

The office also works closely with the International Student Support Office (ISSO) who support the enrolment of full degree international students.

Functions of the Office:

Initiating, implementing, managing, advising and reporting on the University’s Agreements of Cooperation involving staff and student exchanges and collaboration
Coordinating Student mobility progammes
Hosting joint projects with partner institutions
Facilitating incoming and outgoing exchange students and staff
Preparing programmes for international visitors
Implementing the UWC’s IOP strategies for Internationalisation