One of UWC’s concerns for the future is to use its mandate to create and maintain a sense of hope, while helping to build an equitable and dynamic society. A second concern is with its role in the knowledge economy. It remains committed to creating and disseminating knowledge that is relevant to the challenges of a modern world and a transforming society.
A third concern, which is inseparable from the notions of hope and knowledge, is a concern with agency – the will and the ability to act, to be an agent of change. A dynamic future beckons as UWC strives to be a vibrant institution of high repute, in pursuit of excellence in teaching, learning and research.
Under the leadership of Prof O’Connell, international co-operation and collaboration flourished. The relationship with UWC’s stalwart partner, the University of Missouri (UM), developed in ways which contributed to both universities’ pedigree, and Prof O’Connell was awarded an honorary doctorate by UM to mark his contribution.
The fruitful partnership with the University of Ghent (UGent) took productive shape in recent years, and there is now a tri-continental partnership between UWC, UM and UGent. Prof O’Connell was also instrumental in UWC becoming one of the four founding members of SANORD, a multilateral academic network between Southern African and Nordic institutions.
The International Relations Office at the University of the Western Cape extends our well wishes to you during these uncertain and unprecedented times. Given the current global COVID-19 pandemic, we wish to extend our solidarity with our university partners – with compassion. The University has taken the necessary decision to postpone all inbound and outbound international travel and engagement until further notice.
However, we remain committed to our international partners, students and researchers, as well as to the broader society, to utilise our connectedness to offer intellectual contributions that seek to bring a measure of insightful scientific rigour and empathy to all those affected by the crisis. It is together, with unity of purpose and with our diversity and compassion, that we can continue to work with solidarity in service of humanity.
Additional information can be found on the UWC main site