By Mihlali Matiwane
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) took a leading role in advancing international collaboration by hosting the Erasmus+ Information Session for South Africa in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) on 16 and 17 October 2025.
The two-day event focused on expanding access to the Erasmus+ programme, an EU initiative that funds education, training, youth and sport activities across Europe and beyond. The programme enables students, educators and professionals to study, train, work or volunteer abroad while developing valuable skills and enhancing career prospects.
Delivering the welcome address, Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, TUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, said it was an honour for the university to host the international event. “At TUT, we regard international collaborations as crucial pathways for sharing knowledge, driving innovation and fostering global citizenship,” she stated.
She highlighted that Erasmus+ plays a vital role in strengthening capacity within higher education institutions. “Erasmus+ exemplifies these principles by linking institutions, empowering students and academics and enhancing the capacity of our education system across the nation and across continents,” she added.
Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, TUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation
Joy Nogabe, Assistant Director for International Scholarships at DHET
Joy Nogabe, Assistant Director for International Scholarships at DHET and facilitator of the session, described the partnership between TUT, the EU and DHET as a model for translating shared goals into practical outcomes. “Each partner brings unique strengths — the EU with its global mobility and capacity-building platform, DHET with its policy coordination and national support, and TUT as a progressive academic institution creating space for knowledge exchange,” she said.
Nogabe added that sessions like these promote awareness, build institutional capacity and foster collaboration. “Many institutions may not fully understand how to access Erasmus+ opportunities or design impactful partnerships, so these engagements provide both guidance and inspiration,” she explained.
Margaret Mokhuane, from the European Union Delegation, encouraged participants to use the Erasmus+ platform to explore funding and partnership opportunities. She commended the enthusiasm of South African institutions and urged them to turn that energy into sustainable academic collaborations.
Margaret Mokhuane, from the European Union Delegation
The event featured presentations on Erasmus+ opportunities, application guidance, success stories from South African participants and interactive Q&A sessions — reaffirming TUT’s commitment to internationalisation, innovation and advancing education through global partnerships.