TUT selected to lead SASUF+ Students as Gamechangers work package

TUT has been elected by participating South African & Swedish universities to serve as lead for Work Package 3: Students as Gamechangers within the South Africa–Sweden University Forum initiative.

The appointment, announced by Helin Bäckman Kartal the SASUF Project Manager at the Division for Research and Partnership Support, recognises TUT’s strong vision for student-centred collaboration and international engagement.

TUT’s Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and Engagement, explained that the SASUF+ programme is a major international collaboration between South African and Swedish universities supported by the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT) and the South African National Research Foundation (NRF). SASUF+ builds on long-standing ties between the two academic communities and runs from August 2025 to August 2028, focusing on deepening research, education and innovation partnerships that address global and local societal challenges.

According to SASUF, Work Package 3, titled Students as Gamechangers, aims to expand opportunities for both South African and Swedish Master’s and PhD students to engage in international research, leadership development and interdisciplinary activities addressing real-world challenges. It promotes student engagement as a core driver of academic collaboration and offers stipends for fieldwork and mobility abroad, strengthening cross-border networks and career-readiness.

“As WP 3 lead, TUT will work closely with a Swedish partner institution and the SASUF+ central coordination team to shape the framework, activities and strategic direction of this work package. The role underscores the importance of student voices in research and innovation, as well as reinforcing the University’s commitment to empowering future leaders,” said Dr Papu-Zamxaka.

The SASUF+ model is guided by a “glocal” philosophy that blends global cooperation with local relevance, addressing themes such as sustainable health, green transition, migration and urbanisation, and democracy and social justice. Work packages are structured to deliver impact across these thematic areas while advancing collaborative networks and shared learning across continents.

In addition to WP 3: Students as Gamechangers, SASUF+ comprises several other work packages covering dialogues for impact between academia, industry and society; cross-border collaboration; science and education policy; communication and dissemination; and coordination.

TUT’s leadership in WP 3 highlights the University’s growing influence in international partnerships and its strategic focus on student development, research excellence and global engagement.