For Leipzig University, the partnership with Stellenbosch University in South Africa – coupled with the accompanying friendship between people – is an excellent example of successful academic and research collaboration, and an important instrument to improve Leipzig’s institutional profile in teaching and research worldwide.
We are continuously working towards expanding the linkages outside of the humanities, and trust that staff and students on both sides will use the opportunities available as a result of the favourable conditions created by Leipzig’s AAA.
Robert Kotzé, Stellenbosch University
The partnership between Stellenbosch and Leipzig University deserves a special mention for many reasons. In many aspects, it is the perfect example of successful cooperation for the development of reciprocal and mutually productive academic contacts.
- For institutional integration:
Joint programmes integrate different curricula at both universities, such as German and German as a Foreign Language, or Global Studies and Poitical Science. Such integrated study programmes establish strong links and commitment between two departments and even across faculties, providing fertile ground for academic networks. - For diversity:
A considerable number of academic fields are involved: collaboration has ranged from the disciplines of chemistry, theology and economics, right the way through to German as a foreign language, global studies and sustainable development.
Our collaboration in teaching is complemented by joint research projects.
This cooperation is carried out bilaterally as well as within consortia (e.g. Global Studies). - For history:
The partnership has been built up systematically since 1997. Stellenbosch University was nominated as Leipzig University’s South African partner by a group of scholars and administrative staff at Leipzig. It was a mutual, grass-roots democratic decision that continues to yield ever more successful results. Despite and because of all the entanglements of both universities in the different past political systems and their aim to re-position themselves anew in a changed society, the challenges and contributions constitute another element that links Leipzig and Stellenbosch.
Stellenbosch is a special case. In a laboratory, you should trust your colleagues when you experiment with new methods and chemicals. With our colleagues, we will develop new “medicine” to make us even “fitter” in terms of internationalisation.
Dr Svend Poller, International Centre Director, Leipzig University
A Comprehensive Partnership
Academic Exchange
We interviewed two students from Stellenbosch University about their experiences at Leipzig University.
