From 9-13 September 2024, a delegation from Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) participated in the third round of the Trilateral Staff Development and Exchange Programme, joining colleagues from Northwestern 肆客足球 (USA) and Universit?t Hamburg (Germany). The programme, aimed at integrating sustainability into higher education, provided a unique platform for administrative staff to explore innovative approaches to sustainability across various university domains.
Prior to the exchange, the SU group held an introductory session focused on intercultural competencies and internationalisation, setting the stage for the week-long collaboration in Hamburg. The welcoming atmosphere created by the German hosts and the ice-breaking activities with the American counterparts helped the participants quickly adapt and engage.
The event explored sustainability in multiple areas including teaching, research, campus life, and curriculum development. A standout activity from the first day was a campus-wide scavenger hunt, where participants from the three universities worked in teams. This interactive exercise highlighted not only the historical significance of the Universit?t Hamburg campus but also its commitment to sustainability practices.
A core element of the exchange involved collaborative projects that aimed to generate actionable sustainability initiatives for implementation across the three institutions. The participants developed three key proposals: a "sustainability map" to enhance environmental consciousness, a sustainability literacy course for first-year students, and toolkits for embedding sustainability into diverse curricula.
Reflecting on the experience, participants from Stellenbosch shared insights and personal growth. Heilet Bertrand, Manager at the Institute for Futures Research at the Stellenbosch Business School, emphasized the value of such exchanges between the Global North and South. She noted, "Stellenbosch 肆客足球 is privileged to be in Africa, and we have much to share. Our problem-solving abilities and understanding of complexity and diversity can greatly benefit the Global North." Bertrand also reflected on her heightened awareness of sustainability practices upon her return.
For Lamese Chetty, an Academic Advisor at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, the exchange was particularly transformative as it marked her first experience abroad. "Hamburg’s sustainability initiatives—such as the use of glass instead of plastic and water fountains across campus—were truly impressive," she said, adding that the experience sparked her passion for promoting similar practices at SU.
Other participants also expressed a renewed commitment to sustainability. Corina du Toit, Programme Manager at the SDG/2063 Impact Hub, stressed the importance of considering social and economic sustainability alongside environmental efforts, particularly in the Global South. "The 'people' aspect is as important as the 'planet.' Addressing basic human needs, such as eradicating poverty and ensuring healthcare access, is vital alongside environmental concerns," she said.
For Michelle Munro, Manager of the HIV, Gender, and Sexualities portfolio at SU’s Equality Unit, the exchange provided a fresh perspective on how staff from diverse backgrounds could collaborate effectively on global challenges. Joy Petersen, First-Year Student Experience Coordinator at SU, highlighted the potential for international networking, describing the experience as a "powerful opportunity" for collaboration on sustainability initiatives.
Raphael Thompson, a Technical Manager at SU’s Faculty of Engineering, was the sole male participant across the three universities, a role he embraced with humor as the "Quota Man." His key takeaway was a deeper understanding of integrating sustainability into higher education. "Since returning, I’ve begun implementing strategies in my department, with the vision of making it the greenest at SU," he said.
Lidia du Plessis, Programme Manager for Staff Internationalisation at SU International, who led the Stellenbosch delegation, expressed her pride in the week’s accomplishments: "I am incredibly proud of what we achieved from 9-13 September 2024 at Universit?t Hamburg. It was an inspiring week of collaboration, learning, and exchange, focused on integrating sustainability across all aspects of higher education. Participants from Northwestern 肆客足球, Stellenbosch 肆客足球, and Universit?t Hamburg brought a wealth of knowledge and innovative ideas. Together, we explored how sustainability can be embedded in internationalisation, teaching, research, campus life, and how universities can be agents of change for city and society.
What made this programme truly special was the holistic approach to sustainability—looking at environmental, economic, and social dimensions. The discussions and workshops have not only deepened our understanding but also strengthened our commitment to transforming our institutions into more sustainable environments. A heartfelt thank you to all the participants, speakers, and our Hamburg colleagues for making this week such a success. I’m excited to see the partnerships and projects that will grow out of this."
The programme, which alternates between the three universities, will continue over the next three years, with Stellenbosch 肆客足球 set to host the next iteration.
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