???Three Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) staff members returned from an enriching Erasmus+ Staff Training Week at Freie Universit?t Berlin (FUB) 23 – 27 June 2025, where they joined international colleagues in exploring key themes in higher education: gender and diversity, student mobility, and international student success. Their experiences not only strengthened institutional ties but also reinforced SU's commitment to fostering global engagement through inclusive and meaningful internationalisation.
Embedding Equity in Internationalisation
For Jaco Greeff Brink, Head of the Equality Unit, participating in the Gender and Diversity track was a powerful reminder of what it means to integrate equity into the core of university life.
“What stood out was how equity wasn't treated as an add-on," he shared. “It was embedded into the very fabric of the institution. From intersectional policy design to participatory governance, institutions are going beyond compliance and focusing on real, context-driven transformation."
Jaco noted how international platforms like this one offer SU the opportunity to learn from global models while sharing our own evolving practices. His reflections underscore that internationalisation is not just about mobility or institutional prestige—but about shaping inclusive, justice-oriented academic cultures.
“This experience showed how international engagement can be a force for reshaping values and policy frameworks. There's great potential for SU to deepen our global partnerships in ways that also support our work on gender equity and social impact," he added.
Empowering Student Belonging Across Borders
Magdel Pretorius, Deputy Director and Head of Undergraduate Recruitment, participated in the Academic Success and Career Integration for International Students track, which brought together colleagues from 17 countries to examine how institutions support international students' success and belonging.
“It wasn't just about sharing strategies—it was about co-creating solutions. We realised that although we work in different countries, the challenges and opportunities we face are deeply connected," she reflected.
The sessions reinforced SU's goal of supporting students not only academically, but also personally and professionally. For Magdel, the takeaways were both practical and inspiring.
“I returned to Stellenbosch energised—with fresh ideas and renewed purpose. Most importantly, it reminded me of the power of global collaboration in building inclusive, supportive environments for all students."
Rethinking Mobility for a New Generation
Angelo Jephtha, Coordinator of International Student Life and Success in the Centre for Global Engagement, took part in the Exploring Different Paths of Student Mobility track. There, he connected with peers on how to diversify and adapt student mobility models, especially in a post-COVID-19 world.
“It was encouraging to see how institutions are expanding mobility beyond traditional exchange—through internships, research stays, and short-term programmes," he said.
Angelo also led a session on undergraduate research mobility, sharing SU's own initiatives like the Intensive English Programme and affiliated research placements.
“It was a great opportunity to show what we're doing at SU—and also to learn how others are tackling similar challenges, like declining student engagement in co-curricular internationalisation," he noted.
He returned with new ideas for strengthening “internationalisation at home" efforts—ensuring that even students who don't travel can benefit from global learning experiences.
Looking Ahead: Growing as Global Practitioners
Collectively, the reflections from Jaco, Magdel, and Angelo highlight how international staff exchanges are central to SU's internationalisation strategy. At the heart of this vision is the expansion of intercultural competence, the development of internationalisation practitioners, and the holistic growth of staff—both professionally and personally.
“It's encouraging to see the role SU plays on the global stage, but it's equally important to step back and critically examine what we often regard as standard or best practice—especially in comparison to approaches elsewhere in the world," said Lidia du Plessis, Programme Manager: Staff Internationalisation at Stellenbosch 肆客足球. “It's in these moments of reflection that meaningful learning and growth truly happen."
“As SU continues to invest in staff development and strengthen its international networks, experiences like the Erasmus+ Staff Week in Berlin serve as vital opportunities—not only to connect globally, but to grow locally, with greater purpose and perspective".
?Group photo from the staff week.
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