BU forms Education Partnership in South Africa

18 June 2009

BU Deputy Vice-Chancellor David Willey with Professor Murapa of CIDA

BU has been awarded nearly £60,000 to develop a new partnership with CIDA City Campus in Johannesburg, South Africa.

BU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, David Willey, joined Professor Rukudzo Murapa, Executive Dean of CIDA, to sign a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions during a ceremony at South Africa House in London.

Funding for the partnership comes from the UK government’s Education Partnerships in Africa (EPA) programme, managed by the British Council. The EPA encourages further and higher education institutions in England to build partnerships with universities in sub-Saharan Africa.

BU will support CIDA’s ambitions to develop its academic capabilities through EPA-funded staff and student exchanges to encourage both institutions to better understand each other’s worlds.

CIDA is the first privately-funded university in South Africa to offer virtually free higher education. The institution was established as a charitable, non-governmental organisation to address the rapidly-growing needs of many talented young people in the country, especially the large number who cannot afford to go to University. It also attracts students from other countries in Africa.

BU’s Media School and School of Services Management – both renowned for their areas of expertise – will specifically assist CIDA in developing new programmes in media and communication, and tourism and event management. These subjects are aligned with South African government strategies for economic growth and cultural development.

“We’re very excited by the prospects of working closely with CIDA,” said project leader Dr Tom Watson, Deputy Dean (Education) in the BU Media School. “Despite our geographical and cultural differences Bournemouth and CIDA share a common philosophy in terms of the desired outcomes for our graduates.

“Both of our institutions place a strong emphasis on employability and we both enjoy high rates of graduate employment,” he continued, “Entrepreneurship also features strongly in our respective corporate strategies and educational programmes so we’re starting from quite an advanced level of mutual understanding and aspiration.”

Professor Murapa is also delighted with the relationship. “The partnership we have established with Bournemouth University signals the beginning of a relationship that will benefit African students, especially those from historically disadvantaged communities, with skills and learning opportunities,” he said.

“What drew us to Bournemouth as the institution to partner were the values that we share which include our desire to develop a programme that produces entrepreneurs and ensures that our students are employable when they graduate from CIDA City Campus.”