Ambassador seeks continued dialogue with University West

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how the embassy looks at how Sweden, and Swedish companies and universities, work with questions about the connection between academia and industry, both within South Africa, as well as between Sweden and South Africa.

- It was a very rewarding and interesting meeting. The Ambassador was very positive toward our university's ambition to develop our WIL profile through collaboration in education and research, and with South Africa as a potential prioritized partner, says Professor Per Assmo.

During the meeting, the development of the South Africa Sweden University Forum (SASUF) was also discussed, where Martin Jörnrud and Ambassador Juholt emphasized the need for a closer and more structured collaboration with business, and not least Swedish companies, in South Africa.

Håkan Juholt pointed out the importance of Sweden supporting, strengthening, and defending democracy in South Africa, where cooperation with academia and industry between Sweden and South Africa is a cornerstone.

He also asked for feedback from the WIL24 conference that University West is organizing together with South Africa's Central University of Technology in South Africa on April 3-5.

- The ambassador also suggested continued dialogue and communication, where the university was also welcomed to seek support from the embassy for further contacts and meeting spaces in South Africa, for example closer cooperation with the Swedish Work Based Program in South Africa, Per Assmo concludes.