The Centre for Japanese Studies at the University of Pretoria (UP), in collaboration with Universities South Africa (USAf) and the South African Technology Network (SATN), is proud to be the principal South African coordinator for the upcoming South Africa-Japan University (SAJU) Forum, which will take place in Tokyo, Japan, on 15 and 16 July. The main coordinator in Japan is Tsukuba University.

The SAJU Forum aims at providing a structured framework for collaboration between the higher education institutions of the two countries. Its goals are to increase the mobility of researchers and students, increase joint research and development collaboration, establish exchange programmes among universities and institutionalise cooperation among universities in the two countries.

Two meetings were held in 2007 and 2008, in Hiroshima and Cape Town respectively, where the participants shared information about each university and discussed perspectives of collaboration, especially in the following strategic areas: health, environment, mathematics and science education, and materials science.

The third SAJU Forum meeting assumes 'Cooperation between South African and Japanese universities toward achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)' as its main theme. Representatives of participating universities, such as presidents, vice-chancellors and researchers, will discuss opportunities and possible academic cooperation between the two countries with the aim of solving local and global issues for a sustainable society.

Contribution of SAJU Forum to SDGs: In order to achieve the SDGs, we must solve many issues in our environment and society. The academic sector, including higher education, is expected to contribute to developing and implementing sustainable solutions through scientific research and innovation, human resource development, and cooperation with other stakeholders including the private and public sectors

Several plenary keynote lectures will be delivered at the Forum. Speakers will share current outlines and prospects of cooperation between Japan and Africa to achieve the SDGs, opportunities for the creation of new value in the universities of both countries through mutual collaboration, and the possibility of collaboration with the business sector. Parallel thematic sessions will also be held to discuss the prospects of academic cooperation in the following four strategic areas related to the 16 SDGs: Agriculture & Food, Health, Environment & Energy, and Humanity, Education & Society.

Following a wrap-up of the parallel sessions and a plenary discussion, outcomes will be identified in a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed by representatives of both countries.