Earlier this year, the University of Pretoria launched the Ubuntu Student Exchange Programme, offered as a joint venture with Fordham University and the Jesuit Institute South Africa. Nine students from Fordham University participated in the Ubuntu Programme during the first semester of 2012, arriving at the University of Pretoria in January and returning to New York in June 2012.

Twenty-nine participants from different countries – including UP postgraduate students from several faculties – are attending the IDHA programme.

The IDHA programme consists of intensive and professional development activities, such as lectures, simulations, seminars and discussions amongst colleagues. Participants attend seminar discussions during the day and work in teams in the evenings and over weekends to prepare for their final assessment and diploma ceremony. 

The IDHA programme is presented three times per year: once in New York and again in Geneva, while a different country is chosen each year as the venue for the third presentation in order to strengthen networks and further encourage participation. This year, the University of Pretoria is privileged to host the third programme.

The Acting Vice-Principal for Teaching and Learning and Student Affairs at the University of Pretoria, Prof Johann Engelbrecht, welcomed all the international delegates attending the IDHA programme and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity given to the University to collaborate with Fordham University. He welcomed the University of Pretoria’s contribution to the IDHA, which is aligned to UP’s vision of being a leading, research-intensive university in Africa and internationally and being recognised internationally for its quality, relevance and impact, as well as for creating knowledge and developing people.

“This collaboration contributes to the University of Pretoria’s pursuit of its strategic goal, which is to strengthen our international profile and our impact on social development. We try to ensure excellence in teaching and learning in the various core degree programmes offered at the University of Pretoria, but also through our contribution to programmes such as the IDHA,” Prof Engelbrecht said.