The Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education at the University of Bristol, Professor Tansy Jessop, visited the University of Pretoria (UP) recently to discuss areas where both universities can produce transdisciplinary research, improve their curricula and create opportunities for students.

While explaining the purpose of the visit, Professor Loretta Feris, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at UP, said the universities are working towards strengthening their relationship through collaborative work and possibly having a memorandum of understanding in place.

During the visit, stakeholders from the various faculties and departments at UP presented their goals. They highlighted areas of success, areas that need improvement and possible opportunities where collaboration with the University of Bristol would be impactful.

“As the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, we are very diverse and are the largest of our kind in Africa,” said UP’s Professor Wolf-Dieter Schubert, who holds the division chair for research and postgraduate education within the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology. 

Setsipane Mokoduwe, Head: International Cooperation Division, added that UP “is very diverse in its culture”. “We have a large number of international students in both undergrad and postgrad programmes.” This diversity was recently celebrated through the annual International Students’ Day, where international students showcase their countries and cultures to the rest of the University community.

Prof Jessop addressed a number of issues of universal interest that are in line with her portfolio as Pro VC for Education. These include student mental health and identifying at-risk students early by monitoring class attendance and participation. She pointed out that first-generation students also need support and the University of Bristol has mechanisms in place that actively identify, select and support them.

Other common areas of universal interest are the promotion of curriculum transformation and monitoring student activity. This is done through sharing information on non-participation with the students’ parents, caregivers or trusted individuals through an opt-in mechanism. About 98% of students agree to this.

“Many students deal with mental health issues and Bristol has made an effort to try to save the lives of students by identifying problems earlier,” explained Prof Jessop.

“We now have an opt-in system where students give us permission to share information on their performance with their parents should we pick up that they are underperforming, missing classes or don’t hand in assignments. It is a great way to alert parents to intervene and find out what the problem is. Not all students agree to it, but there are many who have agreed, which helps us help them,” she said.

Prof Jessop also met with UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe in a closed meeting to continue exploratory discussions about future collaborations and specific areas where both universities can assist one another. This visit also came in preparation for Prof Kupe’s upcoming visit to the United Kingdom.

Prof Jessop expressed that, overall, the University of Bristol is interested in developing ties with the University of Pretoria in relation to student and staff exchanges, either virtually or face-to-face. She is also keen for the universities to participate in joint workshops to enhance their academic offering.

“There are many potential collaboration areas for us. The University of Pretoria is a leading institution in Africa and Bristol is committed to African partnerships that will improve education for the future,” Prof Jessop said.