It was a memorable night steeped in nostalgia as nearly 200 University of Pretoria (UP) alumni who were part of the UP-Fordham Student Exchange Programme gathered at Future Africa recently to share in the 15th-year anniversary celebrations of the programme. In true South African celebration tradition, the vibrant Ovuwa Choir graced the occasion with a captivating repertoire of music, setting the perfect tone for the evening.

Launched in 2008, the Emerging Markets Student Exchange Programme, a partnership between the University of Pretoria and Fordham University in New York, has nurtured students at the two institutions into global leaders in their respective fields. 

Since its inception, UP students in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) have visited Fordham University annually for a five-week exchange programme that enriched their academic knowledge and also provided a platform to interact with influential business leaders and policymakers from diverse government agencies and businesses.

UP and Fordham University representative with UP alumni at 15th-year UP-Fordham Student Exchange Programme anniversary.

Collaborating for societal impact

Reflecting on this extraordinary journey, Professor Loretta Feris, Vice-Principal: Academic at UP, underscored the significance of this anniversary. She expressed that the celebration, held on 19 August 2023, marked a momentous milestone, symbolising the success of an enduring partnership that made a lasting positive impact on countless lives, even during times of immense turmoil and uncertainty.

“This programme has stood the test of time. It continued even during the pandemic. It has generated interest outside of this University and forum, in particular from practitioners in our private and public economic spaces. This means the Emerging Markets Programme is a programme with impact and that is a core value of this University,” she said.

Prof Feris highlighted that the University strives to make a positive impact through its teaching and learning, research activities and also international partnerships such as the Emerging Markets Programme – which is a key feature of the UP Strategy 2026. “Without these kinds of partnerships, we cannot expand and share our knowledge,” she said, expressing her gratitude to the Fordham partners for fostering a robust collaboration that has facilitated knowledge exchange among staff and students.

Supporting Prof Feris’ remarks, Dr Ann Gaylin, Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Fordham University, said she hopes the ideas and knowledge exchange from the programme will be used to advance society and improve the world while tackling some of the most pressing challenges in society. She noted that humanity is a central tenet at Fordham University. “Thinking about our common humanity and how in learning and growing and thriving, it is not just about the individual, but about the community or communities that you are able to build and help flourish,” she said. Dr Gaylin added that the partnership had propelled the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences motto of global education for the greater good.

Transforming lives through knowledge exchange

Alumni who attended the dinner hailed the programme for the impact it made on their lives, describing it as a “life changer” that exposed them to a plethora of opportunities and enhanced their interpersonal skills through engagements with diverse groups of people. For many, the programme played a pivotal role in their burgeoning careers, expanded their networks beyond the South African borders and honed their professional development skills.

“For me, the prospect of studying abroad when I was still here at UP was unimaginable, really. But my experience with the Emerging Markets Programme proved to be quite valuable and life-changing. It helped open doors for me, and I'm pretty sure for others as well, in the tough South African job market,” said Sokhana Caza who was part of the 2011 cohort. Caza was fortunate to secure a job immediately after the programme and had an opportunity to work abroad at Bloomberg for three years.

For Mpho Molopyane, who was also part of the 2011 cohort, the programme transformed her into an intentional being who pursued her dreams fearlessly. Having grown up in the small village of Mokopane, in Limpopo, Molopyane says the programme changed her life for the better. She completed her master’s degree at three institutions, spending a semester at a time studying in Belgium, India and New York, and this provided her a distinct advantage in the marketplace, she says.

“Studying abroad enabled me to set myself apart in the workplace. You know the South African labour market is quite competitive, especially early in your career. So for me, the programme really helped me set myself apart. To everyone who's been involved in putting the programme together, I'm really grateful, eternally grateful. My life has never been the same. My life will never be the same. I changed for the better, and I'm really grateful for that,” said Molopyane.

Enriching life experiences

The anniversary evoked deep nostalgia and emotions for Pontsho Clance, who was part of the first cohort of the programme. Being selected for the programme was a significant victory and triumph for her. Similar to Molopyane, Clance grew up in a rural area and the idea of travelling abroad seemed far-fetched, given that her childhood travels were limited to South Africa. She expressed that the programme changed her perspective on life, making her believe that the world was full of possibilities. “Literally, the programme changed my life,” she said.

Over the last decade, visiting the NASDAQ Times Square and exploring the “Big Apple” have been some of the most cherished memories for the programme’s alumni. Fouché Venter took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, recalling some special memories from his time on the programme. He shared fond memories of his trip to Wall Street, the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial with a ferry. Beyond these memorable experiences, the programme provided him with cultural enlightenment. “I hadn't travelled and been that close to that many people from cultures that were different to my own. And I learned a lot of valuable lessons in that time and really feel that the people that we travelled with that time were very special,” he said.

Professor Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu, Dean of the Faculty of EMS, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all present, including representatives from Fordham and UP, and alumni for their indelible contribution in making the programme a success over the last 15 years. “Your presence tonight underscores the profound importance you place on international academic opportunities, similar to the one you had. And for that, I am profoundly humbled and immensely grateful,” she said.

Prof Chitiga-Mabugu said she hopes the partnership between UP and Fordham continues to enrich more students with the life-altering experiences of learning, interacting and establishing global connections that transform their lives and the lives of others for the better.

Building on the programme's success, UP and Fordham have signalled their commitment to renew their institutional memorandum of understanding. This renewal reflects their dedication to deepening and expanding the partnership, aiming to provide world-class education, address scarce skills, and contribute meaningfully to society.

This auspicious event was attended by Justice Sisi Khampepe, UP Chancellor, representatives from Fordham University, staff in the Faculty of EMS and alumni from across the country.