The University of Pretoria (UP) and Ankara University in Turkey have established an academic research partnership aimed at addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges in healthcare. This partnership formalises an existing collaboration in which experts from Ankara University and UP’s Faculty of Health Sciences worked together on multiple projects between 2021 and 2024.

Professor Themba Mosia, UP’s Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal at the time, and University representatives hosted Ayşegül Kandaş, the Turkish ambassador in South Africa, along with Frank Steyn, a political counsellor at the Turkish embassy, and Prof Necdet Ünüvar, Rector of Ankara University, for a virtual high-level meeting. The meeting, which took place in the Council Chambers on Hatfield campus, focused on formalising the collaboration, recognising the significant contributions made by faculty members from UP and Ankara University since 2021 to research that seeks to improve lives.

Prof Christa Janse van Rensburg, Head of Section Sports Medicine in the Department of Orthopaedics, has published two articles in partnership with Ankara University. Additionally, Dr Thabo Lengana, a specialist nuclear physician in the Department of Nuclear Medicine, co-authored one article. Prof Marietjie Venter, former Director of the Centre for Emerging and Re-emerging Arbo and Respiratory Virus Research in the Department of Medical Virology, also collaborated on a publication with Ankara University.

“Our partnership with Ankara University opens up exciting avenues for collaboration in health sciences,” Prof Mosia said. “With their dedication to training future healthcare professionals and advancing research, we are well positioned to enhance our collective impact on public health. This alliance will not only foster groundbreaking research but also create opportunities for meaningful exchanges among our staff and students, enriching our educational landscape and enabling joint postgraduate programmes."

Prof Ünüvar expressed his pride in partnering with UP, recognising it as a reputable institution with leading experts across various fields. He said he is confident that this collaboration will yield significant benefits, positively influencing communities and the world at large. He emphasised that the partnership will not only advance research but also create economic opportunities for both countries and their citizens.

“It was great to meet and interact with Prof Mosia during his visit to Turkey, where he shared insights into UP’s exceptional innovations in various scientific fields,” Prof Ünüvar said. “He informed us about UP’s nine faculties, highlighting that the Faculties of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, and Economic Management Sciences are among the best globally. He also expressed keen interest in expanding collaboration into other areas such as medicine, dentistry, engineering, pharmacy and astronomy.”

Ankara University’s Faculty of Medicine and UP’s Faculty of Health Sciences share many common research interests. Ankara’s faculty is one of Turkey's leading medical schools, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in areas such as internal medicine, surgery and paediatrics. Similarly, UP’s School of Medicine includes departments in basic sciences and various clinical disciplines, collaborating with partners like the Gauteng Department of Health. It hosts the National Research Foundation/Department of Science and Innovation South African Research Chair in the Ubuntu Community Model of Nursing, which focuses on enhancing health access in underserved communities.

In dentistry, Ankara’s faculty educates dentists and specialists through diverse programmes, while UP’s School of Dentistry conducts research across eight departments aimed at advancing clinical practice and community health. The school is renowned for its training and community engagement. Additionally, Ankara’s Institute of Oncology focuses on cancer research and clinical care, covering topics like genetics and immunotherapy. UP boasts a leading cancer research group, including the Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure and the Pan African Cancer Research Institute, which work on translational cancer research and innovative therapies to address disease burdens in Africa.