HSRW at the DAAD Symposium in Cape Town: Strengthening Equal Partnerships for SDG Impact ✨

The DAAD Symposium “Global Responsibility – Local Impact: Higher Education Partnerships for the SDGs” brought together universities, researchers, and development partners from across the world for two days of inspiring exchange in Cape Town, South Africa. The event marked a significant moment in DAAD’s centenary year, celebrating 100 years of fostering academic exchange and global partnerships.

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Representing Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW), Professor Oliver Serfling presented the SDG-Partnership jointly implemented with Makerere University_Uganda (MAK) and the Central University of Technology_South Africa (CUT). His contribution highlighted how transnational cooperation can directly advance the Sustainable Development Goals by strengthening education systems, enhancing faculty capacity, and driving applied research in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management.

A recurring theme throughout the symposium was the essential role higher education institutions play in advancing the SDGs through university-based cooperation. Discussions emphasised the importance of knowledge exchange, innovation, and long-term partnerships — values closely aligned with the HSRW–Makerere–CUT collaboration. In this spirit, Professor Serfling’s presentation showcased the project’s learner-centred, field-based approach, including the interdisciplinary field course in Uganda’s Kibale National Park and the integration of African-contextualised case studies into teaching at all partner universities.

Stakeholder engagement remains a cornerstone of the project. Workshops featuring institutions such as the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) offer platforms for locally grounded insights and bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice. The strong involvement of communities in Bigodi, Mabono, Kasiisi, and Mount Elgon further reflects the project’s commitment to shared learning and sustainable local impact.

The symposium also reinforced a key message shared by many partners: sustainable development in higher education requires global networks that prioritise collaboration on equal terms. This was echoed in multiple sessions that encouraged institutions to deepen internationalisation, form new alliances, and develop strategies for concrete SDG implementation in academic contexts.

With DAAD’s centenary as a backdrop, the symposium served not only as a celebration of past achievements but also as a call to strengthen the partnerships that will shape the next century of global higher education.

HSRW thanks DAAD, BMZ, and all participating institutions for providing an inspiring platform — and extends special appreciation to the partners whose collaboration continues to drive meaningful, locally rooted change.

Photos © Linda Vos for DAAD