In a powerful display of academic cooperation, Stellenbosch University (SU) this week hosted its annual Vice-Chancellor’s Lecture, welcoming Prof Mosa Moshabela, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Chairperson of the Governing Board of the National Research Foundation, as keynote speaker.

The lecture, titled “Cooperation is the New Competition: The Future of Sustainable Higher Education in South Africa,” offered a thought-provoking vision for the future of the sector and outlined opportunities for greater collaboration between the neighbouring universities.

The event took place in the SU Museum against the backdrop of a cold and rainy evening and was opened by Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, the SARChI Chair for Violent Histories and Historical Trauma and the founding director of the Centre for the Study of the Afterlife of Violence and the Reparative Quest (AVReQ). She set the tone with a warm and celebratory introduction, calling it “a historical event”.

Gobodo-Madikizela, the recent recipient of the prestigious Templeton Prize, expressed her deep admiration for Moshabela, describing him as a leader who has consistently demonstrated a commitment to bringing people together. She thanked SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers and his wife Catherine for hosting the lecture series.

Jointly coordinated by AVReQ and the SU Centre for Collaboration in Africa, the event brought together top SU academics, members of the Rectorate and students, as well as distinguished guests such as former Vice-Chancellors of UCT Professors Njabulo Ndebele and Mamphela Ramphele.

In his welcoming address, De Villiers commented on how remarkable it is to have so many Vice-Chancellors and Rectors together in a room. Amidst the friendly banter and references to the historic rivalry between two of South Africa’s top universities – both SU and UCT were formally established in 1918 – De Villiers reminded the audience that universities are inherently complex institutions that contribute to societal progress while also having to address complex global challenges.

“A vision of cooperation over competition speaks directly to the future of higher education in South Africa, a future that will require us to rethink the way we operate, share knowledge and build partnerships across institutions. At Stellenbosch University, purposeful partnerships and inclusive networks is actually one of our core strategic themes.

“This event therefore sends a very powerful message that despite the challenges we face, there is immense value in coming together. Not just to share our successes, but also, very importantly, to confront our difficulties and to imagine new possibilities for growth and development,” De Villiers said.

Vehicles for change and impact

Moshabela echoed these sentiments as he called for universities to transcend the traditional model of competition and embrace a more collaborative approach to address shared challenges. He argued that the future of sustainable higher education in South Africa depends on institutions working together rather than competing against one another.

“The things that bind us together is the difference that we make in the world, the impact that we make in society,” Moshabela said. “It’s important to note the moment that we are in. The challenges of today are so unique and so different, not just in South Africa, but across the world, that we can’t really draw from our individual strength only. We need to build together and pull together, more so because universities are no longer just expected to respond to their own internal challenges, we’re under great pressure to respond to external pressures.”

Universities are symbols of hope and seen as the “brain trust of the nation,” he contended. “If we are going to fight over who’s the best in the country, we lose sight of what truly matters.” Our institutions should be vehicles for change and impact in society, not just for producing graduates but for contributing to the greater good, Moshabela argued. He quoted the late Prof Bongani Mayosi who said: “What’s the point of being number one in a sea of poverty and struggle?”

“It becomes difficult to enjoy and celebrate your privileges and your success as an institution when you’re surrounded by so much misery. So, we have to think about how to be the best for the nation, how to be the best for the continent and how to be the best for the world,” he stated.

Moshabela’s call for collaboration extended beyond the boundaries of individual universities, urging leaders to look to the past for inspiration and guidance. He highlighted the work of the Cape Higher Education Consortium, an initiative that was conceived decades ago, as an example of the foresight and vision of previous generations of academics. Stressing the importance of intergenerational exchange, Moshabela said the experience and knowledge of past leaders can provide valuable insights for the current and future generations.

“When you are a Vice-Chancellor, you have to think about the future. Many of the things that we think about now will have an impact 30, 40 years from now. Sustainability means making sure that we hand over an institution that is in excellent standing for future generations.”

Moshabela delved into the complex challenges facing universities, including the impact of societal issues such as poverty, crime and gender-based violence on their operations and student well-being. He emphasised the need for universities to go beyond their traditional academic roles and actively engage with civil society to address these pressing concerns.

Whereas previous generations dealt with political liberation and unrest, campuses today are primarily exposed to the economic struggles of students. “There is so much poverty that is being transmitted from one generation to the next. Part of what we are expected to do is to break that cycle.”

Challenges best addressed together

Moshabela spoke candidly about the financial constraints that many higher education institutions are grappling with, noting that the decreasing availability of government funding is a critical issue. This, combined with the increasing demand for access to education and the socio-economic pressures on students, creates a volatile environment that universities must navigate carefully, he said.

The success of students depends on the support they get, Moshabela pointed out as he highlighted the role that teachers play even after learners leave school and enter university. The success of higher education is reliant on the success of basic education, he emphasised. “The fragmentation that currently exists between high schools and universities is a problem. The new crop of leaders who are coming in will have to break this cycle and find models of doing things differently.”

Moshabela also noted that over the past two decades students have changed and have different needs. “The thing that strikes me the most is that students today will tell you when they are uncomfortable about something. They will tell you when they are stressed or depressed or struggling with mental health problems.

“We’re still using the same tools to teach and educate them, but they’re challenging the discourse. They’re asking us to do things differently. People want more personalised attention, which is difficult for us because we use standardised approaches. Students are more socially aware, and they want us to care about societal issues. We need to listen to them and try and respond, because our systems are archaic.”

Referring to the impact of rapidly changing technology and artificial intelligence, Moshabela said such challenges are best addressed together, rather than by institutions on their own. He illustrated the potential for collaboration by mentioning a recent conversation he had with a researcher who explained the need for UCT to buy a cryogenic electron microscope (cryo-Em).

A price tag of close to R100 million for the whole ecosystem is quite daunting for one institution, Moshabela implied. He turned to De Villiers and jokingly said: “How can we not afford the cryo-Em together, Wim?” The enthusiastic applause made it clear Moshabela’s vision for a more cooperative future resonated deeply with the audience.

The Q&A session that followed the lecture provided insights into the complexities of balancing academic freedom and social justice within university settings. Moshabela addressed the challenges faced by institutions in navigating sensitive issues, emphasising the need for transparent and consensus-based decision-making.

The 2024 Vice-Chancellor’s Annual Lecture served as a timely reminder of the power of cooperation and the need for forward-thinking leadership in shaping the future of higher education.