The initial memorandum was signed in 1998 with partnerships across faculties such as the Education Faculty collaborating on teacher training and cultural exchanges with the Humanities Faculty. With the renewed 25-year memorandum, future partnerships will venture into Medicine, Green Energy, Mobile Health, and Marine Research.
The partnership straddles the University’s transition from the University of Port Elizabeth (UPE), Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) to Nelson Mandela University - making it one of the longest-standing uninterrupted partnerships that the University has enjoyed.
“it's not that we are coming for an official signing of a relationship, we are coming to friends” said Professor Doctor Ralf Bruder of the University of Oldenburg at the celebration event held in Gqeberha. This showcases the common values systems that both universities uphold - each named after a Noble prize laureate.
Activities during the visit included a research symposium, sharing research collaborations between the two universities; excursions to Addo Elephant National Park, a city tour; a cultural emersion experience comprising of food and dance; meeting with counterparts to explore projects and road map discussions for the next five years and a gala dinner.
Both Nelson Mandela University and the Carl Von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg are committed to the development of societies across the globe.
