As universities increasingly seek to address complex global challenges, the symposium explored how engagement has become an essential third pillar, alongside teaching and research, in advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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The two-day programme provided a valuable platform for exploring diverse understandings of engagement shaped by different historical, political, social and cultural contexts.
Through dialogue and comparative reflection, participants shared experiences and best practices from South Africa, Tanzania and Germany, while identifying potential new opportunities for international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The symposium was co-hosted and opened by Professor Karsten Speck of the University of Oldenburg (Chair of Research Methods in Educational Sciences and Ambassador of the longstanding bilateral partnership between the University of Oldenburg and Nelson Mandela University) and Professor Darelle van Greunen (Distinguished Professor of Information Technology and Director of the Centre for Community Technologies at Nelson Mandela University).
Together, they introduced and framed the symposium's focus on higher education engagement in support of the SDGs and guided discussions throughout the event. Professor Speck said, "We as the University of Oldenburg can learn a lot in this regard from our partners in the South, Nelson Mandela University and the University of Dar es Salaam."
From left, Dr Belinda du Plooy (Senior Manager: Engagement Office & panel discussion facilitator); Dr Merezia W. Bambaganya Professor Muki Moeng and Professor Katharina Al-Shamery
A high-level panel discussion featured Professor Katharina Al-Shamery (Vice President for Academic Career Paths, Equal Opportunities, and International Affairs at the University of Oldenburg); Professor Muki Moeng (Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching at Nelson Mandela University) and Dr Merezia W. Bambaganya (representing the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of Dar es Salaam).
Facilitated by Dr Belinda du Plooy of Nelson Mandela University’s Engagement Office, the panel explored differing conceptual understandings of engagement among the participating universities and the institutional structures that support SDG-related engagement work.
A keynote address by Professor Darelle van Greunen, titled Humanising Digital Transformation: Advancing Research through Community-Engaged, Transdisciplinary Innovation in Africa, highlighted how digital transformation can be harnessed to create socially responsive and community-centred research initiatives.
Drawing on her extensive experience in community-engaged research and innovation, Professor van Greunen emphasised the importance of collaborative, transdisciplinary approaches to addressing societal challenges.
She said, "We aim to ensure that communities are not passive recipients of change, but active contributors and beneficiaries who have the confidence, knowledge, and tools to shape their own sustainable futures."
The symposium coincided with Professor Van Greunen's recent appointment as Research Advisor for International Networking at the University of Oldenburg.
The remainder of the symposium programme showcased the diversity of approaches to engagement and sustainable development across the three partner institutions.
Presentations highlighted collaborative research initiatives, interdisciplinary and international case studies, experiences of citizen participation, service-learning and civic engagement programmes, and critical perspectives on conservation, decolonisation, and Indigenous Knowledge systems.
Together, these contributions demonstrated how universities are working alongside civic communities and societal stakeholders to advance responsible and sustainable development at local, national, and global levels.
The participants also travelled to Wilhelmshaven for an experiential learning programme focused on coastal sustainability and marine ecosystems.
Following a guided exploration of the Wadden Sea ecosystem, representatives from the three universities presented examples of engagement and research relating to marine and coastal environments and their contributions to the SDGs, particularly those associated with climate action, biodiversity conservation, and the sustainable use of marine resources.
Led by Professors Speck and Van Greunen, the symposium consortium will continue collaborating to co-create a concept note and joint statement aimed at strengthening long-term partnerships among the participating institutions and advancing higher education engagement in support of the SDGs.