UNIMA and NWU explore academic collaboration
The University of Malawi’s School of Arts, Design and Communication hosted a delegation from North-West University (NWU) of South Africa for a special visit aimed at exploring opportunities for academic collaboration, knowledge exchange and institutional partnerships.
The delegation, which was led by the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof Herculene Kotze, paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Malawi, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sunduzwayo Madise, on 14th October 2026 at the University Office boardroom.
Dr Madise expressed the University’s excitement at hosting the NWU delegation, noting that UNIMA has recently introduced a degree programme in Creative Arts and would welcome opportunities to learn from NWU’s experience.
He observed that Africa is rich in music and highlighted it as a potential area of collaboration, noting that the University of Malawi also offers a music programme.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor further emphasised that, as a newly established school, the School of Arts, Design and Communication would greatly benefit from academic collaboration with NWU.
In her remarks, Prof. Herculene Kotze said the visit aimed to strengthen institutional relations between NWU and UNIMA and explore opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration.
“As part of NWU’s internationalisation strategy, we are committed to strengthening partnerships with institutions in the Global South, recognising the value of South–South collaboration in advancing higher education, exchanging knowledge and addressing shared societal challenges,” she said.
Prof. Kotze added that closer collaboration between the two universities would offer several benefits, including opportunities for joint research and publications, academic exchanges, collaborative teaching and learning initiatives, and the sharing of expertise and institutional best practices.
“A broader institutional partnership would also create opportunities for collaboration across faculties and disciplines, enabling academics and students to engage with different perspectives, develop new knowledge and contribute to addressing shared regional and global challenges,” Prof. Kotze said.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which provides a foundation for building and strengthening collaboration in the creative industries and performing arts is already in place between NWU’s School of Creative Industries and Performing Arts and UNIMA’s Department of Music.
The delegation later held an interactive session with students from the School of Arts, Design and Communication.
The visit provided a platform for the two institutions to discuss areas of mutual interest, strengthen existing engagements and identify opportunities for collaboration in teaching and research.
