Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is storming the global arena with audacious strides in internationalisation, cementing its reputation as a powerhouse of academic innovation and cross-cultural collaboration. In an era where higher education is defined by its global reach, SMU’s involvement in elite international training programmes sets a new benchmark for excellence.
At the forefront of this bold initiative is the highly competitive Germany–Kenya-based DIES/DAAD Management of internationalisation training programme, an exclusive course funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies (DIES). Hosted collaboratively by Leibniz University in Germany, alongside premier Kenyan institutions, this biennial programme accepts only the very best—forty participants from Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia for 2023/2024.
Dr Carlien Jooste, Director of Internationalisation at SMU, made history as the first-ever SMU professional selected for the course and the sole South African representative in the 2023/2024 cohort. Tasked with pioneering a Virtual Exchange Hub for SMU, her project harnessed the power of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) to transform the institution’s approach to global engagement. “This programme has not only expanded SMU’s global network but has redefined our strategy for internationalisation,” Jooste asserts, underscoring the transformative impact of her experience.
Riding on this wave of success, SMU has again demonstrated its global prowess by having Director of Student Affairs Tulani Nkuntse selected for the 2025/2026 edition of the same prestigious course. One of only thirty participants worldwide—and one of just two from South Africa—Nkuntse is poised to launch his project, ‘Global Village Days at SMU’. This innovative initiative will create an inclusive platform for cross-cultural engagement, celebrating diversity and fostering a globally aware student body.
Nkuntse, who has already embarked on the online component of the training, enthuses, “This opportunity will be instrumental in elevating SMU’s internationalisation efforts. By integrating diverse cultural insights into our student affairs, we are setting the stage for a truly global campus experience.”
SMU’s resolute commitment to internationalisation is not merely an institutional strategy—it is a rallying cry for academic excellence on a global scale. Through participation in globally recognised programmes like DIES/DAAD, SMU is not just expanding its network; it is actively redefining what it means to be a world-class university in the 21st century.
Through strategic participation in globally recognised programmes such as the DIES/DAAD Management of Internationalisation training course, SMU continues to advance its internationalisation agenda. The achievements of Jooste and Nkuntse underscore the university’s commitment to global engagement, innovation, and academic excellence. These efforts will undoubtedly contribute to positioning SMU as a key player in the international higher education landscape locally and globally.
As SMU continues to push boundaries and forge powerful global alliances, its achievements serve as a resounding declaration: South African higher education is not only competitive—it is leading the charge on the international stage.
By The Department of Communications and Marketing
