For decades, global higher education has been dominated by Northern voices. Today, however, the Global South (GLOSOUTH) is claiming its place, innovating, collaborating, and reshaping the academic landscape. At the forefront of this movement is the GLOSOUTH project, a bold initiative that has united universities from South Africa and Colombia in a historic partnership aimed at fostering South-South collaboration.
Launched in September 2024, GLOSOUTH is the product of a collaboration between the Colombian Network for Internationalisation (RCI) of ASCUN and the International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA). Its mission is simple yet ambitious: to strengthen academic exchanges that transcend borders, politics, and language barriers.
For Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), this project marked a significant step. As a specialised health sciences institution, SMU had previously engaged little with South American universities. GLOSOUTH opened doors to meaningful connections and collaborations.
“Due to the perceived language barrier and unknown territory, SMU has rarely engaged with higher education institutions in South America,” explained Dr Carlien Jooste, Director of Internationalisation at SMU. “However, the GLOSOUTH project provided an excellent platform for SMU, as a niche institution, to find and connect with similar institutions.”
Jooste played a central role across all three phases of GLOSOUTH:
- Phase 1: A series of webinars where SMU’s internationalisation journey was showcased.
- Phase 2: Targeted networking sessions, paving the way for formal discussions with Fundación Universitaria Juan N. Corpas and Corporación Universitaria Remington (Uniremington).
- Phase 3: A landmark visit to Colombia, where the South African delegation explored collaborative projects and engaged directly with Colombian counterparts.
The mission spanned Bogotá, Pereira, and Manizales, where workshops, presentations, and dialogues highlighted a higher education sector marked by resilience, creativity, and innovation.
During the visit, the delegation also met with Buti Manamela, who at the time was Deputy Minister and is now Minister of Higher Education and Training, while he was on an official state visit. Together with his Colombian counterpart, he stressed the urgency of strengthening collaboration among Global South institutions.
“Collaboration between the Global South is not optional, but compulsory,” Manamela stated.
Dr Matias Marin Castaño, Director of International Relations at the Catholic University of Manizales and national coordinator of the Colombian Network for Internationalisation (RCI) of ASCUN, reflected on the experience:
“International cooperation is not only built in treaties or diplomatic offices; it is also born in universities that believe in social transformation through knowledge. GLOSOUTH allowed us to recognise ourselves from the Global South, weave meaningful alliances, and draw a roadmap for an education committed to peace, sustainability, and justice.”
For SMU, the visit represented more than a formal mission—it marked its entry into a wider global conversation. The university now anticipates strengthening partnerships with Colombian counterparts, pursuing joint projects, and amplifying its voice in the Global South, reinforcing the importance of collaboration, innovation, and shared knowledge.
The GLOSOUTH initiative demonstrates that South-South collaboration is no longer optional; it is a vital force driving innovation and social transformation. Through partnerships like this, SMU is positioning itself as a leader in internationalisation, committed to knowledge exchange, sustainability, and the creation of meaningful global impact. The journey has just begun, but the foundation for a collaborative, globally connected future has been firmly laid.
By Dimakatso Modise
