Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) and the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) have taken a decisive step towards strengthening dental education in Southern Africa through a series of reciprocal benchmarking visits designed to sharpen programme delivery, enhance academic collaboration, and build long-term regional partnerships.
In an era where clarity, relevance, and impact matter more than ever, both institutions approached the exchange with a clear purpose: improve programme quality, accelerate student development, and open meaningful pathways for clinical training and mobility. The visits were structured to deliver immediate value — not abstract intentions — and to lay the groundwork for sustained cooperation.
The collaboration began when SMU’s School of Dentistry supported UNESWA in designing and refining its new dental programme, offering guidance on curriculum development, module outcomes, and the practical competencies required of a modern dental graduate. Earlier this year, an SMU delegation led by Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Research, Prof Dini Mawela, travelled to Eswatini to review UNESWA’s newly accredited programme.
The visit included an on-site evaluation of facilities, discussions on community-based learning, and detailed engagements on SMU’s clinical training model. Prof Mawela was joined by senior staff members Prof Irene Munzhelele, Dr Sandeepa Singh, Gracia Malaka, Kelebogile Mothupi, and Director of Internationalisation, Dr Carlien Jooste, who each contributed expertise from their respective specialisations.
Their message was clear and direct: regional collaboration is a strategic investment that raises educational standards for all institutions involved.
On 2 December 2025, the partnership advanced significantly when a UNESWA delegation undertook a return visit to SMU’s School of Dentistry to deepen discussions and benchmark SMU’s clinical and academic infrastructure. The delegates were welcomed by the Acting Head of Department for Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene, Gracia Malaka, representing the Acting Dean, Prof Irene Munzhelele.
To ensure the exchange programme is both practical and sustainable, UNESWA’s delegation — led by Prof Tengetile Mathunjwa-Dlamini — outlined three immediate priorities: finalising the recruitment process for participating students, identifying suitable accommodation and infrastructure needs, and strengthening operational plans for long-term collaboration.
Prof Mathunjwa-Dlamini stressed that the visit was not a ceremonial gesture but a call to action: “We are here to formalise our partnership and ensure that our plans translate into real opportunities for our students and staff.”
Malaka reinforced this focus on implementation. He highlighted the regulatory requirements that all participating students must fulfil, including registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and compliance with South Africa’s professional training standards for foreign students — a crucial step in ensuring patient safety, academic credibility, and ethical practice.
The meeting concluded with a guided tour of SMU’s clinical facilities and the state-of-the-art Skills and Simulation Centre, where UNESWA representatives observed SMU’s approach to hands-on training, assessment, and clinical preparedness.
Both universities described the exchange as the beginning of a confident new phase of academic cooperation — one defined by precision, urgency, and a shared commitment to producing highly skilled dental professionals for the region.
