Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) continues to solidify its reputation as a leading force in health sciences education and research in South Africa and beyond. With its unwavering commitment to advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SMU has reached another significant milestone: its acceptance into the prestigious United Nations Academic Impact Network (UNAI).

SMU joins an elite network of over 1,600 institutions in 150 countries, alongside just five other South African public universities

This achievement positions SMU among an elite group of over 1,600 institutions across 150 countries, with only five other South African public universities sharing this distinction. As a university deeply rooted in addressing the critical healthcare challenges of the nation and the continent, this membership amplifies SMU’s voice on a global stage, reinforcing its role in driving meaningful change through research, education, and community service.

Advancing global health agendas

The UNAI serves as a vital platform for higher education institutions to collaborate in supporting the United Nations’ core values and goals, particularly the realisation of the SDGs and the ten UNAI Principles. SMU’s alignment with this global network enhances its ability to contribute to international health and educational priorities while fostering partnerships that extend its impact far beyond South Africa’s borders.

Joining the UNAI is not just a feather in SMU’s cap but a validation of the university’s commitment to addressing the pressing health challenges of our time. “Through this network, we gain access to valuable collaborators, scholarship opportunities, and platforms to showcase the innovative SDG-aligned initiatives spearheaded by our institution,” says Dr Carlien Jooste, SMU’s Director of Internationalisation.

Jooste also highlights the instrumental role played by SMU’s new institutional partner, Meharry Medical College, in facilitating the university’s engagement with the UNAI. The collaboration exemplifies the power of strategic partnerships in advancing common goals and achieving global recognition.

For SMU, membership in the UNAI signifies more than prestige—it offers opportunities to expand its reach and deepen its impact. By participating in the UNAI Members Forum, SMU will collaborate with like-minded institutions on transformative projects, enhancing its capacity to address healthcare inequities and improve outcomes for underserved communities.

This achievement underscores SMU’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and excellence. As a university dedicated to advancing health sciences, its research and educational programmes are shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals and contributing solutions to some of the most pressing health issues facing the African continent.

SMU’s inclusion in the UNAI opens doors for its staff and students to engage in global academic and research opportunities. The access to scholarships and collaborative platforms further underscores the university’s dedication to empowering the next generation of leaders in health sciences. Through this membership, SMU continues to demonstrate its capability to operate at the intersection of local relevance and global excellence.

Building on a legacy of impact

This milestone adds to SMU’s growing legacy as a prestigious health sciences institution committed to addressing South Africa’s healthcare challenges. From training skilled healthcare professionals to conducting groundbreaking research, SMU remains at the forefront of transforming health sciences education for the betterment of society.

Admission to the UNAI is a testament to SMU’s hard work. It reinforces the university’s unique position to bridge the gap between global academic priorities and local community needs. Jooste says, “Admission to the UNAI allows us to have access to other collaborators through the Members Forum, scholarship opportunities, and a platform where we can share the SDG-aligned activities that we are engaging in.”

As SMU charts a path forward as a proud member of the UNAI, it is clear that the university’s contributions to health sciences and sustainable development will continue to resonate locally and internationally. This achievement underscores its role as a pivotal institution not only in South Africa but on the global stage, where its impact in shaping the future of healthcare is both profound and far-reaching.

For more information on SMU’s membership in the UNAI and opportunities for engagement, staff and students are encouraged to visit the UNAI website or contact Dr Carlien Jooste at carlien.jooste@smu.ac.za

*By Tshimangadzo Mphaphuli