On 10 June 2025, Prof Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), led a senior academic delegation on a strategic two-week mission to Brazil and Peru. The objective: to deepen global partnerships in higher education and research.
Representing the NWU’s Faculty of Engineering, Prof Kapil Moothi, acting deputy dean for research, innovation and community engagement, brought a focused agenda to explore international collaboration in support of the NWU’s plans to establish a dedicated School of Mines and Mining Engineering. His engagements sought to build partnerships around sustainable engineering, mineral beneficiation and clean technology.
The Faculty of Engineering has identified mining and mineral processing as critical to regional development. Its vision includes supporting South Africa’s mining transformation, innovating in clean extraction technologies, and embedding environmental and community considerations in engineering training and research.
Prof Moothi’s participation in the Latin American visit marked a key step in aligning this vision with international best practices. At the Universidade Federal do Paraná in Curitiba, discussions centred on mining engineering, environmental sustainability and materials research. Key similarities between the institutions included their integration of sustainability into core mining curricula and emphasis on applied, field-based training. Possible areas of collaboration could be joint curriculum development, benchmarking of safety and geotechnical training models, and collaborative research into tailings management and mine rehabilitation.
In Belo Horizonte, Prof Moothi visited the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) – home to Brazil’s top-ranked engineering school. Key similarities emerged around expertise in mineral beneficiation and chemical engineering. Potential collaborations could involve joint research on rare earth metals, process efficiency, and circular economy models in mining. The UFMG’s pilot plants and advanced labs offered insights for the NWU’s future mining school infrastructure.
In Lima, the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia – primarily a health sciences institution, opened up cross-disciplinary conversations on mining’s social and health impact. Key similarities included an interest in community-responsive education and occupational safety.
Collaboration opportunities could include research on environmental toxicology, exposure assessment, and legal frameworks for ethical mining practices.
At the Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, the focus was on engineering education, industrial automation and applied research. Shared priorities included producing industry-ready engineers and embracing digitisation. Possible collaborations could involve work-integrated learning models, staff and student exchanges, and innovation hubs focused on clean technology.
While Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola is not engineering-focused, it brought valuable insights into mining entrepreneurship and sustainability. Key similarities were found in the shared interest in eco-industrial business models and interdisciplinary approaches. Collaboration opportunities could include integrating entrepreneurship into engineering education and linking technology with environmental policy.
“These discussions were not just theoretical, they gave us a real sense of how to build a world-class, contextually grounded School of Mines and Mining Engineering at the NWU,” says Prof Moothi. “Our partners in Brazil and Peru face similar challenges: balancing innovation with sustainability and responding to community and environmental needs.”
Through these global engagements, the NWU is strengthening its vision for an African-led, internationally connected hub for sustainable mining and engineering excellence.
