Climate change, access to technology, energy and socioeconomic hurdles are just some of the critical challenges humanity is currently facing. Delegates from the BRICS* nations converged in person or virtually on the 2023 BRICS Network University seminar to build partnerships and find solutions to shared problems through collaboration and the dissemination of expertise.

The North-West University (NWU) hosted the seminar from 5 to 6 July on the NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus. The BRICS Network University is a joint educational project to encourage academic and research collaboration across the BRICS countries. The title of this year’s seminar was Mobilising Global Knowledge and Research Networks for Inclusive and Sustainable Development. The seminar offered a platform for delegates to collaborate and investigate the possibilities of research and knowledge to promote inclusive and sustainable development.

Prof Linda du Plessis, the NWU’s vice-principal and deputy vice-chancellor for Planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus Operations, welcomed the delegates. She said knowledge has always been the key driver of progress. “By mobilising our collective expertise to tackle challenges we can find sustainable solutions and create inclusivity. Through collaboration, networking and partnerships the NWU, together with our partners, can create sufficient intellectual weight to make a difference on a global scale.” She said the seminar was an opportunity to address the challenges that face humanity.

Dr Marcia Socikwa, deputy director-general of University Education in the Department of Higher Education and Training, said the establishment of the BRICS Network University is a promising development for BRICS countries to create and advance a knowledge system that addresses the needs and aspirations of nations.

She said no single knowledge system can truly represent and reflect the complexity and totality of human experience. “Humanity is better off when it draws from different knowledge sources and scholarly traditions to enrich our lives. University collaborations in the 21st century should aim at advancing knowledge development and research informed by lived experiences and epistemological concerns. The BRICS network is well placed to lead. As it represents universities from the five BRICS countries with diverse histories and cultures, it stands a great chance of being a truly global knowledge hub.”

Dr Nkosinathi Sushi, director-general of the Department of Higher Education and Training, said for higher education it is important to have a plurality and diversity of voices across all institutions. “We must ensure new knowledge systems, share research agendas and develop collaborations. It will have a bigger impact to help close the gap between universities that have over the past years benefited from better financial support and those that have been left behind over many years. This is an opportunity to improve networks between universities across the BRICS countries.” He said the seminar was also a build-up towards the BRICS Summit, scheduled to take place later in the year. “We are preparing inputs as advice to the leaders.”

Coordinators of the six international thematic groups (ITGs), which drive the BRICS Network University’s knowledge project, reported on activities, engagements and initiatives during the seminar. The ITGs are: Computer Science and Information Security; Ecology and Climate Change; Economics; Energy; BRICS Studies; and Water Resources and Pollution Treatment.

To see a video of the event, visit: https://youtu.be/jns6TvgvIoY.

*BRICS is an acronym denoting the various global partnerships between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Prof Linda du Plessis, the NWU’s vice-principal and deputy vice-chancellor for Planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus Operations, Dr Nkosinathi Sushi, director-general of the Department of Higher Education and Training, and Dr Marcia Socikwa, deputy director-general of University Education in the Department of Higher Education and Training.