A two-week visit by United States-based Fulbright specialist Dr Maryalice “Ali” Mazzara has helped the North-West University (NWU) strengthen its focus on global partnerships and leadership development.

Dr Mazzara, Fulbright specialist for global affairs and leadership programmes, visited the NWU from 15 to 28 August 2026. She worked with staff, students and university leaders to explore ways to grow international partnerships, opportunities for international research collaborations and leadership development.

With more than two decades of experience in higher education, government, business and non-profit organisations, Dr Mazzara has a lot to share. Her previous roles include leadership positions at the State University of New York and Long Island University. In 2025 Dr Mazzara was selected for her current role with the Fulbright Programme, which is an international academic exchange programme between the people of the United States and more than 160 countries.

Dr Mazzara worked closely with Dr Shernice Soobramoney, director for strategic global partnerships at the NWU, to support the university’s plans to increase its global engagement over the next three years. Dr Mazzara also met with Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the NWU, and other members of the university’s senior management. 

Exploring a world of opportunities  

During her visit Dr Mazzara led workshops, seminars and discussions with staff and students. One university-wide workshop focused on building international research partnerships and possible partnerships with universities in the United States.

Student leaders from all three campuses took part in a session on global education and leadership which explored how international experiences can help students become global citizens and prepare them for leadership roles.

Dr Mazzara also worked with the NWU’s Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research and the Desmond Tutu School of Medicine. She shared advice on how researchers in the health sciences can improve their Fulbright applications for scholarships and fellowships at United States universities. 

She later engaged with the NWU Business School on the role of global understanding in leadership.

Her involvement reached beyond the NWU. She took part in engagements with the University of the Western Cape and the Vaal University of Technology on global leadership and international collaboration.

The collaboration with Dr Mazzara will continue after her visit. Follow-up discussions aimed at turning ideas from the programme into action and build stronger links between the NWU and institutions in the United States are in the pipeline, enabling the NWU to extend its international footprint.

NWU principal and vice-chancellor Prof. Bismark Tyobeka with Fulbright specialist Dr Maryalice Mazzara