The principal and vice-chancellor of the North-West University (NWU), Prof Bismark Tyobeka, will lead a high-level academic delegation on a strategic international mission to Brazil and Peru from 8 to 20 June 2025. The visit forms part of the ongoing efforts by the NWU to deepen international academic collaboration and broaden its global engagement.

During the mission, the NWU delegation will engage in bilateral meetings, knowledge-sharing sessions and strategic planning discussions with key partner institutions in both countries. These engagements will focus on strengthening existing partnerships, exploring new areas for research collaboration and advancing initiatives relating to student and staff exchange programmes.

The institutions to be visited include:

· Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

· Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR) in Curitiba, Brazil

· Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) in Lima, Peru

· Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL) in Lima, Peru

· Universidad Tecnológica del Perú (UTP) in Lima, Peru

These institutions are recognised for their excellence in teaching, research and innovation, and the upcoming engagements are expected to yield mutually beneficial outcomes in areas such as health sciences, engineering, environmental studies, education and the humanities.

Prof Tyobeka emphasised the importance of fostering international partnerships in an increasingly interconnected academic landscape.

“Our visit to Brazil and Peru is a continuation of the commitment of the NWU to positioning itself as a globally engaged and impactful institution. By cultivating strong partnerships with institutions that share our values and aspirations, we not only enrich our academic programmes but also equip our staff and students to contribute meaningfully to global knowledge production and societal development,” he said.

This mission aligns with the NWU’s strategic goal of internationalisation, one of the university’s key pillars for growth and sustainability. Through active collaboration with reputable institutions around the world, the NWU seeks to:

· Enhance the quality and relevance of its academic offerings

· Foster collaborative, cross-border research initiatives

· Promote staff and student mobility opportunities

· Contribute to global solutions through knowledge exchange

The delegation will include senior academic leaders, researchers and internationalisation specialists, all of whom will play a vital role in identifying and formalising opportunities for joint degree programmes, research centres of excellence and intercultural learning platforms. As the NWU continues to expand its global footprint, missions such as this underscore the dedication of the university to being a leading African institution with a truly international outlook.