Languages: 
WSU Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Rob Midgley attended the China (Zhejiang Province) – South Africa (Eastern Cape Province) Economic & Trade Exchange Forum to facilitate the signing of a twining memorandum of understanding with the Zanghou Technical and Vocational College.
The collaboration will foster opportunities in student and staff exchange programmes, research and other activities between the two institutions.
Community Engagement and Internationalisation director, Mzolis Payi said that the three-year collaboration is a conducive platform for cultural and knowledge exchange to take place.
“WSU students and staff will be exposed to the Chinese work ethic and culture and the same applies to the Chinese. Academic staff from both institutions will be exposed to a knowledge-based exchange between the two countries,” Payi said.
Zanghou TVET is located along the southeast coast of China in the Zhejian Province which boasts one of the strongest economies of the country, pioneering in digital economy, infrastructure, textile and clothing, security, medical equipment, etc.
“We will learn a lot from the Chinese from Zanghou TVET because they have expertise in various engineering programmes. So there will be that exchange as well for our engineering faculty,” added Pay.
WSU will certainly hold its own against the industrious Chinese with its expertise in African indigenous knowledge systems as well as its medical faculty that was rated among the top in Africa and in the global top 8 in problem based learning.
“The Chinese will be exposed to our culture and research methodologies. And in addition when the students study in the different institutions they will get credits for it when they return,” Payi said.
He also added that WSU is involved in rural development and the Chinese are experts in rural development by using their niche academic areas, which is why WSU collaborated with them so students can also be involved and learn from them in rural development projects in Eastern Cape.
The signing took place at the Coega Vulindlela Conference Centre in Port Elizabeth on “add the date”.
The selection criteria for the exchange programme will be communicated to all staff and students in due time.
By Sinawo Hermans
