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Sub-Saharan Africa

The University of Groningen's cooperation with Africa goes back a long time. Collaboration with the University of Ouagadougou, for example, dates from the 1970's. Since then, the University of Groningen has continued to create partnerships with universities in South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Benin, Kenya and many other countries.

The University of Groningen’s contacts in Africa vary in type and scope. They range from exchange and joint research (supervision) agreements with universities and hospitals across Sub-Saharan Africa, to participation in research consortia within the framework of European projects, and capacity building projects financed by the Dutch government or other international programmes.

Research projects conducted by University of Groningen researchers and their Sub-Saharan counterparts span all UG faculties and cover areas such as astronomy, food security, biodiversity, (sustainable) energy, health, economics and business, history, demography, education, anthropology, law, innovation and entrepreneurship.

On this page you can find more information about:


Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) strategy 2022-2026

If the forecasts are correct, Africa will shape the future. With its rapidly growing population, natural resources, economic growth and changing political role, sub-Saharan Africa attracts interest from all over the world. The region will see a growing demand for higher education, and higher education and research will be crucial vehicles to address the challenges Africa - and the world - will face, e.g. in the domain of health, green transition, energy, digital transformation, sustainable growth, peace and security, and migration and mobility.

Universities in sub-Saharan Africa are key players for realizing the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The University of Groningen, too, has committed itself to addressing these global challenges, through the stimulation of interdisciplinary research. Furthermore, we aim to prepare our students for living and working in an international society, by providing a global experience, in our international classrooms and abroad.

In view of the above, the University of Groningen has adopted a comprehensive strategy for sub-Saharan Africa for 2022-2026. Efforts will go towards:

  • Stimulating people-to-people contacts (students and staff);
  • Engaging in (new) partnerships and networks;
  • Boosting educational and research innovation and co-creation;
  • Boosting (interdisciplinary) contributions towards an enhanced research infrastructure in SSA and towards achieving the SDGs;
  • Promoting sub-Saharan Africa locally and connecting (SSA) students and staff with local stakeholders;
  • Positioning the UG and its activities in/with SSA locally and internationally.

Partial travel grants

Part of the strategy is that the UG will offer partial (travel) grants and subsidies to initiate or deepen collaboration between the UG and partners in SSA: universities, research institutes, ARUA Centres of Excellence, (non) governmental organizations et cetera.

The next call for applications will open on 7 September 2024 00:00 hrs and close on 30 October 2024 23:59 hrs. All information is available here (please note that you will be re-directed to a MyUniversity page and will need to log in). We invite potential PhD candidates and teaching staff from SSA institutions to contact their UG supervisor / counterparts for more information.

The latter can submit the application together with and on behalf of their incoming or outgoing guest.


News and events

Diamond Platnumz & Live Band

When:Mo 30-09-2024
Where:AFAS Live in Amsterdam

The Tanzanian Embassy invites Tanzanian, African and other students/teachers interested in African music to come and join them in the event on 30 September 2024 at 19:00 hrs.

iAfrica Film Festival

When:Th 17-10-2024 16:00 - 23:00
Where:USVA | Students Culture Centre
Logo iAfrica Film Festival

On Thursday 17 October we will host the second edition of the iAfrica Groningen Film Festival, a satellite version of iAfrica The Hague. It will again take place at USVA.
This year’s theme is South(ern) Africa. Our programme features an enriching blend of a captivating documentary, a compelling feature film, two bonus short features, a music performance, and a delectable informal dinner.

Mathematicians join the Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence
Posted on:17 September 2024

The Africa-Europe Cluster of Research Excellence in Mathematics (CoRE-Math) has been selected as the 21st CoRE to join the initiative led by The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities (The Guild). CoRE-Math aims to develop a collaborative PhD programme in mathematics that delivers high-quality, sustainable training to meet the demand for well-trained mathematicians in academia and society.

From Stellenbosch to Groningen: Bismarck's experience studying a semester abroad
Posted on:13 August 2024

Bismarck Olivier from Stellenbosch University shares more on his experiences studying a semester abroad in Groningen.

UG Professors aim to reduce inequality to alleviate poverty and deprivation in Africa as part of CoRE IPD
Posted on:12 August 2024

UG Professors Robert Lensink, Jutta Bolt and Frank Hindriks were present during the official launch of the Cluster of Research Excellence in Inequalities, Poverty and Deprivation (CoRE IPD) at the University of Nairobi.

Fruitful visit to Stellenbosch University for UMCG 3D Lab
Posted on:02 August 2024

Experts from the UMCG 3D Lab, Joep Kraeima, Nick Assink, and Reinier ten Brink, have visited Stellenbosch University in South Africa. The beginning of collaborative efforts on joint research, clinical initiatives, and educational cooperation.

Dutch student visit to Africa Centre opens up an avenue for collaboration
Posted on:01 June 2024

Visit to Africa Center in Stellenbosch by students from the Faculty of Business and Economics


Contact

More information: africa@rug.nl

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Anita Veltmaat Institutional contact for Sub-Saharan Africa and the strategic partnership with Stellenbosch University
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Bente de Jong for Sub-Saharan Africa strategy and partial travel grants and subsidies
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Erik Haarbrink for (capacity building) projects in the region
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Esme Bakker for (capacity building) projects in the region and formal agreements
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Suzanne Blaauw for administrative support partial travel grants