Stellenbosch University in South Africa and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute signed an agreement yesterday in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The signing ceremony formalized the teaming up of the universities to expand science and engineering capacity and to encourage young people to focus their energies on addressing the global economic crisis.
This new partnership will enable a student exchange, joint student projects on key development issues, and a summer research institute. Those collaborating on the project will also explore innovative teaching methods and will use technology to increase their reach to a larger community of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics educators.
RPI will be creating a five-year program of cross-cultural collaboration in science and engineering research, education, and development in Africa, bringing experiential learning programs to the two universities through these methods. The partnership also will enhance the Rensselaer Engineering Education Across Cultural Horizons program.
President Shirley Ann Jackson secured a gift of $1.25 million from Sean O’Sullivan ’85 to provide the initial funding for this new program to assist in building engineering and science capacity through partnerships with key universities in Africa, while promoting cross-cultural communication and cooperation. Rensselaer officials are actively seeking additional external financial support to expand the initiative. This endeavor is in keeping with the Rensselaer commitment, under the Clinton Global Initiative, to partner with African institutions for these purposes.
