Strengthening Academic Links: Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg Visits Wits, Engages with DAAD South Africa

On 4 August 2025, the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) welcomed a senior delegation from Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Germany. The visit was coordinated by Alisson Simons, Manager of Wits’ Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships Office, in collaboration with the DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg.

The delegation included:
• Prof. Dr. Ralph Bruder – President
• Prof. Dr. Katharina Al-Shamery – Vice-President for Academic Career Paths, Equal Opportunities and International Affairs
• Prof. Dr. Karsten Speck – Professor of Research Methods in Educational Sciences
• Ms. Jenka Schmidt – Director, International Office
• Mr. Roman Behrens – Regional Coordinator (Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Russia), International Office

During their visit, the delegation met with Vice-Chancellor Prof. Zeblon Vilakazi and Dr. Samia Chasi, Head of Wits’ Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships Office, reflecting the strong institutional commitment to enhancing global academic partnerships.

The programme included discussions on collaborative research opportunities, a campus tour, and a presentation on the EMMIR joint study programme at the African Centre for Migration and Society.

The delegation also highlighted the Comp³ modules, a DAAD-funded initiative delivered in partnership with Nelson Mandela University and Kehl University of Applied Sciences via the DIGI-FACE platform. These online modules support DAAD In-Country/In-Region scholarship holders across Sub-Saharan Africa by providing practical training in research methods, science communication, and academic career planning.

Additionally, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg participates in several other DAAD-supported programmes, including:

• Lehramt.International – Opening global opportunities in teacher education

• UNILEAD – Equipping future university leaders from the Global South

• DIGI-FACE & CERM-ESA – Advancing digital learning and research networks across Africa

This visit reinforced the longstanding partnership between Wits, Oldenburg, and DAAD, fostering sustainable academic exchange and capacity building across continents.