The Objectives of SASUF

Bringing together researchers, teachers, students, university leaders and key stakeholders, SASUF aims to develop joint solutions to challenges linked to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Building on established formats such as SASUF Research and Innovation Weeks and seed-funding calls, SASUF continues to act as a platform for fostering global solutions through local impact, promoting glocal thinking that bridges global insights with tangible, sustainable outcomes. The forum also promotes sustainable internationalisation through hybrid and virtual collaboration models, enabling broad participation while reducing the environmental footprint.

The History of SASUF

The South Africa–Sweden University Forum (SASUF) is a strategic internationalisation project today uniting 37 partner universities in South Africa and Sweden.

SASUF was initiated in 2017 through a joint effort by Swedish and South African Vice-Chancellors, who developed a shared proposal to strengthen bilateral collaboration in research and education. The initiative was launched with funding from the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT) for the period 2018–2020, with the overall aim of strengthening ties between Sweden and South Africa in research, education and innovation. The South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) was instrumental in securing the South African funding contribution. This reflects one of the core principles of the initiative: co-funding from both countries to ensure shared ownership and a strong joint foundation.

In 2022, SASUF entered its second phase, SASUF 2030 (2022–2024). This phase expanded the model by introducing a hybrid approach combining digital and in-person collaboration, stronger student participation, and the introduction of Virtual Exchange Grants.

In 2025, the third phase of the collaboration, SASUF+ (2025–2028), was launched, building on the results and joint strategic direction developed by the partner universities. SASUF+ is structured around work packages focusing on strengthening virtual collaboration, enhancing industry and societal engagement, expanding intra-African collaborative efforts, broadening student participation as co-creators, and aligning the partnership with science and higher education policy dialogue.

The funding model enabling SASUF across its project phases has been made possible through strong contributions from both countries. On the South African side, key support has been provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), and the National Research Foundation (NRF), together with substantial in-cash and in-kind contributions from the partner universities. On the Swedish side, the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT) has played a central role, complemented by significant in-cash and in-kind contributions from the Swedish partner universities.

The Results of SASUF

Since 2018, SASUF has connected approximately 4,000 researchers, university leaders and students through joint workshops and seminars, including six large-scale Research and Innovation Weeks (both digital and in-person) across the three project phases.

Through its seed funding mechanisms, SASUF has funded a total of 109 collaborative projects involving more than 500 researchers across both countries. During the SASUF 2030 phase alone, 39 projects were funded, including both SASUF–NRF Seed Grants and Virtual Exchange Grants supporting innovative education collaboration and student engagement.

A key achievement has been the project’s commitment to inclusivity: 75% of all funded projects involve at least one historically disadvantaged institution (HDI) in South Africa.

Another major outcome is the SASUF Student Network, which has grown into a structured and student-led platform with joint committees, summits and ongoing activities across the partner universities.

SASUF has also established a structured meeting platform for Vice-Chancellors and Deputy Vice-Chancellors across all partner institutions, enabling strategic dialogue and joint agenda-setting at leadership level.

SASUF has gained international recognition as a model for large-scale, equitable university collaboration, and has inspired similar initiatives beyond Sweden and South Africa, such as the South Africa–Canada University Network (SACUN), as well as ongoing discussions with Norway and Finland.