Lovedale College and the University of Fort Hare Forge Historic Partnership

Qonce, South Africa – Lovedale College, one of South Africa's oldest and most respected educational institutions, has sealed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Fort Hare (UFH). The historic signing, which took place recently on the UFH Alice campus, formalizes a partnership between two institutions with a deep and intertwined legacy.

The collaboration is built on nine strategic pillars designed to combine the resources, expertise, and visionary leadership of both institutions, with the aim of achieving a new level of excellence in academic and skills development, entrepreneurship, research, and community empowerment.

Speaking at the signing event, Lovedale College Principal, Mrs Tuletu Njengele, highlighted the historical significance of the moment. "This partnership is a vision that was conceived two hundred years ago with the establishment of Lovedale College, which later led to the establishment of Fort Hare," she stated. Founded in 1824, Lovedale College's pivotal role in the establishment of UFH is a testament to its enduring vision for education in South Africa. The college even donated the land on which the university now stands.

The joint venture is a responsibility to protect and nurture the legacies of both institutions. The aim is to ensure that they are passed on to the next generation in an even better state. At its core is the protection and preservation of teaching and learning.

The MoU outlines several key initiatives to be jointly undertaken, including:

• Sharing of Resources: Maximizing academic, technical, and youth development activities by sharing facilities.
• Employability and Skills Development: Strengthening training and employability pathways for students through the creation of work-integrated learning (WIL) programmes.
• Research and Innovation: Fostering a culture of joint research and innovation.
• Capacity Building: Providing opportunities for staff development and training.
• Community Empowerment: Engaging in collaborative projects that benefit the local community.

A newly established steering committee will continuously monitor the success of this partnership. This strategic alliance is part of a broader objective to develop a robust network of collaborations with other educational institutions. As Prof Sakhela Buhlungu noted, "The aim is to work together to ensure we advance education and achieve excellence, together."

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