On November 16th, ACADEMIC CONNECTION PhD exchange Zimbabwe, South Africa and Germany took place at Nordstadtgalerie, Bornstraße 142, Dortmund. The event featured insightful pitches from PhD students from Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The Nordstadtgalerie hosted the GT+SWP (Global Transformation and Social Work Practice) project, a collaborative initiative spanning from 2023 to 2026 and involving the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the University of Johannesburg, Midland State University of Harare, and Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts. The objective was to establish Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) partnerships between the "Global North" and the "Global South."
Special recognition is extended to the PhD students who presented their interesting topics:
- Charamba Sunungurayi: "Vulnerability to climate change impacts among rural women in Chivi District, Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe" / MSU Harare
- Gladys Simango Tapiwanashe: "A comparison of suicide mourning rites between the Ndau and Ndebele in Zimbabwe" / MSU Harare
- Nomusa Munoangira: "Social Protection Programs and their Contribution towards Social Development during Covid-19: The Case of Buhera District, Zimbabwe" / UJ Joburg
- Morris Mzinyane Bongane: "The practice of adult diversion by probation officers and prosecutors: An exploratory study in a rural district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa" / UKZN Durban
The event started with a warm welcome from Prof. Dr. Katja Nowacki,(Opens in a new tab) followed by insightful remarks from project leader Prof. Michael Boecker(Opens in a new tab) and project coordinator Dipl. Soz. Dorothée Boecker(Opens in a new tab) . Appreciation goes to all participants for contributing to the positive atmosphere during the pitches and the subsequent get-together.
Around 35 participants gathered to listen, learn and connect in a comfortable atmosphere over drinks and snacks. The event aimed to establish contacts and exchange knowledge, pointing the way for a more sustainable future.