Getting a grasp on global education

Joe and his colleagues develop and implement both curricular and co-curricular global education initiatives at SU, all of which are aimed at supporting a transformative experience for all SU students. This entails not only crafting new opportunities, but particularly also reconstructing and improving existing programmes, such as working with lecturers to incorporate global learning into their curriculum, enhancing the Matie Buddy and International Student Organisation of Stellenbosch (ISOS) programmes, and providing ongoing global learning support for #matiesabroad.

But what exactly does global education mean? “Global education is not something in itself,” Joe says. “Instead, it is an extension of the way we currently do things.” This means encouraging faculties, staff and students to understand their position in a complex, interconnected world, and to reflect on the impact of their actions on other people’s lives. “A global education aims to increase awareness of the web of interactions that constitute our world, create a justice-oriented mindset, and develop the ability to facilitate positive change for ourselves, our communities and the world,” he adds.

 To succeed as a provider of global education, SU needs to ensure that the concept is deeply embedded throughout the institution and in the minds of all stakeholders – both staff and students – through policies, strategies and programmes. Joe says it is encouraging to see that, working for an internationally oriented university, many SU staff members are already intuitively aware of global education. Yet more work remains to be done to encourage global education thinking in all staff, not only those who spend time abroad or work in SU International. To do so, ongoing interaction between the GEC and the various departments and staff of the University is essential to establish what is being done and how the GEC can assist.

 The ISOS programme serves as a good example to explain the concept of global education in practical terms. On the face of it, the ISOS programme is about hosting international students on tours to Table Mountain and other attractions. However, Joe says, it can be so much more if the intention behind taking students to specific attractions is reconsidered and learning outcomes are incorporated into the excursions. “Yes, the mountain looks great, but what’s even more important is that it forms part of a nature reserve in the heart of one of the most globally biodiverse regions of the world.” This could also lead to questions about the effect of rapid urbanisation on biodiversity. By retraining the Matie Buddies who help lead ISOS activities, they can be equipped with a new understanding of their own environment, enabling them to engage in dialogue around key questions with international students. Finally, it is important to get students to reflect on their experience so as to establish what it means to them.

 In short, therefore, global education is about incremental growth, broadening horizons, reflection, asking questions, viewing things in context, and being critical, open and curious. And through the efforts of the GEC, SU is steadily gearing up to go global.