The agreement marks the next step in a long-standing relationship between SKEMA and SU, and is expected to lead to the development of joint programmes, research projects, faculty exchanges and SU student mobility to the other SKEMA campuses located in France, the United States, China and Brazil. SU’s BCom International Business students in particular stand to gain from potential mobility opportunities.

 The launch was attended by representatives from both institutions, the consul-general of France in Cape Town, Laurent Amar; representatives from CCI France, as well as the first SKEMA Stellenbosch student intake. In her address at the event, SKEMA dean Alice Guilhon had the following message for the new students: “You are pioneers; I hope you will make the most of this new adventure in South Africa. This experience will likely change you profoundly. You will learn a lot in terms of lifestyle, openness and cultural diversity, and you will find that the globalisation of education is definitely an asset, a competitive advantage for students, society and businesses.” Emeritus professor Michael Osbaldeston, SKEMA’s strategic advisor on Southern Africa, stressed that the partnership was mutually beneficial: “Besides providing SKEMA’s undergraduate and postgraduate students with access to Stellenbosch University’s programmes and facilities, the partnership also enables us to welcome Stellenbosch students at SKEMA’s campuses across the world, as we have done with our other partners across the world.”

 The academic, logistical and infrastructure support to enable SKEMA to offer its academic programme to its students at SU will be provided by SU International’s Global Education Centre (GEC).  The GEC team have been working closely with SU’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) and colleagues from SKEMA to ensure that course structure and requirements are aligned, and to provide wrap-around support to students. Students will be attending mainstream courses by lecturers from EMS and the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), as well as courses presented by visiting SKEMA faculty members. The GEC will host the SKEMA administrative staff and academics on a rotational basis.

 The SKEMA students spent their first few days settling in and getting to know their environment. This included trips to Cape Town, the Cape of Good Hope and sites surrounding Stellenbosch campus, as well as experiencing the rich and diverse Stellenbosch student life.

 The next cohort of SKEMA students, comprising undergraduates and postgraduates, were initially scheduled to arrive on campus for the fall semester, although timing is likely to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Seated in front are SU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy and Internationalisation, Prof Hester Klopper (left), and SKEMA’s director of global marketing and communication, Mr Damien Roux (right), signing the agreement. Witnessing the signing were representatives of SU, SKEMA, the French embassy, the French chamber of commerce and SKEMA students. Photographer: Stefan Els.