The University of Pretoria (UP) has officially renewed its strategic partnership with Portugal’s Instituto Camões, reaffirming a commitment to advancing the Portuguese language, research, and cultural cooperation that began in 2013.
The renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during a high-level visit from the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted by UP’s Faculty of Humanities.
Advancing Multilingualism and Academic Excellence
The partnership aligns with UP’s strategic focus on internationalization and societal impact. Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Francis Petersen emphasized that language is a vital component of fostering a positive impact on society.
“This agreement allows us to strengthen undergraduate teaching, but also to look more deliberately at postgraduate education and research.” — Prof Petersen.
Expanded Scope of Collaboration
The new protocol of cooperation aims to broaden the scope beyond basic language instruction, focusing on:
- Postgraduate Research: Developing new opportunities for high-level academic collaboration.
- Teacher Training: Expanding the capacity for Portuguese language instruction within the broader educational ecosystem.
- Cultural Initiatives: Fostering deeper ties through shared cultural exchanges.
A Shared Commitment to Language and Culture
Dr. Ana Isabel Xavier, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal, highlighted the potential for developing new programs in collaboration with UP.
Ambassador Carlos Costa Neves noted that the partnership reflects a shared value of protecting and promoting languages, drawing parallels to South Africa’s constitutional commitment to multilingualism.
Professor Kevin Thomas, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, reaffirmed that the agreement extends beyond language instruction, emphasizing the principles of cultural exchange and international networking that define UP’s global relationships.
