BSU partners with Wits

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BSU launches bursary scheme to enhance collaboration with South African university

Bath Spa University has implemented a three-year bursary scheme to support strategic collaboration with the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg.  

The bursary scheme follows a visit to Wits by BSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sue Rigby, in 2023. The goal of the scheme is to deepen and embed the partnership with Wits to develop an ongoing, sustainable and research-focused relationship with one of the great universities of Africa. BSU is particularly keen to develop collaborations with Wits’ Faculty of Humanities, which includes the School of Arts and the School of Education, and Wits' museum, the Origins Centre.  

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sue Rigby said:  

“I am delighted to say that we have awarded bursaries to support short visits during 2024 and 2025 for colleagues in the Humanities from Bath Spa University. We were delighted by the strength and range of the projects, and we eagerly look forward to hearing how these collaborations develop.” 

John Strachan, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, said: 

“We are delighted to celebrate the launch of the strategic collaboration bursaries with the University of the Witwatersrand. This initiative represents a significant step towards deepening academic collaboration and professional development between our institutions.”   

BSU has awarded five bursaries for projects covering a wide range of subject areas, including post-digital teaching and learning, creative writing in prisons, artists’ residencies within museums, film and TV production and women in sport. University staff will again be able to apply for a bursary next year. 

Professor Ruksana Osman, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at Wits, said:  

“This partnership will help us to grow the next generation of change-makers and global scholars; innovate and pioneer knowledge; use our knowledge and influence to advance society, promote social justice; strengthen democracy and governance; and transform the global university landscape.” 

BSU has had a relationship with Wits since 2018; Wits joined the GALA network later that year and was a partner in a British Academy-funded project led by BSU to support early career researchers in four African countries. The two universities have also hosted several visits between staff over the years.