UCT Sustainability and the SDGs 2022 - Magazine - Page 37
SDG 17
Completed projects include the development of an electronic
database for Epilepsy SA by students in UCT’s Department
of Information Systems, investigating the barriers of HIV
PARTNERSHIPS
FOR THE GOALS
The world’s most pressing challenges are complex,
interconnected and impossible to solve in isolation.
They demand collaboration across disciplines, sectors
and borders. UCT recognises that partnerships are
central to innovation and impact, bringing together the
diverse expertise, perspectives and lived experiences
needed to generate meaningful solutions.
Institutional initiatives
Knowledge Co-Op
Partnerships across sectors unlock innovation, relevance
patients in adhering to second-line anti-retroviral treatment,
a project by Médecins Sans Frontières and the municipality
to explore alternative energy sources for pumping water.
University partnerships
UCT hosts a vibrant hub of research and
collaboration driven by its local and international
networks, actively collaborating with partners
across Africa to address and impact the
continent’s biggest challenges.
These partnerships extend beyond the
continent as UCT also enjoys a strong
international network, playing a key role in
connecting the global north with the global
south to build and share African knowledge
and expertise.
and impact. In recognition of this, UCT’s Knowledge Co-Op
was established in 2010 to serve as a vital bridge between the
university, local communities and civil society organisations.
By aligning academic research with community-led priorities
and policy imperatives, the Knowledge Co-Op promotes
UCT is a member of several international
university networks including:
• African Research Universities Alliance
(ARUA)
• International Alliance of Research
Universities (IARU)
• Worldwide Universities Network (WUN)
Community engagement
local communities, and environmental thinkers to study how
human and ecological systems interact in rapidly changing
Building partnerships for people and the planet
peri-urban areas.
The Critical Zones Africa (CZA) project exempli昀椀es how
With its “Muddy Boots” approach, CZA prioritises on-the-
strong partnerships between researchers, communities
ground, transdisciplinary research that addresses what local
and institutions can generate knowledge that serves both
people identify as their most urgent needs for habitability,
people and the planet. The collaboration spans six African
health and wellbeing. The project also draws on deep
pro昀椀ts. While 200 projects were completed by postgraduate
countries – Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, South
traditions of African environmental thought to re-centre
researchers.
Africa and Zimbabwe – and brings together social scientists,
African perspectives in global environmental policy debates.
socially responsive problem-solving that addresses realworld development challenges.
Since its inception, 962 project ideas have been submitted
to the co-op by bynon-governmental organisations and non-
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Sustainability and the SDGs 2024 – 75
