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Coventry University marks 10 years of collaboration with Stellenbosch University
Professor John Latham CBE, Coventry University Vice-Chancellor and Group CEO and Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, Rector and Vice-Chancellor at Stellenbosch University
University news / Student news
Thursday 16 April 2026
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Coventry University has celebrated a decade of international collaboration with South Africa’s prestigious Stellenbosch University.
Leaders, researchers, students and staff from both institutions came together to mark the partnership that has flourished over the past 10 years.
At a celebration event at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, speakers described the partnership as a rare example of international teamwork built on trust and lasting commitment.
One of the crowning successes is the joint degree programme which has expanded each university’s pool of doctoral researchers.
Professor Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Coventry University, spoke at the celebration event and said research is at its best when based on collaboration, co-creation and real-world impact.
One of the things that we’ve pushed at Coventry University, when it comes to outputs, is quality over quantity. To do really excellent research – and when you’re trying to address global challenges – you need to bring researchers from diverse backgrounds together with different lived experiences.
Professor Richard Dashwood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Coventry University
One of the partnership’s early doctoral success stories was Dr Gestel Kuyler, the first joint PhD graduate from Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Science.
Now CEO and co-founder of Stellenbosch’s spin-out company Nanosene, Dr Kuyler’s work has moved beyond the lab into innovation with commercial and societal applications.
The joint PhD shaped how I think about impact. It is something you build into the research from the start. Being able to move between institutions, perspectives and contexts allowed me to develop solutions that are not only scientifically sound but also relevant and usable in the real world.
Dr Gestel Kuyler, CEO and co-founder of Stellenbosch’s spin-out company Nanosene
This isn’t just about academic collaboration; many areas of common ground have emerged over the years. Partnerships offering an international, global experience are something to be proud of.
A decade later and we are just as committed to what comes next, driven by a shared willingness to learn from one another, contribute to tackling the challenges of the century and prepare students for a world that is constantly changing.
Professor John Latham CBE, Coventry University Vice-Chancellor and Group CEO
This partnership feels different. It’s more than joint PhDs or staff and student mobility; it’s about working together for synergy and mutual benefit.
We work so well together because we share a vision for organisational impact on the world.
Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, Rector and Vice-Chancellor at Stellenbosch University
Find out more about Coventry University’s ties with Stellenbosch University and the importance of international collaboration.
