African schools here to plan consortium

Staff Report

Top officials from four universities in southern Africa will visit U.Va. May 27-29
to talk about forming a consortium with far-reaching implications in education, research, health care and public policy.

The consortium would expand relationships with U.Va. built over the past 25 years and would encourage collaborative work in environmental sciences, long-distance learning, international studies and HIV prevention.

Brazao Mazula, vice chancellor of the University of Eduardo Mondlane in Mozambique; G.M. Nkondo, vice chancellor of the University of Venda in South Africa; Sharon Siverts, vice chancellor of the University of Botswana; and Luis G. Nongxa, deputy vice chancellor of the University of the Witswatersrand, also in South Africa, will meet with U.Va. President John T. Casteen III during their visit.

U.Va. started developing partnerships with individual African universities beginning in 1974, when its scientists collaborated with researchers at the University of the Witswatersrand to conduct tropical meteorology experiments. This led to student and faculty exchanges, expanded research and a seminar series last fall that used state-of-the-art technology to link students and scientists on both continents in real time.

The first two days of the conference will be devoted to informal discussions and workshops. On Wednesday, representatives from all the universities will discuss building a regional approach to environmental research, education and sustainable development in southern Africa.

That session, which begins at 9:45 a.m. at Pavilion VII, is open to interested faculty and staff. Seating is limited; call 924-7642 to reserve a space.