About the Africa Charter

To ensure that Africa's contributions to global scholarship are not diminished, we as Unisa have collaborated with the university of Bristol and the university of Cape Town to create the Africa Charter for Transformative Research Collaborations. This charter initiative marks the beginning of a movement towards a more equitable research ecosystem. At the core of the charter is a demand for rethinking the politics of knowledge production, i.e. shifting away from the assumed universal lens which privileges Euro-Western notions of viewing the world. We acknowledge global North-Africa research collaborations as an essential and feasible entry point to help achieve the shift in the Global science research ecosystem.

 It is common knowledge that African institutions are rarely if ever ranked highly globally and that Africans make up an enormously small fraction of the world's researchers and scientific publications. In terms of global research metrics such as the number of researchers actively engaged in global science, the outputs, citations, and of course rankings, the vast majority of African academics and institutions are conspicuously absent. As a result, rather than relying on fragmented solutions, global research needs a systemic approach for transformation. The purpose of such a Charter Framework is to help move Africa up the scale of the global knowledge production system. 

The goal is to promote a more transformative and just way of working as the norm and best practise, and to centre the charter with an African focus laying out principles, metrics, and standards for success and responsibility. The charter is an opportunity for the African continent to demonstrate its authority and its vision for the future of collaboration. The charter is working to guarantee that everyone has a voice and agency. It is with this in the background that we are here to formalise the collaboration between our two institutions by signing this MOU. We envisage that specific research project collaborations between Bristol and Unisa will use the charter principles as a basic for working together.  Africa, the cradle of humankind has long nurtured the UK. While the problematic nature of the extraction of resources from Africa is well documented, there still exists the opportunity for equal partnerships between the UK and Africa. You may wonder how this differs from the status quo. Essentially transformative partnerships will enable free flowing information in the natural and human Sciences where African scholars are making major inroads in fields such as nanotechnology in water management, etc. We also would have the opportunity to redress the injustices of the past through knowledge sharing that focuses on the development of an ethic that holds not only an appreciation for Africa's resources but its people.

The United Nations adopted the SDGs as a global moral imperative to eradicate poverty, safeguard the planet, and guarantee that by 2030, all people live in peace and prosperity. The SDGs will not be achieved without the use of knowledge-based initiatives. Actors in development cooperation have traditionally viewed themselves as expertise brokers, especially in the context of technical cooperation. The SDGs call for a global transformation that can only be achieved through a new way of thinking and doing things. In place of North-South knowledge transfer, researchers from a variety of countries should learn from one another through collaborative, hands-on practise. For problems to be identified and solutions to be found, actors from the global South must be brought in early on.

To ensure that Africa's contributions to global scholarship are not diminished, the continent has created the Africa Charter for Transformative Research Collaborations. This will mark the beginning of a movement toward a more equitable research ecosystem. This initiative has been spearheaded by the University of Bristol's Perivoli Africa Research Centre (Parc), the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of South Africa (Unisa). With the significant shift in how researchers work together, and a redistribution of influence in the field of scientific knowledge production. The project acknowledges global North-Africa research collaborations as an essential and feasible entry point to help achieve the shift in power imbalances.

It is common knowledge that African institutions are rarely if ever ranked highly globally and that Africans make up an enormously small fraction of the world's researchers and scientific publications. In terms of global research metrics such as the number of researchers actively engaged in global science, the outputs, citations, and of course rankings, the vast majority of African academics and institutions are conspicuously absent. As a result, rather than relying on fragmented solutions, global research needs a systemic approach for transformation. The purpose of such a Charter Framework is to help move Africa up the scale of the global knowledge production system. 

This charter initiative carries the potential to fundamentally reshape the landscape of research partnerships throughout the African continent, and UNISA takes immense pride in being a vital participant on this transformative voyage. At UNISA, we deeply grasp the profound significance of this initiative and the corresponding responsibilities it places upon us. As an institution firmly committed to higher education and research, we acknowledge our distinct position within the Charter project and the crucial role we must fulfil in attaining its objectives. Our engagement in the Charter is motivated by a steadfast commitment to levelling the playing field within the sphere of research. We dedicate ourselves to nurturing equitable partnerships that empower all stakeholders, a commitment that aligns with the principles upheld by Times Higher Education and contributes fundamentally to Africa's sustainable development.

We understand that knowledge is deeply influenced by culture and context. UNISA actively engages in equitable partnerships that foster mutual understanding across diverse cultures. These partnerships aim to bridge gaps and promote a more inclusive and culturally sensitive approach to research and education.

UNISA perceives the Charter as an opportunity to enhance its reputation and advance its mission. Through the establishment of global partnerships, the promotion of academic cooperation, and the fostering of intercultural skills, UNISA aims to provide its students and staff with enriched learning experiences and contribute to scientific achievements in an increasingly globalized world. As an institution, we actively participate in shaping our research agenda and publishing initiatives, ensuring that they authentically reflect African values, aspirations, and contributions. UNISA is resolutely dedicated to preserving African traditions of knowledge. We are committed to ensuring that future generations in the global South can confidently take their rightful place in the global research ecosystem.

UNISA embraces its role within the Africa Charter on Transformative Research Collaborations with a profound and unwavering commitment to promoting equitable partnerships, decolonizing research, and contributing to Africa's sustainable development. We envision a future where African knowledge systems are celebrated and where research collaborations play a pivotal role in levelling the playing field, ultimately benefiting the entire global community.