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The Matariki Network of Universities is pleased to have officially welcomed University of the Western Cape as the 8th member of the Network. A formal signing ceremony took place at Uppsala University on 4 September 2024.
Matariki Network Chair Professor Patrick Deane, Vice Chair Professor Anders Hagfeldt, and University of the Western Cape’s Rector and Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Pretorius signed the Network MoU, officially confirming the new Network member. The signing of the MoU took place on the first night of the annual meeting of the Matariki Network Executive Heads and Leads.
This is the first time the Matariki Network has welcomed a new member since its founding. The Network believes the values and ethos of University of Western Cape fit well within its guiding principles and values and thoroughly looks ahead to future collaborations and exchanges with the new partner.
The Matariki Network Chair, Professor Patrick Deane, stated: “Since its founding, the Matariki Network has brought its member institutions together around shared priorities, and in a commitment to mutual support. As it moves deeper into its second decade, and with renewed and enlarged strategic purpose, this group of critical university friends is delighted to welcome the University of the Western Cape to membership.”
Rector and Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Pretorius wrote an official statement on behalf of UWC:
“As the former Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape (UWC), the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu often reminded us, “I am because you are. We are because they are.” These words perfectly capture the essence of this partnership. Rooted in the African philosophy of Ubuntu, it is an idea that emphasises that no human being exists in isolation; we are all interconnected, and our lives gain meaning through our relationships with others.
For UWC, this partnership is about harnessing the power of collaboration to achieve far more together than we ever could alone. We are excited to bring our unique perspectives to the table, particularly in areas such as social justice and inclusive education, and we look forward to learning from the diverse experiences and expertise within the Matariki Network. This agreement is a clear declaration of UWC’s resolve to partner for a better world, a world where education and research transcend borders and bring about positive, lasting change.
At UWC we believe in the African proverb 'If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together' – and it is therefore with a great deal of excitement and anticipation that we are joining the Matariki Network.”
