Kwadlangezwa: The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina, has urged African universities to embrace the global digital revolution by becoming creators of artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation, rather than mere consumers. She highlighted the significant threat to local culture if indigenous knowledge is not integrated into new technologies.
According to South African Government News Agency, during the opening of the University of Zululand’s (Unizulu) 4th International Education Week at the KwaDlangezwa Campus, Gina emphasized that internationalization should not compromise African identity. The event, organized by Unizulu’s Internationalisation Office in collaboration with the BRICS Student Commission, was held under the theme ‘Building an African University through Collaborations and Partnerships.’
The university stated that International Education Week 2025 is more than a week of dialogue; it is a step toward building globally connected African universities grounded i
n indigenous knowledge, identity, and innovation. This initiative aligns with the African Union’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) agenda for 2025, which focuses on education and emphasizes developing human capital with skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The agenda aims to foster innovation and promote technological adaptation to drive Africa’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy.
The agenda prioritizes strengthening STEM education and digital literacy, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, adapting existing technologies for local use, and fostering cross-sector collaboration to align STI with national development goals. The Deputy Minister highlighted Unizulu as a premier institution to lead this meaningful work. She emphasized the need for robotics that can be fed local content and teach children in their native languages, urging the university to lead in curating isiZulu data for generative AI.
Gina challenged South African universities, including
her alma mater, Unizulu, to meet the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the gig economy by forging international partnerships that preserve African epistemologies while promoting global competitiveness. She noted her attendance at a high-level African AI summit in Tanzania, underscoring the importance of data sovereignty for Africa’s innovation future.
She advised that if institutions are not yet addressing industry and societal problems through AI and research and development, a fresh start is necessary. Gina noted that universities worldwide are redesigning their futures, adopting online learning, accelerating industry partnerships, and contributing to national innovation systems. She warned that institutions failing to adapt are at risk.
With South Africa’s Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) and ongoing BRICS STI collaborations, Gina encouraged universities to leverage new funding streams and global research networks, particularly in strategic technologies. Her remarks emphasized that for A
frican universities to remain relevant and competitive, they must embrace collaboration without compromising their cultural identity. She concluded by stating that relevance is essential for survival and growth, advising universities to maintain their identity while collaborating.
International Education Week brings together local and international scholars, student leaders, and policymakers to explore global academic partnerships rooted in African identity.