Centre for Asian Studies Briefs Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Heads of Missions in South Africa

Download logo
Recognizing the importance of enhanced academic linkages and collaboration between South Africa and the ASEAN region, the Philippine Embassy in Pretoria, in its capacity as Chair of the ASEAN-Pretoria Committee (APC), invited Prof. Alf Gunvald Nilsen, Founding Director of the Centre for Asian Studies in Africa (CASA) of the University of Pretoria (UP) to brief APC heads of missions on the programs and activities of the institution. The briefing took place on 29 March 2023 during the 2nd APC meeting of the year.

In his presentation, Prof. Nilsen informed the group that CASA is implementing an annual visiting professorship program, which would allow academic experts from ASEAN partner universities to do further research, deliver a public lecture, and teach a masterclass at UP. The visiting professor should have specialization in any of the following fields of research: (1) inequality and human development; (2) democracy, governance and human rights; and (3) sustainability and environmental justice.

The meeting ended on a positive note, with both sides agreeing to assist in moving the visiting professorship program forward, as well as collaborate on activities and projects that would help raise the profile of ASEAN in the host country.

A major academic initiative of UP, CASA aspires to become a premier knowledge-creation hub in the field of Asian studies not only in South Africa, but also in the whole African continent. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines.