BHISHO – Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane engaged with the University of Fort Hare (UFH) Council at Lilian Diedericks House in Bhisho to strengthen cooperation between the Eastern Cape Provincial Government and the institution, with a focus on aligning university initiatives with the province’s development priorities.

He has reiterated the institution’s significant involvement in the Eastern Cape’s history, education and development, highlighting the need for a constructive partnership that translates shared priorities into practical outcomes for students and communities.

“The engagement explored several areas of potential collaboration, including the proposed University Town concept for Bhisho, Dikeni (formally Alice) and KuGompo City (formally East London), the repurposing of the Bhisho Campus, and initiatives in agriculture and veterinary science to advance animal health, food security, rural development and scarce skills training.”

Mabuyane added that universities have a critical role to play in the development of our province, not only through teaching and research, but also by providing solutions to the challenges facing our communities.

“We must strengthen collaboration between government and institutions of higher learning to ensure that knowledge, skills and innovation translate into meaningful opportunities for our people,” he said.

Discussions also highlighted prospects of strengthening Early Childhood Development, teacher education and teaching practice, as well as proposals for an East London Student Centre and student accommodation infrastructure development.

Further areas of cooperation included public health administration, the preservation and documentation of the province’s history and heritage, and the alignment of institutional planning with the Provincial Development Plan.

Mabuyane further emphasised that universities, government, municipalities, communities and the private sector must work together to address the province’s development challenges and expand opportunities for young people and the broader Eastern Cape community.

He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that universities remain safe environments conducive to learning, research and innovation, with the wellbeing and success of students at the centre of institutional and government efforts.

“The engagement will help identify priority areas for collaboration, clarify the responsibilities of the respective partners and establish a process for advancing the proposed initiatives.”

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government remains committed to strengthening partnerships with institutions of higher learning to build skills, support innovation, stimulate local development and improve the quality of life of the people of the province.

Reflecting on the engagement with the Provincial Government, University of Fort Hare (UFH) Council Chairperson Doctor Siyanda Makaula said this is one of the steps towards reviving and tightening relations with the institution’s stakeholders.

The engagement provides an important platform for strengthening the relationship between the UFH and the Provincial Government. Through closer cooperation, we can explore opportunities to harness the University’s academic expertise, research capacity and institutional resources in support of provincial development priorities and the advancement of our students and communities.”

The institution is further committed to enhancing existing partnerships with the Provincial Government and building on established institutional cooperation to advance shared priorities, enhance collaboration and support initiatives that contribute to the province’s development.

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