SMU undertakes historic visit to the United States of America

In 2023, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University was invited by the Department of Higher Education and Training to join then Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, to discuss how South Africa’s Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs) can strengthen and grow their collaboration and partnership with the United States of America’s (USA) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). There is great significance in a collaboration between these two types of institutions.

According to Sierra and Swanston (2023), the USA’s Department of Education “defines an HBCU as a college or university established before 1964 with the primary mission of educating Black students.” There are 99 HBCUs located across the United States. These institutions represent a “small percentage of America’s higher education landscape, however, they graduate nearly 50% of the country’s Black teachers, 70% of Black doctors and dentists, and 80% of Black lawyers.”

SMU, as an HDI, a niche university and as an institution growing its international footprint, commenced investigating the mutual benefit, opportunities and possibilities in working with such institutions. After months of planning and organizing, the SMU Internationalisation Directorate, under the guidance of Internationalisation Director, Dr Carlien Jooste, accompanied Dean of the School of Health Care Sciences, Prof Douglas Maleka; Acting Dean of the School of Dentistry, Prof Dini Mawela; and Director Research and Innovation on this historic and first visit to the USA.

SMU’s host was Meharry Medical College (Meharry), located in Nashville, Tennessee. Both institutions share a commitment to advancing medical education and global health. Meharry’s President and CEO, Dr James E.K. Hildreth commented that “this groundbreaking alliance between two historically Black institutions is a testament to our shared dedication to transforming health care and tackling global health challenges.”

Dr Anil Shanker (Senior Vice-President for Research and Innovation), Dr Michael Caldwell and Mr Terry Olsen from Meharry assisted and accompanied the SMU team to various institutional meetings in New York, Nashville and Memphis. These meetings allowed SMU to not only host presentations and discussions on SMU, but also commence with networking for Schools and the institution as a whole.

SMU and Meharry also signed their official MOU. “This historic visit allowed SMU the opportunity to engage with institutions with a similar origin story. We hope to grow our footprint in the US and among HBCUs,” said Dr Carlien Jooste, Director Internationalisation at SMU.