International postgraduate panel on the benefits and challenges of studying in South Africa

A group photo of the panellists of the postgrad event
A group photo of the panellists of the postgrad event

By Lwando Ntenda and Nothando Calane

 

In collaboration with the Centre of Postgraduate Studies (CPGS) at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网, the International Office recently hosted a postgraduate panel discussion titled, "Choices, benefits and lessons learnt from educational migration".

The panel comprised of Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 postgraduates: Mary Chibwe from Zambia; Eric John (E-Jay) from Namibia; Andrew Andile Ali from Nigeria; Edward Domboka from Zimbabwe; and Vuyelwa Moyo from Zimbabwe. Asiphe Mxalisa, a PhD scholar from CPGS, acted as chair.

Why choose Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网?

The panellists shared several reasons for choosing to study at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网. The research-rich environment was a key drawcard. Moyo indicated, "I didn't choose Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网; Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 chose me." Moyo was drawn to the specialised Ethnomusicology courses offered at the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网.

Ali said the best Professor in his former university had studied at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网, and so the reputation of water research at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 clinched his choice. Furthermore, the small town where the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 resides was an important feature to some because it felt more inclusive than a large city.

The benefits of an internationally diverse student body

Domboka said, "The presence of international students on Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 campus brings opportunities for new research projects."

Mxalisa concurred, "There are many benefits for South African students to study at an institution with an internationally diverse student body. The global nature of our society and the complexities of current research problems means that having staff and students from around the world benefits the whole university community."

Ali added, "Iron sharpens iron – we need to work together to tackle the complex research issues before us. And the whole university benefits if the student body better reflects that global village."

The panel suggested that more international student recruitment was needed, and Chibwe proposed that Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 better use its global alumni network to act as ambassadors for the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网. She also highlighted opportunities for participating in online studies and study programme collaborations between universities that Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 could benefit from.

John urged other international students to take up some of the opportunities he had embraced – such as tutoring and engaging in community engagement activities.

Challenges to choosing South Africa

Chibwe highlighted the constraints on South Africa's ability to implement its new internationalisation policy framework document, which indicates a strategy for the country to become a hub of higher education on the continent. The poor image of the country due to xenophobia has worked against internationalisation. Domboko asserted that a sense of 'belonging' is crucial to foster full participation in higher education, and if someone feels ostracised, that can be a push factor.

Lengthy visa delays were raised as a further barrier. The panellists lamented the obstacles embedded in such processes. Furthermore, getting visas for family members to stay with postgraduate students, which is a relatively straightforward process in many countries, is very difficult in South Africa. This can lead to extreme loneliness for students who may be married and have young children, which can distract them from their studies.

How Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 can continue to attract international postgraduates

The panel shared some ideas for how Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 can continue to aim for an internationally diverse student body, despite challenges. For example, ensuring that international students are housed in campus residences would assist in attracting students since it would remove a lot of the anxiety that comes from moving to a new country.

Ms Orla Quinlan, Director of Internationalisation at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网, indicated that internationalisation and recruiting of international students would be integral to the forthcoming review of Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网's Institutional Development Plan. Regarding visas, Ms Quinlan assured the postgraduates that the International Office remains abreast of any changes and can offer advice.

Overall, attendees at the event showed appreciation of the opportunity. A number proposed more such events should be held to raise awareness of the benefits of internationalisation for a research-intensive university such as Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网.