Project launch in Cape Town announces
exciting new research collaboration
Representatives from UNICEF, the South African Ministry of Education, NGOS, and academics from
the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and University of Sussex met in March 2015 to begin
work together on the next phase of the project Engaging Teachers as agents of peace in post-conflict
contexts, funded by the ESRC/DfID joint fund for poverty alleviation.
The collaboration between the Centre for International Education at the University of Sussex, and
the Centre for International Teacher Education at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology,
South Africa, was formally marked by an impressive three day programme of events, hosted by
Professor Azeem Badroodien, Deputy-Director, Centre for International Teacher Education (CITE),
Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The programme consisted of an engaging public lecture
introducing the research background, the meeting of a critical reference group of local stakeholders
including NGOs, UNICEF, SA and the Department of Basic Education, and a two day productive
workshop to discuss and plan the project’s implementation with our in-country partners. The
successful programme of events marks an exciting new phase of the research creating a strong
foundation to implement the project’s next steps to gather and analyse empirical data.
Reflecting on the events afterwards, Dr Sayed, who is principle investigator for the project and holds
the South African Research Chair in Teacher Education at the Cape Peninsula University of
Technology (CPUT) and a Reader in International Education at the University of Sussex remarked
that “the event marked an exciting phase in research about the role of teachers as agents of peace,
social cohesion and violence prevention. Teacher are critical to equitable and quality education
playing an invaluable role in supporting young children and youth to become active and critical
citizens working to create equitable and harmonious societies. This research will add invaluable to
the evidence providing important insight for improving policy and practice in Rwanda and South
Africa building research collaboration with and for the Global South’.
The project is also working in collaboration with the University of Rwanda led by Professor Ndabaga
and Dr Barrett, University of Bristol. The attendance of Professor Ndabaga and Dr Rubagiza from the
University of Rwanda was important in enhancing South-to-South research collaboration and
partnerships.
Project launchAttending the project launch was: Professor Azeem Badroodien, Cape Peninsula
University of Technology; Dr Yusuf Sayed, Cape Peninsula University of Technology & University of
Sussex Dr Saadhna Panday, Education Specialist, UNICEF, SA, Ms Nadi Albino, Chief Education
Specialist, UNICEF, SA; Dr Shermain Mannah, Department of Basic Education, South Africa, Ms
Widad Sirkhotte-Kriel. Mr Tom Salmon. Ms Tarryn de Kock, Ms Marcina Singh, Ms Lorna Balie, Ms
Akiko Haniya (graduate students at the Centre for International Teacher Education) Dr Selina
Mudavanhu and Dr Zaahra MacDonald (post-doctoral fellows at the Centre for International Teacher
Education), Professor Mario Noveli, University of Sussex Professor Eugene Ndabaga, University of
Rwanda; Dr Jolly Rubagazi, University of Rwanda, Dr Angeline M. Barrett, University of Bristol; Dr
Naureen Durrani, University of Sussex.