Internationalization and the Promotion of Postgraduate Studies at the University of Zimbabwe: The Case of the Southern and Eastern African Regional Centre for Women’s Law (SEARCWL)

University of Zimbabweinterrelations@admin.uz.ac.zw

University of Zimbabwe Vision

for prosperity, peace and dignity in Zimbabwe and beyond. To be (and be recognized by others as) a leading University working for prosperity, peace and dignity in Zimbabwe and beyond.

University of Zimbabwe Mission Enabling our clients and customers to

make meaningful contributions to sustainable development in Zimbabwe. To this end, we provide high quality education, training and advisory services on a needs oriented basis. We guarantee the above by maintaining excellence in Teaching, Learning, Research and Service to the community.

Strategic Thrusts Emphasis on ICT competence; Emphasis on postgraduate programmes; Emphasis on development in addition to

research; Emphasis on Sports; Increased industrial and community

attachments; Increased attention to entrepreneurship

training, and Improving internal management efficiencies

Emphasis on Postgraduate Programmes

Major Areas of FocusMajor areas for critical analysis in University business include human resources, learning, research and information and communication technology.

Human Resources

The success of the University depends on its human force- the vision, creativity and ingenuity of its academic staff. People of the highest calibre are needed if the University has to succeed in pushing the boundaries of knowledge and ultimately apply the knowledge to enrich and improve the quality of life for present and future generations.

LearningThe University is committed to maintaining the

highest standards of teaching and research in order to provide a learning environment that will inspire and enable students to grow intellectually, recognize their social responsibilities, be prepared to live and work in a global community, and achieve personal self-actualization.

Research

The discovery of new knowledge through research and scholarly activities is a critical part of intellectual life and learning experiences that must be nurtured at the University. There is overwhelming agreement world-wide that research enriches the classroom experience for students and gives them access to the excitement of venturing into new territory. To that end, effort should be directed at increasing research partnerships with, among others, other universities, local and international.

Internationalization and the promotion of postgraduate studies

Guiding principleso The University of Zimbabwe is part of a network

of learning that stretches around the world;o The University believes that it will be foolhardy

to presume that any professor could be the sole source of knowledge on any subject;

o The University should therefore be actively involved in the development of teaching, learning and research that strengthens its links to other learning communities worldwide in order to produce citizens who think globally and advance international scholarship and research.

The Southern and Eastern African Regional Centre for Women’s Law (SEARCWL)

Link Title: Cooperation in Women’s LawActivities Postgraduate Teaching and

Research in Women’s LawParticipatingDepartment Southern and Eastern African

Regional Centre for Women’s Law, University of Zimbabwe

Cooperating Partners Institute of Women’s Law, Faculty

of Law, University of Oslo, Norway

Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Faculty of Law, Makerere University, Uganda

Faculty of Law, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Faculty of Law, Chancellor College, Malawi

Duration: 2003 to Date

Funding: Norad and Universityof

Zimbabwe

ActivitiesResearch:As part of the link, particularly in terms of South

South and North South cooperation in publishing, the Centre has to date published extensively in the following thematic areas:

(a) Power relations and transformation in plural legal mechanisms

(b) Gender analysis of legal frameworks(c) Linking legal form to lived realities(d)Effective research skills and methods in women’s

law(e) Human rights, local governance and resource

access and control

Staff Exchange:

Since the establishment of the Centre, staff from the participating institutions have taught on its Diploma and Masters programmes, taking responsibility for the stipulated optional courses as stated in the Agreement. The staff exchange component of the cooperation in teaching has significantly enriched the link and student exposure to a variety of perspectives from across the region and internationally.

Student Exchange:

There are no direct student exchanges save to mention that since the programme is regional, the student body is drawn from Eastern and Southern Africa. Over the years, students have largely been drawn from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Sudan, Cameron, Swaziland and the host country, Zimbabwe

Graduate Statistics

Diploma Total Students 91

Masters Total Students 135

LIST OF PROMINENT STUDENTS

Rebecca Kadanga Deputy Speaker, UgandaEsme Chombo High Court Judge, MalawiDoroth Nyasulu Chairperson, Human

Rights Commission, MalawiMwanaisha Kwariko High Court Judge, TanzaniaJessie Majome Member of Parliament,

Zimbabwe

Evaluation:The link, since inception, continues to

grow from strength to strength and could clearly be used as an example of best practices in terms of cooperation linkages and South South and North South initiatives at postgraduate level. The programme has not only produced quality graduates but has also raised the profile of the University of Zimbabwe and the country at large internationally. Both internal and external

Evaluation reports, as well as evaluations by the Norwegian Embassy in Zimbabwe attest to the success of the Centre as a model for international cooperation and the promotion of postgraduate education.