The Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (ATUPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of South Africa (UNISA) during the International Conference held on 26th August 2025 at the Southern Sun Hotel in Durban, South Africa.

The two institutions were represented by Prof. Puleng Lenka-Bula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor, and Dr. Tafadzwa Mudondo, ATUPA Executive Board Chair.

Dr. Jahou Samba Faal, Secretary-General of ATUPA signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of ATUPA and was witnessed by Mr. Suzgika Mvalo, the ATUPA Vice-Chairperson for the Southern and Central Region. The ceremony was further graced by Hon. Buti Manamela, Minister of Higher Education and Training of South Africa and Prof. Sello Mokwena, Chair of the Local Organising Committee for the jointly hosted ATUPA International Conference.

In this collaboration, the two institutions aim to foster innovation and pivot youth skill sets for Africa’s rapid development and growth.

Speaking on behalf of the ATUPA Executive Board, Dr. Mudondo welcomed UNISA to ATUPA and called for the immediate implementation of the key elements of the MoU. He expressed gratitude to the Minister for gracing the signing ceremony and urged “technical universities and other institutions in South Africa to join ATUPA in advancing this transformative agenda.”

Through this MoU, ATUPA and UNISA intend to strengthen the knowledge base of TVET providers in Africa through engagement in research and development, with a view to positioning TVET institutions as centres of technological capability, innovation, knowledge accumulation, and knowledge transfer.

This initiative will further contribute to the implementation of the African Union's (AU) Continental Agenda 2063 and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The purpose of this agreement is to define areas for increased collaboration, cooperation, and interaction to further promote education, science, research and innovation.

The parties intend to work together for their mutual benefit in these areas.

UNISA and ATUPA have agreed to advance collaboration in broad areas, including institutional development, capacity building, research and development initiatives.

ATUPA is a Pan-African organization that supports professional and skills development by promoting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across the continent. UNISA, on the other hand, is the largest university system in South Africa by enrollment, attracting a third of all higher education students in the country.

In her welcome address at the opening of the 2025 ATUPA International Conference, Prof. LenkaBula remarked that Unisa is committed to shaping African lives in the service of humanity.

"We believe in the advancement and transformation of Africa. Our commitment to advancing science and education is demonstrated in many ways, including through our international partnerships and engaged scholarship programmes.”

“Through ATUPA, we are able to connect with each other as an integrated sector of post-school education in Africa to unite and look at ways to advance technical and vocational education and training, among other joint priority areas."

In his keynote address, Minister Buti Manamela emphasised that by fostering collaboration among technical universities, polytechnics, TVET colleges, and their industry partners, ATUPA has not only emerged as a critical partner in this transformation, but in addition enables Africa to rethink education not as a siloed system but as an interconnected driver of innovation, employability, and inclusive development.

Mr. Manamela said South Africa remains deeply committed to strengthening and expanding TVET ecosystems. He explained: "Our National Development Plan 2030 recognises that without a skills revolution, the promise of inclusive growth will remain elusive. Over the past decade, we have expanded the TVET college sector, continued to modernise curricula, and launched initiatives to improve lecturer development, occupational qualifications, and workplace-based learning."

Expanding on current projects engaged in by the Higher Education Ministry, Manamela stated: "We are currently working closely with our partners, including ATUPA, the African Union, the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations, UNESCO-UNEVOC, and international development partners, to align our national TVET system with global and continental standards.