This April, Stellenbosch University had the chance to host Professor Are Kristoffer Sydnes from UiT, who delivered an enlightening guest lecture on “Norwegian Total Defence (and Preparedness) in a New Security Era.” Held between April 19-27, 2024, his visit was part of the GLOBSEC Exchange Guest Lecturers series and included engagements at both the Saldanha Bay and Stellenbosch campuses.
Professor Sydnes’ lecture drew a keen audience of graduate students, postgraduates, PhD candidates, and faculty members, sparking lively discussions on the intricacies of military-civilian relations and the comparative security challenges faced by Norway and South Africa. These conversations delved into the nuances of external versus internal threats and risks, providing rich fodder for academic debate and learning.
During his stay, Professor Sydnes engaged in several key activities that fostered deeper cooperation and understanding between UiT and Stellenbosch University. Highlights of his visit included:
A meeting with Lt Col (Prof) Abel Esterhuyse, Chair of the Department of Strategic Studies, where they discussed potential collaborative projects and shared insights on global security trends and engagements with the head of the international department to enhance cooperation between the two institutions. A delightful lunch with the pro-dean of the Faculty of Military Sciences and other faculty members, which provided an informal setting to discuss future academic initiatives. Professor Sydens also had a strategic planning meetings with Dr Noelle van der Waag and Lecturer-Political Science (Mil) Ms. Madimabe Tebele, aimed at deepening ties and setting the stage for future exchanges.
A campus tour at the Faculty of Military Sciences in Saldanha allowed Prof. Sydens to have a firsthand look at the facilities and meet with faculty members and visiting researchers from Poland, and a tour of the Stellenbosch Campus, which served as a preliminary visit in preparation for the arrival of our exchange students in the autumn semester.
Professor Sydnes’ visit not only enriched the academic environment at Stellenbosch University but also laid the groundwork for ongoing collaboration and exchange. We look forward to fostering these new academic partnerships and to the continued success of the GLOBSEC exchange program.
Stay tuned for more updates from our vibrant academic community as we continue to engage with global thought leaders and experts!