Opening ceremony

Opening ceremonies elicit fantastic images when we think about them. International sports events have set the trend in having welcoming shows by their hosts, to start the games.

The winter school of 2017 was no different.

Still, with the bubbling excitement of the evening before, everyone met the following day in burning anticipation. As all the guests, students and faculty members took their seats it was an endearing sight to see how everyone mixed and where having small conversations and laughing as if they knew each other, for years already.

Prof. Serena Coetzee (Project coordinator, UP) welcomed everyone to the opening especially Prof. Jean Lubuma (Dean: Faculty of Natural Science and Agriculture, UP) and Dr. Lisette Andreae (Head: Science and Education, German Embassy, Pretoria). The attendance of both these important guests showed the value exchanges like this meant not just for universities but for both countries as well.

The Dean in his address highlighted the importance of continuing the relationships made during the winter school and the furthering academics outside the time period for the exchange project. He noted that it also should not be all work, but all the members should socialize and make life long friends.

Prof. Jean Lubuma

Dr. Lisette spoke about the incredible opportunity the members have, to learn from each other and collaborate in making the world a better place by using their field; namely geomatics. She also emphasized on the point of friendship the Dean made in his address and commented on the idea of having global connections of friends.

 

Dr. Lisette Andreae

Prof. Gertrud Schaab (Project coordinator, HsKA) gave a concise introduction to the Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM-plus project, titled “Geomatics and Participation – Study and research in the tension field between a European technology region and an African emerging country”. She also highlighted moments from the 2016 summer school hosted in Karlsruhe.

 

Prof. Gertrud Schaab

The students of both Universities then introduced themselves with short summaries paired with laughter and interesting takes. Prof. Coetzee closed the ceremonies with a quote from Mandela and also dedicated the two weeks to him and his vision of the power of education and the positive change it can bring.