The College of Design will welcome representatives from five South African universities for a week-long visit in September. The 13-member team includes directors and staff from these universities' Risk and Vulnerability Science Centres (RVSCs), and a representative from the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) who are eager to explore collaboration and exchange opportunities with Iowa State University.

RVSCs are part of DSI and the National Research Foundation of South Africa’s initiative to promote innovations for a knowledge-based economy. Their primary focus is to enhance postgraduate and staff capacity in research and development related to food and water security, the resilience of disadvantaged communities in response to climate change and making scientific research more relevant to policy and society. The RVSCs seek opportunities to collaborate with Iowa State in developing research ideas and exploring potential faculty and student exchanges between the two institutions.

The visiting team includes participants from the University of Limpopo (UL), the University of Fort Hare (UFH), Walter Sisulu University (WSU), Sol Plaatje University (SPU), the University of the Free State (UFS) and the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI).

The RVSC representatives will share their research priorities and opportunities for collaboration in a public presentation from noon–1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, in Room 416 Design. 

Learn more about the visitors and their backgrounds: Background Information.docx