Establishing international synergies

1. MSU Continues to Establish International Synergies
In line with its robust drive for excellence the Midlands State University continues to establish and
enhance synergies with various local and international institutions. Latest efforts saw a delegation
from the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Sweden visit the University on Tuesday the 9th of June 2015.
The delegation comprised of Mikael Johansson, Advisor for Strategic Planning and Quality Assurance,
and Johannes Eile, Head of the Department of International programmes, met with the Pro-Vice
Chancellor for Research and Academic Affairs, Professor V N Muzvidziwa together with various
senior administrative staff.
Discussions of the meeting were centred on exploring possible areas of collaboration between the
two institutions with a particular emphasis on human rights related education, research, and
institutional development. The Raoul Wallenberg Institute boasts of one of the largest human rights
libraries in northern Europe and carries out a number of publication activities hence discussions also
looked at possible ways of enhancing the capacity of the University Library.
The Midlands State University, Faculty of Law, which already incorporates a strong human rights
component in its curriculum as well as humanitarian law, will undoubtedly be among faculties and
departments that will benefit enormously from the relationship with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute,
given its legal roots. Other faculties that are expected to greatly benefit from the synergy include the
Library Services Department, the Research and Postgraduate Office, the faculties of Arts, Commerce,
and Natural Resources Management and Agriculture.
Speaking during the meeting, the Pro-Vice Chancellor highlighted the importance of establishing a
mutual relationship with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, saying that such a relationship would see
the entire University benefiting in areas of teaching, learning and research, particularly given that
human rights are multi-disciplinary.
Other University officials that attended the meeting included the Registrar, Mr E Mupfiga, the
Librarian Ms N P Chibanda, Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Mrs I Mangoma as well as all Executive
Deans.
‘The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law is an independent academic
institution, founded in 1984 at the Law Faculty at Lund University in Sweden. In legal terms, the
Institute is a charitable trust under Swedish private law, governed by a Board of Trustees.’
It has a field presence in Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, Kenya, China and Cambodia.