On 30 August 2017 the NIHSS as part of the Academic Research portfolio, led by the CEO – Prof Sarah Mosoetsa, visited University of Fort Hare University (UFH) in pursuit of our strategic objective to use institutional visits to strengthen efforts to forge partnerships and promote meaningful collaborations.  The high profile UFH delegation under Vice Chancellor: Prof Sakhela Buhlungu, comprised of the Faculty of the Humanities, Fort Hare Institute of Social and Economic Research (FHISER), UNESCO Chair on Human Rights and Centre for Leadership and Ethics, among others.

Opportunities covering areas of mutual interest were highlighted and discussed at length, including languages, digital humanities (there are a number of archives FHU which can be digitised to make them accessible) and history, to mention but a few.  Commitments were made from both the Institute and UFH to be explored and actioned.

Prof Mosoetsa pointed out that, “As part of fulfilling its mandate, the Institute encourages the submissions of the HSS capacity building proposals and is extremely keen to support such initiatives; research outputs in the form of accredited journal publications as well as working papers that are about advancing our discipline.”

Although expressing a greater need for support, Prof. Tshotsho, UFH Head of the Humanities, said UFH was thankful and confirmed that the NIHSS Academic Scholarship currently funds 28 PhD fellows – with four graduates and one earmarked for graduation in September, while the rest were expected to graduate next year.  In addition, seven African students registered at UFH are also funded by the Institute.

Other Research projects within the university which are funded by the NIHSS include the National Heritage and Cultural Studies Centre (NAHECS) and the Hunterstoun Centre. NAHECS holds the Liberation struggle history archives, hosting a number of researchers whose efforts promote the humanities and social sciences.

Fast fact:  UFH recently awarded an honorary doctor of philosophy to the Reggae music legend, Rita Marley, and wife of the late music icon, Bob Marley. Honorary degrees are given to men and women nationally and internationally for the role they have played in societal development be it in politics or music and culture.