eNews
#04 2025
Strengthening academic and policy linkages: Highlights of the 10th South African IORAG meeting
By Sisipho Njokweni, Egagasini Node, NRF-SAEON
On 15 July, the 10th Annual Meeting of the South African Chapter of the Indian Ocean Rim Association Academic Group (SA IORAG) took place at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in Pretoria. Following the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s successful hosting last year, Unisa continued the momentum, offering a vibrant academic setting for this year’s gathering.
The event brought together academics, researchers and government officials to reflect on South Africa’s role in the Indian Ocean Rim and to chart a collaborative path forward. The meeting formed part of a broader effort to enhance the visibility and reach of SA IORAG across the country, following a new co-hosting model introduced in 2024.
The event brought together academics, researchers and government officials to reflect on South Africa’s role in the Indian Ocean Rim and to chart a collaborative path forward.
The meeting opened with a welcome from the SA IORAG Chair, Mr KGame Molope, followed by remarks from Unisa’s Executive Dean (Acting) from the College of Economic and Management Sciences, Dr MT MaseTshaba and representatives from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Gilbert Siko and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ben Joubert. These remarks set the tone for a productive and engaging session that emphasised collaboration, regional integration and academic excellence.
Key updates were presented by the SA IORAG Secretariat, outlining activities undertaken over the past year. Dr Siko provided a strategic outlook for 2025, focusing on alignment with national priorities and IORA’s broader agenda. The programme featured a series of stakeholder presentations, including updates on the G20’s Ocean20 initiative by Ms Melissa Philander from NRF-SAEON, a research proposal presented by Professor Thean Potgieter from Stellenbosch University, and the development of a Marine Studies Degree and Marine Institute at Unisa led by Prof. Kevin Mearns and Prof. Godwell Nhamo.
Further presentations included an overview of the ECON-SA programme and an update on the IORAG Early Career Professionals Network (ECPN). These sessions allowed for open discussion and knowledge exchange, reinforcing the network’s commitment to inclusivity, youth involvement and interdisciplinary collaboration.
A proposal for a national outreach programme was presented by Mr Molope, aimed at raising awareness of IORA’s work and expanding engagement with universities and research institutions across South Africa. This initiative is expected to support youth involvement, enhance policy dialogue and encourage new research collaborations in alignment with IORA’s thematic priorities.
The meeting concluded with reflections on how best to take forward the discussions and ideas shared throughout the day.
Overall, the 10th SA IORAG meeting reaffirmed the importance of academic networks in advancing regional diplomacy, knowledge sharing and evidence-based policymaking in the Indian Ocean region. The event reflected a strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and highlighted new avenues for South Africa to enhance its impact through research, education and innovation.
