Screen shot from the Climate Action Challenge team presenting at NMU Research Week.

GCUA 2030 student engagement highlighted at NMU's Research Week 2025

News published:  16/10/2025

Nelson Mandela University (NMU) held its annual Research Week 2025 under the theme “Transformative Knowledge for a Just, Sustainable and Innovative Africa.” The event provided a platform to share research achievements, support emerging scholars, and deepen local and international partnerships.

A session facilitated by Dr John Mashayamombe from NMU’s International Office focused on the university’s engagement with the Global Challenges University Alliance (GCUA 2030). Dr. Paul Egan, GCUA 2030 Coordinator from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), presented on GCUA's online sustainability courses and Climate Action Challenge, as well as its annual PhD Thesis Award competition.

NMU students Fundile Nyaweni, Sandiso Ngwenya, Aphiwe Magaya and Sinozuko Bika participated together with Desire Dushimimana from the University of Rwanda and Lara-Marie Bodirsky, University of Utrecht, sharing their experiences participating in GCUA 2030 initiatives, including the GCUA 2030 Award and Climate Action Challenge (led by Dr. Sheila Holmes, SLU). They spoke about the benefits of working across disciplines and cultures in the international learning environment afforded by GCUA, and how these opportunities have expanded their research skills and professional networks.

Fundile Nyaweni was awarded first place in the GCUA 2030 Award with an entry entitled 'Mathematical Modelling of Tumour Treatment with Chemotherapy'. Fundile reflected that:

"Since the Award, I have been more intentional about making my research accessible and relevant. Winning first prize was deeply fulfilling in both the recognition of my work and in advancing the visibility of women in mathematics. As a women in mathematics I also want to remind others: your voice matters. A message to fellow students is that our diverse perspectives bring strength and innovation to global challenges".

All five members of the GCUA 2030 Climate Action Challenge team that placed first in 2025 were in attendance to present and discuss their video entry 'Biogas Digester for Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa'. 

"You could see in our team how we had so many different backgrounds and fields of study, and we tried to make the best out of that and learn from each other. We all had our own ways of contributing. With the way in which the course was set up, we received a lot of support from the Teachers and Mentors in weekly check-ins that really helped us improve our approach and ask questions that we hadn't considered yet".

 

Contact

  • Paul Egan, Programme coordinator GCUA 2030
    Department of Plant Protection Biology