The University of Namibia (UNAM) is hosting the 20th Southern African-Nordic Centre (SANORD) International Conference in Windhoek, with a call for African universities to rethink how knowledge is produced, shared and applied to the continent's development.
UNAM Vice-Chancellor Kenneth Matengu says Africa needs to move beyond being a consumer of knowledge and strengthen cooperation between institutions in the Global South.
He questioned whether African universities are sufficiently rooted in the realities and needs of the continent.
"And what I would suggest is that as universities we should be thinking, 'How do we strengthen each other's capacities to be able to deliver the global commitments that our governments have made in the interest of the citizens?' You can see clearly that there is growth in the industrial base also emerging on the continent. But getting back to the issue of knowledge sovereignty, what we know is that where there are heavy investments in higher education, we see industrialisation taking place."
The Vice-Chancellor also pointed to what this means for the continent's universities and its future, particularly as Africa is increasingly described as "the continent of the future".
SANORD Chairperson Stine Grønvold says the conference theme, "Reimagining Knowledge for Shared Development", challenges participants to examine not only what is known, but also how knowledge is produced and whose knowledge is recognised.
"Being here in the role of chairperson of Sørnord, well, I know that all and each and every one here in this room has stories to tell, ideas and examples, and experiences that we can share. And we are all here to listen, to spread the word, and to be each other's ambassadors. We are connecting the dots. By listening, discussing, and presenting, we create an atmosphere of better understanding, and we build trust as our most important currency."
The conference also marks 20 years of SANORD, a partnership connecting universities and communities across Southern Africa and the Nordic region.
Professor Priscilla Baker of the University of the Western Cape says the two decades have created opportunities for institutions to work together and co-create knowledge.
"20 years ago, Sanord began as a promising experiment in intercontinental higher education solidarity. Today, it stands as a mature, resilient, and vital force for global good. As we open this 2026 conference, let us rededicate ourselves to the principles that brought us together: academic freedom, social justice, and scientific integrity."
The conference is exploring issues including health, economic transformation, social justice, digital transformation, emerging technologies, climate change and sustainable development.
SANORD is also looking at introducing joint PhD programmes and co-supervision to deepen academic collaboration among participating institutions.
The conference runs from 22 to 25 September in Windhoek.