After just a few faculty visits, Professor Thandabantu Nhlapo is convinced that there is no shortage of ideas among academics for strengthening implementation of the vision, and that many of these steps have already been taken. Initiatives include:

• developing meaningful partnerships with universities across the continent, with joint degree programmes, co-supervision of higher degree research, and exchange of academics;

• tapping into the growing demand from international students, especially postgraduates, for special study modules and full degrees, and also offering UCT's students exposure to other universities on the continent;

• attracting international faculty from Africa and beyond, through permanent posts and visiting for sabbaticals and short-term stays;

• attracting postdoctoral students from Africa and further afield;

• developing course offerings in languages spoken on the continent;

• funding research that brings a contemporary African focus to international comparative studies;

• creating exchange-based opportunities for UCT students to visit and/or study in other African countries, and designing credit systems that recognise such study;

• creating ICT-based global classrooms for postgraduate seminars, incorporating several partner African institutions.

It is necessary, says Nhlapo, to weave these activities and intentions into a coherent Afropolitan tapestry, underpinned by a flexible policy framework and a strong and accessible database of UCT partnerships and other involvements across the continent.