Deepening engagements: Prof Danie Visser, Prof Michael Adewumi, Prof Jo Beall and Prof Robert Crane chat about growing relations between UCT and Penn State University.

Deputy vice-chancellors Professor Jo Beall and Professor Danie Visser hosted a visit by delegates from the US's Penn State University to talk about future - and deeper - relationships between the two institutions.

Professor Michael Adewumi, vice-provost for global programmes, explained that Penn State is identifying key institutions across the globe with which it hopes to "deepen engagements" in teaching, research and outreach.

This approach echoes UCT's efforts to strike up strategic partnerships with a few selected international institutions, noted Beall.

"The whole goal is trying to tackle some of the global challenges of our time, which is something no institution can manage on its own," said Adewumi.

One of these challenges is climate change, an area in which Penn State and UCT have been collaborating for some time. So Penn State's Professor Robert Crane, director of Penn State's Alliance for Education, Science, Engineering and Development in Africa, explained some elements of the Parks and People project he has been running with UCT's Professor Bruce Hewitson, allowing both UCT and Penn State students to spend valuable research time in the Dwesa-Cweba Nature Reserves of the Eastern Cape.