GLENVILLE, WV – Glenville State University faculty members joined colleagues from Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley, South Africa, for a panel discussion examining the consequences of recent elections in both the United States and South Africa. The panel was held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, with Sol Plaatje University faculty participating virtually.

The discussion brought faculty members from both institutions together to discuss the outcomes and broader implications of elections in their respective countries, providing an opportunity for international academic exchange and discussion.

Dr. Jako Bezuidenhout, lecturer in history at Sol Plaatje University had this to say about the joint panel. "I think I speak on behalf of my SPU colleagues present for the discussion, that it was an exciting process to share knowledge between our two institutions. We were also impressed by the interest shown towards our country by GSU students and staff who asked really pertinent questions about the state of our nation and how it compares to the US system. I'm really excited about the potential of these types of events and we look forward to future collaboration between SPU and GSU.”

The event was part of growing connections between Glenville State University and Sol Plaatje University. Dr. Robin Crigler, Assistant Professor of World History here at GSU received a grant from the African Studies Association this past summer to travel to Kimberley, South Africa. The goal of the grant was to explore the possibility of establishing a partnership between the two universities.

 “Sol Plaatje University is one of South Africa’s newest universities, founded in 2014, and is located in the nation’s most rural and sparsely populated province,” said Crigler. “They share our university's focus on historical preservation, rural health, and economic development, and I’m hoping this is the first of many collaborative events between our institutions.” During his visit to the Sol Plaatje University campus, Crigler developed connections with faculty members. He was later invited back to present a guest lecture on Indigenous West Virginia history.

A working group of faculty members from multiple departments at both GSU and SPU has been established and is exploring additional opportunities for collaboration such as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), guest lectures, and research partnerships.

The panel discussion marked another step toward building a lasting relationship between Glenville State University and Sol Plaatje University, creating opportunities for international perspectives and shared academic experiences for the students and faculty involved.