In September 2024, Prof. Dr. Randolf Schrank, Professor of International Management at the School of Business, travelled to the School of Business Sciences (SBS) at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, South Africa. With some 40,000 students, Wits is one of the most renowned universities in Africa and regularly takes second place in the continent’s international rankings.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between Mainz University of Applied Sciences and SBS last year, providing for close cooperation in the areas of student exchange, faculty mobility, and applied research. The aim is to consolidate this partnership in the near future and extend it to other schools such as the School of Engineering.
At the invitation of Professor Helen Duh, Head of SBS, Professor Schrank made use of his visit to discuss concrete plans for the continued development of the collaboration and to coordinate the next steps. The visit to Johannesburg was also an emotional reunion for Professor Schrank: He previously spent three months in the city in 1989, when it was still under the influence of apartheid. This formative experience was a turning point in his studies. Professor Schrank recommends that students take advantage of similar opportunities and gain valuable academic and personal experience at this top-class university in a culturally unique environment.
South Africa, which is one of the largest economies in Africa and the only African country represented in the G20, has in Johannesburg, a metropolis of around 5 million residents, not only the largest city, but also the economic heart of the country. The headquarters of numerous international and national companies are located here. September marks “National Heritage Month” in South Africa, during which the diversity and traditions of the country’s multicultural society are particularly celebrated. In addition to the extensive academic discussions, this special month offered Professor Schrank the opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage firsthand.
