Challenges in International Collaboration: A South African Perspective

Purpose: This presentation aims to inform participants of the experiences and challenges of a team of South African academics while collaborating in various international projects. Participants can reflect on their own experiences and take the new knowledge into consideration in planning new collaborations.

Methods: Academics from the North-West University in South Africa have been involved in various international projects during the last few years. Experiences while collaborating in the Canadian Teasdale Corti Project, the Maternal-child Nurse Leadership Academy which originated in the United States but was recently rolled out in several African countries, and a European funded COST action will be shared in the presentation.

Results: Some of the challenges are: different working styles, differences in time sozes, seasons, academic years and financial year ends. Language differences can also be challenging. Lessons has been learned from each of the collaborations.

Conclusion: International collaboration can be very exciting and fulfilling. International exposure is also necessary to grow as researcher. A academic which is aware of the challenges that can present themselves, is better prepared for such an experience. Participants will be asked to share their experiences and challenges they had during international collaboration.