“In the age of geopolitical rivalries and strategic tussles, the Indian Ocean Rim Association becomes fundamental to the global terrain” – with these words Amb. Anil Sooklal of South Africa opened the recent collaborative short course hosted by the University of Western Australia from 1-11 February 2021.
Students heard from academics and practicing diplomats, including seconded Directors at the IORA Secretariat, and debated the nuts and bolts of how to strengthen collaboration in an economically critical and fast-changing region.
This course, which explores the international relations of the Indian Ocean Rim (IOR), including key historical, political, economic, security, strategic, diplomatic, cultural and environmental factors that shape the contemporary region, is designed and delivered in collaboration with universities in 7 IORA Member States: University of Western Australia (Australia), Paramadina University (Indonesia), University of Pretoria (South Africa), Jawaharlal Nehru University (India), University of Dhaka (Bangladesh), University of Mauritius (Mauritius) and Emirates Diplomatic Academy (UAE).
Affiliated to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as a regional education collaboration, this course is rotationally delivered on location at an IOR partner university campus as an intensive program involving formal teaching, engagement with policymakers and practitioners, socio-cultural immersion, and professional networking. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an online version of the course had to be delivered.
To find out more, read about IORA’s work promoting academic, science and technology collaboration, or contact us on hq@iora.int.
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