Student mobility
The NoZa – Intercultural Mobility Project provides opportunities for Zanzibari students to come to Østfold University College to study for one semester. Spring of 2024, four students were granted such scholarship, now studying the two modules Staging Citizenship – art and democracy and Open Air Wisdom and Deep Ecology – Environmental ethics and politics.
In the newsletter (in Swahili) from State University of Zanzibar the four students and their relatives were invited to the Vice Chancellor’s office prior to departure, to receive his blessings and advice for the trip ahead. Vice chancellor of SUZA, Prof. Mohammed Makame Haji, states that collaborations across borders provide students with valuable knowledge and intercultural understanding that can benefit their future as professionals.
For full news, read Ziara za kimasomo SUZA, Ostfold Norway zaimarika [Student exchange between SUZA and HiOF is getting stronger](suza.act.tz, text in Zanzibari)
Staff mobility
Project coordinator at State University of Zanzibar, Dr. Maryam J. Ismail, was visiting Østfold University College from the 9th-26th September 2023. Within the short period of her stay, she had a variety of experiences, reaching from a visit to Fredriksten Fortress with former students, to a book launch in Oslo of a book in which she co-authored one chapter. She also had time for classes and meetings, preparing future applications for funds and discussing and adjusting our joint course. Please read her full report with extensive photos: A week in Halden – a trip to unlock the new door of intercultural competence (pdf, 6MB).
Short term mobility for practice
In September 2023, six Zanzibari students visited Østfold for a shorter mobility, where they visited different schools to learn about the Norwegian school system.
They were welcomed by Gimle Skole in Halden, Haugeåsen Skole in Fredrikstad, Kråkerøy Skole in Fredrikstad and Halden Videregående Skole.
Their impressions were documented through pictures and reflections in the report General report on the academic trip from Zanzibar to Norway (pdf, 1MB)
Their visit has also been reported in the article Encounters across cultures.