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SANORD (Southern African-Nordic Centre)

SANORD is a network consisting of over 50 institutions in the Nordics and Southern Africa. The network aims to strengthen research and educational collaboration between partners. The core values of the partnership are mutuality, strategic development, sustained engagement and leadership.

About the membership

The University of Inland Norway (INN) has been a member of the network since 2013. The network includes several of our strategic partners, such as the University of Namibia, the University of Zambia and Karlstad University. Participation in the network has resulted in research collaboration and student exchanges, externally funded projects, the development of study programmes, and the enrolment of master's and PhD students at INN. INN also leads SANORD's special interest group (SIG) on teacher education.

SANORD's mission and goals

Leadership

To bring together the leadership of Nordic and Southern African institutions of higher education and research for dialogue, planning and joint endeavours.

Scholars

To bring together scholars of Nordic and Southern African institutions of higher education and research to jointly address relevant research issues pertaining to the SANORD mission.

Activities

To ensure that in most SANORD activities at least 30% of the participants from southern institutions are women.

Resources

To offer relevant resources and information services, including virtual and physical meeting places, and to facilitate and stimulate cooperation with the media.

Facilitate

To facilitate members’ relationships with relevant academic networks, the donor community, commerce, and industry

Opportunities

To promote opportunities for student mobility and staff exchanges in relation to research and educational collaboration.

INN in the leadership

From 2026, the University of Inland Norway is chair of SANORD. The role is currently held by Director of Organisation Stine Grønvold. We will serve as chair for the next two years.

Our collaboration with Southern Africa is considered one of the key pillars of the university's international efforts.

Visit SANORD's website here

News from SANORD

SANORD: Call for Abstracts Feb. 23, 2026 11:16 AM
The Southern African-Nordic Centre (SANORD) invites scholars, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students from across the Global South and North to submit abstracts for the 2026 SANORD Annual Conference.
INN takes the chair Feb. 2, 2026 12:32 PM
From 2026, INN University has taken over the role of chair of SANORD for the next two years. The network comprises over 50 institutions in the Nordic countries and southern Africa, with ambitions to strengthen research and educational cooperation between partners.
SANORD 2025 in Aarhus Aug. 15, 2025 12:09 PM
The SANORD 2025 Conference in Aarhus unfolded as a day rich with thought-provoking dialogue, celebration, and renewed commitment to higher education as a force for transformation.