Pamoja Initiatives
The first major milestone of the initiative was the Pamoja Nairobi Partnership Summit, held on May 24–25, 2023 at Strathmore University Business School in Nairobi, Kenya.
The two-day forum brought together 22 higher education leaders from across Africa and Notre Dame to explore opportunities for collaboration in research, teaching, and capacity building. The Summit was co-organized by Pamoja ND Africa Co-Chairs Ellis A. Adams (Pulte Institute Core Faculty) and Jaimie Bleck (Associate Professor of Political Science and Pulte Institute Faculty Fellow).
The gathering emphasized the importance of capacity exchange and mutual understanding in developing lasting partnerships. As Bleck explained, “Deep, innovative work relies on such partnerships. We recognize the pragmatic savvy of making conversations and meetings happen — and what it takes to sustain them.”
The Nairobi Summit was a starting point for future collaborations, establishing sustained international research networks and meaningful relationships between Notre Dame and Sub Saharan African institutions. It also reinforced Pamoja ND Africa’s commitment to a model of partnership based in reciprocity, innovation, and shared purpose.
Current Initiatives
Sub-Saharan Africa Guest Scholar/Artist Partnership Program
Towards the goal of strengthening and diversifying multifaceted and multi-directional research collaboration opportunities with scholars from sub-Saharan Africa, this program is to support Notre Dame Colleges/Schools/Departments/Centers/Institutes in inviting and hosting guest scholars and artists with outstanding scholarly reputations from sub-Saharan Africa. The guest scholar's residencies will typically last from at least 2 weeks to a full semester. During their residency, the guest scholars/artists will pursue their own scholarly or creative activity, while further developing research collaborations and engaging in the intellectual/artistic life and community at Notre Dame.
Learn more about Sub-Saharan Africa Guest Scholar/Artist Partnership Program
iSURE: International Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (iSURE)
The goal of the iSURE program is to strengthen opportunities for undergraduate students from sub-Saharan Africa to engage in research with faculty mentors at Notre Dame's South Bend, Indiana, USA campus. Notre Dame Global sponsors the on-campus programming and residency for students from selected higher education and research institutions from the African Pamoja Network to participate in the program during the summer. Students will gain valuable hands-on research experience and work closely with Notre Dame faculty and graduate students on a variety of ongoing research projects.
The Africa Graduate Club
The Africa Students’ Club at the University of Notre Dame is a student-led club with a network of graduate students from Africa and those interested in Africa across the prestigious University of Notre Dame’s Science, Business, Law, Engineering, Global Affairs, and Architecture Schools. The Club’s vision is to enhance collaboration amongst our stakeholders, deepen Notre Dame’s impact on the African continent, and extend Africa-focused initiatives in diverse fields. One approach to realize this vision is to foster professor-student relationships here at Notre Dame, as well as external partnerships, through regular networking, professional events, and information exchange centered on Africa.