South and East students explore future of AI

Wits and Zhejiang University students find synergy through interdisciplinary exchange.

Wits University recently hosted a delegation of postgraduate students from Zhejiang University (ZJU), China, for an academic exchange programme on the theme of Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work: AI Across Disciplines.

The exchange brought together eight postgraduate students from Zhejiang University and 14

doctoral and master's students from Wits for an engaging day of interdisciplinary dialogue, cultural exchange, and academic networking.

Hosted by the Wits Doctoral Academy (WDA), Postgraduate Association (PGA), and the Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships Office (ISPO), the programme reflected the shared commitment of Wits and Zhejiang to advancing international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and postgraduate development. Together, the two institutions are creating opportunities for students to engage with global challenges, broaden their perspectives, and build meaningful international networks.

The programme explored the opportunities, challenges, and ethical implications of artificial intelligence across a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, mathematics and physics, health and life sciences, art and design, media and international relations, public administration, law, linguistics, and archaeology.

The programme featured welcome remarks from representatives of both universities, student-led discussions, interdisciplinary breakout sessions, and comparative reflections on AI developments in South Africa and China. Participants examined how AI is transforming research, professional practice, and future career pathways, while also considering the uniquely human skills and capabilities that remain essential in an increasingly AI-enabled world.

Facilitated by postgraduate student leaders from both institutions, the exchange created a vibrant platform for knowledge sharing, cross-cultural learning, and international collaboration. The enthusiastic participation and insightful discussions highlighted the value of global partnerships in preparing the next generation of researchers and leaders to address complex societal challenges. The programme also demonstrated how sustained collaboration between Wits and Zhejiang continues to enrich the academic experience of students from both institutions.

The Zhejiang delegation's visit also included a range of academic and cultural engagements across the Wits campus. These included visits to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, the Wits Library, the Evolutionary Studies Institute, the Origins Centre, and attendance at a public lecture hosted at the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome.

The visit marked the fourth year since the first Zhejiang postgraduate student delegation visited Wits. It also highlights the growing partnership between the two institutions, which has expanded through successive student exchanges. Wits student leaders likewise visited Zhejiang in 2024 and 2025, strengthening academic connections, intercultural understanding, and opportunities for future collaboration. As both universities continue to invest in people-to-people engagement and academic cooperation, the exchange programme stands as a testament to their shared vision of fostering globally connected postgraduate communities and future leaders.

Zhejiang University (ZJU), based in Hangzhou, China, is one of China's leading universities and an internationally recognised research institution.

Wits University is the top-ranked university in Africa in the 2026 Center for World University Rankings (CWUR).