As part of the Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit 2026, held at the University of Cape Town, Professor Taylor participated in the Presidents’ Forum. The event brought together higher education leaders from around the world, including some of the University’s partners Xi’an Jiaotong University and Cape Town, allowing leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by universities in a truly global context. While there were some profound differences, leaders agreed that they faced many of the same issues and were able to share their experiences and best practice with one another.

Building international partnerships

Professor Manuel Barcia contributed to a panel session on governance, governments and the future of research collaboration, exploring how universities can foster innovation and research partnerships while protecting academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

Professor Taylor was part of a panel which examined innovative approaches to building partnerships. He argued that to establish a thriving international partnership required trust, mutual respect and shared values. Professor Taylor drew on his own experience of collaboration, emphasising the importance of all members having an equal voice and the need to regularly monitor progress.

One such example of an equitable partnership is the University of Bath’s collaboration with Stellenbosch University. Over a period of 13 years, colleagues at the two universities have worked together in areas of shared research strengths, including sports science, psychology, child trauma, mental health and development studies. During the visit, Professor Taylor met with leaders from Stellenbosch, including the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, to explore opportunities to deepen existing collaboration.

Both Vice-Chancellors recognise the importance of professional services staff in establishing and maintaining partnerships and support the aim for colleagues from professional services’ departments to work closely with academic colleagues to ensure the ongoing success of the collaboration.

Attendance at the Inaugural Forum of the Africa Charter for Transformative Research Collaborations formed the final part of the visit. The University is one the Charter’s signatories which has been co-created by Africa’s major higher education constituencies to drive change through action, knowledge exchange and continuous learning.

Professor Phil Taylor said:

Attending the THE World Academic Summit in South Africa has been a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues from around the world, exchange ideas, and explore how universities can work together to tackle shared challenges. One of the highlights for me was meeting with the Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University, one of the University of Bath's longstanding partners. We share many common priorities and ambitions, and I'm excited about the opportunities to strengthen our existing collaboration and develop new ways of working together in the years ahead.

The Africa Charter embodies many of the aspects that I spoke about during the Summit’s panel session. As someone who has worked closely with Isabella Aboderin at the inception of the Charter a few years ago, I am delighted to see this flourish. At the University of Bath we will continue to draw on the core principles outlined in the Charter.

The visit reinforced the value of building relationships, learning from one another, and working together to create opportunities for our students, staff, and wider communities and that this can only be done successfully when academics and professional services colleagues work hand in hand.