University of Glasgow Connect

A Dean based in Africa: Redefining global engagement through trust and equity

While international engagement is often driven from the UK outward, the University of Glasgow is reshaping that model, starting with where our leadership sits. Following decades of meaningful collaboration across Africa, Glasgow recently appointed a new Dean for Global Engagement (Africa) based not in the UK, but in Malawi.

This move reflects how we see our role in global higher education: not as a distant collaborator, but as an embedded, values-driven partner. Dr Mwapatsa Mipando brings with him deep academic expertise, long-standing relationships with African institutions, and a shared belief in the power of equitable collaboration.

We sat down with him to explore what this appointment means for the region, what it says about the University’s approach to global engagement, and why he believes this model will drive impact.

You’re a physiologist by background. What drew you toward institutional partnership work?
I’ve always seen research as only part of the equation. I’m passionate about building capacity and creating symbiotic partnerships between north-south/south-south institutions. In my previous role in Malawi, I worked closely with the University of Glasgow on projects that weren’t just impactful academically—they made a difference on the ground and were easy to sustain. For example, we were able to help set up laboratory infrastructure that’s comparable to what you’d find in the UK. That’s the kind of change that lasts and serves as an exemplar.

Unlike some of your counterparts, you’re based in Africa rather than at the University’s Glasgow campus. Why does that matter?
It matters because proximity builds understanding and sustainability. I know the institutions, the systems, the challenges. I’ve worked within them. That kind of contextual awareness can’t be substituted. It also makes practical sense: it’s far easier and more sustainable for me to travel around the region than for someone to be flown in from the UK each time. But more than that, this sends a message that the University genuinely values and trusts its partners, not just as collaborators, but as leaders. By being in Africa, I remain embedded and able to incorporate changes in the work I do.

What kind of response have you had to the appointment, from both Africa- and UK-based colleagues?
It’s been overwhelmingly positive. For colleagues in Africa, it’s felt like a recognition of the value they bring and a sign that this is a university that listens and invests in long-term relationships. They are viewing me as a link that universities in the South can relate to easily. For colleagues in the UK, it’s been inspiring too. There’s a real appetite to engage more deeply and strategically with the region.

What’s been one of your first priorities in the role?
Last month, I supported a University-wide workshop focused on collaboration in Africa. We brought together over 40 academics and professional service colleagues from across disciplines to map existing activity, share best practice and start shaping a regional strategy. That cross-disciplinary, institution-wide approach is crucial if we want to do this work with integrity, equity, accountability and impact. Furthermore, this is crucial for increasing visibility of our world-changing partnerships and collaborations.

What do you think this appointment says about the University’s approach to global engagement more broadly?
It reflects a real commitment to doing things differently. This wasn’t just about filling a post—it was a deliberate decision rooted in trust, equity, and sustainability. The University had a long-standing relationship with me and the region and recognised that this step would not only strengthen our existing work but send a strong signal to other partners. It says: we’re in this for the long haul, we listen, and we’re willing to lead by example.

What do you hope others take away from this model?
I hope it challenges people to think differently. Too often, partnerships are one-sided or led from afar in what others have termed “helicopter science”. But if we truly believe in redressing global imbalances and creating lasting change, then we must trust one another, invest in one another, and create models that reflect those values. I hope our African partners see this as a meaningful commitment. And I hope institutions around the world see it as a signal of leadership, one that they too can follow.

This appointment represents more than a title change—it reflects a different way of working: one rooted in mutual respect, sustainability, and long-term impact. If you're interested in exploring partnership opportunities across Africa, or would like to learn more about our approach, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact the International team: international-partners@glasgow.ac.uk.