Southern University's Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences to forge relationships with South African Government

The newly formed program creates international opportunities for students and faculty

Baton Rouge, LA - Southern University's newly formed Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences will introduce a new curriculum, programs, and international opportunities this summer. Previously known as the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, the school was upgraded at the beginning of 2017, and it is the only college of government in the state. "Our goal is to become more expansive and create additional opportunities for our student body and faculty," said Damien Ejigiri, dean of the Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences. "The curriculum now extends beyond foreign government relationships and presents recruitment and academic connections with African countries." Dean Ejigiri has established a relationship with the South African Ambassador to the United States, Mninwa J. Mahlangu, who has openly declared the forging of a connection between the College and South African government. The South African diplomat rededicated the college on behalf of the late Nelson Mandela on the campus of Southern University in May. After the ceremony, Mahlangu and Ejigiri discussed leading efforts to establish exchange programs and training opportunities within multiple South African universities. The relationship will also connect the college to South African companies to establish recruitment efforts for graduates. Furthermore, faculty will be encouraged to visit the country to discuss best practices and further develop valuable connections. "The mission of the College is to attract and educate men and women from across the globe who will matriculate with the spirit of service, superb competence and employability skills needed in the market, and who further will acquire the uncompromising spirit to fight for justice and equality," said Jocelyn Freeman, Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences professor. In addition to international opportunities, the new curriculum will have a stronger emphasis on government issues and relationships within the state and southern region.   The college has also formed a partnership with the Southern University College of Business to introduce a new Ph.D. program with a concentration in finance and business. Students from the College of Business will also be able to earn dual degrees from the Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences. For more information, please visit www.subr.edu.