An Overview

According to the South African sociolinguist Buntu Mfenyana, Ubuntu is the concept that “a person is a person through other people.” The philosophy behind the ISM-Ubuntu Program is about building a melting pot community or platform where knowledge is shared, diversity is celebrated and culture is the bridge between continents, through EDUCATION. ISM-Ubuntu Program also implies the sustainability of traditional cultures and values through innovation, arts and new technologies’ tools. It defines the individual only in terms of his or her relationships with others in the community: “I am; because of you.”

Brochure Dossier de candidature

Ubuntu Activities

Besides the regular in-class courses as developed in the African Abroad
brochure, this program is a unique social and cultural experience for
international students to integrate the West-African economy, learn about it and find concrete solutions to problems encountered. Broadly, the students activities are about:

  • Topics for Inclusive Researches.
  • Fieldworks and Study Trips within Senegal, across 12 ISM-Campuses.
  • Young Professionals Program (YPP) with a monthly allowance (Selective).
  • Learning/Teaching at Africa-Asia Institute (Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese or Korean languages and Culture)
  • Interviews with… African Writers, Poets, Musicians, Economists, etc.

You are eligible if…

  • Your home university has a formal student’s exchange agreement with the Group-ISM
  • You are regularly registered in the home university in Bachelor 3 Program, Semester 1 or 2
  • You are regularly registered in the home University in Master 1 & 2 Program.

5 Zones/Fields of research & Entrepreneurship

Zone 1. DAKAR & GOREE ISLAND

Researches will be about the nature, history and characteristics of Senegalese/Dakar’s economy. It will be about the relative importance of demand and supply dynamics in the tertiary sector (e-money, Islamic banking, transportation, education, etc.), with a focus on fundamentals

Zone 2. PETITE CÔTE & SINE SALOUM

Students will survey the Senegalese historical evolution of tourism  especially in that region (Saly-Portudal, Mbour, Joal, etc.). The research will focus on the major trends and events organized by the local communities, NGOs and authorities, in order to foster ecotourism and other related activities for a real sustainable development of the rural surround areas

Zone 3: CASAMANCE

Students will present the remarkable efforts and advances made by Casamance’s communities from a cultural, life style and sociological perspectives. The economic structure (e.g. the linkages between agriculture and agribusiness opportunities) can be considered with a focus on fundamental goods and foods like rice, vegetables, etc.

Zone 4: WEST-CENTRAL (Thies, Louga, Touba, etc.)

Researchers will explore how eldership, religions and other local values,contribute effectively to the sustainability of a peaceful environment in that region and throughout Senegal more broadly.