Professor Dan Banik, who was appointed Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria in November 2022, delivered his inaugural lecture in Pretoria on the 23rd of May. He was welcomed to the University by Vice Principal Professor Loretta Feris and the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Professor Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu, both of whom introduced Professor Banik’s scholarship and contributions in the field of political science and development studies. He was also welcomed to the Albert Luthuli Leadership Institute by Professor Derick de Jongh.
In the public lecture entitled “The Politics of Poverty in a Changing World Order: Challenges, Strategies, and Promising Practices”, Professor Banik explored the complex relationship between poverty and politics and the various political ideologies and policies that affect poverty reduction efforts. The talk also examined the role of national and international actors in a changing global order and highlighted promising practices and what works on the ground.
The lecture, held at the Javett Art Centre, attracted a large audience, including students, scholars, civil society representatives, media persons, government officials, and diplomats. University of Pretoria Vice Chancellor Prof. Tawana Kupe hosted a luncheon in honor of Prof. Banik where the Norwegian ambassador, Mr. Gjermund Sæther and his wife Dr. Lise Albrechtsen, and University of Oslo President, Prof. Svein Stølen, were the guests of honor.
Following the public lecture, Professor Banik attended Africa Week organized by the Future Africa Initiative at the University of Pretoria together with Professor Svein Stølen. Both Prof. Banik and Prof. Stølen were panelists in the plenary sessions and discussed how best to unlock the science-policy-practice interface. They also announced the launch of a Research Cluster of Excellence on the politics of sustainable development under the auspices of The Guild/ARUA networks. In addition to the University of Oslo and University of Pretoria, the cluster includes the University of Nairobi, Addis Ababa University, University of Malawi, UCLouvain, and Utrecht University.
Newly appointed Extraordinary Professor Dan Banik.
From the left: Derick de Jongh, Dan Banik, Loretta Feris, Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu