In November 2021, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed a Cooperation Agreement.

The Deputy-Vice Chancellor: Academic Professor Vivienne Lawack of UWC and Mr. Charles Allan Kwenin: Regional Director for Southern Africa, signed the cooperation agreement, which outlines the exchange of information between UWC and the IOM. 

The agreement touches on activities related to research, academic programs, capacity building, postgraduate student internships, and human resource exchange. Research focus areas aim to:

1. Promote and mutually reinforce the links between migration and development for the benefits of countries of origin and destinations as well as that of migrants themselves. 
2. Work towards well-managed labour migration that benefit migrant workers and employers, as well as the sustainable development of countries of origin and destination
3. Build the capacity of vulnerable communities to demonstrate enhanced coping mechanisms and resilience towards the environment-related and climate-induced  change 
4. Facilitate intraregional and interregional cooperation and coordination in migration governance among Member States and RECs
5. Enhance regional and multilateral cooperation for the facilitation of mobility in alignment with the Southern African and continental integrative agenda, the Global Compact for Migration and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.