Some 15 years after democracy was established in South Africa, the nation’s Universities have been challenged to demonstrate their visible contributions to the developmental state. Many South African Universities have established strong relationships with Australian Universities. In recongnition of the importance of these relationships, the Australian Government has recently announced a significant increase in the number of scholarships being offered in Africa. By 2015, up to 1000 study awards per year will be available to countries in the region. The program aims to contribute to the long term development needs of Australia's partner countries to promote growth and stability.

In terms of developing opportunities for Australia across the African continent which has a population of 1 billion operating in mixed economies, it is important to strengthen collaborations with the higher education sector, build a network architecture that recognises cultural and socio-economic diversity.

South Africa offers a solid base on which to develop relationships across much of Africa. The South African Government has recognised that skills in general and a broad concept of e-skills are fundamental  to addressing its future and in leveraging itself into a sustainable socio-economic relationship with the rest of the developed and emerging mixed economies in the world. Further it has recognised and established programmes that will prepare the Nation to be an active participant in gaining the advantages that come with a digitally connected economy. To this end it has developed a range of foundational programmes to support this intent which are heavily dependent upon national, continental and international networks of universities.

In this context, a programme of developing a network of Universities that represent the broad socio-economic base of South Africa was commenced in 2009. The network currently involves four Universities

Following a study tour to Australia in December 2009, these Universities have committed to establishing a network model reflecting that of Eidos Australia in order to develop a collaborative approach with the Eidos Australia University network for projects. It is the intention of these four Universities to grow their network to include 8 (eight) Universities in South Africa and four Universities from Southern Africa in its initial establishment year.  It is anticipated that Eidos will rapidly attract a level of Corporate, Government and State Owned Enterprises (SOE’s) to support its endeavours.

Hence, the potential impact of this Eidos South Africa network to leverage credible impact in South Africa, between South Africa and Australia and to spread this impact across Southern Africa.