Dr. Farhana Paruk: A Leading Expert in China-Africa Relations and International Education 

Dr. Farhana Paruk is a distinguished academic, researcher, and international relations expert with over 20 years of experience spanning government, private sector, banking, academia, and NGOs. She holds a Ph.D. in International Relations, with her research focusing extensively on China-Africa relations, as well as a second Masters degree a MBA from Buckinghamshire University in the UK. 

Dr. Paruk’s expertise in international diplomacy and China-Africa relations was shaped early in her career during her tenure at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), within the Presidency of South Africa. She worked in the Media and International Relations Department, where she played a pivotal role in shaping South Africa’s global engagements. Over her seven years in the President’s Office, she was actively involved in special projects for the President, working on strategic international initiatives that enhanced South Africa’s diplomatic presence, particularly in relation to China and Africa. 

Her global outlook was further refined during her time as a fellow at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Centre for International Relations, where she deepened her expertise in global diplomacy and China’s expanding role in Africa. She has authored numerous journal articles, co-authored The Forum on China and Africa Cooperation, and contributed to a 2022 publication on BRICS, solidifying her thought leadership in China-Africa engagement.