Vice-Chancellor Message – 01 November 2024
Dear UJ community,
A critical area where our University has excelled in over the last few years is our research output, and how this has contributed to solving societal problems and enriching people’s lives. Our quality, impactful research has helped us achieve our objective of becoming a scientifically strong, multidisciplinary university offering some of the highly sought-after academic programmes and qualifications. As you would know, UJ now ranks among the leading institutions of higher education in South Africa and on the African continent, according to various global university rankings.
I am thrilled to announce that the University of Johannesburg (UJ) researchers will be part of the science team taking part in the Relief Voyage to Antarctica this December. UJ geologists will be conducting fieldwork in the Antarctic after an absence of five years. This has been made possible by an NRF-SANAP (National Research Foundation South African National Antarctic Programme) grant awarded to Dr Herman van Niekerk (Senior Lecturer: Department of Geology) and co-researchers, Prof Marlina Elburg and Prof Geoff Grantham, in the Geology Department.
The SA Agulhas II, the South African research/survey (R/S) polar vessel and ride to the Ice Continent, will depart from Cape Town harbour on 5 December 2024 and return mid-February 2025. Once the SA Agulhas II reaches the Ice Shelf, the team will travel by snowmobile and live in tents while conducting field research. I wish our UJ team all the best for this demanding but exciting expedition.
From Africa by Bus to China by TrainStill on expedition matters, our Africa by Bus programme has, over the years, taken students and staff to various countries across Africa to explore the beautiful scenery, historical locations and heritage sites on the continent as part of their academic activities. We have partnered with sister institutions in Africa and across the globe to forge new collaborations and understanding of the historical importance of countries among our students and researchers for the wonderful and awe-inspiring world that is ours. UJ staff and students visited Beijing, China in the newest expedition last week.
The highlights of the visit were climbing the Great Wall of China and traversing Tiananmen Square, the site of a series of protests and demonstrations in 1989 that culminated with a government crackdown on the demonstrators and visiting the Forbidden City, popularly known as the political and ritual centre of China. Our Africa by Bus programme is soaring to new heights in its latest iteration through our China by Train programme running for the first time in November this year. Watch this space for more pleasant surprises!
This week, the UJ Division for Global Engagement, in collaboration with our Community Engagement (UJCE) unit within University Relations, hosted Katie Shumway and Sam Smith from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for a staff exchange programme. The programme seeks to foster collaboration and exchange of ideas and encourage the development of cross-cultural perspectives in community engagement. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign delegation experienced UJ’s community-organised outreach projects and community-based organisations.
This included visits to the Boys and Girls Clubs South Africa in Vrededorp, TAB-Julies Pre Primary School and Winnie Mabaso Foundation in Soweto, where UJ has a variety of educational and food security. I congratulate the UJCE under the leadership of Professor Bongani Ngqulunga and look forward to such global engagements in community outreach exchange programmes.
Participation in the Kgalema Motlanthe FoundationEarlier this week, I was honoured to participate in a session at the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation inclusive growth forum. I delivered an address on Calibrating higher education outcomes to meet the country’s priority needs. Reflecting on the past two decades, I highlighted the role of universities in driving modernisation, transformation, and innovation in South Africa. I explored how educational reform is essential to address skills mismatches, technological changes, and sustainability for better economic and social outcomes.
Key takeaways from the session included prioritising industry-specific foundational and technical skills, continuously renewing curricula to tackle sustainability and complex problem-solving, and promoting flexible pathways to support lifelong learning and improving student performance and success across institutions. It was a pleasure to engage with my counterparts from Wits University (Professor Zeblon VilakaziI) and Central University of Technology (Prof Pamela Dube).
UJ hosts African Liberation Heritage IndabaAlso this week, the UJ Department of Politics and International Relations, in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Museum, hosted the third annual African Liberation Heritage Indaba. The three-day event was held under the theme 30 Years of Freedom: What Have Become of Heritage Assets and Repatriation in South Africa, specifically focusing on preserving heritage assets and their repatriation. The event attracted people from all walks of life, including academics, government officials and students. The robust discussions covered of various topics, including the ownership of heritage assets, the repatriation of heritage assets abroad and the state of museums, to name a few. I thank Prof Mcebisi Ndletyana from our Department of Politics and his colleagues for hosting such a successful event.
We recently concluded our 2024 Summer Graduations, highlighting another successful year for our great University. During this graduation season, we also welcomed Prince Maqhawe Sigcawu, the eldest son of AmaXhosa King Vulikhaya kaZolilizwe Sigcaw, among the growing list of UJ alumni. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Management and Governance. Prince Maqhawe’s graduation symbolises more than a royal accomplishment; it is a testament to perseverance, personal growth, and the transformative power of education.
Celebrating more student achievementsI also congratulate two exceptional PhD students from the Research Capacity Development (RCD) Unit at our Postgraduate School, Mosa Khasu and Refilwe Chilo, who showcased their research prowess at the prestigious 2024 National Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. The event was held at the University of Free State last Friday. UJ students impressed the judges with their compelling presentations and ability to communicate their research to a diverse audience effectively. A special commendation goes to Refilwe, whose outstanding performance earned a well-deserved third-place award in the national competition.
I further congratulate Odifentse Lehasa, who has been crowned the regional winner of the prestigious 2024 Southern African-Nordic Centre (SANORD) Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. Odifentse’s captivating presentation on “Computational fragment-based design of small molecules for hypertension treatment aided by Artificial Intelligence” impressed judges and showcased the groundbreaking research at UJ. The competition brings together talented PhD candidates from universities across Southern Africa and the Nordic countries, fostering research collaboration and knowledge exchange on an international stage. As this year’s Regional Winner, Odifentse will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the SANORD Conference at the University of the Western Cape. Well done!
Influencing through thought leadershipLastly, to read my latest article titled Water Scarcity: Looming Global Crisis With A Focus On Africa which appeared on Forbes Africa, click here. In it, I highlight the fact that there are significant disparities in access to water, with Africa being the continent that is disproportionately impacted. I also argue that we must change our approach to managing this precious and vital resource.
Ke a leboha, ngiyabonga, thank you, baie dankie!
Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi: Vice-Chancellor and Principal
Times mentioned in this newsletter refer to the South African time zone.
