Dear UJ community,
Over the last few years, our University has demonstrated its standing among the top-achieving and fastest-growing institutions of higher learning in South Africa and worldwide. In the latest significant development, UJ has been ranked the country’s leading producer of research output for the second consecutive year. This is according to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) ‘s sector Report on the Evaluation of the 2022 Universities’ Research Output, released on Wednesday, 6 March 2024.
Developing the next generation of academics
UJ generated 3143.7 units in these research outputs, surpassing the runner-up, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, which produced 2,562.7 units. The units awarded are in terms of publications produced in 2022 and include journal articles, scholarly books, book chapters and published conference proceedings. As Professor Sarah Gravett (Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation) aptly put it, this achievement is testimony to our strategies for the development of the next generation of academics and ensures that UJ continues to excel well into the future. Congratulations to our academics, researchers, and everyone who contributed to this achievement. Well done!
Special recognition for UJ
Our University recently received a recognition award at the 2024 Achieving the Dream (ATD) Conference in Orlando, Florida, USA. ATD presented UJ with a special 20th-anniversary award at DREAM: the Siyaphumelela Network Award. The Siyaphumelela Network Award celebrates the work of South African partner institutions in advancing equity and driving student-centred transformation.
Funded by the Kresge Foundation, Siyaphumelela – a network of South African universities committed to student success – was created in 2014. It has since grown from five to 17 universities with increasing participation in ATD. ATD’s partnership with Siyaphumelela has unceasingly flourished over time, and Siyaphumelela has continued to send representatives to DREAM each year.
Mpedi Family Launches Neurodiversity Scholarship.
This week was momentous for me, at least from a personal and professional perspective. In a groundbreaking initiative, my family and I launched the Mpedi Neurodiversity Scholarship to assist students pursuing Master’s Degrees (by research), with a focus on neurodevelopmental learning needs of children and youth. This signifies our commitment to fostering inclusive research in arguably the most neglected areas of studies. The scholarship aims to facilitate meaningful research that contributes to a more inclusive and understanding society. It reflects the University’s dedication to attracting and nurturing talent from diverse backgrounds. I share my insights into this subject in my latest article in the Daily Maverick. You may also watch the event below:
The Transnet Phelophepa Healthcare Train
Our Optometry students in the Faculty of Health Sciences are part of the Transnet Phelophepa Healthcare Train, a project that services communities in the rural heartland of South Africa. Communities have their eyes tested, diagnosed for problems and signs of eye disease, and are fitted with spectacles tooled by hand in the on-board workshop. About 80 third and fourth year UJ students are currently involved in a two-week rotations per year.
Over two weeks, the students treat over 2000 patients, gaining valuable practical experience in real-world settings and enhancing their clinical skills and understanding of patient care. This prepares them for successful careers in the field. The Phelophepa services 70 stations across all 9 provinces over 35 weeks annually. This is another shining example of the societal impact of UJ.
Safety around our campus precincts
I wish to reiterate my concern about the safety and security around our campuses. As communicated, one of our students, 18-year-old David Nkosingiphile Nxumalo, died last week when a bus he and other students were travelling in was caught in the crossfire during a shooting incident in Braamfontein last week. Another student, Dimpho Mosi (also 18) is recovering in hospital after sustaining wounds. Earlier this week, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation visited our University to express his condolences and support.
As the Minister said, violence in society is also affecting the violence in our universities, which challenges us to intensify the struggle against the scourge. In line with its policy, the University has been supporting the families of the two students by contributing to covering the costs they may have incurred. I again express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family. I also wish Dimpho a speedy recovery.
2024 First Semester Campus Engagements
I wish to thank our colleagues who attended the 2024 first in the series of first semester VC Campus Engagement events at the Soweto and Doornfontein campuses. The last of these events will be at the Auckland Park Kingsway (APK) campus on Tuesday, 19 March 2024, at the UJ Sanlam Auditorium. I will again briefly discuss our University’s Strategic Plan 2035, a blueprint document to chart our future. Please be there so you do not miss this! We will meet at the usual time of 12:00 to 13:30. If there are any specific issues you would like to have addressed or have a question for me, please send these to bernicem@uj.ac.za.
Notes of congratulations
Please join me in congratulating Professor Megersa Olumana Dinka, a distinguished expert and Head of the Department: Civil Engineering Science, on his professorial inauguration this week. Prof Dinka’s address, titled Lake Water Balance Modelling, explored his journey and significant contributions to the water engineering profession, which propelled him to become a successful academician and researcher.
I also congratulate our University General Counsel, Mr Dries Pretorius who has listed on the Legal 500 General Counsel Powerlist in South Africa. To be named on this list is an outstanding achievement as it recognises exceptional legal talent and influential legal minds that define the bustling business landscape of this dynamic profession. Well done, Mr. Pretorius!
Lastly, I congratulate Dr Stella Bvuma, Director School of Consumer Intelligence and Information Systems (SCiiS), who has added another cap to her leadership crown. Cabinet has, in recognition of her excellence leadership, appointed her to the SA Tourism Board. Cabinet announced this appointment following its meeting on 28 February 2024. We wish you all the best in your new role, thanks for hoisting the UJ flag higher!
High Tea with the VC
Finally, I thank everyone who attended the High Tea with the VC event last week, when we discussed my book, From the Baobab to the Mosquito: Rethinking Leadership Through African Sayings, published last year. It was a fascinating discussion, facilitated by Mr. Thebe Ikalafeng, an award-winning founder of BLG, a multi-disciplinary group at the intersection of strategy, creativity and intellectual property law. To watch, please click here.
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.
