Dear UJ Community,
We have had a challenging but exciting year filled with successes and achievements. Twenty-twenty-four marked the second year in my current role, and together with the University’s Executive Leadership, I was unambiguous about our plans: consolidate the progress made in my first year and the previous years, spur innovation and commit to societal impact. We have been unflinching in our resolve to take this great University to new heights.
It is, therefore, only fitting that we are ending the year on a high, with the latest university ranking results reaffirming our quest to be the best University in South Africa and on the African continent. It is gratifying to see the latest 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings now rating UJ in the number 1 position in the region. Considering that only a handful of countries are not grouped under the Sub-Saharan region, the rankings mean that UJ is now the number 1 University in Africa. These rankings are significant because they measure performance in teaching, research and societal impact.
Of course, we have excelled in these areas and continue to exceed expectations. You only have to look at some of the societal impact and sustainability projects we launched this year. From the UJ for Societal Impact Project in Limpopo to the sustainable mining projects at our Doornfontein Campus that we launched in partnership with Sibanye-Stillwater, the list goes on… All these are innovations for societal impact and sustainability projects in the truest sense of the word, underlying our commitment to using research and innovation for social transformation.
This is just one of the many reasons that we keep climbing the world rankings. As recently as October this year, the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings rated UJ among the only five universities from 14 in South Africa that retained their positions within the Top 500 institutions worldwide. Earlier in August, we were the only University in South Africa that improved our position in the Academic Rankings of World Universities (ARWU), otherwise known as the Shanghai Ranking. All these rankings show that we are indeed on the right path, living up to our slogan of an international University of choice anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future.
As we bid goodbye to another successful year, we also look ahead to the future with even more vigour and excitement. In October, in another milestone, we launched the UJ Strategy 2035. This is an ambitious roadmap to navigate the future of education while deepening its societal impact. Now, more than ever, UJ’s future looks to burn even brighter!
Our successes are often reflected in the achievements of our staff and students, who continue to win accolades across their various fields of expertise. Whether in teaching, research, innovation, sport or culture, they continue to push boundaries in the pursuit of excellence. As recently as this week, two of our academics were named winners in the National University Teaching Awards (NUTA), a higher education version of the Basic Education Department’s National Teachers Awards. Professor Thembisa Waetjen, a distinguished scholar in the Department of Historical Studies, within the Faculty of Humanities, and Dr Fatima Ismail, Head of UJ’s Chiropractic Department in the Faculty of Health Sciences, bagged the awards at a ceremony held in Cape Town.
The Awards recognise university educators who can provide inspiration and leadership in teaching and learning in their disciplines across and beyond the institution, among other contributions in higher education. Academics and teaching and learning specialists from all 26 higher education institutions in South Africa were invited to submit teaching portfolios either as individuals or from teaching collaboration teams. More than 60 submissions were received, with 22 shortlisted and 12 interviewed. UJ was the only university that received two mentions out of five academics recognised. Both academics had previously received the University’s 2023 Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Award for Teaching Excellence, a testament to their dedication to advancing innovative and impactful teaching practices.
This is just one of the many achievements of our staff, signifying the good work across academia, sport and culture and other areas. Who among us would not recognise the growing popularity of the UJ Choir for instance? What with our UJ Art Centre setting the trend with some of its captivating artistic work that succinctly captures and explores the rich cultural tapestry that defines our country’s landscape?
This demonstrates that when we work collectively, united in purpose, and focused, we can achieve more! I would like to say a very big thank you to each one of you—your hard work and dedication are appreciated! In advance, I wish you a safe and joyous festive season and a happy new year. I urge those of you who will be travelling to be cautious on the roads. Till we meet again, take care!
You can watch this message below:
Ke a leboha, ngiyabonga, thank you, baie dankie!
