Dear UJ community,
In another milestone for our University, we launched UJ Digital on Wednesday, an innovation that transforms online education in South Africa. As indicated during the launch ceremony, this launch fulfils a promise I made when I assumed the role of Vice-Chancellor two years ago. It is borne out of, amongst other reasons, the fact that universities in South Africa, like anywhere in the world, face increasing pressure to accommodate a rising number of students. Thousands of aspiring learners who qualify are frustrated and disappointed because of limited university spaces.
UJ Digital aligned to our Strategic Plan 2035 and beyond
What has become evident is that the traditional brick-and-mortar model is no longer sustainable. UJ Digital, an initiative aligned with our Strategic Plan 2035, has enormous potential to become a viable solution to accommodate qualifying students who may be left out. It also positions our University as Africa’s leader in industry-relevant, flexible, and accessible education. It presents a timely solution by providing alternative pathways to higher education through Short Learning Programmes (SLPs) and non-subsidised Whole Programmes (WPs). These programmes, offered in high-demand fields such as communications, business, engineering, health, IT, law, and languages, equip graduates with highly sought-after expertise, enhancing employability and addressing Africa’s critical skills gaps. To read more about this, click here.
UJ celebrates 20 Years with the Unveiling of its Core Values
Today also marks another milestone for our University, as we unveil the UJ core values – Impact, Innovation, Inclusivity, and Integrity. These values reflect our ongoing commitment to Technology for the Future and societal impact and sustainability, echoing our guiding ethos of Our Future. Reimagined. The values, draped across some of our iconic buildings at the Auckland Park Kingsway (APK), serve as our institution’s moral compass, shaping our role in addressing global and African challenges through cutting-edge research, inclusion, and ethical leadership. Coinciding with half a century since the founding of the APK campus in 1975 and UJ’s 20th anniversary, the unveiling of the values also honours UJ’s enduring legacy as a centre for excellence, student activism, and cultural exchange. This is more than a celebration, but our declaration of who we are and what we stand for.
UJ granted Universitas21 (U21) Collaborative Seed Fund Award
UJ is proud to be one of the recipients of the highly competitive Universitas21 (U21) Collaborative Seed Fund Award, announced at the U21 Annual Network Meeting at UC Davis, California, earlier this month. U21 is a diverse, global network that brings together world-leading, research-intensive universities across six continents (Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, South America, and Africa), who share a common belief in the value of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and co-designing solutions to societal challenges. The Collaborative Seed fund was awarded to UJ, the University of Birmingham, and the University of Queensland for the collaborative project titled Inter-professional working within communities and neighbourhoods. The project will facilitate shared learning between member institutions on the opportunities and challenges of working within communities and neighbourhoods. The project’s outcomes will include a collaborative virtual event on the 15th of October 2025 and a workshop at the International Conference of Integrated Care in Birmingham in 2026. If you are interested in participating in these initiatives or would like more information, please contact Dr Christabela Latakgomo from the Department of Social Work at clatakgomo@uj.ac.za or Ms. Fiona Mahlori from the Community Engagement Unit at fionam@uj.ac.za.
Media and Publicity: Influencing through Thought Leadership
This week, I (co-) published two opinion articles, one in the Mail &Guardian and another on Forbes Africa. In the first article, titled Pixels and protection: Strengthening legal frameworks against digital child labour, we highlight the risks of social media, with special focus on the troubling trend of the commodification of childhood. In South Africa, for instance, children are increasingly featured in monetised content, from baby fashion showcases and toy unboxings to preteen dance trends and family video blogs (vlogs). The second article on Forbes Africa, titled Riches or Curses: Africa’s Critical Minerals Dilemma, sheds light on the paradoxical issue of Africa’s abundance of natural resources that have often been to our detriment, leaving countries to contend with little to no economic growth, low GDP and worrying development metrics.
High Tea with the VC
I am pleased to invite you to our High Tea with the VC reading conversation next week, Friday, 30 May 2025. This session will be hosted as part of our Youth Month commemorations. To celebrate the spirit of youth leadership, student voices, and the power of mentorship, Dr Boitumelo Phetla will join us to discuss the anthology, Peer-to-Peer Youth Mentorship, a collection of essays by university students based in South Africa. For in-person attendance, and as usual, we will meet at the UJ Library, Chinua Achebe Auditorium, Level 6, APK Campus, at 14h00 (CAT). For virtual attendance, RSVP here.
Staff Appointment
I wish to congratulate Professor Daneel van Lill on extending his acting appointment as Executive Director: Research and Development until 31 July 2025. With over 30 years of experience in higher education leadership, Prof van Lill has held key UJ roles including founding Director of the UJ School of Tourism and Hospitality, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management (2010–2016), and founding Executive Dean of the College of Business and Economics (2017–2022). In 2024, he achieved an MPhil (Leadership Coaching) with distinction and led the development of the UJ Digital Business Plan, reinforcing UJ’s digital transformation. Prof van Lill is also a full-time professor in the Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, where he mentors and coaches postgraduates, senior academics, and professionals. His temporary appointment supports UJ’s strategic focus on research excellence, leadership development, and digital innovation.
UJ Future Walk 2025
As announced earlier, our university will tomorrow, Saturday, 24 May 2025, host the 6th edition of the fundraising UJ Future Walk at the AW Muller Stadium. This year, the Walk is an official Central Gauteng Athletics race and will feature a 10km run from the Bunting Road to the Kingsway Campus, and back. I challenge all the UJ faculties, divisions and units to register in large numbers to participate. You will attend to your health and wellness goals while assisting our needy students. To register, click here. See you there!
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.
