Dear UJ community,

As the last traces of August’s chill give way to the warmth of September, our campuses continue to be centres of learning, dialogue, and discovery. Every week, new research, events, and initiatives remind us that education is not confined to lecture halls. It is alive in laboratories, conference rooms, cultural exchanges, and community outreach. Our mission at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) goes beyond preparing students for the job market. We are shaping graduates who are adaptable, socially conscious, and ready to contribute meaningfully to a world increasingly interconnected and driven by technology.

UJ’s global recognition on Facebook

Regarding a technology-driven world, I am delighted to share that UJ continues to make its mark on the global digital stage. In the 2025 uniRank Facebook University Ranking, UJ secured 52nd place worldwide, moving up nine spots from last year’s position of 61. This places us firmly in the Top 200 globally and first in South Africa. The ranking evaluates universities on the reach and engagement of their official Facebook pages, and UJ’s impressive following of 751,000 followers and 620,000 likes demonstrates the strength of our online presence.

But this is more than numbers. It reflects how we use digital spaces to connect with prospective students, alumni, staff, and partners across continents. In an age where reputation is shaped as much online as offline, our visibility affirms UJ’s standing as a leading African institution of higher learning. I am grateful to Professor Bongani Ngqulunga and his Communications, Marketing, and Brand team for their dedication to showcasing UJ’s achievements and creating platforms that keep our community connected and inspired. To read more, click here.

Researcher and Supervisor Appreciation Event

This week, I hosted the second Vice-Chancellor’s Researcher and Supervisor Appreciation Event, an occasion dedicated to honouring the scholars and mentors central to UJ’s academic identity. Research is the heartbeat of any university, and at UJ it fuels both teaching and innovation.

Our researchers continue to secure national and international recognition through the National Research Foundation (NRF) ratings, competitive grants, and high-impact publications. Yet behind these successes are countless hours of intellectual labour, resilience in the face of funding challenges, and a commitment to asking the difficult questions that move society forward.

Equally, our supervisors deserve recognition for their mentorship. Many of our graduates attribute their success to the guidance and encouragement of a supervisor who believed in them. This type of leadership is often invisible, but it sustains the pipeline of future scholars and keeps our research enterprise strong. To all our NRF-rated researchers, grant winners, and exceptional supervisors, once again, I thank you for ensuring that UJ is not only part of the global academic conversation but also shaping it. To read more, click here.

Talking about research, in my recent Forbes Africa article, I argued that academia should collaborate more with traditional leadership to co-create solutions rooted in Africa’s realities. By partnering with communities and industry, universities can help address challenges such as inequality, climate change, and unemployment. The Gwakwani Village Project, a UJ–Schneider Electric collaboration that intertwines with cross-faculty research, illustrates how empowering communities through local knowledge can shape sustainable African-led development models. To read the article, click here.

Laser Research and Health Symposium

Another highlight this week was the International Symposium on Advances in Photodynamic Therapy and Photobiomodulation, hosted by our Faculty of Health Sciences. This symposium brought together international and local experts to exchange ideas on how advances in laser research and biophotonics can be translated into clinical solutions. Topics ranged from cancer treatment to regenerative medicine and wound healing, showing the immense potential of these technologies in transforming healthcare.

This event exemplifies the strength of collaboration between UJ’s researchers and global partners. It also reinforces the role of universities as bridges between science and society, where laboratory breakthroughs can be developed into treatments that save lives. I commend Professor Annie Temane (Executive Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences) and Professor Heidi Abrahamse (Director of the Laser Research Centre) for their leadership in advancing this vital work, which places UJ at the centre of cutting-edge health sciences research. To read the article, click here.

Mining Summit 2025

Today, as part of our 20th anniversary celebrations and in recognition of the 100-year legacy of our Mining School, we host the Mining Summit 2025. Mining has long been a cornerstone of South Africa’s economy, yet it faces a rapidly changing landscape shaped by environmental challenges, community demands, and the need for economic diversification.

The summit brings together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, researchers, and community representatives to address these issues. Panel discussions will explore the development of critical minerals essential for global technologies, the push towards sustainable mining practices, and strategies to empower communities affected by mining activities.

The timing of this summit could not be more relevant. Proposed amendments to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) and the national Exploration Strategy of 2022 call for inclusive growth and responsible resource management. By convening these conversations, UJ demonstrates our capacity to be both a thought leader and a convenor of meaningful partnerships. I congratulate Professor Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya (Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation), Professor Daniel Mashao (Executive Dean: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment) and Professor Hennie Grobler, along with their teams, for positioning UJ as an anchor institution in one of South Africa’s most vital sectors.

Africa by Bus

One of the initiatives close to my heart is the Africa by Bus programme, which continues to expand horizons for our students and staff. This academic travel initiative takes participants to different African countries, combining cultural immersion with educational exploration. Over the years, the programme has visited diverse locations across the continent, exposing students to historical sites, local traditions, and contemporary issues shaping our shared future.

Next week, a group of 40 Education students will set off for Botswana. In the first week of September, another cohort of 40 Civil Engineering students will embark on an expedition to Namibia. They will witness the countries’ natural and cultural beauty and engage with local institutions and communities, deepening their understanding of African heritage and contemporary development challenges. These journeys are transformative. They remind us that Africa is not an abstract concept but a lived reality of vibrant cultures, shared struggles, and immense opportunities. Facilitated by our Global Engagement Division, we are proud to allow our students to experience this firsthand, nurturing a generation that values collaboration and continental unity.

Celebrating Staff and Student Achievements

No newsletter would be complete without acknowledging the achievements of our staff and students. Each award, publication, performance, or recognition contributes to the collective prestige of our University. Beyond accolades, these successes inspire others and demonstrate that excellence is possible in every field of study or practice. To those who have been honoured recently, please accept my heartfelt congratulations.

Reflections on Women’s Month

As we celebrate Women’s Month, I am reminded of the paradox many women face in our society. They are celebrated for their contributions yet still constrained by unequal burdens. Outside the workplace, caregiving responsibilities, unemployment, and, most distressingly, gender-based violence continue to limit women’s professional advancement and full participation in society. In my latest opinion piece, I reflected on how true empowerment requires more than symbolic gestures or representation. It calls for structural change, cultural transformation, and above all the power of education to dismantle cycles of inequality. I believe women must not only be included in this process but lead it, driving the climb toward a more just and equitable future. To read my latest article on this topic, click here.

High Tea with the VC

Finally, a reminder of our upcoming High Tea with the VC Book Discussion on Friday, 29 August 2025. We will engage with The Splendid Tapestry of African Life: Essays on a Resilient Continent, its Diaspora, and the World by Professor Adekeye Adebajo. The discussion will take place at 14h00 in the Chinua Achebe Auditorium, Level 6, UJ Library, APK Campus. I encourage staff and students alike to join us for what promises to be a stimulating conversation about Africa’s past, present, and future.

Ke a leboha, ngiyabonga, thank you, baie dankie!

Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi
Vice-Chancellor and Principal