Dear UJ community,

It may be cliché, but I am tempted to remind you of the famous African saying that “if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together”. This is because at the Great University of Johannesburg (UJ), we value collaborations with other universities, nationally and globally. Collaborating with other universities in areas such as research and innovation is vital to achieving greater and more sustainable results and competitiveness.

UJ Hosts Leaders of Universities from across Africa

As part of our efforts to expand our networks and strengthen our global footprint, UJ hosted a delegation of 16 Vice-Chancellors and senior officials from across Africa on Wednesday. Hosted at the request of the Kenyan National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) and the British Council, the event aimed to strengthen university leaders’ capacity to transform their institutions. During their visit, the delegation undertook a site visit to many of our Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) sites, including the UJ’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and our recently launched UniPod. We had the opportunity to showcase the great work that our student entrepreneurs and researchers are doing to develop technology-driven solutions to real-world social and economic challenges. Click here to read more about this.

UJ Convenes National Dialogue Summit with 21 other institutions

Also, this week, UJ took the lead and convened a two-day national dialogue summit with 21 other institutions from around the country about the Extended Curriculum Programmes (ECP). It is the first time in 20 years that the ECPs have been implemented for a summit to discuss policy frameworks and challenges. The summit included robust discussions and presentations, as well as a keynote address from Professor Thandi Lewin, representing the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), perspectives from the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA), and analysis from a ministerial reference group. ECPs are the largest student access and success intervention implemented in South African Higher Education. To read more about this, click here.

UJ selected as a global repository for a major Chinese art archive

In another significant development, UJ has been selected as one of only four universities worldwide and the only one in Africa to serve as a repository for the Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings. The collection is a prestigious scholarly archive donated by Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China. Valued at approximately R2.2 million, the collection comprises 232 volumes, each containing 12,405 reproductions of ancient Chinese paintings, sourced from 263 museums and cultural institutions worldwide. The donation places UJ among a select group of global institutions entrusted with preserving and providing access to one of the most comprehensive compilations of Chinese artistic heritage ever assembled. Once fully catalogued, the volumes will be housed in the Auckland Park Kingsway (APK) Library at UJ’s APK Campus, supporting research, teaching, and interdisciplinary scholarship across the humanities. Click here to read more about this.

Positioning the VR Room within UJ’s Research Ecosystem

The recent launch of the Virtual Reality (VR) Room at the Library is an important moment in the University’s research journey. More than the introduction of new technology, it reflects a shift in how the Library contributes to knowledge creation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation aligned to the University’s Strategic Plan 2035. At its core, the VR Lab is not simply a new facility; it is a research-enabling platform embedded within a growing ecosystem of immersive technologies across the University. From simulation-driven mining research and virtual legal environments to STEM-focused extended reality applications, UJ is steadily building a connected innovation landscape. Within this ecosystem, the Library plays an integrative role, positioning the VR Lab as a shared, accessible point of entry into immersive research infrastructure for all disciplines.  

Honorary Doctorates

As we continue with our Autumn Graduations, we conferred an honorary doctorate on Her Excellency, Monica Geingos, the former First Lady of Namibia and an accomplished lawyer, entrepreneur and globally recognised advocate for health equity. She is amongst the nine exceptional leaders that the University will honour this year, whose work advances human dignity, social justice, and transformative development. These values remain central to the University’s mission as a globally engaged African institution. H.E Geingos was recognised for her exceptional leadership, commitment to health equity, and advocacy for social and economic development across Africa.

In her acceptance speech, she delved into issues that resonate with our University’s transformative agenda and our strategic objective of innovation for societal impact and sustainability. She emphasised the importance of skills development for broadening knowledge and career advancement. To read more about this, click here.

Francois Pienaar: A Symbol of National Unity

Next week on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, UJ will honour Francois Pienaar, whose leadership became a defining symbol of national unity. As captain of the men’s national Springboks during the historic 1995 Rugby World Cup victory, Pienaar embodied reconciliation in action. Beyond the field, he has shaped opportunity through the Make a Difference Leadership Foundation, supporting academically gifted youth, and through the Varsity Cup, which transformed university sport into a powerful development platform. His recognition celebrates leadership that unites performance, purpose and nation-building. For a full list of distinguished individuals to be conferred with honorary doctorates this year, click here.

Empowering Postgraduate Researchers for Global Change

On Wednesday this week, UJ Library and the Postgraduate School jointly hosted the Postgraduate Welcome Day at the Chinua Achebe Auditorium, APK Campus, under the theme Empowering Postgraduate Researchers for Global Impact. The event brought together over 200 new and returning postgraduate students for a full day of inspiration, practical guidance and engagement with the university’s research support ecosystem. The keynote by Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, Prof Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya, set a powerful tone, urging students to pursue research that can influence society, shape policy and uplift communities. Building on this, Prof Penny Govender, Director of Research Capacity Development at the Postgraduate School, highlighted the structured support systems in place to ensure that no student navigates the journey alone.

Celebrating Human Rights Day with the Launch of UJ Internal League

The UJ Sport Division is set to commemorate Human Rights Day by launching the much-anticipated UJ Internal League this Saturday, uniting over 1,000 student-athletes and local learners in a vibrant display of sporting excellence and community spirit. The launch games will include three junior football and netball teams from the UJ Academy in Crosby, whose teachers and governing body have expressed gratitude for inclusion. The launch will also announce Score Beverages as the official hydration partner of the UJ Internal League programme. This event is scheduled to take place at the UJ Stadium and Netball Courts in Westdene. On a slightly different note, I congratulate our Senior Men’s Rugby Team for securing the third consecutive home game victory this past Monday. Today, our Senior Women’s Rugby Team takes on the University of KwaZulu-Natal ladies at 17:00 in the third clash of the FNB Varsity Cup 2026 tournament. I wish the ladies well and urge our UJ community to support the team at the stadium. Click here to read more about this.

Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day!

Join us in celebrating World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) tomorrow, 21 March 2026! Show your support by wearing brightly coloured, mismatched socks as a fun way to raise awareness. This campaign, recognised by the United Nations and the Down Syndrome Association, encourages everyone to embrace diversity and promote inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome. Let’s make a statement together and spread the message of acceptance and understanding!

Celebrating Staff Achievements

Please join me in congratulating Professor Ramnarain on being selected as a NARST Fellow. NARST is one of the biggest global organisations dedicated to improving science education through research. He was one of only five chosen this year. He will be formally recognised for this prestigious achievement at the Awards Recognition Ceremony on 20 April 2026 in the USA. Since its inception in 1928, NARST has promoted research in science education and the communication of knowledge generated by the research. The ultimate goal of NARST is to help all learners achieve science literacy. Well done Prof Ramnarain, we are proud of you!

High Tea with the VC

I have the pleasure to invite you to the next edition of the hybrid High Tea with the VC reading session on Friday, 27 March 2026. As part of our celebration of International Women’s Month, I will be joined by Mmathabo Sukati for a discussion of her book, The Child Bride: From Captive to Courageous: A Girl’s Fight to Rewrite Her Destiny. In this powerful memoir, Sukati shares her journey from child marriage and hardship to reclaiming her life through education and resilience. Today, she is a Chartered Accountant, MBA graduate, corporate executive, and a UJ Council member who has turned her story into one of courage and empowerment. As usual, we will meet at the UJ Library, Chinua Achebe Auditorium, Level 6, at our Auckland Kingsway Campus (APK) at 14h00. For in-person attendance, click here. Let us celebrate resilience, hope, and the power of rewriting one’s destiny.

First Semester VC Campus Engagements

I thank all our staff members from the Doornfontein Campus (DFC) who attended the VC Campus Engagements on Monday. Unfortunately, we had to cancel the event at the Soweto Campus (SWC) yesterday due to scheduling constraints. If there are any specific issues you would like addressed or any questions you would like answered, please send them to bernicem@uj.ac.za.

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.