The University of Johannesburg (UJ) celebrated its thriving industry partnerships at a recent event hosted by Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi. The event held on Tuesday, 07 May 2024 highlighted how collaboration fuels student success and drives South Africa’s transformation and economic growth.
Keynote speakers, Dr. Amuzweni Ngoma (Director, Gauteng City Region Academy) and Ms. Vuyo Mwase (Chief Executive, Energy Mobility Education Trust), showcased the impact of their partnerships with UJ. These partnerships provide bursaries and training programs, equipping young people with critical skills for the future workforce.
“Our partnership with UJ allows us to develop vital skills in young people,” said Dr. Ngoma, citing their collaboration on the Building Inspector Programme that has already benefitted 800 individuals.
Over the past six years, UJ’s partnership with EMET has transformed the lives of over 3,000 individuals. Ms. Mwase emphasised, “We support students throughout their academic journey, empowering them to become successful professionals.”
Professor Mpedi underscored the transformative power of education, emphasising that access and excellence go hand-in-hand. He highlighted UJ’s 19-year history of forging strategic partnerships to achieve this goal.
“Many of our students are first-generation graduates, just like myself,” shared Prof. Mpedi. “We are committed to helping them achieve their dreams.”
He elaborated on UJ’s remarkable journey, including achieving the prestigious Institution of Global Excellence and World Class Stature (GES) designation. He also highlighted initiatives such as supporting over 5,000 “Missing Middle” students with registration fees, impressive university ranking advancements, and a focus on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) with a societal impact lens, exemplified by Project Connect in Limpopo.
“UJ is a success story, and our impact extends beyond the university walls,” declared Prof. Mpedi. “We are actively shaping society, economies, and industries as we navigate the 4IR era.”
Professor Mpedi emphasised the importance of industry partnerships and collaborative approaches. He expressed UJ’s commitment to maintaining its world-class research excellence and using 4IR for positive societal impact and human capital development.
He concluded by encouraging all partners to contribute, stating, “Universities with great visions often lack support. We wouldn’t be here without our partners. We value both financial and mentorship contributions.”
