[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has recognised the outstanding contributions of the University’s leaders in teaching, research, innovation, and service at the 2022 Vice-Chancellor Distinguished Awards, on Wednesday evening, 16 November 2022, following their outstanding performances for the year.

The hybrid ceremony was held at the Auckland Park campus and live-streamed on YouTube.

Nine academics and two support services staff received the Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Awards. The annual awards acknowledge the quality of innovation and excellence in education.

This year’s ceremony marks the last year that UJ’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tshilidzi Marwala will host the awards. Prof Marwala reflected on this:

“As I readied myself for this evening, a sombre feeling crept over me. This is my last VC Awards. As recent weeks have been accompanied by many lasts at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), it has given me pause to reflect on what a remarkable institution this. This is no accident. As these awards demonstrate, UJ’s achievements and stature is deliberate and purposeful,” he said.

Prof Marwala added that the culture of excellence at the university has made it that much harder to select academics that had performed over and above expectations.

“UJ is the personification of excellence at every tier and your achievements and successes continue to demonstrate this. I must add that every year, it becomes increasingly difficult to narrow down the awardees – this culture seems to have gripped much of the University and indeed, has seen us soar to new heights in recent years,” he said.

He added that he would remain one of UJ’s cheerleaders and congratulated awardees.

“Well done to you all! May the feats described tonight embolden you and inspire you to reach new heights. I am certain that from my desk in Tokyo, Japan next year, I will be cheering loudly at the news of greater success for UJ,” Prof Marwala concluded.

See the full list of award recipients below:

MOST PROMISING YOUNG TEACHER OF THE YEAR:

• Dr Dean van der Merwe – Faculty of Education
• Dr Oliver Takawira – College of Business and Economics

TEACHER EXCELLENCE:

• Prof Andy Carolin – Faculty of Education
• Prof David Paton – Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture

MOST PROMISING YOUNG RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR:

• Dr Ndzondelelo Bingwa – Faculty of Science

OUTSTANDING RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR:

• Prof Nicolette Houreld – Faculty of Health Sciences

BOOK OF THE YEAR:

• Prof Andy Carolin – Faculty of Education

HIGHEST CITED RESEARCHER:

• Prof Mika Sillanpää

GLOBAL EXCELLENCE AND STATURE 4.0:

• Prof Kakha Shengelia

SERVICE BEYOND THE NORMAL CALL OF DUTY

• Dr Nelia Frade – Division for Teaching Excellence, Centre for Academic Staff Development

• Mr Louis Fourie – Central Academic Administration
• Mr Lawrie Ndlovu – Madibeng Restaurant

Watch the full ceremony here:

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