Dear UJ community,
After a short mid-semester recess, which coincided with the Easter long weekend, our students and academic staff returned to campus on Tuesday. Although it was a short break, I hope you found some time to rest and have returned refreshed and re-energised for the remainder of the semester and beyond.
A season of harvest in abundance
During recess, mainstream and social media were abuzz with stories featuring our announcement to confer an honorary doctorate on Mr Pitso Mosimane, one of the most decorated football coaches, in July. Also featured prominently in the media were some of our exceptional graduates, notably Dr Khensani Xivuri, who became the first black woman to earn a PhD in Applied Data Science at UJ. In fact, I have been informed that her story garnered a record traffic on our UJ website, with more than 200 000 users reading it in just one week!
During this graduation season, UJ became the first South African university to award degrees to nine art therapists, graduating with Masters in Art Therapy in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA). These pioneering individuals were conferred their degrees yesterday, marking a significant milestone in South Africa’s mental health and therapeutic practices. This is testimony that UJ stands at the forefront of formalised art therapy training within South Africa, offering the nation’s inaugural and sole programme of its kind.
Also, at yesterday’s graduation ceremony, we conferred an honorary doctorate to Ms Nonkululeko Gobodo, the first black female chartered accountant in South Africa. Ms Gobodo is also the founding member and Executive Chairman of the accounting firm SizweNtsalubaGobodo, now SNG Grant Thornton. During her acceptance speech, she mentioned the importance of ensuring that one defines a vision for yourself, and then follow through with hard work to ensure that you achieve what you set out to achieve. This is sound advice from a South African trailblazer.
Later this month, we will confer honorary doctorates on Prof Raphael Kaplinsky, a former student activist and an exceptional academic with expertise and Prof Huang Wei, a distinguished scholar and scientist.
Reimagining Africa with Thebe Ikalafeng (Honorary Doctorate)
On a different note, distinguished brand and marketing icon Thebe Ikalafeng, delivered his debut public lecture as an Honorary Doctorate. In his hybrid lecture, Thebe Ikalafeng delved into the critical theme of crafting a sustainable and prosperous future for Africa within the global landscape. It was such an inspirational lecture that gave a fresh perspective on Africa’s developmental path.
UJ student leadership
We officially inaugurated the newly elected UJ Student Representative Council (SRC) this week. This event highlights the essential role of student leadership and students’ involvement in championing student interests and shaping the campus community. Again, I congratulate the new leadership on their election and wish them the best as they embark on their journey of service to our students in their academic year.
UJ Community Engagement Day
Today, the Community Engagement unit within University Relations, in collaboration with faculties, divisions, and community-based organisations, is hosting the second UJ Community Engagement (UJCE) Day. The event, to be held in front of the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus Student Centre, aims to raise awareness about our University’s impactful work in communities. The venue will be transformed into a vibrant scene teeming with exhibition stalls showcasing our innovative products or services by our various faculties and departments as well as external stakeholders.
The event provides an excellent knowledge-sharing and networking opportunity on how to contribute to building sustainable projects for the betterment of the community and society in general. This is also an opportunity to connect with project leaders and learn how you can play your part in community engagement projects or even start one. I hope to see you all there.
Notes of congratulations
Universitas 21 (U21) Internationalisation Award
Please join me in congratulating Professor Kammila Naidoo (Executive Dean: Faculty of Humanities), who has been awarded the Universitas 21 (U21) Internationalisation Award. The U21 Awards are designed to celebrate the achievements of individuals or teams at U21 member institutions whose work has crossed borders and furthered the network’s principles of internationalisation. Prof Naidoo embodies the values of being a global scholar by developing links across the globe between academia, government, business and NGOs to address some of the world’s foremost challenges. She is widely published in gender relations, family, violence against women, poverty, and inequality.
Literary Arts
It was also with immense pride that I learnt that Mandla Radebe (Associate Professor in the Department of Strategic Communication and Director of the Centre for Data and Digital Communications) clinched the top accolade in the Literary Works Category for an Outstanding Non-Fiction Award at the inaugural Cultural and Creative Industry (CCI)Awards. He was awarded the esteemed prize for his remarkable book titled The Lost Prince of the ANC: The Life and Times of Jabulani Nobleman ‘Mzala’ Nxumalo.
Still, on literary matters, I am thrilled to announce that our former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, and I have collaborated on a book about Artificial Intelligence and the Law. The book is due to be published soon by Palgrave Macmillan. Stay tuned for more updates on the release date and how to get your hands on a copy.
High Tea with the VC
I invite you to the next High Tea with the VC book discussion on Friday, 19 April 2024, when we will discuss the book, Servings of Self-Mastery: Bite-sized Pep Talks to Unlock Greatness by Dr Alistair Mokoena. Dr Mokoena is Google’s Country Director in South Africa and was named South Africa’s Best Advertising and Marketing Leader by the Global Brand Awards.
He is an Extraordinary Professor of Practice in Digital Marketing and Technology at the North-West University Business School and a member of the Council at the University of Johannesburg. We will meet at the UJ Library, Chinua Achebe Auditorium, Level 6, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus (APK), at the usual time of 14h00 (CAT). For virtual attendance, click here.
Importance of mental and physical well-being
Lastly, on a sombre note, we lost two of our students during the past week. As a University community, we mourn their loss; the loss of a young life is especially tragic and leaves very deep scars within our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these two students. I want to encourage and, in fact, implore, persons to reach out to PsyCaD and/or our Centre for Student Health and Wellness for any assistance. The 24-hour number is 082 054 1137.
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.
