Dear UJ community,
It gives me great pleasure to welcome our new and returning students to the 2026 Academic Year. To our new students, congratulations on being admitted to the great University of Johannesburg!
A Vibrant Orange Army Community
We are delighted that you chose UJ and are now part of its family and vibrant Orange Army. At UJ, we admit students based on merit. We do not consider who you are and where you come from. Each of you should therefore be proud to join a select group of just over 11,000 students, selected from more than 450,000 individual applicants and 870,000+ applications. Congratulations once again on this incredible achievement.
As a Vice-Chancellor and Principal of this great university, I wish to assure you that you have made the right choice by undertaking this important chapter of your academic journey and life here. You join a class of incredible achievers from the length and breadth of this country, from other parts of the African continent and from various corners of the world. I encourage you to take advantage of being a member of this diverse community. Make it your mission to learn more about the different cultures and backgrounds of your fellow students. This will not make your time here at UJ enriching and interesting; it will also prepare you for life after university.
Internationally Recognised Academic Programmes
Our university offers world-class education across a range of disciplines. The quality of education we offer is frequently recognised globally. The recent Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject is a testament to this. In its report, Times Higher Education ranks UJ number one in South Africa in Computer Science, Engineering, Physical Sciences, Business, and Economics. UJ also ranks highly in other subjects across all faculties. Our university is also ranked number one in Africa among the universities established less than 50 years ago! We are also ranked number 1 for societal impact!
Global Footprint and Pan-African Initiatives
The greatness of our university is also evident in the academic experience and services we offer. We are the only University on the African continent that offers a course on artificial intelligence (AI) to all its students. In an age of rapid technological change, where AI is transforming the world as we know it, every student should understand the fundamentals of this technology. We also offer a module that introduces students to the history, cultures, politics, and economics of the African continent. Our continent will be shaped by young leaders who understand its past and present and are determined to contribute to its future. In this regard, every year, the UJ’s Africa-by-Bus programme transports thousands of UJ students to several countries on the continent to meet students from other universities, learn about the cultures of those countries, and get involved in community service to uplift the host communities.
World-class Facilities and Infrastructure
We provide world-class facilities across our four campuses in Auckland Park, Kingsway, Bunting Road, Doornfontein, and Soweto. These include smart classrooms, robust ICT infrastructure, and world-class libraries and laboratories. Our university also offers an extensive network of academic support, including tutors, laboratory assistants, mentors, and Residence Academic Advisors for students living on campus. We encourage you to take advantage of these facilities to enrich your academic experience here at UJ!
Outside the classroom, we offer world-class sports and recreational facilities that enable our students to lead active, healthy lifestyles. Some of our student-athletes have been selected to participate in national and international sporting events, including the Olympics. I encourage all of you to participate actively in the university’s vibrant student life.
Student and Staff Wellness
Should you feel unwell, don’t hesitate to visit the Centre for Student Health and Wellness and our clinics. Our professional staff is eager to help you. We also have the Centre for Psychological Services and Career Development, otherwise known as PsyCaD, which offers free psychological support services. Remember that every little thing that matters to you matters to us too. For more information on our facilities and world-class infrastructure, visit our website at www.uj.ac.za.
Message of Gratitude
To our returning students, we applaud your progress so far in your academic journey. Much like last year and the years before, we will continue to reimagine the future together. To all our staff members, I again thank you for your continued hard work and dedication. Your efforts in fostering a conducive learning environment and cultivating critical inquiry are greatly appreciated. Here’s to another year filled with hope and excitement!
Looking Ahead
At UJ, we aim to educate students who will go on to change the world! We are educating students who will be at the forefront of solving some of the pressing challenges of our times, such as climate change, growing inequality, poverty, and local and global conflicts. This is the essence of our Strategic Agenda 2035, which is anchored on societal impact and sustainability, global footprint and partnerships, and technologies for the future. We invite all of you to join us and participate in making this great university even greater and more impactful!
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.
