Dear UJ community,
Corruption and fraud have long plagued South Africa. These unethical practices are a real menace that undermines public trust and the rule of law. They also stifle economic growth and harm businesses and municipalities, leaving people with lower incomes even more vulnerable as budgets that are meant for essential service delivery are diverted to other areas. Left unchecked, corruption and fraud perpetuate inequality and injustice and threaten our hard-earned democracy.
UJ hosts Anti-Corruption Summit
As we grapple with corruption, I am pleased to see our University playing its part in efforts to combat the scourge through education, research, and community engagement. This week, UJ, through the Office of the General Counsel, hosted an Anti-Corruption Summit to explore innovative solutions for a corruption-free corporate South Africa. The two-day event, held on 5–6 September 2024, gathered over 500 influential leaders from business, academia, media, NGOs, law, and sport to collaborate in the fight against corruption. It focused on using innovative technologies to combat fraud and promote integrity. Congratulations to our General Counsel, Mr Dries Pretorius, and his team for hosting this key event. Watch Day 2 live below:
UJ hosts Media Innovation Summit
In an era where corruption seems to permeate every sector of our lives, the media are crucial as they play a watchdog role and help ensure accountability. I had the privilege of welcoming attendees to the 2024 MTN Media Innovation Summit at our University. The two-day summit, held on Tuesday and Wednesday, was hosted by the UJ’s School of Communication in collaboration with Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) in Nigeria and MTN Nigeria.
The summit, themed “Sustainability of Media in the Digital Age,” featured government, media professionals, academics, and civil society. Deputy Minister Kenneth Morolong delivered the keynote, with discussions on the evolving media landscape and technology’s impact on industry sustainability.Click here to read more about this.
Accountancy students crowned winners at SAICA Student Leadership Summit
Accountancy@UJ is extremely proud to announce that two of our 3rd year Bachelors of Accounting students, Thashania Perumal and Yeshikah Appavoo, were crowned as OVERALL WINNERS at the 2024 SAICA Student Leadership Summit (SLS) last night. In SAICA’s quest to grow the world’s future leaders, SAICA invited students to put together a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) focused business case that illustrates how you would empower and improve the country through a community-based project that works towards solving one or more of the UN’s SDGs.
Humbled to be honoured with SEDRC 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award
Last week, after being sworn in as Chief of the Abeadze People in Ghana, I was also honoured with the prestigious the Sustainable Development and Education Research Conference (SEDRC) 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. This accolade, presented on 28 August 2024 in Cape Coast, Ghana, is bestowed on academic leaders who have significantly contributed to advancing quality tertiary education across Africa. The African Applied Researchers Association bestowed the award in partnership with Cape Coast Technical University and conferred it at the 13th Sustainable Development and Education Research Conference. I express my gratitude for this award, which I dedicate to the entire UJ Community, my family, and friends. To read more about this, click here.
Second Semester Campus Engagements
Next week marks the start of our second semester of VC Campus Engagements, when members of our University’s Management Executive Committee (MEC) will, together with the Executive Leadership Group (ELG), reflect on important developments and other relevant matters pertaining to our University over the last few months. The first of these engagements will take place next this coming Monday, 9 Septemeber 2024, at the Soweto Campus (SWC) VIP Lounge, Imbizo Hall.
The rest of the events are scheduled as follows:
- Thursday, 12 September 2024 – Auckland Park Bunting (APB) Campus: Sun International Auditorium
- Friday, 13 September 2024 – Kingsweay Auckland Park (APK): UJ Sanlam Auditorium
- Tuesday, 17 September 2024 – Doornfontein (DFC) – Exam Centre on second floor John Orr Building.
All the events are scheduled at the usual time of 12:00 to 13:30. If there are any specific issues you would like to have addressed or have a question for me, please send these to bernicem@uj.ac.za.
Women in Leadership Recognition Awards
Women’s Month may have officially ended at the end of August, but at UJ, we continue to celebrate women’s excellence. At the ABP Campus, 14 female colleagues will be presented with Women in Leadership Recognition Awards. The awards will be presented by students from the UJ Jewellery Design Department. Congratulations to the awardees in advance – well done!
A note of condolences
In conclusion, and on a sombre note, I join many South Africans in sending condolences to the families and friends of media personality Thabiso Sikwane and renowned poet Jessica Mbangeni, who both died this past weekend. Their passing comes just a few weeks after the death of another celebrated actress and filmmaker Connie Chiume. These were all phenomenal women who contributed immensely to issues of social justice through the media and the arts. May their souls rest in eternal peace.
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.
