Dear UJ community,
Our University has once again achieved notable recognition in global rankings, receiving The Most Improved Africa University Award in the latest 2025 edition of the QS World University Rankings. This award is for universities that show the most considerable improvement amongst African institutions in their global ranking over the last five years. QS has consistently recognised UJ as one of the world’s leading universities. These latest rankings results, released on Tuesday this week, are exciting indeed.
UJ among the leading universities globally
The QS World University Rankings, one of the world’s most watched and highly anticipated annual university rankings, has also ranked UJ amongst the top universities globally. UJ is placed at position 312 globally out of 1,503 featured institutions. This means that UJ has retained its global standing amongst the top 350 universities globally and is ranked amongst the top four universities in Africa. The latest achievement comes three weeks after the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings named UJ the number 1 university on the African continent when considering institutions younger than 50 years.
How wonderful it is to see our University being recognised among the best institutions by these rankings. These rankings demonstrate the robustness of UJ’s academic programmes and its research and innovation for societal impact. This is a testament to our collective efforts to translate ideas into tangible impact, and the credit goes to each of you who contributed to these milestones. I salute you all! To read more about this, click here.
Reminiscing jubilant scenes at the Autumn Graduation ceremonies
Our University recently concluded its Autumn Graduation ceremonies for 2024, with more than 10,000 graduates walking across the stage. During the graduation season, which began on 14 March 2024, 7,500 undergraduate qualifications were awarded, alongside postgraduate degrees, including 2,030 honours, 286 Masters and 101 Doctoral degrees. We also bestowed honorary doctorates upon exceptional individuals who represent diverse expertise and embody UJ’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and societal impact. Watching the graduates crossing the stage amidst the jubilant scenes reminded me of the immense role that our university plays in the lives of our students and their families. Watch the ceremonies below:
UJ’s Chancellor to be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate
Still on graduation matters, I am pleased to share that the University of the Free State (UFS) will, later today, confer an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Philosophy in Education) on our Chancellor and former deputy president of South Africa, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. Besides her previous role in politics, Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka is a renowned academic and gender and social justice activist who has also served as the United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women. Congratulations, Dr Mlambo-Ngquka, this is a well-deserved accolade!
Professorial Inauguration
This week, we welcomed Professor Oluwafemi Adebo, an esteemed scholar in the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, to our professorship. His inaugural lecture, Processed and Beneficiated Foods: The ‘Dying’ Old and Emerging New, addressed the global challenge of feeding a projected 8,5 billion people by 2030. He probed into the intricacies of food systems and processing, highlighting their extensive economic, health, and environmental impacts. Prof Adebo, I trust that your journey at UJ will be insightful and inspiring. Congratulations, and welcome to the professorial club! To read more about this, click here.
UJ experts in the media
Seeing some of our academics sharing insights into the election through opinion articles and expert commentary across various media houses in recent weeks has been extremely pleasing. UJ academics were very active in this space, so I do not want to single out anyone. I do, however, wish to thank Professor Bongani Ngqulunga (Senior Executive Director and MEC member) and his team in the Strategic Communications Unit within the University Relations for their continued work in positioning and promoting our academics and researchers’ work in the mainstream media.
First-semester final assessments
Lastly, our students continue their first-semester final assessments, which began last week. I wish to remind you that should you feel anxious or overwhelmed, you should please not hesitate to contact our Centre for Psychological Services and Career Development (PsyCaD). PsyCaD is here to support students in various ways. Whether one prefers a walk-in service, individual counselling sessions, or need immediate assistance through our 24-hour Crisis Line (082 054 1137), help is readily available without needing an appointment. I am confident that our students’ hard work will pay off, and the results at the end of this period will be something to celebrate!
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.
