Dear UJ community,

After a short mid-semester recess last week, our students and academic staff returned to campus on Monday. Although it was a short break, I hope those of you who managed to take some time off rested and that you have returned refreshed and re-energised for the remainder of the semester and beyond. While you were away, a lot happened at our University.

UJ Achieves the #1 Position in SA’s Accredited Research Outputs

In case you were not aware, UJ has been ranked as the top producer of research outputs in South Africa for the third time, according to a latest report by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). In this report, released on 1 April 2025, UJ achieved the #1 position with 3195.1 accredited research output units. The Report on the Evaluation of the 2023 Universities’ Research Output highlights the number of units obtained from research publication outputs, which carries a 2023 publication date, submitted and evaluated in 2024. Notably, UJ has further widened the gap between it and the next institution of higher education on this list. This report affirms that UJ is steadfast in its commitment to addressing societal challenges through knowledge production. Our progress is not just about numbers and figures; it’s all about our positive and lasting impact on our students and the broader society. To read more about this, click here.

A Community Engagement Day to Remember

Further marking an eventful week, UJ celebrated Community Engagement Day, an annual event to showcase projects developed by our various faculties, departments, and institutes. The event was held at the Auckland Park Kingsway (APK) Campus this past Friday. It was gratifying to see images from the venue, showing hundreds of our students and staff braving the inclement weather to be part of the occasion. The venue was teeming with attendees viewing special Community Engagement-related projects and numerous innovative items on display from various Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and NGOs stalls. Networking was the order of the day, with faculty/division representatives, NGOs, and CBOs sharing valuable information. This resonates with our mission to transform and serve humanity through innovation and the collective and collaborative pursuit of knowledge. Click here to learn more about Community Engagement Day.

Human-Trafficking Awareness

Last week, the Centre for Student Health and Wellness (C-SHAW), led by Sr Molimi (Miemie) Geya, in collaboration with Student Affairs (Mr Andrew Munyai), hosted the screening of the movie “8 Days” at the UJ Arts Centre. The aim was to highlight the scourge of human trafficking and the adverse effects it has on communities. The event was followed by a panel discussion with colleagues from ACT Africa, the Department of Social Development in Gauteng, the National Prosecution Authority, the HAWKS, UJ Protection Services, and a representative from the Ethiopian Embassy. Following the screening, students engaged the panel and were provided with guidelines on what support is available when they suspect or identify human trafficking incidents. This is an annual awareness programme to ensure heightened sensitivity on this matter. It is also a call to action and prevent trafficking in persons as this is a gross violation of human rights, which are core to our existence.

 UJ Optometry Clinic Leads the Way with Branded Eyewear range

On a momentous occasion on Tuesday this week, the UJ Optometry Clinic within the Faculty of Health Sciences unveiled comprehensive, high-quality branded eyewear eye care tailored to the diverse communities they serve. With an offering of a mix of high-end and budget-friendly frames, the launch was a fitting part of the faculty’s broader vision to be responsive to the changing demands of healthcare and patient expectations. Additionally, the Optometry Department launched a new community engagement initiative called Eye Give Back. It aims to improve access to essential eye care services by offering free eye exams, educational workshops, and eyewear donations to under-resourced communities. Congratulations to Professor Annie Temane, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, and all her colleagues in the faculty for making these exciting projects happen. To read more about this, click here.

Celebrating UJ Arts Achievements: UJ Premiers Toor|Bos

In other news, I am pleased to announce that what started as an informal discussion between Dr Herman Myburgh (UJ Metaverse Research Unit) and Dr Dineke Orton (Curator, UJ Art Gallery) in October 2024 quickly took form into a well-received artistic experiment that wowed the audience and art critics alike. Toor|Bos, an enigmatic tour de force of collaborative artistic interpretations, was successfully premiered at the 2025 Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK). Curated by Dr Dineke Orton, in close partnership with Dr Herman Myburgh, Toor|Bos explored the use of virtual reality in showcasing various art forms in a truly immersive experience. Participants could see the works of well-known visual artists Jaco van Schalkwyk and Willem Boshoff transformed into an installation that incorporated all senses. To read more about this, click here. To learn more, click here.

Celebrating UJ Sport Achievements

I am delighted to announce the outstanding success of our junior athletes at the Athletics South Africa Age Groups National Championships in Cape Town. The team won a stunning medal haul of 18 medals – seven gold and another silver. Our UJ Ladies’ Premier B Cricket Team also emerged victorious, claiming the Lions Club League 2024/25 Black Widow T20 championship title. Their thrilling victory against GM Old Edwardians displayed skill and teamwork. Not to be outdone, the UJ Rowing Club also brought home three medals from the USSA Rowing Sprints Regatta, also held in Cape Town. The senior women’s team won a silver medal while the men’s team won a bronze. UJ finished in second place overall – an improved performance compared to 2024. Congratulations!

Celebrating Staff Achievements

Please join me in congratulating two esteemed UJ academics and researchers, Professor Clinton Aigbavboa (Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment) and Professor Derek Ndinteh (Faculty of Science), on being awarded funding through the National Research Foundation (NRF) National Equipment Programme (NEP). This competitive funding initiative is a critical component of the NRF’s support for research excellence in South Africa that enables the acquisition, upgrading, or development of cutting-edge research equipment, reinforcing the country’s research and development agenda. By investing in state-of-the-art research infrastructure, the NEP empowers institutions like UJ to conduct internationally competitive research and contribute to building a strong, innovative, and knowledge-based economy. We commend Professors Aigbavboa and Ndinteh for their exceptional contributions to research excellence and innovation.

High Tea with the VC

I wish to thank everyone joined the second hybrid High Tea with the VC book discussion when I hosted Professor Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya (Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research). It was an insightful discussion that centred on her impact books:

• Navigating Academia: Women’s Stories of Success and Struggle – A Call to Action
• Research Mentorship: A Developmental and Transformational Tool in Shaping and Sustaining African Women’s Career Progression in Academia.

To watch, click here.

Media and Publicity

Lastly, to read my latest co-authored article in the Mail & Guardian titled Justice in the digital age: Can AI transform labour dispute resolution?, click here.  In it, we argue that the constructive resolution of labour disputes through established procedures is vital for maintaining labour peace and stability. This is more the case because, with developments in artificial intelligence (AI), there may be room to consider implementing these technologies in the South African context. It stands to reason that labour disputes are inevitable, so it’s essential to contain them within reasonable limits.

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.