Dear UJ community,
On Wednesday afternoon, just as I was departing the scenic UJ Island in the Vaal and heading back to the Auckland Park Kingsway campus, I was met with good news. Our University has once again achieved a strong showing in the prestigious global university rankings. According to the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject (QS Subject Rankings) results, UJ is now ranked in 17 top QS subjects – four more than last year. The top-ranked subjects are Anthropology, Business and Management Studies, Material Sciences, and Mathematics.
UJ subjects among the best ranked globally
UJ’s best subjects globally are Anthropology and Development Studies, which are ranked in the 101-150 band in the world. Nationally, UJ’s best subject is Materials Science (joint #1). We are ranked #2 in South Africa for Anthropology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Education, as well as Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Hospitality and Leisure Management. We also improved in two subjects, Chemical Engineering and Mechanical and Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering.
This news comes in the wake of UJ’s excellent showing in the 2023 Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) when the University claimed the top spot in South Africa for eight subjects. Last month, for the second year running, it was announced that UJ has been ranked as the leading producer of accredited research outputs in South Africa, according to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)’s sector Report on the Evaluation of the 2022 Universities’ Research Outputs. As these rankings and metrics demonstrate, UJ continues to perform phenomenally, which is only possible through your ongoing support, commitment and dedication to excellence and innovation.
30 Years of Democracy in SA
Since attaining multiparty democracy 30 years ago, South Africa has made giant strides in its endeavours to transform our country into a truly democratic and inclusive society. However, democracy can only grow stronger when more people make their voices heard through voting and participating in public debate on issues that are vital to the country.
Deputy President of SA charms youth at UJ
On Monday, our College of Business and Economics and the School of Public Management, Governance and Public Policy hosted the Deputy President of our country, Hon. Paul Mashatile, for a distinguished special lecture held under the theme, Inspiring the Youth in South Africa to Imagine a Better, Prosperous Future. Among the dignitaries that attended the lecture were Gauteng Premier, Hon. Panyaza Lesufi and the Zimbabwean and Burundian ambassadors to South Africa, David Hamadziripi and Alexis Bukuru, respectively. It was an exciting lecture, with the Deputy President highlighting some of the current challenges facing the country as well as the role of young people in shaping South Africa’s future. You may watch below:
Minister of Justice and Correctional Services on legal education and social justice
Following on from the Deputy President, on Thursday, the Faculty of Law hosted Honourable Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola for a distinguished special lecture on Legal education and its role in achieving social justice in South Africa – 30 years after Democracy and beyond. This was an insightful lecture, which looked at legal education as a prerequisite for social justice in the quest to build a just and equitable society for all in South Africa and beyond. It was an exciting opportunity to draw parallels to UJ’s unique focus on societal impact and demonstrated the very idea of democracy in practice.
Strengthening SA democracy with the EU
Also on Thursday, in partnership with the European Union (EU) Delegation to South Africa, the UJ Library and the Department of Politics and International Relations, hosted a seminar on Elections, democracy and anti-corruption. There was a particular focus on the manifestos of the major political parties, including the ANC, the DA, and the EFF, as well as new parties such as ActionSA and RISE Mzansi, highlighting questions such as the sort of reforms they put forward, whether their proposed solutions have credibility and if their party lists reflect anti-corruption as a priority or not.
The Media and Democracy
On the same day, our School for Communication’s Centre for Data and Digital Communication (CDDC) hosted the Media and Democracy Series. The event, held under the theme, The Media and 30 years of Democracy Series: Reflecting on South Africa’s Democratic Landscape and Electoral Influence, featured an engaging discussion with esteemed panellists, including from government communications and information systems, the broadcast and print media, NGO and civil society, legal; as well as academic perspectives. Among them were Nwabisa Makunga, SANEF official and editor of the Sowetan newspaper, Shoeshoe Qhu, CEO of Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), William Bird (Director, Media Monitoring Africa), Sandile Nene (Chief Director: Policy Development, Analysis and Market Modelling, GCIS), and Dr Prinola Govenden (Senior Lecturer, Department of Communication and Media, UJ).
Minister Nzimande to deliver a special lecture on Palestine crisis
This coming week on Monday, 15 April 2024, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande will deliver a special lecture at UJ. The lecture, titled The Impact of Repression of Palestinian Higher Education is in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The lecture aims to foster academic dialogue, promote social awareness, and enhance international understanding. The lecture will take place at the Ubuntu Chambers, Auckland Park Kingsway (APK) campus, from 15h00 to 16h00. To register, click here.
Reflecting on the ‘gap’ between NSC and University
From next week, the divisions of Teaching Excellence (DTE), Institutional Planning, Evaluation and Monitoring (DIPEM) and Academic Development and Support (ADS) are pleased to invite you to an upcoming Lecture Series, titled Reflecting on 30 Years of Democracy. Professor Yunus Ballim’s (Chairperson of Umalusi)’s presentation is titled: Reflecting on the ‘gap’ between the NSC and University. Prof Nadine Peterson (Executive Dean: Faculty of Education) will be the respondent. The event will be held on Wednesday, 17 April 2024, from 15:00 – 16:30 at STH Auditorium on Auckland Park Bunting (APB) campus. RSVP: rindab@uj.ac.za. Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84869421809
UJ Art Gallery exhibition
On Saturday, 6 April, the UJ Art Gallery, in partnership with Everard Read Gallery and the Embassy of Sweden Pretoria, hosted the opening of Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi’s Ntlo E Etsamayang (The walking house) exhibition, co-curated by Prof. Kim Berman and Gabriel Baard. The opening was indeed a great success as distinguished guests, cherished family, and members of the artistic community gathered in numbers to celebrate Sebidi’s rich artistic journey. This exhibition commemorates the recovery of 28 lost artworks discovered at the Nyköping Folk High School 32 years after their disappearance in Sweden and returned to South Africa. My heartfelt gratitude extends to all who contributed to the resounding success of this special occasion.
Note of congratulations
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Sanele Gamede, the new lecturer in the Department of Communication and Media (CAM), who has been awarded an honorary doctorate in Leadership and Management (Honoris Causa) by the Myles Leadership University. The conferment ceremony was held on 9 March 2024 in Accra, Ghana. The conferment is for his outstanding contribution in the areas of Youth and Women Development, Talent Management and Development, Career Coaching, as well as Leadership, and Philanthropy. Well done Dr Gamede, your leadership qualities and your profundity of thoughts have placed you on a pedestal above all your equals!
High Tea with the VC
Finally, 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.
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.
