Dear UJ community,
For many times, I have spoken about the excellence of our University in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Technology for societal impact and sustainability. UJ has always been at the forefront of impactful, interdisciplinary research, innovation, and community engagement in South Africa and beyond.
Praise for UJ’s 3D Housing Print Project at the 2025 National Construction Summit
It was gratifying to see our groundbreaking 3D Housing Print Project taking centre stage at the 2025 National Construction Summit in Boksburg yesterday, with State President, Honourable Cyril Ramaphosa, visiting the exhibition on site and interacting with our team. During his engagement with the UJ team, the President expressed great enthusiasm for Construction 3D Printing as a technology of the future. He engaged keenly with the demonstration, inquiring about the cost of the 3D printer, the comparative cost of construction versus traditional methods, and the types of materials used in the printing process. The President also showed a strong interest in the academic dimension of the project — particularly the involvement of undergraduate and postgraduate students who are contributing to advancing this pioneering research. Congratulations to everyone involved, well done colleagues. To read more about this, click here.
UJ shines at the 2025 MACE Awards
I am delighted to announce that UJ has once again affirmed its leadership in marketing, communication and creative excellence, securing 14 awards at the 2025 MACE Excellence Awards, including two silver and 12 bronzes, last night. The recognition spans four major divisions, Campaigns, Media, Channels and Skills, and also includes a win for UJ Arts and Culture. The MACE Excellence Awards honour outstanding achievements in higher education communication and marketing, recognising the innovative work that enhances institutional reputation, stakeholder engagement and creative storytelling. To read more about this, click here. Congratulations to all our winners, well done!
Celebrating More Staff Excellence and Innovation
Each summer, as the academic year winds down, UJ hosts award ceremonies to recognise and celebrate staff excellence across various domains. The awards are also an important tool for strengthening our organisational culture and creating a positive working environment where employees feel valued and appreciated. Ultimately, this acknowledgement of your contributions leads to improved productivity and growth for the University.
2025 Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Awards
Our culture of excellence and innovation took centre stage at this year’s edition of the Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Awards for Teaching, Research, Innovation, and Service, held on Wednesday at the School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH). The event reaffirmed UJ’s commitment to reimagining the future through staff members who make a difference, and whose work extends beyond the ordinary to inspire progress and impact within and beyond the University community. The ceremony brought together members of the academic and professional community to recognise individuals whose achievements exemplify UJ’s vision of innovation, transformation and service excellence.
The 2025 recipients are as follows:
- Most Promising Young Teacher of the Year: Dr Tumisi Molelekoa, Faculty of Science and Dr Devon Bailey, Faculty of Humanities.
- Teacher Excellence: Professor Chioma Okoro, College of Business and Economics.
- Most Promising Young Researcher: Dr Bonginkosi Thango, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment and Dr Edith Phalane, Faculty of Health Sciences.
- Outstanding Researcher of the Year: Professor Olaniyi Fawole, Faculty of Science.
- Innovation of the Year: Professor Eduard Venter, Faculty of Science
- Book of the Year: Professor John Maina, Faculty of Science and Professor Faeeza Ballim, Faculty of Humanities and Professor Ruth Sacks, Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture.
- Highest Cited Researcher: Professor Sherali Zeadally, Distinguished Visiting Professor, Faculty of Science.
- Service Beyond the Normal Call of Duty: Ms Melissa Teshane Haripersad, Corporate Governance and Mr Tebello Modupi, Faculty of Education.
To read more about this, click here.
Top-Tier Awards
Also, this week, the Human Capital Management Division hosted the Top Tier Awards, which recognise individuals and teams within the Support Staff domains who have demonstrated excellence, commitment, and impact in their roles. The 2025 winners are as follows:
- Team of the Year: Student Enrolment Centre
- Best Performing Division of the Year: Human Capital Management
- Individual High-Flyer of the Year: Lunghekani Langa (Facilitator II, Academic Development and Support)
- Outstanding Leadership Award: Dr Tovhowani Nedohe (Facilities Management; and Prof Penny Govender, Postgraduate School)
Annual UJ Long Service Awards
This morning, we will host the Long Service Awards, which recognise staff who have worked at the University for 10 years or more. We have extended invitations to 121 employees with 20 years or more of service to attend the ceremony. Below is the breakdown of the staff members according to their age groups:
- 49 staff members in 20-year group
- 22 staff members in 25-year group
- 21 staff members in 30-year group
- 18 staff members in 35-year group
- 7 staff members in 40-year group
- 4 staff members – ELG Group
UJ Sports Awards
Later this evening, the annual UJ Sport Gala is set to honour exceptional achievements of student-athletes, teams, clubs, and club members from UJ. This prestigious event, to be held at the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus Arts Theatre, also celebrates the 20thAnniversary of the University of Johannesburg. The gala recognises both seasoned veterans and rising newcomers who have brought distinction to UJ and South Africa (and other countries) by winning medals in various world-class competitions. More than 40 candidates, including individuals, teams, and clubs, are nominated for top accolades across ten competitive categories. Key awards include Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, Student-Athlete, Team, and Club of the Year, as well as Club Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year.
UJ Culture Survey
As you may be aware from previous communication via this platform and the University’s Transformation Unit, we have contracted the firm Laetoli to conduct the 2025 Culture Survey on behalf of the University. The purpose of the survey is to understand how well the UJ culture supports the University’s Strategic Plan 2035 , and to inform ongoing cultural change initiatives. To reiterate, this strategy serves as a blueprint to guide our University into the next decade, with a particular focus on our leadership role in leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Technology for societal impact and sustainability.
Please click on one of the links below to make your voice heard:
Click the link that works best for you:
💻 For laptop or computer: https://www.orgdia.co.za/survey/UnivJoburg25/UJculture.htm
📱 For smartphone: https://www.orgdia.co.za/survey/UnivJoburg25/UJculture_acc.htm
Laetoli confirms the following:
- Participation is voluntary
- The survey is anonymous – all responses are treated as confidential
- No personal information (e.g., staff numbers or ID numbers) is collected
- The survey is hosted on our secure server (not on UJ’s server)
- Our software does not capture IP addresses
- Results for any biographical group with fewer than ten respondents will not be reported separately
- We will provide participation updates by Faculty/Support Division and Department over the next few weeks
If you have any questions about the survey, email us at transformation@uj.ac.za.
UJ Zero Tolerance to Fraud
This week, UJ joins many organisations around the world in supporting International Fraud Awareness Week. The initiative aims to reduce the impact of fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness and education. At UJ, integrity is non-negotiable. We say no to fraud — see it, report it, stop it. The UJ Whistleblowing Hotline is one of the tools the University uses to report fraudulent activities, unethical behaviour, and misconduct. The Hotline allows staff and students to report any wrongdoing confidentially and anonymously through an independent platform. Stand firm! Report fraudulent activities! Click here to report your anonymous concern today!
Book Launches
Last week Friday, the Faculty of Law celebrated the launch of the book, The Intersection of the Law and Technological Innovation: In Celebration of 20 Years of the University of Johannesburg. The book was edited by Professor Cayle Lupton, Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Banking Law, and Professor Philip Stoop from the Department of Mercantile Law. The event took place at the Johannesburg Business School (JBS), and was attended by esteemed guests, including retired Supreme Court of Appeal Judge Frans Malan. Click here to read more about this.
On Tuesday this week, the UJ Centre for Africa-China Studies (CACS), in collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the National Press Club, launched Professor David Monyae’s book Xi Jinping and the Global South (published by Real African Publishers). The book has gained traction and has already been reported in the media as a highly anticipated publication. In addition to the book launch, Professor Phaswana-Mafuya, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, and Ambassador Wu signed a letter of intent for the establishment of the Research on Chinese Modernisation Think Tank (RCMTT), to be housed within CACS with an initial endowment of R1 million. To read more about this, click here.
Ke a leboha, ngiyabonga, thank you, baie dankie!
Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi
Vice-Chancellor and Principal
