Dear UJ community,
I am pleased to see that our academic programme is now in full swing. Our first-year students are settling in well, as they continue to familiarise themselves with our campuses and their facilities. As indicated earlier, our lecture rooms, laboratories and libraries are more than just learning facilities; they are designed in such a manner that they combine functionality with comfort, ensuring a welcoming environment that fosters focus, creativity, and a sense of community.
UJ Smart Classrooms
Many of you would be aware that we recently embarked on a project to introduce Smart Classrooms across our campuses. This aligns with our Strategic Plan 2035, specifically the theme of using Technology for the Future in our work. The project brought together Information and Communication Systems (ICS), Protection Services, Facilities Management, and academic partners. Dedicated project managers have been working hard to ensure that the project is complete and ready for use. My sincere gratitude to Dr Mpoti Ralephata and his teams for leading this initiative. We look forward to building on this momentum as we advance the next phases of the programme.
2026 SRC Inauguration
More work continues in the lecture halls and laboratories. Historically, in South Africa, universities have been at the forefront of producing student leaders who meaningfully contribute to solving problems in the higher education sector and broader society. Some of our top leaders in the public and private sector cut their teeth at universities and other institutions of higher learning. Today ushers in a new era for the UJ student leadership as we inaugurate the newly elected Student Representative Council (SRC). This follows the successful elections held in October last year.
As a University, we value student leadership as a strategic partner in tackling the enduring challenges pervading the higher education sector, such as funding, accommodation, safety and wellbeing. As our successive SRCs have demonstrated over the years, leadership is about inspiring others and making a positive impact on fellow students and in our country at large. I wish our new SRC the best of luck and know that their tenure in office will inspire the UJ student community!
UJ to Strengthen Ties with Universities in Haiti
UJ, enjoying recognition as a leading institution in Africa across multiple global rankings, is strengthening its partnerships with international universities. At a meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Jean Robert Pillard, yesterday, I expressed my excitement at the opportunities to strengthen ties between UJ and universities in Haiti. Ambassador Pillard and I identified several areas of collaboration between UJ and Haitian universities, as well as with the broader Haitian society. Ambassador Pillard expressed a strong interest in the UJ Rescue Simulation Centre‘s groundbreaking work. Members of the Rescue Simulation Centre were part of the team of rescuers that joined the rescue mission in Haiti after the devastating earthquake in 2010. The team was recently deployed to Mozambique during the recent floods.
There are other areas in which UJ scholars and researchers are involved in world-class research that is changing lives. I am very excited that the Ambassador chose UJ as one of the first institutions to visit so soon after his appointment as Ambassador to South Africa. Haiti and South Africa enjoy strong bilateral relations and share a similar history. Our strategic goal is to strengthen our partnerships with universities in the African continent and the Global South. This falls under the strategic theme ‘Global Footprint and Partnerships in our Strategic Plan 2035. To read more about this, click here.
Media and Publicity
Universities, as reservoirs of knowledge, have a duty to explore and share insights into the ongoing challenges affecting society across disciplines. In my latest article titled G20 and Africa: Paving the Path for a Shared Prosperous Future, published in the February/March 2026 issue of Forbes Africa, I explore the historic significance of the G20 summit held in Africa for the first time. I highlight how this moment marks a turning point for global economic governance. I discuss the importance of centering Africa’s needs and priorities in global discussions, particularly in areas such as disaster resilience, debt sustainability, and energy transition. As the continent stands on the brink of remarkable growth, with projections showing that six of the ten fastest-growing economies are in Africa, it’s crucial that we leverage this opportunity to ensure our voices are heard on the global stage. I invite you to read the article and engage in this vital conversation about shaping a prosperous future for Africa and the world.
Marketing UJ Research
Speaking of universities and knowledge production, it is important that our research output be shared with the broader society. As the saying goes, knowledge not shared is knowledge lost. To this end, I am pleased that our University Relations Division has initiated a process to ensure marketing and promotion of our research work. They have been in communication with our faculties and various research institutes for them to share their work. In fact, this is already yielding results, with several stories having been published on our website and in the mainstream media. I urge you to work with them to leverage this opportunity.
High Tea with the VC
We will resume the High Tea with the VC hybrid book discussions next Friday, 27 February 2025, when Thebe Ikalafeng will join me to discuss my latest book, From Predator to Prey: Leadership Lessons from the African Wild and Beyond. Holding an honorary doctorate from UJ, Thebe Ikalafeng is the founder of The Brand Leadership Group, a multi-disciplinary advisory group at the intersection of strategy, creativity and intellectual property law. A consummate pan-African, Thebe is also the founder of the independent non-profit Brand Africa movement for a brand-led African renaissance and the ‘Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands’ initiative, which is widely referenced as the definitive barometer of brands in Africa.
We will meet at the UJ APK Library, Chinua Achebe Auditorium, Level 6, at 14h00. For in-person attendance, RSVP here: High Tea with the VC. For virtual attendance, book here to join. Let’s engage in a conversation that moves beyond the classroom and into the heart of what it means to lead effectively in an ever-changing landscape.
Celebrating UJ Sport Achievements
With the student registrations completed and the academic programme now in full swing, our sporting and extracurricular activities have begun in earnest. Please join me in congratulating our Senior Men’s Rugby Team (FNB UJ), who started their 2026 campaign in spectacular fashion on Monday. They secured a decisive 61-41 victory against Varsity Cup newcomers, FNB Emeris. Starting a tournament of this calibre with such clinical execution and grit is no small feat. The intensity on the field and the squad’s tactical discipline prove that the hard work during pre-season is already paying dividends. The performance was more than just a win – it is a statement of intent! To the coaching staff, the players, and the incredible support system behind the scenes: the UJ community is standing firmly behind you. Let’s keep this momentum surging as we take on the rest of the season. To read more about this, 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.
