Dear UJ community
As the August winter hues give way to September’s warmth, our campuses remain vibrant, not just as places of learning but as hubs of innovation, filled with groundbreaking research, inspiring seminars, and enriching student activities. Education is the cornerstone of our mission, driving sustainable development, fostering innovation, and sparking social change across Africa and beyond. At UJ, we are committed to exploring every opportunity to ensure our students are well-prepared to excel in today’s rapidly evolving technological-driven landscape and interconnected world.
Future of Education Summit
Reflecting on this commitment, I delivered a keynote on Thursday at the 10th Future of Education Summit, themed “Education Renaissance: Charting a Sustainable Future for Africa.” The summit featured influential voices such as Prof Tshilidzi Marwala, Dr Emmanuel Arthur, Prof Mark E. Smith, Prof Adam Habib, and Sneha Shah. Their insights on enhancing educational standards and embracing sustainability reinforced our shared vision for the future of education in Africa. Select segments were broadcast live on CNBC Africa, showcasing leadership in educational innovation. As we move forward with a renewed focus on collaboration and resilience, I remain steadfast in my belief that education is crucial to building a brighter future for Africa and the world.
UJ’s Facebook’s global recognition
UJ continues to shine on the global stage, and I am pleased to share another milestone in our journey. Following our recent advancement in the 2024 Academic Rankings of World Universities (ARWU), UJ has solidified its digital expertise by securing a top spot in the 2024 Facebook University Ranking. According to the latest uniRank assessment, which ranks global universities based on the popularity of their primary Facebook page, UJ is the leading university in South Africa and among the Top 200 globally, securing a notable 61st position. With 690K followers and 610K likes, our strong Facebook presence underscores UJ’s status as a highly admired educational institution. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our Communications, Marketing, and Brand teams, led by Prof Bongani Ngqulunga, Senior Executive Director of University Relations, Student Affairs, and UJ Sport. Congratulations to Prof Ngqulunga and his team for their outstanding work. Click here to read more.
Reflections on Neurodiversity
As a father of a neurodivergent child, I have gained a deep appreciation for how my son Daniel’s unique cognitive abilities enrich our understanding of human intelligence. His perspective challenges conventional notions and broadens our appreciation of intellectual diversity. The journey of parenting a neurodiverse child is both challenging and rewarding, prompting us to redefine masculinity by embracing empathy and understanding. By sharing our stories and standing united, we can advocate for more inclusive communities that acknowledge and celebrate neurodiversity in all its forms.
Recently, I had the privilege of attending the symposium Reimagining Support for Fathers of Children with Neurodiversity at our Soweto Campus. The event emphasised how conditions like Down Syndrome, Autism, ADHD, and Dyslexia challenge traditional views of neurological functioning, offering important lessons in patience, compassion, and adaptability. Our Centre for Neurodiversity exemplifies UJ’s commitment to supporting neurodiverse children through education, community engagement, and research.
Moreover, the Mpedi Neurodiversity Studies Scholarship, launched earlier this year, reflects our dedication to fostering inclusive research and tackling the challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals. I am optimistic about a future where this scholarship will dismantle barriers and cultivate a global community focused on understanding and embracing neurodiversity. Click here to read more.
Celebrating Staff and Student achievements
We take immense pride in celebrating the achievements of our staff, who continue to make significant contributions to their respective fields. Join me in congratulating members of our community whose outstanding work has earned them further recognition and accolades.
Prof Talitha Greyling from the School of Economics is transforming global perspectives on happiness through her trailblazing research in well-being economics. Her innovative approach has earned her the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies Research Fellow Award, reflecting her leadership in integrating happiness as a core element of policymaking.
Equally noteworthy is Prof Lionel Posthumus, Senior Research Associate at the Centre for African Language Teaching, who recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the South African Association for Language Teaching (SAALT). This honour, presented during the SAALT Conference in Cape Town, recognises his significant contributions to African linguistics and language acquisition, particularly in morphology, phonology, and semantics.
In the science and technology sphere, Prof Umesh Ramnarain, Head of the Science and Technology Education Department, has been awarded the National Research Foundation (NRF) Champion of Research Capacity Development and Transformation Award. This recognition celebrates Prof Ramnarain’s contributions to advancing and diversifying South Africa’s science sector through his dedicated mentorship and supervision of students. His efforts have been pivotal in nurturing the next generation of scientists, reflecting his visionary leadership in research capacity development.
Prof Kim Berman, a Professor of Visual Art, has received the NRF Public Engagement with Research Award for making science accessible to the public through art, bridging the gap between research and community engagement.
In the field of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Prof Mahloro Serepa-Dlamini, Head of the Department, was awarded the NRF Research Excellence Award: Early Career/Emerging Researcher, recognising her significant contributions to advancing scientific knowledge. Mr Edwin Hlangwani, a Lecturer and PhD candidate in Biotechnology, earned the NRF Research Excellence Award for Next Generation Researchers, highlighting his role in driving the University’s commitment to cultivating future leaders in science
Additionally, Prof Bettine van Vuuren, our Registrar, whose remarkable contributions to genetic research and conservation have earned her a critical advisory role. She has been elected to be part of the Prince Edward Islands Advisory Committee (PEIAC) for the Prince Edward Islands Special Nature Reserve. In this role, from 1 September 2024 until 31 August 2027, she will play a crucial part in shaping conservation strategies for South Africa’s most southerly and ecologically significant territory. Her expertise will be instrumental in preserving the unique biodiversity of these protected Southern Ocean islands.
Let’s also celebrate Kendra Du Toit, a second-year Bachelor of Health Sciences student in Sport and Exercise Science, who has been honoured as Lifesaving South Africa’s Female Athlete of the Year. Kendra will captain the South African team at the upcoming International Lifesaving World Championships in Brisbane, Australia, later this month. I am confident that Kendra will represent our country proudly and be an excellent ambassador for UJ on the global stage.
These achievements are well-deserved, and seeing the dedication, passion, and hard work of all our staff and students being recognised and celebrated is inspiring. Well done!
UJ Staff Day
Friday, 27 September 2024, is UJ Staff Day! This year’s event will be held under the theme 30 Years of Democracy in South Africa, honouring three decades of progress, diversity, and empowerment in our nation. This event is not just a reflection of the country’s history but a celebration of our collective journey to foster equality, justice, and inclusivity. Let us unite in the spirit of reflection and inspiration as we acknowledge our commitment to upholding the democratic values that define us. Do not miss this opportunity to connect, engage, and celebrate our achievements. I urge you to register here to attend.
High Tea with the VC
We will discuss the book Real Life and Business Minds at the High Tea with the VC book discussion today. The book is compiled and co-authored by 32 South African professionals and entrepreneurs who share their stories of success and challenges in life and business. The event will occur at the UJ Library, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus (APK) Library, Chinua Achebe Auditorium – Level 6, from 14h00 to 15h00.
Note of condolences
We also mourn the passing of William Smith, South Africa’s television teacher who revolutionised Maths and Science education for countless students. Our condolences go out to his loved ones during this challenging time and to all the lives he changed. May his soul rest in peace.
