Dear UJ community,
Over the last decade, UJ has made substantial progress in establishing itself as a leading university in the technological space. This is partly demonstrated by the number of institutes and centres we have established that work in the broad field of artificial intelligence (AI) and contribute to skills development in our country and regional economies.
UJ launches Centre for Advanced Learning Technologies
The latest of these research entities, demonstrating our commitment to leverage digital technologies, is the Centre for Advanced Learning Technologies in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (CALTSTEAM), launched on Wednesday this week. The project integrates frontier technologies such as AI, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and machine learning (ML) across the STEAM disciplines. It aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure that educators and students are empowered to succeed in a technology-intensive world.
It will enable our Bachelor of Education students to engage in AI-driven simulations and VR classroom environments that provide practical teaching experience before they even step into physical classrooms. By nurturing digital literacy from an early age, UJ is opening pathways to future careers in the tech sector and ensuring that every learner in South Africa, regardless of background, is equipped to thrive in a technology-driven future. CALTSTEAM reinforces UJ’s commitment to innovation by advancing research into adaptive learning systems. Read more about this here.
Environmental sustainability
I often quote the saying – “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we are borrowing it from our children”. I am especially pleased to announce that UJ received an additional two electric buses during the week, growing our fleet of electric vehicles to five. In addition to the significant contribution to environmental sustainability, electric buses have other benefits such as higher energy efficiency compared to diesel counterparts, reducing noise pollution to near-zero, and having much lower maintenance requirements. The aim is to eventually transition our entire fleet of buses to electric buses, reaffirming UJ’s commitment to a sustainable future. Watch this space and our other communication platforms for more details about this.
Three open-access journals included in the DOAJ
Three additional journals, the South African Journal of Arts Therapies, Digital Policy Studies and South African Field Archaeology, have been included in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). The DOAJ is an extensive list of internationally recognised open-access journals. It sets the international standards for open-access publications. The inclusion of these journals in the DOAJ list is a huge feather in the cap of the respective editors and the UJ Press, and speaks to the international recognition of the high quality and standard of the UJ Press. Congratulations to the editors of these journals, Professor Prof Kim Berman (South African Journal of Arts Therapies), Prof Bhaso Ndzendze (Digital Policy Studies) and Dr Matt Lotter (South African Field Archaeology).
Freedom Day
Sunday, 27 April 2024, is Freedom Day in our country. This year marks 31 years since our country’s first democratic elections. Many of us will be reminiscing on that momentous day when we cast our votes for a government of our choice for the first time. Now, more than three decades on, as we celebrate South Africa’s Freedom Day, we should never take for granted the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who ensured the freedoms and rights we enjoy today. We also must take this time to pause and reflect on our journey and where we are headed. Whilst we have achieved much over the last three decades, it is important to recognise that these freedoms are not guaranteed and must be continually safeguarded through active citizenship and engagement with the democratic process.
Celebrating UJ Sport Achievements
Please join me in congratulating the UJ Senior Men’s Cricket Team for recently winning the Enza Premier A 50 Over championship title. The team etched their name into the history books, winning the title for the third time in four years. The UJ Premier B Team is also preparing to play the CGL T20 final on Sunday, 4 May 2025, at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Sandton. Read more about this achievement here.
During the Easter Weekend, the UJ women’s football team showcased their prowess at the 2025 Pirates Cup this week, clinching a silver medal at Marks Park Sportsgrounds in Emmarentia, Johannesburg. The team excelled throughout the tournament, winning three matches and drawing one before losing to eventual champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC in the final. Meanwhile, the UJ u/21men’s football team demonstrated their quality as defending champions from the 2024 tournament, registering an impressive streak of five consecutive wins. Despite this dominant run, they finished fourth after narrow penalty shootout losses to Orlando Pirates (5-4) in the semi-final and Wits University (4-2) in the third/fourth place playoff. Read more about this achievement here.
Tribute to Pope Francis
Lastly, on a sombre note, I wish to join the world community in paying tribute to His Holiness Pope Francis, who died on Sunday this week, aged 88. Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church, was loved by many Catholics and millions of other people for his humility and simplicity. As widely reported in the media, Pope Francis was a vocal champion of the world’s poor, dispossessed and disadvantaged, and a critic of corporate greed and social and economic inequality. Within the Vatican, he criticised extravagance and privilege, calling on church leaders to show humility. May his beautiful soul rest in eternal peace.
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.
