Dear UJ community,

Those of you who have been to the Madibeng building at the Auckland Kingsway (APK) Campus, which houses the University’s Management Executive Committee (MEC), would have observed how the space is almost always teeming with visitors. Most of the visitors are our staff members across various faculties and departments and students engaging with various MEC members on key issues related to the University. As the University management, we have always believed in transparent and consultative leadership, an approach we believe is key to fostering a culture of creativity, inclusivity and productivity. Indeed, we value your input and contributions.

First Semester VC Campus Engagement

With our Academic Programme now in full swing, it is time for me to host the VC Campus Engagements. This is an opportunity for staff across our respective campuses to engage with me and other MEC members and the UJ Executive Leadership Group (ELG) members on important matters pertaining to our beloved University. This is important as we continue to steer the University into the future as a leading institution of higher learning that meets its academic imperatives. The first in the series of VC Campus Engagements will be held next week on Monday, 3 March 2025, at the Auckland Park Bunting (APB) campus, Sun International Auditorium. We will meet from 12:00 to 13:30. If there are any specific issues you would like to have addressed or have a question for me, please send these to bernicem@uj.ac.za.

The rest of the sessions are scheduled as follows:

• Wednesday, 5 March 2025: Soweto Campus (SWC) VIP Lounge
• Tuesday, 11 March 2025: APK, UJ Sanlam Auditorium
• Monday, 17 March 2025: Doornfontein Campus (DFC), Exam Centre, 2nd Floor, John Orr Building

UJ @20 student success survey

Still on consultation matter, please join me in participating in the UJ @20 student success survey which will be running from 1 March 2025. The link will be open for two weeks. This survey is a vital step in understanding UJ staff’s knowledge and awareness of, and interest in, ‘student success’ at UJ, especially as UJ turns 20. The survey results, based solely on staff perspectives, will be used to highlight areas where UJ is excelling and to determine areas where we can build.  Instructions on how to access the survey are available at this link.

Celebrating Staff Achievements

Please join me in a virtual applause as I congratulate Sr Miemie Geya, Director of the Centre for Student Health and Wellness, who has been elected as the Co-Chair of the U21 University Mental Health Group (UMH). The organisation was formed in 2018 following an Annual Meeting hosted by the University of Melbourne in Australia. At this meeting, an initial version of the U21 University Mental Health Declaration was created to support university staff and student mental health and wellbeing. Ms Geya is a vastly experienced professional nurse specialising in Primary Health Care. She also chairs the South African Association for Campus Health Services, which focuses on mental health. We wish you all the best in your new role, and thanks for flying the UJ flag higher – we are immensely proud of you!

High Tea with the VC

As communicated last week, we resume the High Tea with the VC hybrid book discussions today, when Thebe Ikalafeng will join us to discuss his latest book, The Traveller: Crossing Borders and Connecting Africa. Holding an honorary doctorate with 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.

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.