FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLORS DESK
effect in 2025 and take us to 2035. The core theme of this plan will be ‘societal impact and sustainability’, ensuring that all UJ activities, including research, teaching, learning, and collaboration, contribute to bettering society and promoting sustainability. This really speaks to our emphasis on societal impact, which has defined much of our work in recent months. Of course, this plan also takes into account 4IR, which has long been our focus. That is to say, we are not straying from this stream, we are just enhancing it and ensuring that sustainability is the lens we use going forward. This is an exciting new chapter for us, and I have no doubt that UJ will continue to make its mark. With that in mind, I must extend my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and dedication to our university. Your journey, marked by excellence and impact, is a vital part of UJ’s story. Your journeys highlight the transformative power of education and the boundless opportunities that lie ahead for those who dare to dream and work hard. As the African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Let us go far together, united in our commitment to education through the lens of societal impact.
Higher education is undergoing a seismic shift. I am excited to share with you the transformative journey our university is embarking on in this regard. It is clear that the mandate of higher education institutes stretches far beyond teaching and learning. It stands to reason then that the future of education, driven by societal impact, will emphasise equitable access, digital innovation, adaptive learning and impactful research related to issues of sustainability. This ties into the very ideas presented by the sustainable development goals (SDG). These goals could be considered as the guiding force for societal impact. The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has been at the fore of this shift. In fact, we are embracing this transformation with a renewed sense of purpose. While we have remained steadfast in our commitment to academic excellence, cutting-edge research, innovation and meaningful community engagement, we have also continued to adapt and innovate. This approach has ensured that UJ remains at the forefront of higher education in South Africa and beyond. I am thus thrilled to announce that we will launch our new strategic plan in the final quarter of this year, which will come into
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO 1
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