Events
URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING ALUMNI AFFINITY GROUP DINNER HELD TO COLLABORATE AND CELEBRATE STRIDES MADE
HE ALSO STRESSED THE NEED FOR UNIVERSITIES TO CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) ON TEACHING AND LEARNING. “AI IS ALREADY BEING USED IN SETTLEMENT LAYOUTS IN SOME PARTS OF THE WORLD. DOES THIS MEAN WE WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME OBSOLETE? WHILE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A NEED FOR A HUMAN ELEMENT, WE MUST START CONTEMPLATING THE CHANGES HAPPENING AROUND US,” HE SAID. Makan encouraged UJ alumni to stay involved with university activities and contribute through mentorship, collaboration, or financial support. Dr George Onatu, Alumni Coordinator of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of support from those who have more to those who have less. “The relationship between your department and my department has been a lifelong journey, continually refined over the years. We aim to create an environment where our students and alumni feel comfortable and motivated to challenge the status quo. Youth unemployment in South Africa is reaching alarming levels, and it brings with it a stigma of inferiority and humiliation. We hope this alumni engagement serves as a social platform to foster connections,” said Dr Onatu. Prof Thulisile Mphambukeli, Head of Department of Urban & Regional Planning, was also part of the programme and invited alumni to consider the postgraduate programmes offered by the institution. “We are always seeking opportunities to collaborate with our alumni and offer a range of postgraduate programmes from Honours to PhD level, designed to bridge the gap between academia and practice. We encourage you to consider enrolling in one of our programmes and exploring our short-learning options,” she said.
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Alumni Office, in collaboration with the Urban & Regional Planning Alumni Affinity Group, hosted an exclusive dinner for alumni in July. The event served as an evening of reunion and celebration, allowing the institution to reconnect with its esteemed alumni, industry partners, and friends. The special occasion also aimed to raise crucial funds to support deserving students at UJ. Ms Nondumiso Mvubu, a member of the Executive Committee of Convocation, emphasised the importance of information sharing and mentorship for students. “If you are in town planning, open the door for interns who wish to learn and volunteer under your guidance. Be kind, be caring, and share information. Let’s ensure that all town planners embody the qualities we aspire to see,” she said. The welcome address was delivered by Mr Mpho Rapulane from the Development Planning Department at the City of Johannesburg. This was followed by an address from Mr Rajesh Makan, a faculty alumnus and Director of Planning Facilitation in the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. “We still have much to achieve as a country. This is a significant year in our democracy, and I emphasise ‘year’ because 30 years of freedom is relatively young. This period also calls for reflection on our collective efforts towards a more equitable society. Our journey has been guided by numerous policies in the National Development Plan (NDP),” Makan stated. He explained that the NDP underscored the importance of inclusive economic growth and social cohesion. “Chapter 8 of the NDP highlights the critical role of spatial planning. Many of you, in your respective fields, engage with aspects of spatial planning. Addressing our spatial criteria must remain a key focus to drive spatial transformation as a sector,” Makan added.
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ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
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