Latest news with #UJ
The Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Eastern Cape USSA derby a high-stakes affair
The Madibaz are preparing for a high-stakes clash against Fort Hare in their opening fixture of the University Sports SA rugby tournament later this month. The Eastern Cape derby, scheduled for the opening day on Monday June 30, in Pretoria is expected to be one of the highlights of the week. The goal will be a spot in the B-section final on the Friday and therefore stealing an early march over the opposition will be hugely advantageous. Second-round matchups on the Wednesday will be determined by the day-one results, adding further significance to this explosive opener. The Gqeberha team's head coach, David Manuel, said their primary objective was to gain promotion to the A section but also emphasised that they wanted to showcase Mandela University's broader rugby vision. 'Our goal is definitely promotion but it is also the perfect platform to show that you can attend a university known for academic excellence and still develop as a rugby player.' The Madibaz are keen to maintain their momentum after a strong Varsity Shield campaign, in which they lost the promotion-relegation match against UJ by a paltry three points. 'We've been drawing attention from some of the country's top rugby schools,' Manuel said. 'Performing well at events like the USSAs is critical to our long-term ambitions.' He noted that many parents were now viewing the university as a serious option for talented young players. 'That shift in perception helps our recruitment efforts.' One of their core values was to leave the jersey and the club in a better place, he explained. 'That's the legacy we're building.' Madibaz defeated UFH 32-16 in their Varsity Shield encounter earlier this year but that result does not necessarily give Manuel a peaceful night's sleep. 'These types of games become mental battles. A win for either side gives a significant boost heading into the next season,' he said. Matches between the two tertiary institutions always turned out to be fiercely contested and therefore they are ticking all the boxes to ensure they are at their very best come game day, the Madibaz mentor said. He said the B section, where teams such as NWU-Pukke added serious quality, would be highly competitive. 'They missed last year's tournament, so they're in the B section this year. If we get the chance to face them, it'll be an excellent test of where we stand.' Manuel said that though the squad would be a mix of youth and experience, he had brought in several experienced players who were ineligible for Shield duties, 'which strengthens our hand'. As with any university, academic responsibilities always influence preparations to a certain extent. 'The players need to earn a certain number of credits to qualify for next year's Shield, so we gave them time to focus on exams,' Manuel said. He said every player had a personalised fitness and gym programme and that the on-field sessions had been ramped up in recent weeks. 'We're confident we'll be ready to perform in Pretoria.' — Full Stop Communications
The Herald
7 days ago
- Business
- The Herald
UJ ranked best university in sustainable development in Africa
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has been ranked as the best university in sustainable development in Africa and 23rd in the world. This is according to the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ratings, which assess universities against the UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs). Western Sydney University in Australia was ranked number one in the world for four consecutive years, followed by Manchester University. The University of Pretoria came in at number 63 in the world. UJ is now ranked among the top 30 universities in the world out of 2,318 institutions evaluated. It ranked in the global top 100 for ten SDGs, with three in the top 10. This includes ranking number two in the world for SDG 1 (no poverty); number four for SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth); and number four for SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals). UJ vice-chancellor and principal Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi said this was a testament to the university's commitment to reimagining higher education as a driver of change. 'These results not only underscore UJ's steadfast commitment to sustainable development, equity and impactful partnerships but also highlight the university's growing influence in tackling global challenges through research, teaching and community engagement,' Mpedi said. 'Our ranking reflects the focused efforts driven by our s trategic plan 2035 , which is built on three key pillars: societal impact and sustainability, global footprint and partnerships, and technology for the future. These pillars guide our trajectory over the next decade and underpin our dedication to creating a more just, equitable and sustainable future for all.' In a separate global ranking, the university was named the third best university in South Africa after the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). 'Together, the two results signal UJ's rising reputation and consistent excellence across multiple global performance metrics.' TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
20-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
UJ ranked best university in sustainable development in Africa
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has been ranked as the best university in sustainable development in Africa and 23rd in the world. This is according to the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ratings, which assess universities against the UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs). Western Sydney University in Australia was ranked number one in the world for four consecutive years, followed by Manchester University. The University of Pretoria came in at number 63 in the world. UJ is now ranked among the top 30 universities in the world out of 2,318 institutions evaluated. It ranked in the global top 100 for ten SDGs, with three in the top 10. This includes ranking number two in the world for SDG 1 (no poverty); number four for SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth); and number four for SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals). UJ vice-chancellor and principal Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi said this was a testament to the university's commitment to reimagining higher education as a driver of change. 'These results not only underscore UJ's steadfast commitment to sustainable development, equity and impactful partnerships but also highlight the university's growing influence in tackling global challenges through research, teaching and community engagement,' Mpedi said. 'Our ranking reflects the focused efforts driven by our strategic plan 2035, which is built on three key pillars: societal impact and sustainability, global footprint and partnerships, and technology for the future. These pillars guide our trajectory over the next decade and underpin our dedication to creating a more just, equitable and sustainable future for all.' In a separate global ranking, the university was named the third best university in South Africa after the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). 'Together, the two results signal UJ's rising reputation and consistent excellence across multiple global performance metrics.'
Daily Maverick
20-06-2025
- General
- Daily Maverick
University of Johannesburg secures spot in Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings' global top 30
University of Johannesburg Vice-Chancellor Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi said the prestigious rankings 'measure a university's contribution towards the realisation of sustainable development; it is the impact we have as a university on people'. The University of Johannesburg is now the leading sub-Saharan Africa institution in addressing global challenges through the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is according to the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings. The University of Johannesburg's (UJ) strong performance in the 2025 rankings, climbing 13 places from its 2024 position of 36th to an outstanding 23rd place globally, highlights its excellence in areas such as environmental sustainability, social inclusion, economic growth and global partnerships — affirming its role as a transformative force in higher education. The university is now ranked among the top 30 universities in the world out of 2,318 institutions evaluated. UJ also performed well in the individual SDG top 10s, taking second place for SDG 1 (no poverty), fourth place for SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and joint fourth for SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals). 'We want UJ to be the best university for the world' Daily Maverick spoke to the UJ Vice-Chancellor Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi, who said this milestone was not easy to attain; however, it showed the impact that the university had on people from different communities in South Africa. Mpedi gave examples of some of the work done. 'Through the UJ societal impact project in Limpopo, we adopted villages and a high school, working with generous donors. We are addressing food insecurity. 'We've got carriages that we have set up there, helping gogos, but there are children in a high school called Hanyani High School; they leave home at 4am to be at school at 8am. We have assisted with internet and water,' said Mpedi. Another example included work done in the Eastern Cape. 'There's a village where we set up hydro panels. There was a water issue, and through these hydro panels we harvest water from the atmosphere; these hydro panels harvest 8,000 litres of potable water,' said Mpedi. Speaking about eradicating poverty, Mpedi said challenges such as poverty, hunger, and unemployment must be dealt with by coming up with new solutions. 'Many of our students are the first generation to come to varsity, and student hunger is a big issue. We have a feeding programme for our needy students, and it's not a lousy meal. It's like Cheesy Rice and peanut butter, and we work with generous donors; also, the university invests some of its money… 'We've got lots of free land that is not being used. The aim is to show people that you can grow your food,' said Mpedi, who has held several senior academic and leadership positions. He served as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law, followed by his appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic. Since 2023, Mpedi has been the vice-chancellor and principal of the university. For the Impact Ranking achievement, he thanked the students and his staff who had worked brilliantly. 'I would say to them, 'Thank you so much. The hard work is making a huge difference out there. It's giving people hope.' We are transforming lives,' said Mpedi. Among other African universities that have made it to the top 100 is the University of Pretoria, which is now ranked 63, down from 42. Nigeria's Afe Babalola University is in joint 84th position, up from the 101-200 band. DM
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Olympic gymnast graduates from UJ
Growing up as an athlete in a minority sport, Caitlin Rooskrantz has long understood the challenges of underrepresentation. 'That's something I became very passionate about over the years as a gymnast,' she explained. 'It's also why I chose to study marketing – so I can one day empower young athletes, in all kinds of sports, to grow their personal brands and create a meaningful presence.' Read more: Gold Reef Rhythmic Gymnastics Club gymnasts strut their stuff on the international stage Her decision to pursue a BCom in Marketing Management was driven by a desire to change how minority sports are perceived and supported. In May, that vision took a significant step forward, when Caitlin graduated from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). The moment was shared with her closest supporters – her parents and long-time coach, Ilse Pelser. She reflected on how special the day was, as she marked the occasion in a cream dress with a bow detail, also wearing an Olympic pendant necklace in honour of her sporting journey. In 2024, Rooskrantz represented South Africa at the Paris Olympic Games, proudly serving as one of team SA's flag bearers during the opening ceremony. 'It was my first graduation, so, I didn't know what to expect,' she said. 'But having my parents, and Coach Ilse, there made it unforgettable. Coach Ilse has been with me for 15 years. Sharing that moment with her and my family was incredibly meaningful.' Rooskrantz admits that the past three years were some of the most challenging of her life, both academically and athletically, but they were also among the most rewarding. Also read: These 3 Gold Reef Rhythmic Gymnastics Club gymnasts had a great 2024 A two-time Olympian, World Cup gold medalist, and African champion, Rooskrantz has always approached life with discipline. Since high school, she's juggled intense gym sessions – six days a week, four hours a day – with academic commitments. 'This routine started in high school and helped prepare me for the much heavier university workload.' Time management was key. Rooskrantz would co-ordinate with her coach every semester, carefully planning her training and academic schedule. 'As a high-performing athlete, you can't cut training hours and expect the same results. You have to plan smartly and put in the work.' Her typical day included an early two-hour gym session, a full day of university classes, followed by another three hours of training in the evening. She also worked closely with her lecturers to stay ahead of assignments and coursework – especially when travelling for competitions, using her free time, even while travelling, to catch up or get ahead on schoolwork. 'It was demanding, especially during the competition season, but with the right support, and a strong work ethic, I made it work.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Newlands gymnasts find their way to the winners podium
