Category: Education

Dear UJ Community,

Recently, on the sidelines of our Executive Leadership Group (ELG) and Senior Leadership Group (SLG) meetings, a colleague raised the point that we seldom take a moment to celebrate our successes as a University. Celebrating our achievements is an important aspect of our development, so that we may keep motivated even during trying times, as we continue to position UJ on the global stage.

In this regard, I am thrilled to share with you the exciting news that our University is now ranked second in South Africa and on the African content, according to the latest QS World University Rankings released this week. UJ was previously ranked at position three, behind Wits University and the University of Cape Town. We have improved our global ranking yet again, having been ranked at position 412 in the world, an all-time high, climbing 22 places from position 434 in the world last year.

The QS World University Rankings are based on six performance indicators, related to global academic and employer reputation, research output, and quality, internationalisation, and teaching and learning. Notably, UJ is highly ranked in the International Research Network and International Faculty Ratio categories, with a score of 94.3 and 88.1, respectively. This exceptional feat comes on the back of the University’s upward trajectory in the recent Times Higher Education (THE) impact Rankings, in which UJ improved its global ranking and has been ranked overall, in its third showing, at position 69 in the world, out of 1 406 ranked institutions – 289 more than last year.

This is a tremendous achievement and recognition for UJ. It reaffirms the fact that our academic programmes remain on par with international standards. I would like to say a very big thank you to everyone at UJ – your hard work and dedication is appreciated! An achievement in a global ranking reflects on every aspect of the university, from how our spaces and support services are run, our community outreach and the quality of our teaching and learning, and research. Indeed, it feels good to be part of the UJ Community!

Still on rankings, I am pleased to share with you the news that Prof Chris Rogerson has now been ranked 647 in the world and 8 in South Africa in the discipline of Social Sciences and Humanities. This global ranking is derived from data gathered by Microsoft Academic, with the baseline being an h-index of at least 30 for scientific papers published in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities, the operating arena of CBE. Congratulations to Prof Rogerson, we know that your presence in the Research.com ranking is indeed an important accomplishment for you and UJ!

On the sporting front, I am pleased to notice that six of our student-athletes and our Netball Club manager and coach, Bongiwe Msomi, were named as part of Team South Africa’s athletes headed to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) made the announcement on Wednesday, just 50 days before the Games begin.

The students are Yane van der Merwe (athletics), Caitlin Rooskrantz (gymnastics), Kristen Paton (hockey), Boitumelo Mahloko (netball), Bongiwe Msomi (netball), Monique Reyneke (netball), Michelle Moganedi (wheelchair basketball) and alumnus Ronald Brown (rugby 7s) were among the players announced as part of Team SA. We are immensely proud of our students and wish them well!

On COVID-19 matters, I wish to remind you that we have completed the revision of our COVID-19 workplace risk assessment study. The results of this study are being analysed and will inform us in dealing with the challenges of COVID-19 related challenges going forward. However, I have been informed that there are a few staff and students who are still not compliant with the UJ Mandatory Vaccination Policy. We rely on the leadership of the line managers to ensure compliance within their domains, including the recording of the weekly negative PCR test results where applicable.

We thus reiterate our call for employees and students who are yet to be compliant with our University’s Mandatory Vaccination Policy to do so. If you have been vaccinated and have not uploaded your vaccination certificate, please do so on https://ulink.uj.ac.za/ujvac. To read more about the Policy as well as other COVID-19 information click http://www.uj.ac.za/covid-19.

As usual,?I remind you to?notify our campus clinics if you have tested positive for?COVID-19, or if you know of a colleague or a student who has tested positive.

We appeal to all to adhere to recommended COVID-19 precautionary measures at all times ?(https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public).

Kea?leboga,?enkosi,?baie?dankie,?ndi?a?livhuwa, thank you!

Issued by:

Professor Kinta Burger

Source: University of Johannesburg

The sixth United Nations (UN) Partnership for Technology in Peacekeeping International Symposium (PTPS) is expected to be held in South Africa later this month.

This was announced by Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele during a Post Cabinet media briefing on Thursday.

Some 300 delegates from about 50 countries are expected at the symposium which will be held at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research from June 21 to June 24.

“The symposium brings together all interested military, police, and civilians from the UN Member States to collaborate in the use of modern, advanced technologies and concepts in UN-led field missions.

“The symposium will be used as an information-sharing and brainstorming platform for UN member states involved in peacekeeping initiatives on the usage of the latest technologies in peacekeeping missions,” Minister Gungubele said.

According to Gungubele, cabinet also acknowledged the Fourth WorldSkills South Africa (WSZA) Biennial National Competition currently underway at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in KwaZulu-Natal.

“The event is used to promote artisan skills as a viable career choice as well as to open up potential partnerships with the industry. It is also used to assess the levels of our apprenticeships and artisan development in addition to advocating for the uptake of artisan careers as careers of the first choice by our students,” Gungubele said.

Turning to events on the continent, Minister Gungubele said cabinet reflected on the African Union’s anti-terrorism and anti-coup summit held at the end of last month.

“Cabinet welcomed the declaration, pledges and commitments adopted at the AU’s Extraordinary Summit on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes in Africa held in Malabo, Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

“African leaders assessed the persistent threats, evaluated current response mechanisms and committed to strengthening the collective security of member states facing terrorism and violent extremism,” he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The South African Revenue Services (SARS) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) have joined forces to donate tonnes of seized clothing, blankets and footwear to flood victims in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, North West, and the Free State.

The initiative, named Project Sizani (We all Help), took shape after the declaration of a State of Disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa in response to the recent heavy rains that battered the provinces.

SARS conceived of the idea of making seized clothing, blankets and footwear available, which are strictly regulated by the Customs Act, Act 91 of 1964, administered by SARS, and the Counterfeit Goods Act, administered by the dtic, as well as a 2009 and 2020 NEDLAC agreement. These stipulate that seized goods must be destroyed so as to avoid disruption to the South African market.

“It is important to note that SARS, by itself, is not in a position to conduct an operation of this magnitude from a legislative or operational perspective. A raft of engagements and approvals by various key government and other external stakeholders, as well as their direct involvement, were required to make it happen,” said SARS in a statement on Tuesday.

This included a “once-off deviation” from the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) agreement, as agreed upon during a meeting with key stakeholders in the Clothing Textile Footwear and Leather Industry (CTFL) to enable the donation of specific CTFL goods that have been seized and forfeited to SARS to the victims of the severe weather events of April 2022.

The execution of the operation is led by a Governance Task Team (GTT), established for this purpose.

This team works in close collaboration with the National Disaster Management Committee to obtain information and direction on matters of common interest, as well as to align the efforts of the donations of the goods with the bigger government led project.

The GTT is responsible for overseeing the process flow and to ensure that the donated goods are duly accounted for.

The distribution is strictly monitored through the close working relationship at ground level with the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the current shelters that are housing people.

Inputs from the KZN Premier’s Office were used to develop the donations operational plan, which sets out the principles governing the process of donations such as quantities proportionate to the confirmed numbers of the people in need, as well as governance processes to protect the entire donations value chain.

In addition, the provincial department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), through its disaster management structures, played a leading role in preparations for the donations process.

The involvement of organised labour and the CTFL industry, as key stakeholders, are deemed necessary in every step of the project to monitor the processes and ensure that any risks that may harm the local business are mitigated.

The South African Association of Ship Operators and Agents (SAASOA) assisted with the transport of the containers to the warehouse in Durban, from where distribution takes place.

Due to the critical need for blankets in eThekwini, the rollout of a pilot programme for the donations started in KZN last week.

During the seven-day pilot approximately 1 612 blankets are being donated to specific flood victims at shelters in eThekwini, as identified by the KZN Premier’s Office.

In total 35 806 seized blankets/duvets are earmarked for distribution across the affected disaster areas in the country.

The process of engagement with the Eastern Cape and North West have started and is intended to be a replica of the KZN operations.

SARS Commissioner Mr Edward Kieswetter thanked all government departments that have collaborated to deliver such a sizeable contribution to assist the victims of floods.

“We hope and trust that this gesture of goodwill will go a long in mitigating suffering that was brought about by this natural calamity. The blankets, especially now during winter, will make a difference to all,” he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Parents to confirm spaces for the 2023 school year

Parents can now see the outcome of their applications for the 2023 school year and have until 17 June 2022 to confirm their final choice of school for 2023.

The 2023 admission process ended on 15 April 2022, and school governing bodies have since been applying their admission policies to determine placements for next year.

On 27 May 2023, the website began to display the outcome of the process to inform parents as to whether their application has been successful or not.

Parents can log onto: https://admissions.westerncape.gov.za/admissions/login(link is external)

They can then go to “Track Application Status”, select name of learner and then under “Application Status”, it will inform the parent as to whether their application was a) Successful, b) Unsuccessful or c) Has been placed on the waiting list.

The parent must then either “Withdraw” or “Confirm” their application.

Once they have confirmed acceptance at a school, parents must print and submit a copy of the application, as well as certified copies of the supporting documents, to the school within 7 days of confirming on the system with the school or district office if they have not already submitted hard copies to the school.

Parents must please note that parents ONLY have until 17 June 2022 to confirm their final choice of school for 2023. Parents are reminded that if they do not confirm a place at a school by 17 June 2022, then the system will automatically accept the first successful offer from a school on the system for them.

If a parent has been unsuccessful at all the schools they have applied to and are notified of a successful placement after 17 June 2022, then they have 3 days to accept the place offered.

If parents require support getting access to their profiles on the website – i.e. Forgotten passwords etc, then they can contact any of the officials listed on the website or their nearest district office. Website link: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/admissions-officials

If a learner has not been accepted at a school, the parents are advised to first engage the school governing body to establish the reasons why the application was unsuccessful, get clarity on the admission process followed and to motivate for the application to be reconsidered.

Parents are advised to stay in touch with the school and request that the learner be placed on a waiting list as some places could still open as parents confirm.

We appeal to parents who have yet to apply for 2023, to do so immediately. Applications must be submitted to the district or directly to a school as the system is now closed for parents to capture their own application.

They must please contact the district office urgently. We need to ensure that as many learners as possible register this year so that we can plan appropriately to place all learners for 2023.

Source: Government of South Africa

The Department of Higher Education and Training will host the fourth WorldSkills South Africa (WSZA) Biennial National Competition at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in KwaZulu-Natal.

The WSZA National Competition, which kicks off on 7 – 10 June 2022, takes place three years after the 45th WorldSkills International Competition in Russia, Kazan, in September 2019.

The Department noted that it hosts the biennial WSZA National Competition as an important mechanism to promote artisan skills as a viable career choice, as well as to open up potential partnerships with industry.

“The national competition supported by regional competitions provide a critical platform from which the country is able to assess the levels of apprenticeship and artisan training in addition to advocating for the uptake of artisan careers as careers of first choice.

“The WSZA programme also plays a critical role in building bridges between all stakeholders within the apprenticeship and artisan development arena,” the department said in a statement.

Hosted under the theme “It’s Cool to be a 21st Century Artisan”, the 2022 WSZA National Competition will incorporate a two-day WSZA Conference at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre parallel to the National Competition.

National Apprenticeship and Artisan Development Strategy 2030

The department is in the final stages of promulgating the National Apprenticeship and Artisan Development Strategy 2030.

“The conference will be used as a launching pad for the promulgated strategy. Also incorporated at the WSZA National Competition, will be the National Artisan Development Career Festival, which will be hosted in different selected districts of the KwaZulu-Natal province.

“The aim of the career festival is to reduce, among others, the stigma related to artisan careers, provide information on artisan careers and possible career projections,” the department said.

WorldSkills International Competition

The winners at the National Competition will get an opportunity to represent the country at the WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai, China. They will compete in different skills areas covering different disciplines, including construction and building technology; manufacturing and engineering technology; information and communications; social and personal services; creative arts and fashion; and transportation and logistics, among others.

The 46th WorldSkills International Competition, which was previously scheduled for September 2021 in Shanghai, had to be rescheduled for 12 – 17 October 2022 due to COVID-19 pandemic.

WorldSkills South Africa said the postponement of the international competition afforded member countries, including South Africa, time to focus on local competitions and other related activities in preparation for the international competition.

“The postponement also allowed WSZA time to prepare for the WorldSkills Africa Competition, which took place in Swakopmund, Namibia in March 2022. South Africa participated in 14 of the skills at the WorldSkills Africa competition and managed to bring home eight medals,” WorldSkills South Africa said.

According to WorldSkills South Africa, the WorldSkills Africa competition in Namibia was a huge opportunity for South Africa’s young competitors and prepared them for what will probably be a tough national competition in June.

“WSZA travelled between provinces to host workshops with different stakeholders, monitor and ensure the success of all WSZA provincial competitions in preparation for the 2022 WSZA National Competitions.

“The provincial competitions were a result of a rigorous and transparent sifting process at local competitions which took place at colleges, workplaces and training centres across the country,” WSZA said.

The 46th WorldSkills International Competition will feature over 1 600 competitors from more than 60 countries and regions, competing in over 63 skills.

Source: South African Government News Agency