Let us make 2022 more lit!

The stage was ablaze with vibrant academic colours.

Featuring lively songs sung by the university’s choir, interfaith prayers delivered by diverse religious representatives and a grand academic procession, the opening ceremony of the 2022 academic year electrified the audience on 11 February.

Taking place at the ZK Matthews Great Hall and broadcast online, the hybrid ceremony was themed Reclaiming and Re-imagining Africa’s intellectual futures beyond Covid-19, and included presentations from all seven portfolio heads including the Registrar. Apart from the 2021 academic highlights, challenges and plans, the speakers also noted that the day marked President Nelson Mandela’s release from prison.

In her opening address, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC), described this particular day as the most striking symbol of the end of apartheid in South African history. ‘Thirty-two years ago on this day,’ she said, ‘the Father of the Nation walked out of Victor Verster Prison as a free man. As he walked through the gates of the prison, hand-in-hand with our shero Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, he captivated the world’s imagination.’

Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor.

She added: ‘President Mandela – an esteemed Unisan and Nobel Peace Laureate – understood and appreciated the immense power of education in the development of society in general and human beings in particular.’

Reflecting on the previous year’s highlights, the VC noted that despite the challenges facing the country, the university had managed to impact its internal and external environments positively. Not only did she congratulate Unisans on a job well done, but also listed the university’s great achievements and the strategic plans she promises to deliver with her team this year.

Unwavering dedication and commitment

During her first term, said the VC, the university progressed in global rankings. ‘Unisa improved its overall position in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking to 948th, despite an increase in the number of ranked institutions from 1 527 institutions for the 2021 ranking to 1 662 for the 2022 ranking. Unisa achieved 30^th position out of the 71 ranked African universities and achieved 7^th position for teaching, 8^th position for research, joint 31^st position for industry income,  46^th position for citations and 50^th position for international outlook. Only five open distance education (ODL) institutions were ranked, of which Unisa was placed third of the five.’

‘Furthermore,’ continued the VC, ‘Unisa improved its position to joint 237^th out of 698 institutions in the second quartile overall in the 2022 Times Higher Education Emerging Economies Ranking. We also improved our position in all five dimensions: teaching, research, citations, industry income and international outlook. In the  US News & World Report 2022 Best Global Universities rankings, Unisa achieved joint 851^st position out of 1 750 universities and scored in the third quartile overall. This ranking included 54 African universities and three open distance eLearning (ODeL) universities. Also, this ODeL university achieved 22^nd position out of the 54 African universities (ninth of the South African universities) and 2^nd among ODeL universities.’

The VC’s speech backed up everything her management team articulated. As the head of the institution, she reminded Unisans about her vision: ‘I made a commitment last year that I would re-centre the university back to its core mandate – the academic project.’

The VC concluded her address with a motivational message to staff.  ‘We hope you find your professional life as a Unisan rewarding and fulfilling. Let us hope that 2022 becomes another productive year, edging us closer to making ours an African university shaping intellectual futures in our pursuit of academic excellence. Here is to another year of reclaiming and re-imagining Africa’s intellectual futures beyond Covid-19.’

‘It is our duty to lead’

Mashukudu James Maboa, Unisa Council Chair.

Joining the event virtually, Chairperson of Council, James Maboa, told the audience that Unisa should lead from the front. He noted: ‘We owe it not only to our own students, but to the country and the continent at large, to lead from the front given our stature as a leader in open distance education. We are, after all, one of the world’s mega-universities and the only mega-university in Africa. We attract a third of all higher education students in South Africa, with a student population of approximately 376 000, including international students from 130 countries. We have amongst our illustrious alumni many notable South Africa, including two Nobel Prize Winners, the late President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. This then begs the question: If Unisa does not lead the way, who will?’    

Inspiring Unisans to stay focused, Maboa said, ‘We have caught the 4IR bug, colleagues, and the wisest move for us to make is not to look for a vaccine for it. The 4IR bug is a good bug to catch. We should forge ahead with the online interventions we have introduced if we are to remain relevant in the digital era that is now engulfing not just our sector, but all spheres of society.’   

Guest speaker of the day was Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, Director-General, Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), who gave an overview on higher education's focus. ‘Reclaiming and reimagining education beyond Covid-19 is an important theme in ongoing curriculum conversations and Africa-centred scholarship. It's a clarion call to all of us. We must reimagine education for the generations to come.’

Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, Director-General, DHET.

During the event, five Unisans who have successfully completed Certificates of Advanced Studies in Online Teaching from the University of Oldenburg were recognised:

This year’s academic ceremony celebrated the achievements of the university community, and the incredible energy from all the speakers set the tone for the 2022 academic year.

*By Lesego Chiloane-Ravhudzulo, Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement