Meeting with VC on 29 October 2013

On 29 October I attended a meeting with the VC for all senior managers. From this meeting I would like to share the following with you.

The meeting started with the VC thanking staff for their hard work and dedication this year. He stated that the balance between work and family life is important and that staff should guard against neglecting family life.

The strategic vision for 2025 is: in pursuit of global excellence and stature. In line with this, the brand will change from current and hip to excellence and stature. By 2025 UJ wants to consistently rank in the top 400 universities.

Prof Rensburg mentioned that the following programmes did well:
- First year experience
- Success rates regarding graduate through put
- The flagship programmes
- We are acknowledged for model education
 - NRF chairs and centres of excellence
- Growing number of post doctoral fellows
- Growing publications footprint

Flagship programs include:
- Accountancy (CA)
- Transport and Logistics
- Information Technology
- Geology
- Philosophy
- Politics and International studies
- Mining and electrical engineering
- Radiography
- Optom
- Childhood education

In Reach and Innovation the focus will be on postgraduate studies and the impact of research. Their will also be a strong focus on innovation.

In the Teaching and Learning environment they want to increase the number of postgraduate students, as well as enrolments in science and technology. Academic staff will also be assisted in becoming excellent teachers. It was also mentioned that the staff qualifications program has been very successful.

UJ would like to establish the following research institutes:
- Earth Sciences
- Nano technology and water
- Process automation
- Pan-African thought
- Sustainability

In summary: there will be a strong focus on research and research output, as well as postgraduate studies.