Vice-Chancellor's Update
- Professor Zeblon Vilakazi
Season's greetings from Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits University.
Dear Colleagues
We are reaching the end of yet another successful year, thanks to the efforts of the Wits community, and in particular to you, our staff members, who make this University exceptional. On behalf of the Senior Executive Team, I thank you for ensuring that Wits remains a beacon of hope, excellence and innovation in the world today.
It has been a long and productive year and I am therefore certain that many staff will appreciate that Wits will close earlier this year on Friday, 20 December 2024. All Schools, Faculties and units are requested to ensure that University activities are completed before the close of the University. Look out for formal communication from the Registrar’s Office that will spell out the specific details of the earlier closure this year.
This is our second year of implementation of the Wits 2033 Strategic Plan, and we have achieved much in advancing academic excellence; enabling social impact; fostering a shared identity; and ensuring our sustainability, as outlined below.
Teaching and Learning
The Wits 2025 - 2029 Learning and Teaching Strategic Plan will be implemented next year, and includes Wits’ enrolment plans, postgraduate targets, and a focus on lifelong learning through WitsPlus, a hub which consolidates short courses from across the University. The Plan also focuses on integrating technology, enhancing teaching environments, and fostering academic integrity. Two flagship programmes have also continued to grow and thrive this year - the Afretec Digital Transformation Programme and the Wits Edinburgh Sustainable African Futures Programme.
Research and Innovation
Wits academics continued to conduct pioneering and innovative high-quality research and have published in leading journals, particularly around the Sustainable Development Goals. Some of the research that attracted substantial attention included the Wits Rhisotope Project, a search for a meteorite, the reimagining of a TB vaccine, and an affordable AI device to monitor air pollution hotspots in real-time, amongst others.
The Wits Innovation Centre has grown from strength to strength, Wits Enterprise has been consolidated, the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct is making strides, and contract research through the Wits Health Consortium continues apace. There are several innovation and entrepreneurship developments which have been launched across the University, including the WBS’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and the Wits Entrepreneurship Clinic.
The newly launched Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute is a space where great minds will unleash the power of natural and artificial intelligence to build ethical, safe and inclusive AI in Africa, for the world.
Building Our Campuses
Wits' campuses continue to grow as connected spaces for learning, research, and innovation. This year, we celebrated the opening of the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome, a world-class centre for digital exploration, education and public engagement. The Wits Crucible in Marshalltown now serves as a hub for creativity and innovation, while our revamped Flower Hall gained international recognition for its sustainable design. The Wits Centre for Entrepreneurship, the Wits Liberty FinTech Hub and the Wits Student Entrepreneurship Hub were all opened this year.
The nearly off-grid solar farm at the Wits Rural Campus demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and the proceeds of the development of the University's Frankenwald
property will support the academic project. Wits also spearheaded the R100 million expansion of the Wits Roy McAlpine Burns Unit at Baragwanath Hospital, which opened in August.
Advancements and Partnerships
The Centenary Campaign continues, with successful alumni engagements and fundraising activities in South Africa, the UK, the US, and Australia. The first recipients of the R87,5 million Wits AngloGold Ashanti Legacy Scholarship Endowment were announced, Wits hosted two Nobel Laureates, one at the 22ndannual Nelson Mandela Memorial Lecture and Prof. Maria Ressa, the 2021 Nobel Prize Peace winner.
Wits’ global footprint expanded significantly in 2024. Our partnerships with esteemed institutions such as Imperial College, the University of Edinburgh, the University of British Columbia, the Carnegie Mellon University, CIVIS, Uno Europa University Alliances, Tübingen University, CARTA, and ARUA, amongst others, highlight our growing role in shaping global academic and research agendas. The JoziMyJozi initiative, a collaboration aimed at revitalising Johannesburg, has seen enhanced lighting and security on the Nelson Mandela Bridge and a clean-up project in Hillbrow.
People Development and Culture
The Wits 2033 Strategy emphasises the importance of nurturing a supportive and inclusive environment. The 2024 Wits Institutional Cultures Study offered valuable insights from staff, students and alumni, that will guide future initiatives. We also aligned HR services, mapped training and support initiatives, finalised a key appointment in the Gender Equity Office, relooked our transformation pillars and language policies, and appointed a new health and wellness service provider. The Diversifying the Academy programme continues with funding from Carnegie. Salary negotiations are underway with labour representatives for professional and administrative staff. Salary adjustments for academics will be implemented as per the multi-year agreement.
The Division of Students Affairs continued to foster a holistic student experience through the Student Success Framework which pivots around four key areas, namely academic success; health and wellness; material needs; and personal development.
Sustainability
Sustainability is central to Wits’ mission and the Sustainability Strategy is being implemented. The third annual Inter-Faculty Symposium on Climate, Sustainability, and Inequality brought together researchers and students to address urgent climate challenges. The GCI and other Wits entities continue to produce high quality research in climate sustainability. We hosted Amitav Ghosh who spoke on a pathway out of climate doom, and Jane Goodall, who was optimistic about our future. On campus, sustainability projects like the Green Campus Initiative and solar energy installations are reducing our carbon footprint, students are enjoying the reverse vending machines and the solar-powered outdoor workstations, while serving as models for environmental responsibility.
Governance and Funding
Wits achieved another unqualified audit opinion this year and remains a financially sustainable institution. However, given the external headwinds, the rising student debt, and other factors, Wits’ Council has made the University’s long-term sustainability an important priority area. In 2024, Wits disbursed over R1.79 billion in student financial aid, scholarships and bursaries to support more than 26 000 students, ensuring access to quality education.
Celebrating Excellence
Wits' staff and students have excelled in academia, research, sport, entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership. We celebrate Prof. Achille Mbembe who was honoured with the Holberg Prize.
Wits researchers won in six out of 15 categories at the NSTF-South 32 Research Awards, several Witsies were honoured by the South African Medical Research Council, the South African Royal Society, the South African Chemical Institute, ASSAf, the NRF, the Geological Society of South Africa, and at the 2024 NIHSS Awards, amongst others.
Hearty congratulations are also extended to the academic and professional and administrative staff recipients of the 2024 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards.
We also celebrated Harry Saner, a Wits student, who represented South Africa in fencing at the Olympics, and the Wits Rugby team who clinched the 2024 Castle Lager Pirates Grand Challenge title. Our students excelled at the inaugural Innovathon Challenge with the EcoCane Innovation winning R200 000 in seed money to advance their eco-friendly bioplastic solution. Catch up on all the news as well as the virtual tour via Wits News Online.
Also visit the Esther Mahlangu exhibition at the Wits Art Museum, when you have a moment.
Happy Holidays!
Once again, thank you for your commitment to Wits University. I wish you all a restful and joyous holiday season. Enjoy the break, travel safely, and I look forward to welcoming you all in the New Year.
Warm Regards
Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, FRS
Vice-Chancellor and Principal