Reflecting our Core

The two birds coming together and embracing an open book are emblematic of the union of the respected learning institutions into a powerful new entity. The birds also represent the concepts of freedom – freedom at academic, personal and social levels; independence, success, dignity and mobility, all of which are the core values of the University of Johannesburg.

Our logo also symbolises the accessibility of the University. The UJ is providing greater accessibility to higher education and a variety of academic and vocational programmes with articulation possibilities between programmes. This also takes into account the essential interaction encouraged between the academic learning environment and society, and supports the mission of the University, which includes partnerships with communities. 

The ability of birds to adapt to their changing environment should serve as an example for the institution, which will have to keep up with the rapid and pervasive changes taking place in both higher education and society in general. The birds distinctive crown feathers declare its "Africanness" – signifying that we are a premier African city university in the making.