Cognisant of the fact that this is a difficult and unprecedented time for all, the University of Johannesburg has put together a concise list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to ease the shift to remote learning and teaching and provide detail on operations of the University. These FAQ’s will be updated as and when new information becomes available.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
WILL UJ CONTINUE TO TEACH DURING LOCKDOWN?
For the rest of the first semester, UJ will continue to maintain all teaching and learning online. This is the only option for now and we will assist you as far as possible to make the necessary adjustments throughout this process. The second term started on Monday 20 April 2020 and no formal assessments or assignments will be scheduled for the first two weeks.
The modules for which you are registered will continue this semester and all of them will be active on Blackboard. This means that it is crucial for you to use Blackboard to communicate with your lecturers and to discuss your work with your classmates. You will be asked to complete your learning activities and your assessments online.
CORONAVIRUS SUPPORT
As requested by University management, please remain vigilant and adhere to the precautionary measures against the spread of the Covid-19 virus:
- Covering your nose and mouth when sneezing;
- Washing your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water (for 20 seconds), or an alcohol-based hand-rub;
- Refraining from touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth; and
- Staying home if you feel unwell. We are supposed to be at home because of the lockdown.
Should you experience any flu-like symptoms which include a cough, difficulty breathing, fever and tiredness, or if you test positive for COVID-19, please contact the following healthcare practitioners at our UJ Clinic: Contact Sister Miemie Geya on mgeya@uj.ac.za or 082 455 8451. You may also contact the NICD via the hotline number 0800 029 999 or the WhatsApp line 0600 123456.
HOW WILL I RECEIVE UPDATES FROM THE UNIVERSITY?
Access to the University is still through https://ulink.uj.ac.za The most important information you need, will pop up in the Notification Centre when you log in to uLink, so please read these announcements carefully. You should continue the habit of logging in daily to make sure that you are up to date with any news and announcements. Once you have gone into Blackboard (still in uLink), you will find all the other information regarding activities, announcements and tasks in the modules for which you are registered.
You are encouraged to download the Blackboard app for Apple, Android or Windows Mobile. You will be able to do this from a phone or tablet.
IMPORTANT CONTACTS DURING THIS PERIOD:
We are committed to providing you with the necessary support during this time. Below are important contact details:
- Support and Emergency Contact Details
- Many people are finding this time challenging, and stress and anxiety are not uncommon. If you are feeling like this, you are certainly not alone. Your wellbeing remains of importance to us. PsyCaD is available to support our students during this time either through telephone or Skype (011 559 3099/ 083 301 7470). You can also download the PsyCaD app (only available on Android phones for now) from the Play Store (search for PsyCaD@uj and download it). The app has a tab for emergency telephone numbers. If you click on the tab, it will connect you directly with the emergency number. All self-help information is also available on the app.
- CAT: uhelp@uj.ac.za or call (011) 559 3580
- Student Finance: studentaccounts@uj.ac.za or call (011) 559 4555
ICS is available from 07:30 – 16:30 weekdays (excluding public holidays) and may be contacted on the following contact details: 011 559 8888 (Option 1) or helpdesk@uj.ac.za
ARE EVENTS STILL TAKING PLACE?
In line with government advice, all planned University events between now and June have either moved online or have been cancelled.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH MY SEMESTER 1 EXAMS?
All formal invigilated exams will be replaced by online forms of continuous assessment and you will not be required to be on campus.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF THERE ARE CHANGES TO MY MODULE?
All module information and changes will be in your Learning Guide. You will be able to access your Learning Guide on Blackboard.
WILL WE FOLLOW A TIMETABLE?
We will follow the regular timetable. Your lecturer will tell you how they will use the scheduled periods on the timetable. They will also remind you what activities you will need to do and when assignments are due.
WHAT IF I CANNOT ATTEND AN ONLINE LECTURE?
Your lecturers will help you by making recordings or materials available to you on Blackboard.
HOW WILL MY LECTURER CONTACT ME?
Your lecturer will be in touch with you via multiple platforms including Blackboard, WhatsApp or email.
LABORATORY WORK, CLINICAL TRAINING OR PRACTICALS INCLUSIVE OF WIL (WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING)
We understand that many of you will be concerned about laboratory work, clinical training or practicals inclusive of WIL (Work Integrated Learning) in modules that require your presence. We are working on how to resolve these needs and we will let you know of the arrangements as soon as possible.
I AM A POSTGRADUATE STUDENT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY RESEARCH?
For postgraduate students, supervision will continue online with communication and feedback through email, WhatsApp, Skype and Blackboard Collaborate. Postgraduate funding arrangements remain active and bursaries, where applicable, are being processed. An online course will be made available to provide postgraduate students with assistance in applying for NRF bursaries. Research consultations are also available. For all information, visit www.uj.ac.za/postgraduate-school
FULLY ONLINE PROGAMMES SUPPORT DURING LOCKDOWN
Due to the nature of these programmes, the fully online programmes continue as usual. Information about online programmes is available at: https://online.uj.ac.za/. You may email enquiries@online.uj.ac.za or phone 0800 980 364 (toll free). For general UJ queries, you may contact the UJ Call Centre at +27 11 559 4555 or email mylife@uj.ac.za
CENTRAL AND FACULTY ADMINISTRATION QUESTIONS
HOW DOES THIS IMPACT ON THE 2020 ACADEMIC CALENDAR?
The University has amended the 2020 Academic Calendar. The academic programme for the second term commenced on 20 April with online teaching and learning and the first semester will end on 26 June. The mid-year recess is planned for two weeks (27 June to 12 July). First semester supplementary assessments have been moved one week later to 13 to 16 July. The second semester will start on 20 July.
WHERE DO I GET MY ACADEMIC RECORD?
If you are a registered student with UJ, please contact your faculty officer for an official transcript.
If not, try this link for an academic transcript or record: https://www.uj.ac.za/about/Pages/Online-Qualification-Verification.aspx
ENROLMENT CENTRE
Please contact the UJ Enrolment Centre on 011 559 4555 or email mylife@uj.ac.za
More information is available on the UJ website at south-africa.university For registration related information, you may visit this link: https://www.uj.ac.za/studyatUJ/Pages/Registration.aspx There is an online chat consultant to assist you.
For application information follow this link: https://www.uj.ac.za/studyatUJ/sec/Pages/default.aspx
For more information on applications, go to http://www.uj.ac.za/apply There is an online chat consultant to assist you.
If you are a purely online student, you may call 0800 980 364 for assistance or visit the UJ online website https://online.uj.ac.za/ for more information.
FACULTY CONTACTS – STUDENT REGISTRATION
Should you require any registration assistance, please email your respective faculty:
COLLEGE / FACULTY
EMAIL ADDRESSES
CAMPUS
College of Business and Economics
Honours/Postgraduate
lbobi@uj.ac.za
Kingsway campus
Masters/Doctorate
For assistance regarding applications, please contact the University Call Centre on (+27) 11 559 4555 or at mylife@uj.ac.za
GRADUATION INFO FOR STUDENTS
UJ has suspended all autumn graduations for the moment as a result of COVID-19 and the Academic Calendar has been revised. Please take note of the following:
- Students will now receive their digital certificates online via https://digitalcertificates.uj.ac.za
- Please ensure that your contact details are up to date on the UJ system. If you are currently registered, log in to uLink and go to Classes –> My Registration (ITS iEnabler) where you can change your personal contact information. The information will reflect on Blackboard within 24 hours too. If not registered, you may also ask the UJ Call Centre /Enrolment Centre to change them for you (011 559 4555 or email mylife@uj.ac.za).
- Further details regarding graduations and certificates are available here.
Given that a graduation ceremony is such a momentous occasion in a student’s life, graduates will have an opportunity later in the year to experience elements of such a ceremony with their loved ones.
HOW DO I ACCESS MY RESULTS?
Results can be found inside Blackboard, and on uLink under ‘Results’. Results on uLink are unofficial. For official results, results not showing or queries about them, please contact your lecturer or faculty. Sometimes results do not appear as a result of a financial or other block.
You may contact student finance email studentaccounts@uj.ac.za For more information, you may contact the UJ Call Centre on 011 559 4555 or email mylife@uj.ac.za
FINANCIAL QUESTIONS
DOES THE TEMPORARY MOVE TO ONLINE TEACHING AFFECT MY TUITION FEES?
The University believes that the provision of its services in an online mode will enable it to continue the full provision of learning opportunities and outcomes during this difficult time. We are confident that the steps we are taking will enable your continued progress in your chosen degree. Therefore, the University is not currently offering any tuition fee refunds.
For more information on student fees, please use the link here.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH MY NSFAS FUNDING?
The University will continue to disburse monthly allowances to all NSFAS qualifying students. Please ensure your contact details and banking details are up to date to facilitate a smooth payment process.
We remind NSFAS-funded students residing in Privately Owned Student Accommodation (POSAs) that the University can only pay landlords upon the instruction of the student, as the contracts exist between the students and the landlords. As such, students need to effect rental payments through the USSD Code instruction sent to them. We caution students that the landlord may have legal claims against them if they fail to pay the rental amounts. The remedies of the landlords to enforce their claims may include termination of the contracts and keeping the property of the students that can be found in the POSAS, as security for unpaid rent.
For all NSFAS-related queries please email us at studentaccounts@uj.ac.za
QUESTIONS ABOUT SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE ONLINE TEACHING AND LEARNING
ORIENTATION FOR ONLINE LEARNING
All students have received access to a module called ‘Continue to Learn Off-Campus’. If you have not yet found it, it can be found under Organisations underneath Courses in Blackboard. This module is full of tips and useful information to make the process easier for you. If you experience difficulties with any aspect of online learning or with any of your modules, please do contact us for help. You can email us at uhelp@uj.ac.za
ARE THE LIBRARIES OPEN?
Library buildings are closed, and many services have moved online. During this time of online learning the Library is hosting a variety of training sessions everyday. Please refer your students to these. These trainings include how to reference properly in Harvard and APA styles, how to avoid plagiarism, how to paraphrase and make summaries for assignments. Some advanced training is also suitable for emerging academics who may be pursuing a postgraduate qualification. There are also a number of very short videos on the use of Library resources such as how to download old exam papers, find an article online and download an e-book. All of these can be found on the Library website and on the Library App. All other functions of the library are accessible online.
For assistance you can send an email to the library at Infolic@uj.ac.za
Faculty librarians are available to assist you with your queries:
NAME
FACULTY
CONTACT
Important Library Links:
- Subject/topic guides: https://www.uj.ac.za/library-01/uj-library-subject-guides/
- Information Literacy Module: https://uj.ac.za.libguides.com/c.php?g=581225
- Short tutorial videos: https://www.uj.ac.za/library/online-training-and-videos/
- Our online training dates and topics: https://www.uj.ac.za/library/library-services/Documents/Library%20Undergraduate%20Training_March_April.pdf
- To access past assessment scripts, you may contact your lecturer/s. You can also get old exam scripts from the UJ Library. They are available here: https://ujcontent.uj.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository
PSYCAD SUPPORT DURING LOCKDOWN (STUDENTS)
The Centre for Psychological Services and Career Development (PsyCaD) is available to support you during this time, through telephone and Skype counselling. Should you wish to book an appointment, please contact us on 011 559 3099. In the event of an emergency: Contact the PsyCaD 24-Hour Crisis Line at 082 054 1137 or Download the PsyCaD App (only available on Android phones for now) from the Play store – search for PsyCaD@UJ and download it. The app has a tab for emergency telephone numbers. If you click on the tab, it will connect you directly with the emergency number. All self-help information is also available on the app.
UJELP (UJ ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMME)
The UJELP programme will continue as normal during the lockdown period, but in an online mode. Please contact Seipati Maboya for support at seipatim@uj.ac.za or Jo-Anne Mooney at jo-annem@uj.ac.za
Writing centre during corona virus shutdown
The UJ Writing Centres is continuing to serve the student population with regards to their writing. The UJ writing consultants are available to assist you via email until the university reopens. To access this service, please email your rough draft to the Writing Centre on the campus where you attend classes as early as possible:
For APK, please email to
For APB, please email to
For DFC, please email to
For Soweto, please email to
Kindly remember to provide your student number, full name, department, module, and assignment brief and due date in the email so that the writing centre consultants have all the required information to be able to assist you.
Learning Development and study skills questions
What do I do if I am struggling with study skills, exam writing skills, time management or managing my STRESS?
ADC staff from Learning development are ready to assist you with any study skills questions. To ensure that you are assisted as fast as possible, a central e-mail address has been created to which you can direct your query. Please email learningdevelopment@uj.ac.za with a detailed query and a staff member will get back to you as soon as possible.
CAN I BOOK A ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATION SESSION FOR STUDY SKILLS OR EXAM PREPARATION?
Yes, you can. Please contact learningdevelopment@uj.ac.za. An expert advisor will respond and organise a session online either via zoom, Blackboard, or WhatsApp if you require one.
WHERE CAN I FIND ADVICE ABOUT STUDY- OR WRITING SKILLS WITHOUT WRITING AN E-MAIL?
An online organisation is being created on Blackboard and all undergraduate students will have access to this resource by 4 May 2020. The site is being created with your needs in mind and it will contain short answers to a wide variety of questions you might have about study skills or literacy issues. To access the organisation called on the go: Student Online Success (SOS). It will be located under Organisations underneath Courses in Blackboard
TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNET ACCESS QUESTIONS
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE RELIABLE INTERNET ACCESS AT HOME, OR MY CONNECTION IS SLOW?
UJ has secured 30GB (10GB Anytime use and 20GB Night Owl) data per student for a month.
MTN, CELL C and Telkom have zero rated UJ’s websites as per the list below:
- https://www.uj.ac.za/studyatUJ/Pages/zero-rated-data-to-students-and-applicants.aspx
- https://ulink.uj.ac.za
- https://www.uj.ac.za/
- https://registration.uj.ac.za
- https://student.uj.ac.za
- https://regchat.uj.ac.za
- https://ujvpn.uj.ac.za
- https://ujoogle.uj.ac.za
- https://ujlink.uj.ac.za
- https://ujcontent.uj.ac.za
Please check https://www.uj.ac.za/studyatUJ/Pages/zero-rated-data-to-students-and-applicants.aspx for updates.
MY BANDWIDTH IS LOW/ MY DEVICE IS SLOW: WHAT CAN I DO?
You may try the following to speed up your connection or save data:
- If uLink is busy, you can log in directly to Blackboard at uj.blackboard.com, ensure you log in as a 3rd Party user (for students and staff).
- When you find that a website (e.g. uLink, Blackboard) is slow, try turning your Wi-Fi/Internet off and on again and refresh the page (shortcut to refresh = F5).
- Try to work offline (not on your Internet browser) as much as possible if you can, e.g. copy and paste or download material from Blackboard, then work in a text editor or read the material offline.
- Download the Blackboard Learn app from your App Store.
- Only use Chrome for Blackboard.
- Only have the minimum tabs open on your browser and close anything else that may be using Internet bandwidth, e.g. apps downloading/updating or programs/plugins hogging your bandwidth.
- Limit the number of devices using your connection.
- If you’re using a cell phone, please check that your storage is not full − delete files or images cluttering your space. You can download/use Google Drive (for videos and music) and Google Photos (for photos) apps to do this. You sync your media and then they will upload to the Internet (Cloud storage). Then you can delete the files on your phone.
FORGOTTEN YOUR ULINK PASSWORD?
If you have forgotten your uLink password, you can click here for a step-by-step guide to help you with your password. If you are still struggling, please email our Help Desk at uhelp@uj.ac.za
ULINK IS DOWN WHAT NOW?
If you struggle to log in to uLink due to a system maintenance, you may log in via: https://uj.blackboard.com and select “Sign in with a third-party account”, or use the Blackboard App.
PASSWORDS/LOGIN: ALTERNATIVE LOGIN FOR BLACKBOARD
Please use the following link to access Blackboard: (ALWAYS USE GOOGLE CHROME TO ACCESS BLACKBOARD) https://uj.blackboard.com/
– Click on Sign in with a third-party account
– Then select UJ Staff / Student: Login here (uLink Credentials)
– Click Advanced
– Then click on Proceed to cas.uj.ac.za
– Then authenticate with your uLink credentials.