UJ at the forefront of the evolution of SA universities – Prof Roy Marcus, Chairperson of Council

Speaking at the University’s Stakeholder Report Presentation, Prof Marcus pointed out that when UJ was established in 2005, it was said that the University is just another government dream that would shatter considering the experiment that it was, and the environment of the country.

The Stakeholder Report Presentation gives the University an opportunity to showcase the strides made and challenges encountered during the year in review, to industry, business people, government departments, private sector and all other UJ stakeholders.

“Now in its tenth year of existence, UJ has established itself as an institution of global excellence and world-class stature. We are now a real force to be reckoned with as a role model university, and 2014 was our best year yet despite challenges,” he said.

Prof Marcus continued by highlighting that the University pursued a focused transformation agenda since the merger, with remarkable progress and success. This process is part of various strategic phases since the merger of the former Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR) and Vista University. “UJ is at the forefront of the evolution and transformation of South African universities, and fast becoming the benchmark.”

Prof Marcus stated that much credit is laid at the door of UJ’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Ihron Rensburg, who has steered the University in a direction that is dynamically shaping South Africa, and influencing the continent.

“We are pleased to announce that racial and gender-based inequality will be paramount in our minds as we go forward,” said Prof Marcus.

It is at the Stakeholder Report Presentation that Prof Rensburg shared one of his ideas for the upcoming implementation of the Council Management System (CMS). This process is to be a radical transformation on how the Council will operate, involving them not only in the daily running of the University, but also the big issues that need to be remedied . Some of the cross-cutters to be used to gauge include policy; strategy, risk; innovation and sustainability.