VICE-CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE
Inspiring i nnovation IT’S THE UP WAY The University of Pretoria is a hidden jewel in the South African higher education landscape, with many facets of brilliance. In the Prof Tawana Kupe
year under review, it had numerous opportunities to demonstrate its clarity of purpose, unique research and depth of engagement.
The significant achievements the University of Pretoria (UP)
through to retaining top-rated researchers, and featuring
could record in 2019 are testimony to a solid foundation,
strongly in world rankings.
one that on 10 February 2019 was 111 years in the making as it celebrated this milestone of its existence. Going
Talent pipeline continues to flow
forward, UP will continue to use research and education of
UP remains a destination of choice and again succeeded
graduates to transform lives, transform communities and
in attracting students with outstanding school-leaving
sectors, transform South Africa as a nation and a society,
results. Almost one-third (32.4%) of the first-year students
and transform the continent. In short, it will continue to
who achieved six or more A-symbols in the National Senior
make a significant contribution to changing the world.
Certificate applied and were admitted to study at the University of Pretoria. This is up from 31.2% in 2018.
In mid-2019, the University launched THE UP WAY, which is its ethos, the way of life at UP and what it stands for as
The UP undergraduate recruitment strategy emphasises
an institution. It is as much about where it comes from as
the importance of responsible study and career choices
where it is heading to because THE UP WAY is about UP’s
and the employability of students. As a result, UP
excellence, perseverance, respect, creativity, innovation,
graduates are able to enter and enjoy success in the
diversity, growth, kindness and making a difference every
careers they choose – 93% of its students are either
day. It reflects UP culture and what its community does to
employed or continuing with their studies six months
uplift each other and society to make today matter.
after graduating1. UP is among the top four South African universities in the Quacquarelli Symonds 2020 Graduate
UP’s results prove that it is committed to making a
Employability Survey, which shows that our graduates are
decisive difference to transforming South Africa’s and
well-equipped for the world of work and highly sought-
Africa’s future through excellence in knowledge creation,
after.
relevant and impactful research, high-quality academic programmes, innovative teaching and learning, and social
The National Research Foundation (NRF) rating has
responsiveness and engagement.
become an accepted academic performance benchmark in the higher education sector. In 2019, UP had 528
This thread of excellence weaves throughout the UP system, from attracting top young talent to register at UP,
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UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA Annual Review 2019
1 University of Pretoria (2018) Graduate destination survey: 2017 UP graduates.
