Message from the Alumni Dear Tukkie reader What a year it has been! While there is no doubt that the events of 2020 have brought unprecedented disruption to our lives, there is also no doubt that the challenges presented by COVID-19 have galvanised rather than hindered the University of Pretoria (UP), not only to reimagine its approach to academia in novel ways but to continue to excel. UP has also played an active part in the fight to stop the spread of the virus, by contributing its expertise through innovation and excellence. More details of how the University did so and of its continued research efforts and various national and international collaborations can be found in the magazine.
Quality outcomes We are proud to announce that UP was ranked number one in South Africa and Africa on uniRank’s list of the top universities on the continent, and number 183 on the list of the top universities globally. In addition, the University featured in the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy’s recently released 2020 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS), taking the top spot in South Africa in three subject areas and joint first in five others. UP also ranked in the top 500 universities globally in the GRAS and, according to these rankings, is tops in South Africa in Computer Science and Engineering, Veterinary Science, and Finance. UP is tied in first place in South Africa in the subject areas Energy Science and Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Biotechnology, Economics and Law. According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020, the University improved its overall ranking in three of the four broad subject areas that the institution was ranked in. The Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) was once again ranked as the number one South African and African business school for executive education by the Financial Times in its Executive Education 2020 Ranking. This marks the 17th year in which the school has consistently ranked among the top 50 best executive education providers globally. It is ranked at number 38.
COVID-19 response One of UP’s goals is to strengthen its social responsiveness and impact in society. This was exemplified by some of the COVID-19 innovations that were produced by our staff, students as well as alumni. A team from the Department of Statistics, in collaboration with a partner in the Middle East, developed what is believed to be the first interactive app in the country, which provides real-time data on COVID-19. UP is also leading a South African Medical Research Council study on various rapid-test methods, and the MakerSpace Centre is producing 3D-printed visor frames that are being used as facial shields by healthcare workers.
International partnerships The University is working with international partners on several innovative initiatives. One such venture is an in vitro fertilisation project to support dwindling rhinoceros populations; another involves researchers at UP and the University of Leicester who are revolutionising the way tuberculosis is detected, through the invention and application of a 3D-printed insert added to simple face masks. UP is also part of a team of astronomers from South Africa and the United States that used the MeerKAT telescope to solve a longstanding puzzle in ’X’-shaped radio galaxies. We are also pleased to announce that the Department of SpeechLanguage Pathology and Audiology has been formally designated as a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for the prevention of deafness and hearing loss. This is the first WHO Collaborating Centre in Africa.
Alumni success Our alumni continue to make us proud. The new CEO of Sasol Limited, Fleetwood Grobler, took up the reins in November 2019, while Taelo Mojapelo was recently appointed CEO and Vice-President of British Petroleum Southern Africa.
Furthermore, according to the Web of Science Essential Science Indicators, UP is placed in the top 1% internationally in 10 fields: Agricultural Sciences; Biology and Biochemistry; Clinical Medicine; Economics and Business; Engineering; Environment/Ecology; Immunology; Microbiology; Plant and Animal Sciences; Social Sciences.
UP became the first university in Africa to launch its alumni events on LinkedIn Live. LeadUP online alumni events are a series of virtual debates and masterclasses initiated by the Alumni Relations Office. This included a discussion about putting employees first and committing to a work environment that is free of bullying and intimidation. Another was titled ’Global lockdowns: Learning, thriving or just surviving!’, which tackled the challenges of life under lockdown in various parts of the world. There was also a career chat for young alumni led by LinkedIn representative Stewart Samkange that focused on the importance of keeping your LinkedIn profile up to date, while the ’UP Women: Looking back, looking ahead and taking the lead’ chat reflected on and praised the achievements of women.
The School of Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology is ranked first in SA and Africa; the University is also placed in the top position in the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants’ CA qualifying exam, with a 92% pass rate.
Another standout event was the ’LeadUP: In Conversation with the VC’ discussion, which featured Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola, and Namibian Minister of Justice Yvonne Dausab – both UP alumni – as speakers.
2 TUKKIE | University of Pretoria
