The University of Johannesburg (UJ) – one of the largest, multi-campus, residential universities in South Africa – seeks to achieve the highest distinction in scholarship and research within the higher education context.
Born from the 2005 merger between the former Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), the Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR) and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University, the University of Johannesburg’s unique academic architecture reflects a comprehensive range of learning programmes, leading to a variety of qualifications, from vocational and traditional academic to professional and postgraduate, across the four campuses – Auckland Park Kingsway, Auckland Park Bunting Road, Doornfontein and Soweto. The campuses vary in size and each has its own character and culture, contributing to the institution’s rich diversity.
The University of Johannesburg has benefited from a large pool of researchers bringing together various fields of expertise and research focus areas. The University provides the ideal ground for interdisciplinary research and currently has 115 rated researchers. Six of these researchers are A-rated – all of whom are recognised as world leaders in their field. UJ is also home to 22 research centres.
The University fosters ideas that are rooted in African epistemology, but also addresses the needs of a South African society and the African continent as it is committed to contribute to sustainable growth and development. UJ continues to build a culture of inclusion, embracing South Africa’s rich histories, cultures, languages, religions, genders, races and social and economic classes. Additionally, the University encourages a culture of service as part of the University student experience and it proudly pursues a four-language policy in English, isiZulu, Afrikaans and Sesotho sa Leboa.
UJ staff and students come from over 50 countries in Africa and around the world. The University has also built links, partnerships and exchange agreements with leading African and other international institutions that further enrich the academic, social and cultural diversity of the UJ campuses. It is also the recipient of the highest levels of external financial support from donors and partners all over the world. This demonstrates the high esteem in which UJ is held internationally.
Just eight years after being established UJ has been ranked in the top 4% of universities in the world, making UJ one of the top 650 universities in the world for the 2013/14 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings. UJ is the youngest of all ranked universities in South Africa and in Africa. The University is also the first and only African university to be accepted as a member of Universitas 21, a prestigious consortium of top research universities around the world. Both the high QS ranking and the membership of Universitas 21 are an important endorsement of the growing international reputation of UJ.
