Date: 14 April 2020  

Message from the Vice-Chancellor and Principal

Dear Colleagues

I trust that you are well and that you have enjoyed the long weekend as we continue with the national lockdown. At the start of a new working week, I wanted to give you a quick update on a number of important developments. We have made considerable progress in taking our teaching and learning online so that it is ready when students resume their academic activities on 20 April. I want to thank all of you who have worked tirelessly and long hours to make this happen... Read more

Date: 09 April 2020  

The University of Pretoria’s Academic Programme for the remainder of Semester 1 of 2020

Dear Colleagues

Thank you for your commitment and continued support to ensure the success of our students under these unusual circumstances. I know it is not easy and can be challenging at times. I want to assure you of our support and that the Executive and I will do everything possible to assist you while we get through this together… Read more

Date: 03 April 2020  

Message from the Vice-Chancellor

We have now entered Day 8 of the national lock down, which is meant to curb infections and flatten the curve. This effort is necessary to save our individual and collective health in the face of a pandemic caused by the coronavirus COVID-19. I hope you have all been able to adapt to the restrictions and that you have found ways to be comfortable with new routines. I know it is not easy but it is all for our good. Do not succumb to restlessness and take risks... Read more

Date: 03 April 2020  

Message to students: Teaching & Learning

This is an uncertain time, not only for us, but also for the whole world. However, in the second week of lockdown, as we are all slowly settling into our new routines, we want to encourage you to take heart and develop a routine that also includes your academic work. We indicated before the lockdown period that we will resume all academic activities on 20 April 2020. Should it not be possible to resume contact lectures when the University re-opens on 20 April, we plan to continue the academic programme by teaching online until the University’s normal functioning can be resumed... Read more

Date: 26 March 2020 

Strength during the lockdown to flatten the curve

I am quite sure that we are all filled with concern, anxiety and fear as the lockdown approaches. I am also quite sure we are all trying to stay calm and plan as best as we possibly can for this unprecedented situation. Let us remember that the lockdown is an important intervention to stop the growing infections and to flatten the curve. We must work in the best interest of the health of our society and the world. If it works because we all cooperate and observe the necessary restrictions, we will have made a decisive contribution to restoring health and normality...Read more

Date: 24 March 2020

Coronavirus update from the VC

Dear UP Community

I hope you are keeping some sense of calm as best you can in this very difficult, frightening and rapidly changing situation. It is not easy and cannot be easy. I share and feel the pain you are experiencing at this time. Let us try to stay as calm as we can as we navigate an unprecedented context...Read more

Date: 24 March 2020

UPDATE: Latest on UP COVID-19 lockdown measures

Dear UP Community

Following my earlier message and my subsequent meetings with the UP Executive as well as Universities South Africa (USAf), the association of South Africa’s 26 universities, to discuss the implications of the lockdown as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday (23 March), we have made a number of decisions to allow us to comply with the lockdown, as set out below...Read more

Date: 19 March 2020

UPDATE: Message to students regarding graduation ceremonies

Recognizing the importance of the graduation ceremonies not only to the University but also to the graduates and their families, the University of Pretoria (UP) management has heard the concerns raised by students regarding the cancellation of graduation ceremonies. In line with the recently introduced government regulations and in consultation with health experts, the scheduled graduation ceremonies which were planned to take place from 7 April to 8 May 2020 cannot proceed at this time...Read more