Happy birthday to the University of Pretoria! Today we turn 114 years old.

Rabindranath Tagore, the first representative of the Global South to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, reminds us that “the highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence”. This is what we strive to do with our ethos – THE UP WAY of life – which helps us to make our birthday, today and every day matter.

As you may know, we started as a group of four professors and 32 students in Kya Rosa – we are now one of the largest, most dynamic and diverse universities in South Africa. We produce graduates who are creative, critical thinkers that are ready for the world of work or starting their own businesses. Our strong academic and social support structures allow us to teach, learn, innovate and live THE UP WAY.

We remain firmly committed to transforming lives and society through high-quality, impactful, future-focused education. UP is deeply engaged with stakeholders at local, national and global levels, and we are respected and valued as a key partner for influence and impact. In particular, UP is acknowledged as a trusted collaborative partner for carrying out research that matters in order to shape sustainable, transformative futures. As a university, we hope that our influence will continue to shape policy reform, creating the conditions for peace and prosperity, and allowing people to thrive and reach their full potential.

After more than a century, UP needs to re-evaluate and reimagine its role in an ever-evolving social compact. We are guided by our overarching vision, UP 2025, and its five key strategic goals. This year, we embark on our last five-year strategic plan that will lead us to 2025 and beyond. To achieve this, we need to collectively redouble our efforts to achieve our strategic goals: student access and success; high-quality research for greater societal impact; global recognition; diversity, equity and inclusion; and institutional sustainability.

In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to reimagine UP at a rapid pace. It has enabled us to become leaders in hybrid teaching and learning that innovatively combines contact and online modes. We will become masters of the digital space. We endeavour to be a resilient institution, adept at navigating uncertainty, turning threats into opportunities, and introducing innovations and disruptive ideas or technologies that will benefit the University and society at large. 

Like many other universities, UP was born from a vision to create a space for education and for new ideas to flourish. UP has been firm in its commitment to academic quality. Our characteristic resolve has seen us transform into a dynamic university community of staff and students who come from diverse backgrounds and cultures, showcasing a fair representation of South Africa and societies around the world. As we advance towards and beyond 2025, we will continue to strive to meet our goals for the greater good and benefit of society as a whole. Our well-educated, skilled graduates and relevant transformative research are key agents and drivers of sustainable inclusive development.

More than 300 000 alumni have passed through our doors and are on the path to success, while many have already become leaders in their fields, both locally and internationally. We are confident that these alumni can proudly credit the tradition of outstanding teaching at UP as a contributor to their success.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, and for more than 20 years prior to it, our effective use of hybrid learning platforms has enabled access and success for an increasing number of students. I would like to thank our academic staff for taking on the responsibility of providing additional course support online to assist students in receiving a quality education and to graduate in the minimum amount of time.

Our commitment to transforming society is evidenced by the skills and opportunities available to our students. All students have access to our Ready for Work programme, which prepares them for the world of work, and our entrepreneurship programme, which equips them with the skills to start their own businesses. Community engagement programmes embedded within the curriculum allow students to put their skills to use in real-world situations and make a difference in society. This ensures that our students become well-rounded graduates and responsible citizens who live THE UP WAY.

We look forward to many more fruitful and impactful years ahead, during which our research, teaching and learning, and international imprint will position us as the African global university of choice.

Our birthday gives us pause to reflect on our quest to make a positive impact on the world through the capabilities we build and the knowledge we create. It is envisioned that UP will continue to be recognised as a catalyst and agent for South Africa and Africa’s sustainable development as it realises its full potential.

Thank you to everyone who makes today and every day matter at UP, and who have made us what we are and what we stand for.