Living Our Values at UP: A Guide for Our Staff

At the University of Pretoria (UP), our values aren’t just words; they are the foundation of who we are and the guideposts for how we operate every day. As UP staff, we play a pivotal role in setting the tone for our institution, ensuring our values come to life in everything we do.

Why Values Matter to Us

People are naturally drawn to institutions that align with their own beliefs. By authentically living UP's values, we create a space that attracts, inspires, and supports students, colleagues, and partners. This alignment strengthens UP's reputation as an institution of integrity, inclusivity, and impact. Every one of us has the opportunity to contribute to this vision. Our values aren’t abstract ideals but powerful tools that inform our daily decisions, actions, and the overall impact of UP on society.

Values aren’t just abstract ideals; they influence our day-to-day actions and have the power to drive positive change. In higher education, institutions worldwide have demonstrated how deeply embedded values can guide not only internal decisions but also how they contribute to society. From Stanford University’s focus on diversity and innovation to Oxford University’s commitment to excellence and public service, values shape the identity and impact of these institutions. By living their values, they drive global progress and enhance the experiences of their students and communities.

Similarly, Arizona State University (ASU) stands out for its commitment to accessibility and sustainability. ASU’s mission is centered on inclusivity, ensuring access to education for a wide range of students while also spearheading initiatives to achieve sustainability goals, including becoming one of the first U.S. universities to achieve climate neutrality.  By integrating these values into daily operations, ASU demonstrates how institutions can bring values to life on both local and global scales.

At the University of Pretoria (UP), we are equally committed to living our core values—Action, Collaboration, Excellence, and Diversity. These values don’t just define who we are as an institution, they guide our behavior and help us to Make today matter, every day.

What Living UP’s Values Means for Our Behaviors

Each of our values is a commitment to certain behaviours that positively impact our workplace and the broader community. Here’s how we can translate them into our actions and interactions.

1. Action: Making Today Matter

Living the value of Action means we’re proactive and solution-oriented. As UP staff, we’re empowered to look for ways to make a positive impact each day. Whether it’s in how we teach, the support we offer students or the initiatives we drive, this value encourages us to be agents of change. Small actions—like addressing a problem early or taking time to mentor and support our students—create an environment where everyone can succeed and feel valued.

Action-oriented staff contribute to a culture of responsiveness and innovation. By embracing a “make today matter” mindset, we demonstrate that we don’t wait for change; we create it. This proactive stance encourages others to step up and participate in UP’s collective impact.

2. Collaboration: Achieving More Together

Collaboration is the heart of what we do at UP. By working together across departments and disciplines, we foster an environment where ideas can flourish, solutions are innovative, and everyone’s contribution is valued. This goes beyond individual roles; it means prioritizing openness and respect in every interaction.

When we collaborate, we build trust, break down silos, and create stronger connections. We actively seek others’ input, listen to diverse perspectives, and celebrate shared successes. This spirit of teamwork not only enhances the quality of our impact but also reinforces a culture where every staff member feels part of something larger than themselves.

3. Excellence: Striving for Our Best

Our commitment to Excellence drives us to hold ourselves to the highest standards across the institution—whether in academics, research, or community engagement. Excellence means continually seeking to improve and not settling for “good enough.” It encourages us to embrace a growth mindset and to support each other in reaching our fullest potential.

Upholding excellence fosters an institutional culture where learning, dedication, and growth are at the core. Staff who prioritize excellence inspire others, contribute to a high-performing culture, and encourage students to set ambitious goals. This value challenges us to bring our best effort every day, creating a ripple effect that enhances UP’s reputation and impact.

4. Diversity: Strength in Our Differences

Diversity at UP reflects our commitment to inclusivity, respect, and broadening perspectives. As staff, living this value means fostering an environment where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and valued. By embracing diversity, we enrich our community and expand our understanding, driving a culture that respects and celebrates difference.

Embracing diversity shapes our daily actions to be inclusive and respectful. We listen to and engage with people who have different perspectives, creating a more vibrant and empathetic workplace. This behaviour not only benefits our staff community but also sets a powerful example for students, showing that UP is a place where all voices matter.

Bringing Our Values to Life Every Day

Living our values is more than a campaign—it’s a continuous commitment to make UP a place where everyone feels part of a purposeful community. As UP staff, we set the example for our students and reinforce these values through every interaction and task, big or small. When we model these values, we collectively create an environment where people want to work, students want to learn, and the broader community feels UP’s positive influence.

Our commitment to living UP’s values in all that we do can help to foster a work culture that not only supports our institutional goals but also drives us to be our best, both individually and as a collective. Let’s keep making today matter—for ourselves, for our students, and for the impact that we can make on our community and the world to create a future we can all be proud of. It is a continuous reminder that within every moment of every day lies the potential to change the world.

Isabel de Necker is a Senior Marketing Manager at the University of Pretoria’s Department of Institutional Advancement.