20 YEARS OF POSSIBILITIES, PROGRESS, AND PERSONAL GROWTH

As the University of Johannesburg celebrates 20 years of growth and success, I'm thinking back on how this vibrant university has influenced the nation and me since I became a UJ family member in 2024.

What UJ@20years represents

UJ was established on the principles of inclusivity and transformation as a result of the amalgamation of Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR), Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), and parts of Vista University. In South African higher education, this merger was a bold move that guaranteed access to high-quality instruction in a setting that celebrated creativity and variety for students from all backgrounds.

 

In addition, the University of Johannesburg (UJ), founded in 2005, has represented and continues to represent the advancement, creativity, and change in the field of higher education. By reaching significant milestones that have positioned it at the forefront of education, research, and community engagement, UJ has redefined what it means to be a world-class African institution during the past twenty years (University of Johannesburg).

 The meaning of UJ to me as a student.

As a second-year student, the University of Johannesburg is not just a university to me but a second home. They say a home is a place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of the household, but to me, home is not just about living there or being a member of the household, but a place where one grows in it and receives education that will build the best out of the person and help him to unleash his full potential from within, just like UJ does to most of its students.

 Moreover, the University of Johannesburg is a tool that we, as its students, can utilise to pursue our goals and aspirations. The institution also serves as the bridge between us and our dreams.  As a public relations student, the institution has taught me how to communicate effectively, helped me discover the skills I possess, and taught me how to apply them in a professional environment. To me, UJ is a clay that moulds responsible, critical thinkers, and innovators who contribute meaningfully to society.

 My academic and personal growth at UJ.

Being a UJ Public Relations student has been a great asset to both my personal and academic growth. When I first came to UJ, I thought I knew myself, but I soon realised how little I truly understood about my own potential. The University of Johannesburg helped me discover who I am by revealing my skills, strengths, and how I can effectively apply them in the field of Public Relations. Since the field of PR requires strong teamwork, I’ve developed the ability to work effectively in teams through the group projects assigned to us by the University. These experiences have taught me how to collaborate, communicate, and contribute meaningfully within a team environment.

Academically, the institution has equipped me with the knowledge to apply the theory taught in class to real-life situations. When I started as a first-year student, I was computer illiterate, but the University of Johannesburg helped me improve my computer skills through the support of CAT services. Not forgetting how the UJ Writing Centre played a significant role in helping me transition my academic writing from a high school level to a university standard.

 UJ’s contributions to the community, social development, and my aspirations for the future.

 The University of Johannesburg is dedicated to fostering greater community engagement in line with its mission, which upholds the growth of democracy, equality, freedom, and human decency. The University’s community and the larger external communities throughout Gauteng, the nation, and the SADC region both benefit from strategic contractual partnerships and relationships that are formed through the application of its human capital in adding value to external constituencies. One of the institution's primary academic responsibilities is community engagement, which takes the shape of service learning and community-based research. In return, the community benefits from having access to the University's approved project-based resources and intellectual capital. At the same time, staff and students become more aware of the needs of the community and can help them (University of Johannesburg, 2024).

 

Furthermore, the University of Johannesburg contributes positively to social development by fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment that values diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all students. If UJ were to be a sharpener, I would be the pencil, being sharpened to rewrite the future. That’s how UJ contributes to my future aspirations by equipping me with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a meaningful impact in the world.