The University is a values-based, research-intensive university that equips its students to succeed in a rapidly changing world by providing students with inquiry-led training and learning opportunities. The University of Pretoria’s long-term Strategic Plan captures the essence of a shared vision, aiming to sustain UP’s quality and relevance as a university that is firmly rooted in Africa, and to harness its existing and future potential for diversity. UP strives to ensure that it is recognised in the global marketplace of knowledge production.
UP has nine faculties and a business school:
- Economic and Management Sciences
- Education
- Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
- Health Sciences
- Humanities
- Law
- Natural and Agricultural Sciences
- Theology
- Veterinary Science (the only faculty of its kind in South Africa)
- the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).
The University of Pretoria came into existence in 1908 as the Pretoria branch of the Transvaal University College. The College became a fully-fledged university in 1930 and the colloquial name Tuks, or Tukkies, was derived from the acronym TUC for Transvaal University College. UP’s current facilities portfolio consists of more than 790 buildings and structures spread over 33 sites located on six campuses that cover 1100 hectares of land. In the 106 years of its existence the University has produced more than 230 000 alumni. The University prides itself on producing well-rounded, creative graduates, responsible, productive citizens and future leaders. Great emphasis is placed on student life and support as well as the advancement of sport, art, culture and music.
South Africa has the ability to meet national food requirements but for this to happen serious reforms in its agriculture sector are needed.
Paulo Whitaker/Reuters
To stimulate innovation in the agriculture sector education and training is in dire need of substantial reform for greater integration, cooperation and accountability.
Using research evidence to implement development goals isn’t just a technical process.
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Linking policymakers with research relevant for implementing the SDGs is difficult. But building strong relationships between them and researchers is a good place to start.
The Oluwole Urban Market near Marina in Lagos. Being middle class is more than just being a consumer.
Reuters/Akintunde Akinleye
Scholars have started to investigate what it really means to be middle class in Africa.
A political body of the AU is second-guessing a legal body in its interpretation of the African Charter, on the basis of prejudice against LGBTI people.
REUTERS/Antony Njuguna
A dispute between the African Union’s executive and the commission responsible for overseeing human rights could weaken the protection of peoples’ rights.
South Africa boasts world class universities. It must not allow their quality to drop.
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The problem with Africa’s model of industrial growth is that it privileges the formal at the expense of the informal and big corporations at the expense of small businesses.
A cellphone based hearing test could be helpful in developing countries where screenings are needed.
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In most developing countries hearing services are not available at primary healthcare clinics and those who need it the most are not screened for hearing loss.
Hugh Masekela performing during the 16th Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Esa Alexander/The Times
Policy choices made by Senegal, Ghana, Rwanda, Angola, Cameroon, Ethiopia and Togo over the past 15 years have led to significant reductions in child undernourishment.
The National Research Foundation doesn’t have enough money for the growing number of researchers who qualify for “incentive” funding.
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South Africa’s National Research Foundation will dramatically scale back “incentive” funding to rated researchers, both those who already have a rating and those who will be rated in the future.
Bishop Desmond Tutu during South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission process.
Reuters
Inquests into atrocities committed under apartheid are important because many South Africans are beginning to question whether justice was done under the country’s truth and reconciliation process.
Christo Venter, University of Pretoria and Gary Hayes, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
South Africa needs to review its approach to rolling out Bus Rapid Transit systems as the current model is proving to be too expensive and unsustainable.
Blazing remnants of the off shore oil rig Deepwater Horizon, off Louisiana, in 2010. The losses produced by polluting companies should cost as ‘negative’ for a country’s growth.
Reuters/US Coast Guard/Files
Archbishop Bishop Desmond Tutu is well known for having invoked an ubuntu ethic to evaluate South African society, and he can take substantial credit for having made the term familiar.
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta waves as he leaves a campaign rally in the capital.
Baz Ratner/Reuters
While Kenya’s political leaders often adopt a populist approach to politics, it’s not unimaginable that the courts could also pursue a populist path by claiming to speak for the people.
South Africa’s intelligence services continue to have more in common with their apartheid-era counterparts 23 years into democracy.
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Scientific truth is based on a body of research which has been tried and tested by many researchers over time. Peer review filters the good science from the bad.
Brazilian President Temer, Russian President Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, South Africa’s President Zuma and Indian Prime Minister Modi.
Reuters/Kenzaburo Fukuhara
The promise of BRICS was that it would usher in a new approach to development. But after meeting annually for the last nine years there’s no sign that the old order has been challenged.
In Africa mediation mandates are typically contained in resolutions passed by the UN the AU or sub-regional bodies that attempt to resolve conflicts.
Tiksa Negeri/Reuters
When they arrived in Europe in the early 1960s, South African jazz outfit the Blue Notes revolutionised the London scene. Half a century later, their music is coming home in several new projects.
Paediatrician, Paediatric Pulmonologist, Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics & Extraordinary Professor, Department of Immunology, University of Pretoria