CHANCELLOR FROM THE CHAIR OF MESSAGECOUNCIL FROM THE

We are living in an era of “creative destruction”, a term coined by Austrian economist Joseph Schumpeter back in 1942, which is even more valid today. It’s the process by which new innovations kill off previous ones, currently within a very short period. It can be destructive, but it also fuels human advancement as it forces us to remain at the forefront of innovation, equipped with relevant qualifications and skills.

As a university we need to keep pace with this and be innovators of technology, making full use of extended and virtual reality, and other disruptive technology skills. Equally important in this equation are generic skills, such as adaptive thinking, strong people management, negotiation and decision-making skills, cross-cultural competencies, computational thinking, new media literacy, and virtual collaboration.

Currently, we live in a world in which knowledge and information are not shared. In Society 5.0, where technology is intended for the greater good of society, the internet of things will connect all people; data, information and knowledge will be shared; and new value contributions will be possible. Open access will open new avenues to solving the world’s problems.

At the University of Pretoria’s (UP) annual Senate Conference, we explored the role of universities in contexts of rapid changes and major disruptions, with a specific focus on building a human-centred university and related digital transformation.

How does the University remain relevant, up-to-date and agile in continuous learning while leveraging the possibilities, prospects and challenges of Society 5.0? The need for partnerships between academia, industry, the private sector and government, was emphasised. Accelerated growth in sustainable networks without borders was stressed to ensure that UP adapts to the complex, interconnected crises, as captured in the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Africa’s Agenda 2063. Emphasis was also placed on the need for universities to focus on opportunities arising from artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation, and to develop more balanced, sustainability-oriented, and humancentric approaches.

Four opportunities were outlined that are tied to current strategic priorities and trends in the higher education sector:

• increasing PhDs and focusing on strategic partnerships

• transforming the curriculum and asserting and celebrating our academic project

• promoting entrepreneurship and achieving a ‘triangle alliance’ of critical knowledge and critical thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship, and

• encouraging lifelong learning and developments in education technology.

This report shows how the University is steadily progressing in these areas.

We are already known as the best South African university at which to study engineering, technology, and computer science, and five of our research chairs focus on 4IR technologies and data integration to proactively solve current and future problems.

As we enter the Age of AI, the University is poised to use AI not just to perform mundane tasks for humans, but to connect more fully with what it means to be human.

Justice Sisi Khampepe Chancellor

Out of adversity comes opportunity may well epitomise 2022. While in no way minimising the devastation and upheaval of the past three years, the opportunity to be uncharacteristically flexible and responsive has taught the University of Pretoria (UP) a number of lessons, which are helping us to shape a successful future.

One of the most obvious silver linings has been the fast-forwarding of the use of technology, resulting in innovative ways of meeting, communicating, teaching, and learning. Given the enriched learning experience and flexibility presented through the online format, it is unlikely that the University will ever return to contactonly teaching and learning, and we certainly have a very interesting hybrid opportunity to take into the postpandemic world.

In 2022, our robust IT infrastructure and fast-tracked digital expertise helped UP sustain and develop partnerships with prominent institutions and networks across the world.

International collaboration enables universities to make significant research and innovation leaps by sharing and building on each other’s areas of expertise. It also elevates all of our teaching and learning, and research facilities to a new level.

The launch of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) South Africa National Network at UP’s Future Africa Campus cemented our commitment to contributing to the development and well-being of people and societies. The South African SDG Hub is a national resource that gives policymakers access to the most useful research on the SDGs, in order to develop and implement more impactful policies. The hub functions as a meta-platform, aggregating the best and most relevant research on SDGs from South African and selected nonSouth African universities.

Council’s approval of new initiatives will further strengthen our position. Among them are the establishment of an African Centre for the Study of the United States at the University of Pretoria (ACSUS-UP), as well as a Centre for Asian Studies in Africa (CASA).

UP is already at the forefront of biodiscovery research and two new centres will entrench its leadership role. A Biodiscovery Centre will be used to create a library of natural products in Africa and establish UP as a leader in the field of natural product research in South Africa. An African Centre for Biosecurity and Disease Risk Assessment will offer “One Health-One Biosecurity” solutions to address global disease- and animal healthrelated challenges, contributing to food security in Africa.

This affirms our leadership and commitment to build capacity in Africa and to accelerate and scale impact. Our international and regional relationships will be further expanded with the appointment of a Senate Committee for Internationalisation and Global Engagement Strategy to guide and support future collaborations.

The Council extends its gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal and his leadership team who kept a firm hand on the tiller in steering the University through another uncertain year. Thanks to them, the University has demonstrated its impact both at home and abroad.

Mr KD Dlamini Chairperson of Council