Page 3 - Thetha Issue 6

VC’S MESSAGE

Transformative,

responsive

and sustainable

Nelson Mandela University continues in its endeavours
to be a transformative, responsive and sustainable
university, with institutional initiatives embedded in a
broader societal context.

By Professor Sibongile Muthwa, Vice-Chancellor
ith a vision to our seven campuses.
be a dynamic We have over 32 000
African university students in 2022.
recognised for We have made
Wleadership in significant progress in
generating cutting-edge knowledge, increasing affordable
this means not only confronting student housing in support
and undoing a history of separate of our academic core
and unequal development, but also missions and operations.
actively working to create a just and A new 200-bed student
sustainable future for all. residence on George
This year is the five-year campus was completed
anniversary of the renaming of the in time for the 2021
University as “Nelson Mandela academic year, and work is
University”. It provides further progressing steadily on the
impetus to reflect on how we Gqeberha North Campus
give practical expression to our for residences to provide a
institutional values of excellence, further 1800 beds, due for
integrity, ubuntu, respect for completion later in 2022.
diversity, social justice and equality As testament to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sibongile Muthwa
and environmental stewardship. hard work of students
As the only university in the world and staff, the Mandela success rate with updates on a number of
to be named after the late President increased from 79% in 2019 to 83% strategic developments, including:
Nelson Mandela, we are mindful of in 2021, all the more notable when
the responsibility to be the academic viewed against the context of the • Medical School
expression of the social figure disruptions caused by the COVID-19 • Ocean Sciences
of Nelson Mandela and advance pandemic over 2020 and 2021. • Revitalising the Humanities
his legacy. The University seeks to • Transformative Engagement
Guided by our Vision 2030 cultivate graduates who contribute • Gender Studies
strategy, Mandela University to changing the world through • Digitalisation
continues to promote social justice pioneering discoveries, scholarship • Sustainability
and sustainable futures through and innovation.
humanising learning and teaching, Among the graduate attributes Our Vision 2030 Strategy
impactful research and innovation, we strive to inculcate are: intellectual foregrounds endeavours to co-create
and transformative engagement. curiosity and critical thinking, being a fair, liveable and viable world
We now offer 261 study responsible agents of change, by focusing on the indivisibility of
programmes across seven faculties professionalism and integrity, people, planet, prosperity, peace
and, over the past five years, have resilience and adaptive expertise, and partnerships.
seen significant infrastructural and innovative, solutions-driven In doing so, the University will
growth. There are now 277 creativity. contribute to strengthening social
buildings in use with a footprint of This edition of Thetha provides solidarity by focusing on the needs of
approximately 315 000 m across all our alumni, friends and supporters the most vulnerable in society.
2

2022 | mandela.ac.za | 3