Dear Campus Community,

As I mark my first anniversary as Rector and Vice-Chancellor of this great institution, I do so with a deep sense of gratitude and purpose. The past year has been marked by moments of excitement, periods of challenge, and—most importantly—significant achievements that point to a promising future. It has been both an honour and a deeply fulfilling experience to serve at the helm of this remarkable university.

A substantial part of the year has been devoted to setting the University’s strategic direction, including the development of a new Institutional Operating Plan. Alongside this, we established the University Dialogues, creating inclusive spaces for thoughtful and robust engagement on the critical issues outlined in my inaugural address.

These advances have taken place within a context of disciplined financial stewardship, necessitated by reduced subsidies. Throughout this period, University leadership has worked tirelessly to remain within budget, ensuring that our core academic and operational work continued without compromising quality or standards.

In parallel, I have placed strong emphasis on stakeholder development—strengthening relationships with international academic partners, engaging with alumni across the country, and expanding our donor network. Some of the highlights of the year include:

Becoming a Leading Research University

Research excellence continues to anchor UWC’s academic project and growth trajectory. During the year, we strengthened research governance, expanded open-access dissemination, and advanced external grant development. Postgraduate capacity was deepened through improved supervision pathways, including the Mastercard Foundation cohort, enhanced academic writing support, and training in digital research methods.

Growing national confidence in UWC’s scientific capability is evident in the increased representation of its scholars on strategic bodies such as the South African Medical Research Council, alongside strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration and public scholarship. This momentum is further underscored by the University’s twenty-six national Research Chairs—a clear indicator of research depth, excellence, and competitiveness.

UWC’s rising research profile is also recognised globally. In the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, UWC is ranked 7th in Sub-Saharan Africa, maintaining its position among the top ten institutions in the region. In a year of intensified global competition, with 2,191 universities ranked worldwide, UWC strengthened its international standing and secured a place in the top third of universities globally.

Curriculum Renewal and Academic Development

Curriculum renewal continued across faculties, supported by academic analytics, programme review and expanded digital teaching capability. The Digital Academic Literacy (DAL) programme reached more than 3 700 first-year students, building foundational digital competence. Staff development progressed through Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy training for over 190 staff and nearly 500 students, and through broader adoption of academic data tools to monitor throughput and performance. These academic gains supported programme accreditation and renewal.

Programme Accreditation and Re-Accreditation

Programme accreditation and re-accreditation continued on track. Approvals were confirmed in Nursing, Physiotherapy, Dietetics and Oral Health. Postgraduate programme updates were implemented in Education, Psychology and Dental Public Health. Service-learning integration advanced through consultation and strengthened agreements with community-based partners. These developments indicate improved programme relevance and more consistent academic support for students.

Student Experience and Holistic Development

Academic growth was matched by meaningful improvements in the student experience, with the student support ecosystem continuing to mature. Orientation, peer academic support, student leadership structures, and mental wellness services were strengthened, while enhanced first-year transition support improved retention and a sense of belonging.

Student accommodation was also significantly expanded, with over 1 400 new beds added through a 26% increase in private residence providers, alongside progress on longer-term solutions—including partnerships and well-located satellite housing—to ensure safe and accessible living conditions for students.

IkamvaLethu a student-led fundraising initiative, by students for students, plays a critical role in supporting those facing financial hardship. During the year, the University transferred R1,6 million to bolster the fund, reinforcing its impact and ensuring continued support for vulnerable students.

This commitment to student dignity and wellbeing was further strengthened through a donation from the Clicks Group, which funded 15 sanitary pad dispensers across campus, ensuring that female students have access to free sanitary pads every month.

Sporting Excellence and Student Achievements

Co-curricular engagement in sport, the arts, and leadership continued to advance holistic student development, translating into strong high-performance outcomes. UWC’s Women’s Football team claimed the national Varsity title for a fourth consecutive year, reinforcing the University’s sporting excellence and identity.

International leadership exposure expanded through training camps and student representation abroad, while student scholarship gained prominence with the launch of the African Student Law Journal. Recognition in Dentistry, the Humanities, and Social Work further reflected academic strength across disciplines.

Success for the Future

Warm congratulations to our graduates on your outstanding achievement. Your hard work, resilience and commitment have brought you to this proud moment, and we celebrate you with great pride.

This graduating class reflects UWC’s impact, with strong outcomes across all qualification levels—from a large and diverse cohort of first-degree graduates to a steadily growing postgraduate pipeline. Professionally focused diplomas and certificates further underscore our responsiveness to national skills and development needs.

My sincere thanks to our faculties and staff whose dedication ensured seamless and memorable graduation ceremonies for all.

As we enter the next strategic phase, UWC does so with strengthened systems, improved data capability, and clearer postgraduate pathways. Focused work in finance, governance, and people development has ensured institutional stability amid national uncertainty, positioning the University well to deliver the Institutional Operating Plan 2026–2030.

Our commitment to equity and dignity was further reflected in the launch of QueerDubs, advancing inclusivity on our campus, and in UWC’s principled leadership in championing Palestinian solidarity, including engagement with the UN Special Rapporteur.

I wish all members of our community a restful end-of-year break and every success in the year ahead. Through our collective effort and shared values, UWC continues to grow from strength to strength. This is the UWC way.

Thank you all.

Professor Robert Balfour
Rector and Vice-Chancellor