University News

04/07/2025

The latest Nelson Mandela University information to keep you informed and up to date. This features news stories about outstanding achievements, new developments, announcements and successes at our University.

University News

Sustainability in action: Mandela University makes strides in 2025 THE Impact Rankings

Nelson Mandela University has improved its national standing to joint ninth place in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, affirming its growing influence in sustainability science.

The Mandela Institute for Sustainable Futures has played a pivotal role in enabling this performance, positioning the University as a committed contributor to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reinforcing its strategic direction as a university in service of society.

The 2025 Impact Rankings assessed 2 318 universities across 130 countries and territories, measuring performance in research, stewardship, teaching, and outreach related to the 17 SDGs. Mandela University ranked in the 1 001–1 500 global bracket, with strong gains in environmental and health-related goals.

Missionvale Campus cements its relationship with SAPS

In a recent engagement Missionvale Campus has cemented its relationship and explored future formulations, initiatives and collaborations with the Algoa Park South African Police Services (SAPS).

A group of people posing for a photoDescription automatically generated The engagement through the office of the Senior Director for Missionvale, Second Avenue, and Bird Street Campuses aimed to enhance the safety of both staff and students, as well as community members who visit the campus.

This collaboration between Missionvale Campus and the Algoa Park SAPS emanates from the July 2024 initiative, when Mandela University launched the University’s Campus Community Safety Forum, which includes the SAPS and other key stakeholders, working together in ensuring safer environments at its campuses and neighbourhoods.

Mandela University academics appointed to PanSALB board

Humanities lecturers in the Applied Linguistics and Languages and Literatures Departments, Drs Johannes Sibeko and Paulette Coetzee, were recently appointed to the Eastern Cape Provincial Language Committee (ECPLC).

The ECPLC is one of the provincial bodies under the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB).

PanSALB, a statutory board established to promote the development and use of all official languages, including the Khoe, Nama, and San languages, as well as South African Sign Language, operates under the mandate of the Constitution.

Its focus is on protecting language rights, advancing multilingualism, and supporting research and language development through its provincial offices and national language bodies.

Mandela University’s Science Oscar Finalist dominate the IT sector

For over two decades, the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Awards widely known as South Africa’s’Science Oscars‘ have celebrated individuals, teams, and organisations whose work has significantly advanced science, engineering, technology, and innovation (SETI) in the country.

This year, four exceptional minds from Nelson Mandela University have been named among the finalists, highlighting the institution’s growing impact in shaping a more innovative, inclusive, and socially responsive future through research and leadership.

Mandela University champions justice and unity during Africa Week

A person standing at a podiumDescription automatically generated

Nelson Mandela University marked the recent Africa Week with a powerful call for justice, unity, and the restoration of African dignity through knowledge, culture, and reparations.

Held at the Ocean Sciences Campus under the theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” the week-long programme served as a platform for dialogue, reflection, and scholarly engagement.

Addressing the virtual and in-person attendees at the opening of the week-long programme, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sibongile Muthwa (right) set a resolute tone, urging Africans to reclaim their history and reshape their future.

“We are of Africa, in Africa, and for Africa,” she said. “At Mandela University, we celebrate Africa every day, but Africa Month gives us the space to pause, reflect and chart a collective way forward.”