Unisa Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula.
Image: Picture: Independent Newspapers Archive
In a recent press conference, Professor Puleng LenkaBula of the University of South Africa (Unisa) lauded the institution's remarkable achievements over the past five years, marking a period of resilience and innovation amid a complex global and national landscape.
“Over the past five years, our institution has demonstrated resilience and strength, navigating a complex global, national, and sectoral environment with focus and determination,” she said.
Between 2021 and 2025, more than 50 000 students graduated annually, including over 500 doctoral and 900 master’s graduates, reaffirming Unisa’s leadership in high-level skills production.
Additionally, more than 10 800 graduates from the disrupted 2020 and 2021 academic years were honoured in special ceremonies, restoring dignity and recognition.
Professor LenkaBula highlighted the university’s advances in research output and global standing, noting sustained improvement in international rankings, including the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Rankings).
Locally, the university’s research output ranked among the top 10 nationally, with particular growth in digitalisation, biotechnology, renewable energy, and social sciences.
She also noted the Africa Millimetre Telescope (AMT) collaboration with the University of Namibia, a landmark project for African astrophysics under the guidance of Distinguished Professor of Astrophysics James Chibueze, expanding the continent’s footprint in space-science innovation.
Financial stewardship and governance remained strong, with university reserves growing from R9 billion to more than R24 billion over five years, and multiple consecutive unqualified audit opinions were achieved between 2021 and 2024.
At the end of the press conference, Unisa announced a major milestone for aeronautical, aviation, and engineering students: the purchase of a 20-hectare airport to serve as a training and research facility.
“This 20-hectare airport will give our students a unique opportunity to apply their studies in practice and gain skills that are in high demand in the aviation and engineering industries,” Professor Senokoane said.
“It demonstrates our commitment to innovation and practical education alongside strong governance and institutional integrity.”