CONTENTS Top Managment Introduction 1 Faculty Introduction 6 Staff 7 Teaching & Learning 10 UJ Arts and Culture 16 Research and Innovation 18 Partnerships, Stakeholders & Community Engagement 25 Faculty Governance & Risk Management 28 Resource Management 29 Societal Impact & Sustainability 30 Financial Management 31 Fundraising Initiatives 31 The Way Ahead 32
1 Introduction EXECUTIVE DEAN’S In 2025, the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA) continued to advance the strategic objectives of the University of Johannesburg, aligning its academic, research and engagement activities with the University’s Strategy 2035. At the same time, the faculty remained responsive to the evolving demands of the creative industries, the rapid pace of technological change, and the broader social and economic challenges shaping higher education. Across its three campuses and nine academic departments, the faculty continued to produce graduates who are both technically proficient and critically engaged, supported by a strong academic and professional staff cohort, specialised facilities, and an integrated approach to teaching, research, creative practice and public engagement. A defining feature of the year was the impact of changes to the University’s admissions framework. The shift to a centrally managed, APS-based system broadened access and strengthened the academic profile of incoming students. However, it also had an unintended negative impact on student retention, particularly in the first year, where a proportion of students entered programmes for which they were not adequately prepared or appropriately aligned. The faculty has responded proactively by strengthening academic support mechanisms and developing revised admission processes for implementation from 2026. These include additional measures to assess programme fit and student motivation, aimed at improving retention and throughput while maintaining equitable access. Teaching and learning continued to evolve in response to developments associated with the Fourth and emerging Fifth Industrial Revolutions. Curricula across the faculty were progressively recalibrated to integrate digital technologies, artificial intelligence and new forms of creative production, while retaining a strong emphasis on critical thinking, material practice and social relevance. This balance remains central to the faculty’s teaching and learning strategy.
2 Prof Federico Freschi Executive Dean | FADA The faculty’s research profile reflected a similar dynamic. While fluctuations in accredited outputs were partly attributable to the cyclical nature of the DHET reporting system, the year showed evidence of a strengthening research pipeline and a maturing balance between textual and practice-based outputs. The faculty continued to demonstrate particular strength in creative research within the Fine Arts domain, alongside growing interdisciplinary and international collaboration. FADA also maintained a strong public and professional presence. The hosting of major international platforms, including the Cumulus Conference and the AICA Congress, reinforced the University of Johannesburg’s position as a significant site of intellectual and creative exchange within the Global South. At the same time, sustained partnerships with industry, community organisations and cultural institutions ensured that teaching, research and creative work remained grounded in real-world contexts. Transformation remained a central priority. While progress was evident in diversifying the student body and strengthening the academic pipeline, representivity at senior academic and management levels continued to require focused attention. The faculty is addressing this through targeted development initiatives, succession planning and sustained investment in emerging scholars and academic leaders. Looking ahead, 2026 presented both opportunity and transition. The tenth anniversary of the Graduate School of Architecture and the centenary of the Department of Visual Art offered important moments for reflection and repositioning. At the same time, leadership changes within the Graduate School of Architecture signal a new phase in its development. These milestones will be accompanied by ongoing efforts to strengthen research productivity, refine teaching and learning strategies, expand partnerships and develop new forms of professional and lifelong learning. This report reflects the collective efforts of staff, students and partners across the faculty. It affirms the continued relevance of art, design and architecture as disciplines that shape not only professional practice, but also the cultural and social frameworks through which we understand and transform the world.
3 In 2025, the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA) placed a strong emphasis on student success, with a particular focus on enhancing learning in the first year. This was in response to a significant change in the admissions process, which shifted from portfolio-based selection to admission based on APS score ranking. While this broadened access, it also meant that departments had limited insight into students’ prior exposure to, or understanding of, their chosen disciplines. This shift required a more deliberate alignment of first-year teaching approaches across departments. Throughout the year, faculty-level teaching and learning discussions focused on how best to support a diverse and, in some cases, underprepared cohort. These engagements prompted departments to reflect critically on their pedagogical practices and to adapt their approaches in responsive and, at times, innovative ways. A key intervention was the introduction of structured teaching and learning discussion sessions, involving all staff teaching within departments. These sessions created an open forum for reflection and debate, while enabling faculty management to identify shared challenges and areas requiring support. Data on module success rates, module loads and student performance informed these discussions, grounding them in evidence-based analysis. A recurring concern was the number of students who had enrolled in programmes that were not their preferred choice, had been enrolled by others, or who viewed FADA as a pathway to transfer into other faculties. This misalignment often resulted in disengagement, which in some cases manifested in poor attendance or nonparticipation in final assessments. While some departments were successful in reorienting students towards their chosen disciplines, others experienced higher levels of attrition. These insights informed adjustments to enrolment and support strategies for the 2026 cohort. Four discussion sessions were held during the year, culminating in a comprehensive firstyear performance reflection at year-end. Prof Desiree Smal Vice-Dean | Teaching & Learning Teaching and Learning INTRODUCTION | VICE-DEAN A focus on student success through discussion
4 Research and Internationalisation INTRODUCTION | VICE-DEAN In 2025, the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture strengthened its research profile through a combination of increased global engagement, improved research productivity and focused support for postgraduate success. These advances reflect the ongoing consolidation of the faculty’s research strategy and its alignment with broader institutional and international priorities. A key highlight of the year was the successful hosting of the internationally recognised Cumulus Conference under the theme Design Intelligence and 5IR. The conference brought together scholars and practitioners from 37 countries, significantly enhancing the faculty’s global visibility and reputation. This momentum was reflected more broadly in expanded Pan-African and Global South partnerships, as well as increased inbound and outbound mobility, reinforcing FADA’s position within international research and teaching networks. The faculty also recorded a marked increase in textual research productivity, with outputs rising from 41 publications in 2024 to 79 in 2025. These outputs aligned strongly with priority areas such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. This growth is attributable to a coordinated research strategy that emphasised structured support, including mentorship, writing retreats, seminar programmes, targeted funding and the development of collaborative, crossdisciplinary research environments. The faculty remains committed to sustaining this upward trajectory. In the domain of creative research, 43 outputs were reviewed internally and submitted for external peer review. Of these, 19 were ultimately submitted to the DHET for accreditation following peer review. The reduced number reflects challenges associated with the revised DHET peer review process, which has introduced greater levels of scrutiny and unpredictability. This remains an area requiring ongoing strategic attention. Postgraduate performance showed positive gains, with the faculty exceeding its targets for both coursework and research master’s degrees, as well as doctoral graduations. A shortfall of seven Honours graduates was recorded, largely due to unforeseen changes in student registration status, including shifts from full-time to part-time study. In response, the faculty will implement more rigorous monitoring of Honours progression and strengthen early risk identification mechanisms. While 2025 was a successful year overall, the faculty remains focused on further strengthening its research ecosystem. Priorities for the coming year include deepening international partnerships, consolidating gains in research productivity, and improving postgraduate throughput across all levels. Prof Neshane Harvey Vice-Dean | Research & Internationalisation
5 Strategic Initiatives Coordinator INTRODUCTION In 2025, the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA) advanced several strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening programme innovation, enhancing external visibility and expanding opportunities for professional and lifelong learning. These efforts contributed to the faculty’s broader objectives of increasing impact, diversifying income streams, and reinforcing its public and academic profile. A key area of development was the expansion of Short Learning Programmes (SLPs). During the year, four departments developed and submitted five new SLPs. These included practice-based offerings such as Fundamental Jewellery Production (Jewellery Design and Manufacture) and Visual Art Master Class (Visual Art), alongside more broadly accessible programmes such as Graphic Design for Non-Designers and Digital Design for High School Teachers (Graphic Design). The Graduate School of Architecture contributed a professional development course, Heritage and Built Environment: Legal Compliance for Practitioners. All five programmes were successfully approved by Senex and Senate between April and November 2025. In preparation for rollout, selected SLPs will be further refined for online delivery in collaboration with UJ Digital, with active marketing planned to support implementation in 2026. Additional programmes are currently in development and will be submitted for approval in the coming year. The faculty also continued to strengthen its national and international profile through recognition in prestigious awards and competitions. Staff and students were named finalists and winners across a range of high-profile platforms. Notable achievements included Mr Katlego Madumo (Industrial Design), who placed third in the national DTIC competition, and Dr Khanya Mthethwa (Jewellery Design and Manufacture), who received the Mail & Guardian Power of Women 2025 award in the Women in Arts, Film and Media category. Mr Neil Badenhorst (Graphic Design) was selected as one of three national winners in the Worldwide Picture Book Illustration Contest and will represent South Africa internationally in 2026. Internal recognition further reflected the faculty’s strong academic performance. Prof Ruth Sacks received the University’s Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Award for Book of the Year and was also recognised as the faculty’s Top Researcher based on DHETaccredited outputs. Prof Brenda Schmahmann was acknowledged as the Top FADA Supervisor, reflecting her sustained contribution to postgraduate success. Media engagement remained robust throughout the year, with over 120 recorded mentions across print, online, television and radio platforms. These engagements highlighted the work of FADA academics, researchers and projects, contributing to the faculty’s visibility and reinforcing its role in shaping public discourse within the creative and cultural sectors. Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate a sustained focus on innovation, recognition and engagement, supporting the faculty’s strategic positioning within both the higher education sector and the broader creative economy. Ms Amanda Breytenbach Strategic Initiatives Coordinator
6 The Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA) operates across three campuses – Auckland Park Bunting Road (APB), Auckland Park Kingsway (APK) and Doornfontein (JBS) – and maintains a longstanding reputation for producing highly skilled graduates for the creative industries, supported by specialised facilities and an experienced academic and professional staff complement. The faculty comprises nine academic departments offering a range of degree and diploma programmes: Architecture, the Graduate School of Architecture (GSA), Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Jewellery Design and Manufacture, Multimedia, and Visual Art. FADA also houses UJ Arts and Culture, including the UJ Arts Centre and the UJ Art Gallery at APK, with Arts and Culture offices located across all UJ campuses. In addition, the faculty hosts two research centres: Visual Identities in Art and Design (VIAD), led by Prof Leora Farber, and the NRF SARChI Chair in South African Art History and Visual Culture, directed by Prof Brenda Schmahmann. The FADA Gallery, library, auditorium, lecture venues and Design Café are located within the main faculty building at APB, providing integrated academic, research and student support spaces. In 2025 the faculty continued to consolidate strategic initiatives established in previous years. Under the leadership of Executive Dean Professor Federico Freschi, and in alignment with the University of Johannesburg Strategy 2035, the faculty met its performance targets while remaining responsive to evolving institutional priorities and opportunities. FADA occupies a number of dedicated buildings equipped with customised studios, computer laboratories, workshops and a fabrication laboratory (Fab Lab) tailored to the needs of its disciplines. INTRODUCTION FADA Annual Report 2025
7 Our Staff In 2025 the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture employed a total of 114 staff members, comprising 100 permanent and 14 fixed-term appointments. The staff complement included 69 academic staff (60.5%), 44 administrative and support staff (38.6%), and one executive staff member (0.9%). Of the total staff cohort, 70 employees (61.4%) were from designated groups, while 36 (31.6%) were non-designated. Eight staff members (7.0%) were international appointees. The Faculty Management Committee consisted of ten members, of whom four (40%) were from designated groups and six (60%) non-designated. Transformation at senior management level therefore remains an area of focus, and departments are developing succession plans to strengthen demographic representivity over time. Given the relatively early career stage of many academic staff members, more substantial shifts in management demographics are anticipated over the next three to four years as the leadership pipeline matures. Women constituted 79 staff members (69.3%) of the overall faculty complement. Among academic staff, 25 permanent and full-time contract academics held doctoral qualifications, representing approximately 36% of the academic cohort. One staff member declared a partial disability and one a full disability (together 1.8% of staff).
8 NFR-rated researchers B-rated Prof Brenda Schmahmann, SARChI — B1 Y-rated Associate Prof Irene Bronner, SARChI — Y1 Dr Sinead Barnabas, SARChI — Y2 Associate Prof Khaya Mchunu, Fashion — Y2 Dr Khanya Mthethwa, Jewellery — Y2 C-rated Prof Kim Berman, Visual Art — C1 Associate Prof Leora Farber, VIAD — C1 Associate Prof David Paton, Visual Art — C1 Dr Philippa Hobbs, SARChI — C2 Associate Prof Alison Kearney, Visual Art — C2 Alex Opper, Architecture — C2 Prof Deirdre Pretorius, Graphic Design — C2 Associate Prof Ruth Sacks, Visual Art — C2 Prof Emerita Karen von Veh, Visual Art — C2 Dr Paul Weinberg, SARChI — C2 Staff development Academic and professional staff in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture remain actively engaged in ongoing professional development and postgraduate study. During 2025 several staff members completed advanced qualifications. Dr Afua Wilcox (Senior Lecturer, Architecture) graduated from Delft University on 2 August 2025; Dr Kimberly Bediako (Fashion Design) was awarded a PhD by UNISA; Dr Khanya Mthethwa (Jewellery Design and Manufacture) completed a PhD at UJ and received a Y2 NRF rating in the same year; and Dr Reshma Maharajh (Graphic Design) also graduated with a doctoral degree from the University of the Witwatersrand. In addition, Martin Bolton (Head of Department, Industrial Design) submitted his PhD for examination at the end of 2025, while Katlego Madumo (Industrial Design) graduated cum laude with a Master’s degree in Industrial Design. Staff participation in the Academic Advancement Mentoring Programme (AAMP) continued to grow. In 2025 five new staff members joined the programme, bringing the faculty’s total participation to 41. Of these, 27 were enrolled at Level 1, six progressed to Level 2, and eight had reached Level 3, reflecting sustained engagement with staff development and academic career progression. In 2025 FADA had 14 NRF-rated researchers (20% of academic staff). Recognition and Awards Academic and professional staff in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture continued to receive recognition from peers, professional bodies and industry partners, reflecting sustained engagement beyond teaching and research and contributing to the advancement of professional practice and disciplinary standards. In the Department of Architecture, Dr Finzi Saidi served as a jury member of the International Federation of Landscape Architects for the Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe Award and participated on the SACAP accreditation panel at the University of the Witwatersrand. Ntetleng Mosidi also served on two SACAP accreditation panels evaluating architectural learning sites across South Africa. Dr Heather Dodd’s Flower Hall Project was shortlisted in the Creative Re-use category at the World Architecture Festival in Miami, where she also served as a juror. She presented the Binda Series Lecture at the Taubman College, University of Michigan, acted as a judge for the ADC 104th Annual Awards in New York, and received the Leading Architecture + Design Herbert Prins Colosseum Award. Prof Guy Trangoš, together with Catherine de Souza, received both a Gauteng Institute for Architecture Award of Merit for the Auckland Park Preparatory School STEAM Centre and an Award of Excellence for the New Highveld House project. Within UJ Arts and Culture, curator Dr Dineke Orton was nominated as a finalist for the Kanna Herrie Prize for Innovation for the exhibition Toor | Bos, and also served as an adjudicator for the Rust-en-Vrede Portrait Award and the Arts & Culture Trust Nyoloha Visual Arts Finals Exhibition, and as a guest speaker at the North-West University ViNCO colloquium. Operations Manager and Producer Karabo Legoabe was a finalist at the Naledi Theatre Awards for Best Theatre Set and AV Design (Ka Lebitso La Moya). Shoni Netshia, Visual Arts, speaking at the . 57th AICA International Congress (South Africa)
9 The production Voices+ received the Toyota US Woordfees Award for Best Classical Music: Innovation. Pieter Jacobs was appointed to the National Arts Council Advisory Panel for Theatre, Karabo Mtshali served on the board of The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative and on the South African Film and Television Awards judging panel, Sizwe Mondlane participated in the Mzansi Conductors Convention selection panel and the Quava Vocal Group conductor appointment committee, and Lakin Morgan-Baatjies delivered a keynote address at the Tribuo Arts Sector Session, served as an Arts & Culture Trust trustee, and adjudicated the kykNET Fiëstas Awards. Gallery Assistant Titus Rakgoathe received a UJ Long Service Award. In Fashion Design, Ms Tinyiko Baloyi was invited as a specialist participant at the BRICS Fashion Summit in Russia, while Dr Kimberly Bediako, as presidentelect, organised the 2025 DEFSA Conference hosted at Nelson Mandela University. Prof Raoul Smal, Prof Neshane Harvey and Dr Bediako also served on the organising committee of the Cumulus Conference hosted by the University of Johannesburg. In Graphic Design, Mr Badenhorst was one of three national winners of the Picture This! World Wide Illustrated Picture Book Competition and will represent South Africa in Bologna in 2026. Prof Landi Raubenheimer (Design Studies) launched her book District 9: Johannesburg as Nostalgic Dystopia and guest-curated a related exhibition featuring works by David Goldblatt, Santu Mofokeng and Ilan Godfrey. In Industrial Design, Nasreen Amanjee (MA student and Assistant Lecturer) placed third both institutionally and nationally in the Visualise Your Thesis competition for her presentation Defining a Framework for Gender-Inclusive Surgical Tool Design in the Context of South Africa. In Jewellery Design and Manufacture, Dr Khanya Mthethwa received the Mail & Guardian Power of Women Award in the Women in Arts, Film and Media category. Within the faculty’s research centres, Prof Brenda Schmahmann (SARChI Chair) received a University of Johannesburg award as the Faculty’s top postgraduate supervisor and was awarded an Ampersand Fellowship to undertake a research visit to New York in 2026. She also co-edited the Routledge publication Contemporary Approaches to Commemorative Public Art: Monumental Developments. Assoc Prof Irene Bronner was appointed Associate Editor of Public Art Dialogue, and Visiting Associate Professor Sinead Barnabas founded the Dutch chapter of the Association of Critical Heritage Studies. In the Multimedia Department, Bongani Khoza’s BAAP scholarship was extended for a third year and Ntabiseng Mabale received a BAAP scholarship for the first time. In Visual Art, Prof Kim Berman received an NRF Research Award for her retrospective exhibition at the UJ Art Gallery, while part-time lecturer Diane Victor received a Laureate Award from the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Collectively, these achievements demonstrate the faculty’s strong national and international profile and the continued professional impact of its staff across academic, creative and cultural sectors. The Fashion show, during the 2025 Endof-Year FADA Student Exhibition
10 TEACHING & LEARNING Enrolment & Student Profiles In 2024 the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture had a total headcount enrolment of 1,594 students. Of these, 1,243 (78%) were undergraduate and 351 (22%) postgraduate. The student body was predominantly Black African (73%), followed by White (15%), Indian (6%) and Coloured (6%) students. Women constituted the majority of students, representing 53% of undergraduates and 66% of postgraduate enrolments. Approximately 75% of students were enrolled in undergraduate degree programmes, with a further 21% registered in undergraduate diplomas and certificates and 4% in advanced diplomas. Within the postgraduate cohort, 50% were enrolled in postgraduate qualifications below master’s level, 38% in master’s degrees, and 12% in doctoral programmes (a marginal increase of 2% compared to the previous year). Graduates In 2025 the faculty produced a total of 575 graduates, comprising 61% undergraduate and 39% postgraduate qualifications. Student access, and support for students The faculty’s average success rate improved to 90.9% in 2024. However, the overall dropout rate increased to 15.1%, up from 10.7% the previous year. This rise is largely attributable to changes in the 2025 admission process, in which selection was based primarily on APS score. While this approach broadened access, it resulted in the admission of a cohort of students whose academic profiles met the minimum requirements but whose interests and aptitudes were not always aligned with the specific vocational and technical demands of our programmes. As a result, a higher-than-usual proportion of students disengaged during the course of the year. To address this, the faculty is revising its admission regulations from 2027 to introduce additional assessment measures that better evaluate programme fit and motivation, while avoiding a return to the previous portfolio-based system, which had proven inconsistent and potentially exclusionary. These refinements are intended to balance access with appropriate placement, thereby improving retention without compromising equity. The undergraduate graduation rate improved to 28.1% (up from 26.6% in 2024), while postgraduate graduation rates remained stable at 36.1% (36.2% in 2024). UJenius and High-Achieving Students Following the change in enrolment processes, the number of first-year students with an APS of 35 or higher increased by 131%, rising from 70 in 2024 to 162. Correspondingly, the number of Orange Carpet first-year students increased from 34 to 66, while UJenius senior students grew from 41 to 48. These figures indicate a strengthening academic profile among incoming cohorts.
11 The undergraduate graduation rate improved to 28.1% (up from 26.6% in 2024), while postgraduate graduation rates remained stable at 36.1% (36.2% in 2024). Key Indicators TEACHING & LEARNING
12 Programmes The Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture remains committed to innovation in teaching and learning, ensuring that its programmes remain relevant, sustainable and aligned with professional and industry expectations. Across all departments, curricula are continuously reviewed in relation to the University’s strategic goals and are supported by partnerships that provide students with opportunities for practical, real-world experience. In Architecture, additional curriculum-based activities were introduced to support student transition and engagement. An annual Creativity Week, held at the start of the first semester, familiarised first-year students with studio culture, the university environment and Johannesburg as their learning context. Working in groups led by senior students, participants complete daily challenges exploring themes such as urban life, public space, transport and memory, with input from practising architects and representatives of the South African Council for the Architectural Profession. The Department of Graphic Design expanded student support through a structured mentorship programme coordinated by Ms Ilhaam Khan, with support from Mr Neil Badenhorst. Ten support tutors were appointed, alongside specialist tutors in software, photography, animation and drawing to address a range of academic needs. The Graduate School of Architecture advanced programme innovation through the introduction and consolidation of targeted academic offerings. A new Heritage Short Learning Programme responds to sector demand for applied skills in conservation and built-environment management, while the practice-based Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Architecture provides a framework for advanced designled research grounded in professional practice. Together these initiatives strengthen quality assurance, enhance graduate attributes and support professional relevance. Industrial Design continued to develop entrepreneurial capacity through the Independent Design Hustlers Club (formerly ID Hustlers Club), which assists students in navigating professional practice, including pricing, client engagement and business operations. In 2025 the initiative expanded to include students from Fashion Design, Interior Design, Architecture, Graphic Design, Jewellery Design and Visual Art, encouraging transdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange. The FADAfeel project, a thirdyear Industrial Design initiative, further supported applied learning through the design and batch production of gifting and homeware products. Fashion Design presented its annual graduate fashion show in partnership with UJ Arts and Culture. The event formed a key component of the year-end exhibitions and recognised student achievement, with Ashton Welthagen receiving the top award and Faith Tjale and Nelly Sibisi receiving special commendations. The annual FADA Interdisciplinary Theatre Programme (14–25 July) involved 335 second-year students working in 21 interdisciplinary groups to conceptualise and design a professional theatre production. Presented in collaboration with UJ Arts and Culture, the programme promoted collaborative learning, critical thinking and cross-disciplinary skills development. Guest contributors included Allegra Bernacchioni, Nthabiseng Maleka, Rhys Gordon and Mammatli Thakhuli-Nzuza, with Professor Jay Pather presenting the director’s brief for Euripides’ The Bacchae. In response to the growing use of generative artificial intelligence tools, the Design Studies team continued to implement its applied theory methodology and alternative assessment approaches. These strategies encourage critical engagement with AI as a research and planning aid while helping students understand its limitations and ethical implications. Interior Design renders by Thabo Machete
13 Industry-linked Teaching & Learning The Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture maintains longstanding partnerships with industry, enabling students to engage with professional practice while providing support for teaching, learning and applied research. These collaborations strengthen graduate readiness by linking academic work to real-world contexts and expanding opportunities for experiential learning. In Industrial Design, industry engagement continues to play a central role in the curriculum. The department partnered with Volkano in 2025 on a speaker-design project aligned to a professional brief. The collaboration included an industry lecture, a factory visit exposing students to manufacturing processes, and a competitive showcase of student concepts evaluated by company representatives. Prize-winners received equipment including 3D printers, speakers and headsets, and the project provided valuable insight into product development, production constraints and market expectations. The department also maintains an active alumni WhatsApp network, which supports professional connections, shares employment opportunities and gathers feedback on graduate employability. A similar alumni engagement model has been adopted by the Jewellery Design and Manufacture department. The Department of Architecture hosted a two-day workshop studio in partnership with ACCUSPEC, involving thirteen construction industry partners who engaged students on materials, construction technology, design and manufacture. The initiative enhanced practical knowledge and professional literacy, while ACCUSPEC also contributed R16,100 in prize funding for the student Converge competition. A job-shadowing initiative was introduced with alumni architectural practices in Johannesburg to support high-performing students, providing early professional exposure and improving employability. The department also strengthened collaboration with the Gauteng Institute for Architecture (GIFA) to support Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) for second-year diploma students. Through a mentorbased, office-simulation model, the partnership helps address placement constraints in a volatile job market. Jewellery Design and Manufacture students participated in a Work-Integrated Learning project with De Beers, gaining experience in diamond familiarisation, cutting and polishing, and jewellery retail practice. In Graphic Design and Multimedia, students participated in an Absa-sponsored Hackathon during the fourth term. Senior students also collaborated with Commerce, Law and Management students in the Marketathon project to develop marketing concepts for the University of Johannesburg; this initiative will be further formalised in 2026. Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate the faculty’s strong engagement with industry and alumni networks, enhancing professional awareness, practical competence and the employability of graduates. Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate the faculty’s strong engagement with industry and alumni networks, enhancing professional awareness, practical competence and the employability of graduates. Visiting Lithuanian artist Marija Marcelionytė- Paliukė with third year Visual Arts students
14 Teaching and Learning with 4IR The Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture continues to integrate emerging technologies and new pedagogical approaches into teaching and learning in response to Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolution developments. In 2025, a range of initiatives strengthened digital literacy, curriculum relevance and student preparedness for contemporary professional environments. In Architecture, two second-year BArch students were selected for the nationally competitive, fully sponsored BIM4Uni programme hosted by Modena. The training provided hands-on experience in Revit and Building Information Modelling (BIM) workflows, bridging academic learning with industry practice and enhancing employability. The Department of Multimedia advanced its three-year curriculum redesign strategy, initiated in 2024, to align with 5IR developments and evolving professional skills. Amajor revision of the third-year Digital Media Design programme introduced nine new units, including gaming, extended reality and omni-channel content design, engaging with artificial intelligence, smart technologies and sustainability frameworks aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Similarly, Graphic Design expanded its timetabled mentorship programme, appointed specialist technical tutors and incorporated AI and 4IR competencies into the curriculum. Student Support and Retention Alongside technological innovation, the faculty strengthened student support structures. While departments continue to identify and assist at-risk students, the facultywide mentorship programme coordinated by Tamara Francis established a visible and supportive engagement network. Key initiatives included Wellness Fridays to address studio workload pressures, FADA Market Day to support student entrepreneurship, and community outreach activities such as food and sanitary product drives Departments complemented these efforts with targeted interventions. Fashion Design, in partnership with the Transformation Office, hosted an anti-bullying workshop and offered professional skills sessions covering workplace etiquette, interview preparation and academic writing. Multimedia introduced smaller first-year classes, an additional orientation programme, two additional mentors, targeted support workshops and a dedicated assessment week for first-year students. Graphic Design implemented centralised online attendance tracking and weekly at-risk reporting by year coordinators, enabling earlier intervention and personalised academic support. To strengthen graduate employability, Visual Art introduced a professional practice module focused on entrepreneurship, equipping students to establish independent creative careers. Fashion Design staff and students workshop 2025 DEFSA Industrial Design ‘What If’ entry
15 Student Achievement and Recognition Recognising student achievement remained an important aspect of faculty engagement. The Dean’s Merit List event acknowledged high-performing students and encouraged peer motivation, while the annual student exhibition showcased work to parents, alumni and industry stakeholders. The accompanying online exhibition archive extends professional visibility beyond the physical exhibition. The faculty also continued to identify and support high-performing students through UJenius recruitment initiatives. Students achieved notable successes in national and international competitions. Three Fashion Design students were selected among the top ten in the South African Fashion Week Student Competition. Graphic Design students received three Loerie Award finalist placements (including one bronze), nine Pendoring finalists and four wins (including two silver and one gold, with Courtney Hodgson winning the overall student award), five Gold Pack finalists, and a DEFSA top “What If” award. Four Visual Art students reached the Top 100 of the Sasol New Signatures competition. An interdisciplinary team of Graphic Design Honours, Multimedia and Industrial Design students won the national Women in Tech® competition and will represent South Africa at the global finals in Texas in 2026. Industrial Design students exhibited furniture projects at Cape Town Furniture Week as part of an inter-institutional exhibition and entered six teams into the AAKRUTI Global Competition, addressing real-world technological challenges. Two honours student groups were selected as finalists in the DEFSA “What if Design…” competition, with one team placing in the top three nationally. The Industrial Design Wom+n in Tech initiative also showcased postgraduate student projects at an Innovators Trust industry event, where the top two projects received mentorship opportunities and equipment sponsorship. Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate the faculty’s commitment to technologically informed pedagogy, responsive student support and the development of graduates equipped for rapidly evolving creative and professional environments. “These initiatives demonstrate the faculty’s commitment to technologically informed pedagogy, responsive student support and the development of graduates equipped for rapidly evolving creative and professional environments. 2025 Pendoring winners Fiona O’Connor (silver), Divine Ikechukwu (gold), Graphic Design HOD Christa van Zyl, Courtney Hodgson (Gold & overall 2025 Pendoring winner) and Chrystal De Witt (silver) 2025 Industrial, Digital Media and Graphic Design student winners of the national Women in Tech competition
16 The full UJ Arts Academy ensemble taking a bow at the conclusion of the showcase. (UJ Arts & Culture, 2025) UJ Arts & Culture, a division within the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, plays a central role in the University’s cultural life and institutional engagement. The division manages a range of venues that support both academic and public activities, including Senate and Faculty Board meetings, executive engagements, conferences, lectures, concerts, festivals, film screenings, book launches and theatre productions. Alongside its public programme of exhibitions and performances, Arts & Culture contributes to the University’s strategic objectives by advancing creative output and supporting research through the Creative Output Stimulus Programme funded by the University Research Committee. The division also provides a wide-ranging extramural arts programme, offered free to students across the University. Activities include participation in the UJ Choir, drama classes, ballet, afro-fusion and contemporary dance, poetry workshops and competitions, and a photography club. These Arts Academy activities culminate in a public year-end showcase. In 2025, a total of 2,923 students registered for Arts Academy programmes. Through funding from CATHSSETA, the division received 769 applications for 23 internship positions. Seven artist residencies were administered during the year, and the 2026 call attracted 204 applications, from which eight artists were selected. In 2025, Arts & Culture presented 39 public events at the Arts Centre, attended by 19,180 audience members. Together with off-campus performances by the UJ Choir and Voices+, the division’s total audience reach exceeded 68,000. Client-hosted events attracted a further 20,151 patrons, bringing total annual venue attendance to 39,331, representing a 16% increase. Marketing and communications initiatives generated an advertising value equivalent (AVE) of R9,509,490. The division maintained a POPIA-compliant database of 22,929 contacts and recorded notable growth across its social media platforms, with the UJ Arts & Culture Instagram account increasing from 8,993 to 11,000 followers. The Division’s extracurricular programme, offered to students from across the institution at no cost, includes UJ Choir, drama classes, a photography club, ballet, afrofusion, and contemporary dance classes, poetry classes, workshops, and slam competitions. This programme is offered under the aegis of the Arts Academy. UJ Arts Academy Arts Academy classes (some over two years) are presented by professionals who are highly skilled facilitators in their field. Following the registration and onboarding process in February and March, Arts Academy classes commenced in April and ran during academic term until October. From the many students who signed up and auditioned, 500 were selected and participated in the various activities and programmes. Of this number, 430 students qualified for cultural bursaries at the end of the year - this is dependent on strict attendance and participation criteria. Arts Academy activities culminated in a weeklong year-end showcase attended by family, friends, and the public. During 2025 the following classes and programmes were presented. Drama classes facilitated by Stephren Saayman, Judy Nyembe and Jade Bowers focused in the first year on character development, and in the second on the develop- ment of participants’ performance skills, confidence, creativity, and understanding of dramatic techniques. Poetry classes facilitated by Richard Quaz Roodt were held weekly for both new and returning students, incorporating monthly slam competitions starting in the second semester. This journey culminated in a grand slam during the annual year-end showcase. Dance was catered for by classes in both Contemporary Dance facilitated by Fana Tshabalala, around the theme ‘Fragments of Memories’, and in Adult Ballet facilitated by Ipeleng Merafe and Prof Catherine Botha, which focuses on choreography and technique. The Photography Club, coordinated by Nonhlanhla UJ ARTS AND CULTURE
17 Masombuka, aimed to teach students fundamental photography skills, including the principles of photography, how to capture professional-quality images using a smart- phone, and how to explore various themes through their creative vision. The Club organised a range of themed photography projects throughout the year, each designed to challenge participants to view the world through diverse visual perspectives. A new offering, the Music Programme, facilitated by Imilonji Kantu Choral Society, aimed to nurture young talent, develop vocal and instrumental skills, and foster an appreciation for diverse musical traditions. During the year, the group remained in its developmental stage, focusing on building a strong foundation in music theory, vocal technique, harmony, and performance discipline. Stand-up Comedy, finally, facilitated by Isaac Mehlape, focused on content generation, performance skills, improvement in comedic timing, confidence and stage presence. The Arts Academy Showcase The Arts Academy Annual Showcase 2025 was successfully presented at the University of Johannesburg’s Drama Studio and Bunting Theatre from 14 to 17 October 2025. The showcase featured a rich and diverse programme of performances, exhibitions, and storytelling sessions, unified under the theme ‘Resilience and Reclamation: Rising Through Darkness’. The programme brought together students and mentors from across artistic disciplines, including dance, drama, photography, and poetry, as a celebration of creativity, storytelling, and the human spirit. Over the four days, performances explored themes of healing, transformation, identity, and renewal, reflecting the resilience of individuals and communities navigating uncertainty. The Showcase concluded with the announcement of the Poetry Slam winner, followed by closing reflections on the artistic growth, collaboration, and creative exchange demonstrated throughout the programme. Overall, the Arts Academy Annual Showcase 2025 was a resounding success. It highlighted the depth of talent within the University of Johannesburg Arts Academy while reinforcing the transformative role of the arts in fostering empathy, resilience, and community. The event stands as a testament to the dedication of both students and mentors and sets a strong foundation for future artistic endeavours. UJ Choir After a lengthy audition process, including two development camps, the final number of UJ Choir 2025 stood at 71 (39 female and 32 male choristers), with Voices+ a smaller ensemble of UJ Choir. The Choir and Voices+ undertook a very extensive programme in 2025. In addition to performing at 79 University graduation ceremonies, the Choir presented 19 concerts and Voices+ 16 concerts, including one marking the UJ@20 celebrations. In addition, UJ Choir’s albums reached 1 885 240 streams globally during 2025. Student excursions Student excursions saw UJ Choir travel to Wag ’n Bietjie Kampterrein close to Pretoria for a development camp, and to Mpumalanga for a concert tour at three towns. Voices+ travelled to the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees, where they won the ‘Woordfees Award for Outstanding Contribution to Classical Music: Innovation’. Arts Academy Poetry students toured to Durban for the International Poetry Festival. FADA Interdisciplinary Theatre Programme The annual FADA Interdisciplinary Theatre Programme, presented from 14 – 25 July, challenges second-year students from across the Faculty to design and build models for elements of a play that Arts & Culture is to produce with a professional cast. The 2025 programme involved 335 students who were divided into 21 groups, bringing together students from different FADA departments, facilitating transfer of interdisciplinary knowledge and skills. Guest lecturers included Allegra Bernacchioni, Nthabiseng Malaka, Rhys Gordon, and Mammatli ThakhuliNzuza, with Prof Jay Pather presenting his director’s brief for the selected work, ‘The Bacchae of Euripides’. The full UJ Arts Academy ensemble taking a bow at the conclusion of the showcase.
18 RESEARCH & INNOVATION For the 2025 reporting year, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) approved 37.2 publication units from the faculty’s 2023 submission. In addition, 12 creative research units were awarded from the 2024 submission. The reduction in accredited publication units reflects a cyclical effect inherent to the DHET reporting system, where outputs are confirmed two to three years after production. The 2025 figures therefore correspond to research activity undertaken during the 2022 period. During this time the faculty also placed increased emphasis on practice-based and creative research, which typically has longer accreditation lead times and less predictable approval outcomes than conventional textual publications. As a result, while scholarly activity remained active, the mix of outputs temporarily affected the number of confirmed publication units. The faculty has since strengthened its research pipeline, with particular focus on advancing from preparation to publication stage while maintaining support for creative practice research. Unaudited internal tracking indicates that 2025 output is projected to reach approximately 73 units, including 19 creative outputs submitted to the DHET for accreditation. This suggests a recovery of research productivity as the revised pipeline matures. FADA Postdoctoral Research Fellows Over the past four years the Faculty has consolidated and expanded its Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PDRF) programme, stabilising the number of fellows at eight per year while progressively integrating them into the academic core of the faculty. Initially concentrated within research centres, the programme has evolved into a distributed model in which PDRFs are increasingly hosted within academic departments. While research centres hosted the majority of fellows between 2021 and 2023, by 2025 departmental placements had increased significantly. This shift reflects a deliberate strategy to embed research activity directly within teaching environments, strengthening postgraduate supervision capacity, supporting honours and master’s curricula, and contributing to publication outputs. The total number of fellows has remained stable at eight annually since 2023, providing sustained support for research production, postgraduate mentoring, and the development of emerging research areas. 2025 Cumulus presentation
19 Textual Output Units 2019-24 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 64.94 61.78 52.54 51.34 37.2 FADA Creative Output Units 2019-24 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 3 9.33 12 15.5 9.16 12 FADA post-doctoral research fellows 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Research centres 2 4 6 6 3 Departments 0 0 2 2 5 TOTAL 2 4 8 8 8 Research funding In 2025, the faculty secured a total of R 9 555 486,06 in research funding, with the majority (R 8 849 046,19) sourced nationally from NRF, DHET (textual and creative DHET publication subsidy), and others. An additional R706 439,87 came from international sources, including in-kind support from international partners for travel and other initiatives. The SARChI chair in South African Art and Visual Culture received NRF funding of R2 950 000. In addition, their Visiting Associate Professor Shanade Barnabas was awarded a starting grant of 3 000 Euro by the University of Groningen to launch the Dutch chapter of Critical Heritage Studies. She also raised 12 500 Euro to organise a colloquium for the Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome (22-24 January 2025). VIAD received R 1 600 000 in 2025 from the NRF Competitive Programme for Rated Researchers. In addition they received R195 176,43 from the Africa Institute, Sharjah for a Workshop and a total of R 74 804,58 was received from the GALA Queer Archive as 2 contributions to the Be Queer and African projects. Other projects received R30 000 from IFAS and R118 050,00 from the Centre for the Study for Slavery and Justice, Brown University. R655 074 was awarded from Pro Helvetia (Switzerland) for VIAD’s contribution to a two-year joint project ‘Fluid Boundaries: The Interplay of Art, Science and Indigenous Knowledge Systems’. Professor Pretorius of the Graphic Design Department received NRF funding of R300 000 for 2025 and R300 000 for 2026, for the Trans Atlantic Partnership (TAP) project with Brazil, UK & UWC. Two Multimedia staff members, Nthabiseng Mabale and Bongani Khoza, received BAAP grants to the collective value of R544 770 in 2025. R250 000 was shared between two staff members, Bongani Khoza and Landi Raubenheimer (Design Theory), to fund a major exhibition titled In Black and White: the FADA Photo Booth. The Innovation Advancement Fund (GES 4.0 SI) forms part of the University of Johannesburg’s Global Excellence & Stature 4.0 initiative, with a specific focus on societal impact–driven research and innovation. In this funding cycle, the Department of Industrial Design was awarded support for three projects. The Dome project received R52 454 and is led by an Honours student. PillEase, also an Honours student project, was awarded R92 000. In addition, Forma, a Master’s project by Daniel Carstens (staff), received R82 000. These projects will continue to be further developed during 2026.
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