The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has officially opened its 2011 academic year with the rededication and opening of the R450-million Soweto Campus, in Johannesburg.

The new facility will now stand as the centre for management sciences and education and includes the installation of new information technology, new student accommodation, lecture halls, a student centre, law and health clinics, computer laboratories and sport facilities.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said at the revamp the campus would inspire confidence in the surrounding community and would constitute an important part of serving the higher education needs of the area and those of Gauteng.

“The campus will instil a great amount of pride into the local community and place in them a level of responsibility to not only own the campus, but also inspire learners in the near by area’s to work hard enough to one day be a student at this facility,” he said.

UJ vice-chancellor Professor Ihron Rensburg explained that the upgrade, made possible by an infrastructure grant thought the Department of Higher Education and Training, was undertaken to further cement the university’s commitment to achieving academic distinction.

The campus has been custom-made to complement the strong development history of the Sowetan community and that of the university.

“We hope that this will be UJ’s flagship campus and the first choice of most students. We hope it will be an engaging facility that will cultivate the rich intellectual and artistic talent that continues to emerge from this here,” he said.

The new facility was also designed with the intention of being an asset to the local community.

Rensburg said that community involvement was a key component to the development and a total of R37-million of the overall construction contract was awarded to local community businesses.

Also attending the ceremony was Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor, as well as ANC Member of Parliament Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.