The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has launched Africa’s first advanced Rescue Simulation Centre, a state-of-the-art facility designed to transform emergency and disaster response training across the continent at its Doornfontein Campus on Friday, 17 October 2025.
The four-storey, 3,000m² facility, designed and commissioned by the Department of Emergency Medical Care (EMC) in UJ’s Faculty of Health Sciences, represents an innovative trajectory in emergency response education and research, firmly positioning the University at the forefront of rescue training, simulation, and innovation.
Speaking ahead of the launch, UJ’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, highlighted the Centre’s strategic role in enhancing national preparedness and advancing professional rescue capabilities. “With this state-of-the-art Rescue Simulation Centre, we are redefining how emergency response training is delivered on the continent. There is no longer a need to travel abroad for world-class rescue training. It is right here at UJ. This facility serves not only our students but the nation. As we celebrate UJ’s 20th anniversary, this milestone reflects our steadfast commitment to innovation, excellence, and nation-building. By investing in safety and skills, we save lives and strengthen our country’s readiness for the challenges that lie ahead,” said Prof Mpedi.
He added that the Centre provides a diverse range of cost-effective, accessible, and comprehensive learning experiences all in one facility. “This project is about accessibility, quality, and national impact,” said Prof Mpedi. “We are creating opportunities for students, professionals, and industries to gain world-class training locally, while building the capacity of South Africa and the broader continent to respond effectively to future emergencies.”
UJ Rescue Simulation Centre represents a significant leap forward in how rescue professionals are trained to respond to the increasingly complex demands of modern disasters. Supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training, the facility provides realistic, high-fidelity simulated environments that can identify and close critical gaps in rescue preparedness, coordination, and related technical skill.
Purpose-built for realism and safety, the Centre includes:
- A five-metre-deep survival pool for aquatic and helicopter underwater egress training (HUET);
- A helicopter simulator for “wet” and “dry” hoisting operations;
- Rotor-wing aircraft safety and patient-care simulation zones;
- A basement-level urban search and rescue area featuring configurable confined space tunnels, shoring systems, and heavy lifting jigs;
- A 30-seater aircraft fuselage for mass casualty simulations; and
- A three-metre-deep trench rescue simulator with environmental systems that replicate rain, wind, waves, and darkness for fully immersive training.
According to Connor Hartnady, a lecturer in the Department of Emergency Medical Care, UJ and one of South Africa’s experienced emergency response specialists, the Centre bridges a critical gap between theory and real-world application. “This facility equips teams with the resources and practical experience they need to respond effectively, save lives, and manage risk,” Hartnady said. “Natural hazards are increasing, urbanisation is evolving rapidly, and emergencies are becoming more complex. This Centre prepares responders not only for South African conditions but for challenges across the continent.”
Government, civil society, and industry partners attended the launch of the Rescue Centre, extending messages of support to the University. Among them, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala, echoed Prof Mpedi’s sentiment, adding that the launch represents more than an institutional milestone. “UJ’s Rescue Centre responds to the urgent need for environmental protection, emergency preparedness, and sustainable economic development. Through education, training, and research, it will expand South Africa’s emergency response capacity, strengthen collaboration between institutions, and enhance regional leadership in rescue operations. The establishment of this Centre is, therefore, not merely an institutional achievement, but a national pledge to safety, dignity, and resilience in the face of increasing global and environmental challenges.”
Prof Mpedi concluded: “With the launch of this world-class facility, UJ continues to reaffirm its commitment to advancing the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in education, while addressing the urgent societal need for safety, innovation, and sustainability. UJ Rescue Simulation Centre stands as a symbol of hope, resilience, and progress, one that will shape a new generation of African rescue professionals equipped to confront the challenges of tomorrow.”
