BIS Publishing UP

23/04/2025

🌍📚 Happy from the BIS Publishing degree in the Department of Information Science — proudly celebrating alongside The Publishing Association of South Africa!

Today, we honour the power of books to inform, inspire, and ignite change. As information professionals, we’re passionate about the written word — not just in what we read, but in how we create, curate, and share it too.

Together with PASA, we’re working towards a publishing future that’s inclusive, innovative, and empowering. 💡📖

Tell us: Which book changed your life? 👇

08/04/2025

Calling Future Publishers!

Are you passionate about the world of media, content, and publishing? The University of Pretoria's Department of Information Science is now accepting applications for the 2026 academic year for the BIS Publishing (Bachelor’s of Information Science) degree!

Prospective students and parents can find more information about the BIS Publishing program, admission requirements, and application procedures on our website:

BIS Publishing Degree:
https://www.up.ac.za/information-science/article/1821944/bis-publishing

Key Dates:
Applications open: 1 April 2025
Applications close: 30 June 2025

Apply online:
https://www.up.ac.za/online-application

For technical support, contact [email protected] or 012 420 3111. Check your application status on the UP student portal after logging in.

Don’t miss this chance to pursue a dynamic career in publishing!

Online Applications 2025

02/04/2025

Quarter One finish and done! ✔️
The excitement of coming back to campus & welcoming our students is always a highlight for us. Dominated by mostly admin tasks quarter one still had a few tricks up it’s sleeve:
Some fun at Science Day, a buzzing campus, and of course the summer to autumn transition is definitely prettier in Hatfield.
We’re excited for prize giving and graduation coming up in Quarter Two. 🍂🧪🧑‍🏫📔
💙💛❤️

12/03/2025

Thank you to Janet Naude for presenting a guest lecture to our third years within the commissioning module. Janet works at Content Station who are content experts that create, edit, design, and deliver content for educational publishers and learners across the globe. 🤓

28/10/2024

Wrapping up Semester 2 has us in our feels!🥹
📒 Katlego Thulare is such an enthusiastic true South African publishers, we are so lucky that you took the time to present to out first years!
🪻Hope a jacaranda fell on each of our students just before exams.😉
🧸 For their semester project the first years had to publish a children’s trade title to , teaching them the importance of multilingual publishing.
🎸It’s all just rock & roll! Congrats to ’ imprint Queillerie on the publication of & ‘s book.
🏎️ Some more snaps of our time with .
🏆 Miss Layla Rasad is the winner of this year’s Spring Reads competition, congrats Layla!
🎃 The office was ooky-spooky for halloween, thank you to our HOD, Prof Holmner, who goes the extra mile for us!
Good luck on your exam preparations dear students, we believe in you and your abilities! Thank you for a wonderful semester. 🤗

25/10/2024

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟
We are thrilled to share that the BIS Publishing 2024 Conference is just around the corner! This year’s conference promises to be exceptional, featuring industry role-players, insightful discussions, and invaluable networking opportunities.
📅 Dates: 4 November 2024
📍 Location: Merensky Library Auditorium Whether you're looking to gain fresh insights, connect with fellow professionals, or explore the latest trends in open access publishing, this conference is a must-attend!
✨ There’s still time to RSVP! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible event. Secure your spot today and join us for an inspiring experience!
👉 https://forms.gle/oGfNxn34gaSJ9DZy7
Looking forward to seeing everyone there! Let’s make this conference unforgettable! 🎉

21/10/2024

This year we had the opportunity to work alongside by providing BMW with corporate publishing assistance with regards to their book project about Artificial Intelligence (AI). This Internship program was granted to Lizé Behrens & Reneiloe Nduna. 🤓 🚗

Here’s what they had to say about the opportunity:
🎓 Lizé:
As Forrest Gump wisely said, “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” Life is full of surprises and my experience at the BMW IT Hub was a delightful one. It not only provided me immeasurable insights into my role as a publishing professional but also taught me the importance of adaptability in my daily life. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and the unique flavours it has brought to my professional journey.
🎓Reneiloe:
It was an honour and privilege to work with BMW and to get some experience of working as a professional copy-editor through this partnership. From the interactions with fellow assistant lecturers as well as industry partners, I’ve formed bonds and learned greatly from all the people I interacted with.

Congratulations to you both and thank you for the hard work and dedication you’ve put into this project!
Also thank you to BMW IT Hub South Africa for the support and recognising our field’s importance in the everchanging advances of tech! 💙 ❤️ 💛

14/10/2024

📚✨ You're invited! Join us for the annual BIS Publishing Conference, hosted by the Department of Information Science at the University of Pretoria. This year’s theme: Exploring South African Digital Landscapes: Perspectives on Academic Publishing.

Gain insights, exchange ideas, and connect with thought leaders as we explore the evolving challenges and opportunities within South Africa's academic publishing industry.

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, 12 November 2024
📍 Venue: Merensky Library Auditorium, University of Pretoria
📨 RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfrxsG6eL2CgSHKhvHT_gubEXB31jrdXunGq9p8kHbPty-2yw/viewform?usp=pp_url

Let’s shape the future of digital academic publishing together! See you there!

07/10/2024

Two of our students have been granted bursaries by Publishers’ Association of South Africa (PASA).
We’re so happy for these students and wanted to share their thoughts. Here’s what they had to say:

🤓Lusanda Zwane:
The PASA bursary has nurtured me in many ways. It has allowed me to study without the financial burden of tuition and residence fees, which means i’ve been able to dedicate all my focus to my studies and wellbeing. But more than that, it has provided me with multiple opportunities to engage with publishing industry professionals and gain insight that consolidates and enhances what I’ve learned in my degree so far. The people at PASA have been very nurturing about my own publishing interests, which makes me feel as though there is room for me in this industry and that what i want to achieve is possible. All in all, I’m truly grateful that I get to be a PASA beneficiary, as my studies would not be the same without PASA’s care and support.

🤓Vutivi Shikwambana:
Being awarded the busary assured me that I do have the passion for publishing. The busary gave me more motivation to work hard in my studies. PASA is more than just an association they are guiding steps into the Publishing world. From the time that I have been awarded this busary I have had the opportunity of meeting people in the industry who have further aided my knowledge in Publishing.

Congratulations Lusanda & Vutivi, you both are so deserving of your bursary!
Special thank you to PASA for the opportunities they present to our students, we appreciate the continued and encouraging help you offer.
💛💙❤️

04/09/2024

Our third year students went on a field trip to the Special Collections Unit at the Merensky Library. Purposely embarking on the tour for their magazine & corporate publications module our students had the chance to see what the history of magazine publishing entails in South Africa. This tour is open to staff and students of UP.
Thank you for reserving our print heritage and the opportunity to see it up close!💙💛❤️

23/08/2024

The Department of Information Science at the University of Pretoria is excited to invite you to our annual conference on “Exploring South African Digital Landscapes: Perspectives on Academic Publishing.” 📚✨

🗓 Date: Tuesday, 12 November 2024
📍 Venue: Merensky Library Auditorium, University of Pretoria
🚗 Parking: Engineering 3 Parkade
📍 GPS: S25 45’ 21”; E28 13’ 51”

This event is a fantastic opportunity to dive into the challenges and opportunities in South Africa’s academic publishing sector, with a special focus on the digital landscape. Don’t miss out on the chance to engage with experts and peers in the field!

🔗 RSVP by: Monday, 4 November 2024. Click the link to RSVP!

https://forms.gle/UQiCjSvvErEzHktn7

For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to Dr. Jana Klingenberg at [email protected] or Ms. Samantha Miller at [email protected].

We can’t wait to see you there! 🌟