At the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Academic Year, Unisa once again demonstrated its commitment to excellence by recognising staff whose efforts shape its future. One such achiever is Martin van Greuning, Web Coordinator in the Electronic and Web Communication (EWC) Directorate of the Department of Institutional Advancement, who received the Support Staff Excellence Award for his impact in advancing the institution’s mission.

Highlighting the work for which the award was presented, Van Greuning acknowledges the responsibility that came with improving the Unisa corporate website, an award-winning platform. "The project," he says, "required the adoption of innovations without compromising the site’s strengths and maintaining its position as the best university website in South Africa. My role was to translate the approved strategic design concepts into a fully functional, modern and user-centred digital interface. I built the front-end templates that ensured the site was visually consistent, accessible and aligned with Unisa’s brand identity."

Van Greuning’s achievement reflects his continuous innovation within a dedicated team over the years. He says that proactive self-development played a key role in keeping his technical expertise current and highly effective, enabling him to deliver a solution that strengthened Unisa’s reputation.

He adds: "Each challenge and project along the way has been a stepping stone, building the foundation for this milestone."

Looking ahead, Van Greuning emphasises his dedication to advancing Unisa’s online presence by upholding innovation and accessibility while ensuring its platforms remain representative of the institution’s values. He elucidates: "I am inspired to explore emerging technologies and creative approaches that can further enhance the digital experience for students, staff and stakeholders."

For Van Greuning, the award is not only a personal achievement but a testament to the collective efforts of the team involved in the project. "Their success in surpassing what initially appeared unattainable adds significant value to this recognition," he says.

Commenting on the achievement, Paul Mohajane, Manager: Web Services, EWC, shares that Van Greuning’s recognition, despite the challenges faced during implementation, reflects his dedication and hard work in ensuring the successful launch of the university’s newly redesigned corporate website in December 2025. "He worked closely with the design team and took full responsibility for translating the approved concepts into a high-quality, intuitive front-end interface," he says. 

Additionally, Dr Louise Schmidt, Deputy Director: EWC, states: "Martin’s advanced technical expertise and ability to translate strategic and creative vision into a seamless, user-centred digital platform have been truly impressive." For Schmidt, Van Greuning is highly deserving of the award, as his professionalism and strong dedication to excellence are key to his continued skills development, enabling him to maintain the highest standards of delivery and significantly enhance Unisa’s digital presence. 

* By Moleboheng Mpafa, Journalist Intern, Department of Institutional Advancement