UNISA’s catalytic niche areas have been identified as scholarly spheres of strategic importance that will constitute a core element of our institutional identity in all our activities in service of shaping Africa’s intellectual futures. The inter, trans and multidisciplinary engagements with the CNAs are informing our contributions to teaching and learning, research, postgraduate supervision, innovation and engaged scholarship in substantive ways as we solidify our place in the South African higher education landscape while simultaneously expanding our wider African and global footprints. As the implementation of our CNA optimisation plans progress, UNISA’s name will become synonymous not just with scholarly excellence, but with cutting-edge academic leadership in the identified CNAs. The College of Graduate Studies is particularly well-placed to play a leadership role in the intellectual and institutional optimisation of the CNAs.