Stellenbosch University will again this year award a record number of doctoral degrees at its December graduation ceremonies – 138 compared to the 127 of 2015.

Degrees and diplomas will be awarded to more than 5300 Matie students at nine different ceremonies this week (6-9 December). Seven of the ceremonies are to be held in the Coetzenburg Centre, while the doctoral degrees will be awarded  in the Endler Hall at the Conservatoire in Victoria Street.

Four honorary doctorates will also be awarded: The degree of Doctor of Engineering (DEng), honoris causa, will be bestowed upon the pioneer in computing, satellite technology and engineering, Prof Jan du Plessis; the degree  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), honoris causa, upon the Namibian politician and "peace broker", Mr Dirk Mudge;  the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), honoris causa, on the opinion-maker, mediator and agent of reconciliation, Dr Franklin Sonn and the degree of Doctor of Commerce (DCOM), honoris causa, on the business leader, Dr Johan van Zyl.

Du Plessis is honoured for his sustained, innovative contributions to computing and satellite technology, thereby inspiring many engineering students, paving the way for South Africa's booming technology and respected microsatellite industries, and bringing both Stellenbosch University and the country international acclaim; Mudge for his ingenious yet humble leadership in service of his country, extraordinary change management abilities, and his role in facilitating independence for Namibia and reconciliation between white and black Africans as a broker of peace and dealer in hope on the continent; Sonn for his role in transforming education and training, his international contribution as image-builder for the country, his efforts as principled businessman and selfless community leader, and his engaged citizenship that helped steer the South African society towards justice for all; and Van Zyl for his leadership in putting hundreds of thousands of shareholders' investments on a sustainable growth path, for his social responsibility in including the lower-income market in the formal economy, and for his vision in paving the way for the country's first fully fledged black financial services company.

COETZENBURG CENTRE:

• Tuesday 6 December at 10:00 (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences) and at 17:30 (Faculties of Education, Theology and Military Science).
• Wednesday 7 December at 10:00 (Faculty of Law and a first group in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences) and at 17:30 (AgriSciences and Engineering)
• Thursday 8 December at 10:00 (Arts and Social Sciences) and at 17:30 (for a second group in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences).
• Friday 9 December at 10:00 (Faculty of Sciences and honorary degrees)  

ENDLER HALL, CONSERVATOIRE (KONSERVATORIUM)

• Wednesday 7 December at 14:00 (doctoral degrees in the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Education, Law, Theology and Economic and Management Sciences).
• Thursday 8 December at 14:00 (doctoral degrees in the Faculties of Science, AgriSciences, Engineering, Medicine and Health Sciences en Military Science)

At the graduation ceremonies the University also gives recognition to some of its foremost academics and other staff members. This week's recipients of the Chancellor's Award are Mr Eben Mouton, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Dr Therina Theron, Division of Research Development; Prof Eli Bitzer, Faculty of Education; Prof Geo Quinot, Faculty of Law; Prof Michael Samways, Faculty of AgriSciences; Prof Anton Basson, Faculty of Engineering; Profs Rufus Gouws and Anton van Niekerk, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; Profs Ronel du Preez and Servaas van der Berg, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences; and Profs Bert Klumperman and Leon Dicks, Faculty of Science.

Parking at in Stellenbosch

Heavy traffic is expected on all the main roads to Stellenbosch as well as in town. Graduates, parents and friends are kindly requested to arrive early to avoid traffic jams and to ensure parking spots. Graduates with disabilities, or who are injured or sick and cannot move onto the stage, should contact Ms Nikki Malan at 021 808 3729 to arrange for these degrees to be bestowed off stage.