This week's March 2017 Graduation Ceremonies will again see a record number of students graduating from Stellenbosch University (SU). Together with the December 2016 Graduation Ceremonies (the two ceremonies form the 2016 academic year) it will again be the most qualifications, including the most doctoral degrees, awarded by SU.

140 doctorates will be awarded this week and, together with those awarded in December, it will bring the number of doctorates for the 2016 academic year to 278 (in comparison with 2015's 267). Altogether 2922 degrees will be awarded this week – bring the total number of degrees for the 2016 academic year to 8339 (7905 for 2015).

Matie students will be rewarded for their hard work at six ceremonies from Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 March 2016. The ceremonies take place in the Coetzenburg Centre at Coetzenburg.

Honorary degrees

Two honorary doctorates will also be awarded this week – to the prominent music scholar and professor of Musicology and Music Theory at Princeton University – the foremost music scholar to have come from the African continent, Prof Kofi Agawu; and the Rwandan banker, policy-maker, campaigner for women's rights and former government leader, Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa;

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), honoris causa, is awarded to Agawu for his internationally acclaimed contribution to musicology, for his ground-breaking research on African music, and for serving as an inspiration to the next generation of African scholars by epitomising the quality of scholarship that can emerge from this continent.

Nsanzabaganwa receives the degree Doctor of Commerce (DCom), honoris causa, for her role in developing academically sound economic policies for Rwanda, thereby improving her compatriots' quality of life, for her contribution in creating world-class state institutions, and for her activism to establish women as key players in the African economy.

Graduation Ceremonies:

• Tuesday 14 March, 17:00: Faculties of AgriSciences and Medicine and Health Sciences
• Wednesday 15 March, 10:00: Faculties Theology and Engineering
• Wednesday 15 March, 17:00: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
• Thursday 16 March, 10:00: Faculties of Science, Education, Law and Military Science
• Thursday 16 March, 17:00: Faculties of Economic and Management Sciences (for a Group A)
• Friday 17 March, 10:00:  Faculties of Economic and Management Sciences (for a Group B) and honorary degrees.

Parking 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 injured or sick graduates who cannot move on the stage, should contact the University's Client Service Centre at tel 021 808 9111 to arrange that these degrees can be bestowed off-stage.