​​A group of 47 matric learners from across South Africa recently visited Stellenbosch University's (SU) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) as part of the annual Visit@Tygerberg.

“During the past 12 years, the Visit@Tygerberg programme has been integral in the recruitment and registration of black students selected to study at the FMHS. In 2016, 58 students attended the programme, of whom 48 (83%) registered to study at the Faculty in 2017. They accounted for 7,2% of all new first-year registrations of this demographic group at SU in that year," said Ms Farah Fredericks, Deputy Registrar of the FMHS.

“The programme aims to introduce newly-selected students to the Tygerberg campus, its students, staff, facilities and curriculum, allowing participants to make an informed decision in choosing SU as their future academic home," said Fredericks.

Addressing the group of learners, Prof Jimmy Volmink, Dean of the FMHS, said that the Faculty strives to produce well-rounded health practitioners that are not only skilled in the scientific and technical abilities required by their vocation, but are also taught competencies such as critical thinking and ethics that will make them better practitioners.

“We want to produce health professionals who will use the training we give them to make society better and to be change makers in society," Volmink said.

During their three-day visit, the learners toured the Tygerberg campus and the Rural Clinical School in Worcester, met with the student council and house committees in the residence, and various staff members informed them about the academic programmes and support structures offered by the FMHS. The learners were also entertained by the Tygerberg Gospel Choir and enjoyed some of the sights and attractions that Cape Town has to offer.

Caption: The group of 47 matric learners that were part of the Visit@Tygerberg programme are seen here with the FMHS Dean, Prof Jimmy Volmink, and two Vice Deans, Prof Julia Blitz and Therese Fish.