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Top performers in chemistry and polymer science
Author: Media & Communication, Faculty of Science
Published: 17/08/2021


The top performers in the Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science were rewarded for their hard work during 2019 and 2020 during an online awards ceremony on Friday 13 August 2021.

Michael-Phillip Smith and Emile de Wet received the coveted Merck Award for the best final year students in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Both students have performed exceptionally well over all four years of study, consistently completing all modules with an average of 80% and higher. Michael is currently pursuing his MSc-studies under the guidance of Prof Bert Klumperman, while Emile is busy with his BScHons-degree.

Emile also won a book prize for the best second year student in 2019, with an average of 87%, while Kyla Raoult was the best second year student in 2020 with an average of 83%.

Kayla Heinrich was the recipient of the SMM award for the best BScHons-student in chemistry in 2020, awarded only to students with an average of 75% and higher.

In the textiles and polymer science stream, Julie Jevon received the Mattie Jooste Prize, the Bernina Prize and the Truida Louw book prize for her achievements, including prize money to the value of R20 000.

Prof Peter Mallon, head of the Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, says the Department consistently attracts some of the top learners in South Africa, and in turn the Department works hard to produce the best chemistry graduates, highly-sought after by industry.

Prof Louise Warnich, Dean of the Faculty of Science, congratulated the students with their outstanding achievements, even more remarkable during the pandemic. She also congratulated the chemistry lecturers for the role they played in the students' achievements.