Stellenbosch University (SU) gave recognition to a cohort of staff members whose careers attest to sustained excellence in research, innovation, learning and teaching, social impact and professional services.
These staff members were awarded the University's prestigious Chancellor's Awards. The awards are one of many forms of recognition for excellent performance.
The 15 recipients for the 2021 Chancellors Awards include:
Mr Johan van Rooyen: With dedication, strategic foresight, resourcefulness and strong leadership, Van Rooyen delivered an exceptional contribution as the IT Director in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. In a career spanning more than three decades, Van Rooyen has steered the Faculty from the very first days of personal computers on campus through the IT revolution up to now where IT solutions and infrastructure are key enablers of the success of the institution.
Prof Jan Wium: After an illustrious career in the industry, Prof Wium joined the Department of Civil Engineering in 2003. As Chair of Construction Engineering and Management, he directed the annual Construction Management Programme to future leaders of the construction industry, graduated eighty postgraduate students and published many articles in journals of high impact. He was Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering and a member of the Central Disciplinary Committee of the University.
Mr Samuel de Beer: For more than two decades De Beer has been processing and issuing academic records, graduation documentation, curriculum contents and other official statements to students, alumni, professional bodies and other stakeholders. These functions are core to academic institutions.
Ms Inge-Rae Scholtz: Scholtz' career testifies to sustained excellence. Her dedicated and meticulous way has contributed to SU's success to elevate Research to higher performance levels. Her excellent knowledge of the University and good relationships with various stakeholders has greatly enhanced the operations of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor's office. Her five Rector's Awards for General Performance and twelve years of service in the Rectorate for different managers testify to her expertise and adaptability.
Dr PJ Pieterse: Over his career of 30 years at the Department of Agronomy, Dr Pieterse has made a significant contribution to the field of Weed Science and an understanding of herbicide resistance that is considered one of the main factors threatening sustainable crop production. His earlier work on the biology of alien invasive plants contributed to the establishment of the Working for Water programme in 1995. The emphasis of his research shifted towards the responsible use of herbicides and the relatively new field of herbicide resistance for which he has become recognised as one of the leading experts in Africa.
Ms Ilhaam Groenewald: As SU's Chief Director: Maties Sport, Groenewald leads on the national stage, amongst others, on the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee Board and formerly as the first woman on the SA Rugby Union board. She is a past and now honorary President of University Sports South Africa. Her most significant impact is in her leading role at Maties. For Groenewald, our athletes are “students first", and her support programme has seen high-performance athletes' module pass rate climb to 89.
Mr Japie Engelbrecht: As SU's Director: Planning and Development, Engelbrecht currently manages more than R2 billion projects in construction, which has made SU the largest developer in the Western Cape for the last several years. He was instrumental in designing SU's Project Management Methodology for one of the University's most significant projects to date, the Campus Renewal Project. Under his leadership, SU completed many high-profile projects, including the Jan Mouton Learning Centre and the rapid rebuild of Huis ten Bosch.
Ms Mariétta van den Worm: In 2001, Van den Worm joined the Faculty of Science as faculty manager – at the time the first position of its kind at SU. Over the next two decades, she established new management structures that are today key to the optimal functioning of a highly complicated and diverse academic environment. This includes financial and academic administration oversight, management of research facilities and upgrading of infrastructure spread over 14 buildings on campus, and innovative recruitment initiatives.
Prof Antoinette Malan: Based in the Faculty of AgriSciences, Prof Malan has served SU in an extraordinary manner through her career in teaching, research and innovation in relation to a specialised and scares skills domain. She is a recipient of the Bayer Crop Science Award for the Advancement of Nematology (2011), an Erasmus Mundus European Scholarship (2012), the best Final Research Report by Hortgro Science (2013, 2014 and 2017), as well as the SU Research Excellence Award for researchers who had made the biggest contribution to accredited publications in 2019.
Prof Ian Cloete: With a career spanning over 30 years, Prof Cloete has discerned himself as both a foremost academic in Engineering, particularly in the field of Machine Learning, and as a visionary leader in higher education management internationally. As the Senior Director: Information Governance at SU since 2014, he has led innovative projects that have not only fulfilled but, in many cases, exceeded the Division's mandate.
Prof Ian van der Waag: Recognised for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Military Science as an academic pursuit in South Africa, and for his contribution to South African military historiography, Prof Van der Waag's career spans over 25 years. He is the author of several books and has shaped and given content to several new programmes offered at military colleges and defence academies in several countries.
Ms Karina Smith: Affectionately known as “Tannie K" by students, Smith joined the Department of Industrial Engineering as Senior Secretary in 1999. She is an exceptional, caring person who displays selfless dedication and professionalism. These qualities have made a significant contribution to the success of the Department. She takes a personal interest in every student, learning their names and supporting them throughout their studies.
Prof Lambert Engelbrecht: An internationally and nationally recognised researcher in Social Work, Prof Engelbrecht has supervised and delivered 11 doctoral graduates for a total of 25 doctoral graduates. His work has been cited 700 times during the past five years. He has published 181 articles in accredited top international and national journals. His participation in national research-related activities has resulted in a direct impact on national policy formulation regarding the supervision of social workers in the country.
Dr Therese Fish: As Deputy Dean: Clinical Services and Social Impact for more than a decade, Dr Fish has served SU with distinction. Her visionary, energetic and innovative leadership helped consolidate SU's recognition as a global leader in the delivery of decentralised clinical training for health professionals. Dr Fish's commitment to advancing social justice has had a transformative impact on both the University and the health sector in South Africa.
Prof Chris Reddy: An outstanding scholar and National Research Foundation-rated researcher, Prof Reddy has successfully integrated his research with teaching and social impact. Throughout his 20-year career at SU, including a term as departmental chair, he has led groundbreaking community projects and made an immense contribution to the development of environmental education through his research and scholarship.
