This week, Stellenbosch University (SU) will award 3 132 qualifications at a series of in-person graduation ceremonies at the Coetzenburg Centre. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions imposed on gatherings, the past few in-person graduations have been limited to doctoral candidates and hosted in the smaller Endler hall on Stellenbosch campus.
The graduations from 4 to 7 April 2022 will, for the first time since the start of the pandemic, again include the entire graduating class and invited guests. As was the case at previous ceremonies, the number of guests permitted inside the building will be limited according to the building’s legally required venue population certificate and current Covid-19 restrictions. Except for Monday, when two graduations will take place, the remainder of the week will see three ceremonies hosted per day.
Of the 3 132 qualifications that will be awarded, the majority (1 877) are postgraduate, comprising 167 doctoral, 864 master's, 269 honours and 50 postgraduate bachelor's degrees as well as 527 postgraduate diplomas and certificates.
The April graduation brings to close the 2021 graduation cycle, which saw a total of 5 636 qualifications awarded at the December 2021 graduation. The 3 132 qualifications to be awarded in April 2022 will bring the total number of qualifications awarded for the 2021 year to 8 768. This graduation cycle has seen the highest number of Master’s qualifications awarded for the Faculties of AgriSciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Medicine and Health Sciences, and Military Science. There has also been a growth in the amount of Master’s Cum Laude passes, from 29% in 2020 to 31% in 2021.
Honorary doctorates
The University will also bestow three honorary doctorates on prominent leaders and role-players who have made exceptional contributions to society through their respective fields of expertise. The three April recipients are as follows:
- The engineer and inspirational business leader Mr Andries (Andy) Calitz, who will receive the degree Doctor of Engineering (DEng) honoris causa. This SU alumnus plays a prominent part in the international energy supply sector. Serving as the secretary-general of the International Gas Union since August 2021, he continues to drive political, technical and economic progress in the gas industry globally.
- South African writer, poet and activist Ms Diana Ferrus, who will be awarded the degree Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) honoris causa. Ferrus’s poetry is recognised and revered both locally and internationally for its impact on politics, and for giving a voice to the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. Since she started writing at the age of 14, her personal experiences and the political, historical and social issues of the communities where she lived and worked have featured as themes in her poetry.
- Dr Patrice Matchaba, who will receive the degree Doctor of Science (DSc) honoris causa for his outstanding pharmaceutical and clinical science contributions, and his leading role in addressing healthcare disparities and enhancing research capacity globally. He currently serves as president of the Novartis Foundation in the United States, drawing on his 20 years of experience as a physician to advance global drug development and public health.
Congratulations
SU’s Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wim de Villiers, congratulated the April graduands in advance. “You will be receiving a qualification from one of the top institutions of higher learning on our continent and, indeed, in the world. This significant achievement will open doors globally and assist you in your career as you head out into the world – truly something to be proud of,” he said.
Reflecting on the past two years, De Villiers said: “Despite the pandemic, we managed to bring students back to campus at the beginning of 2021 through a hybrid learning system. I hope this improved your student experience. After all, obtaining a university education is about more than classroom learning. Every interaction you’ve had over the past few years – academic or social – will help shape your future.”
The Rector expressed the hope that the transformative experience that graduands had at SU would enable them to lead and excel in a diverse world. He also urged them to continue to live by the University’s values of excellence, compassion, equity, respect and accountability. “SU will always be your academic home, and our strong alumni network will enhance your professional development going forward,” he concluded.
