​The annual Burger Youth Leaders conference, hosted by Die Burger and the Western Cape Education Department, took place in December. Their programme includes visiting Stellenbosch University Campus to explore and experience Matieland. The team from the newly established Student Recruitment Division (SRD) and a group of student ambassadors welcomed them to campus on Tuesday, 13 December. 

Fitting to this year's theme, "The youth of today is adaptable and agile", we shared some thoughts to help set them up on their career development journey. Being 'tomorrow ready' is a term commonly used in the IT world. Still, it's also fitting to ensure that these future leaders set themself up for success and set themselves apart when they enter the competitive world of work. 

The group of 50 youth leaders was selected from schools across the Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape. For half the group, it was the first time they had the opportunity to visit and experience the oak-lined trees of Stellenbosch. This is an important engagement opportunity for the SRD team, as all the schools represented are schools deemed feeder schools to the institution. 

Student engagement provided real accounts of how the institution creates a sense of community and belonging, what attracted them to study at SU and what they (matriculants) can do to better prepare for university in 2 years' time. 

Staff and students alike are excited to move the SU Vision forward, together. 

Anoxolo Maqubela, Parel Vallei High School: It was an amazing visit. It helped me get more insight into how things work in the university, and that made me even more intrigued by the university.