The Division Student Affairs (DSAf) hosted its first-ever Open Day at Stellenbosch campus, attracting hundreds of students eager to explore leadership development opportunities and various support services offered by the Division's two centres and nine units.
The stalls, which were set up on the Rooiplein between 12:00 and 14:00 on 17 September, were buzzing with students seeking more information on how to enhance their university experience both personally and academically.
This event follows the success of the last three open days held at the Tygerberg campus annually since 2022, and initiated by Ms Khairoonisa Foflonker, Manager of DSAf's Tygerberg office. The goal with establishing an Open Day focused on the Student Affairs environment, says Foflonker, was to ensure that students have easy access to vital information and to address the diverse needs of students pursuing different degrees.
"Increasing visibility of our co-curricular offerings ensures that students are developed holistically in line with SU's Graduate Attributes," says Foflonker. "It also raises awareness about essential support services, such as food security, mental health support, and accessibility awareness."
Staff, student assistants, and interns from the Centre for Student Life and Learning (CSLL) and the Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) were joined by Pokkel, Stellenbosch University's (SU) beloved mascot, who challenged some students to a dance-off. And Matie students did not disappoint! Several brave students stepped up to the challenge, giving Pokkel some serious competition.
CSLL offers leadership and personal development opportunities to students through its five units – the Unit for Commuter Students, Unit for Student Governance, Unit for Residence Student Communities, Unit for Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion, and the Unit for Experiential Learning.. Meanwhile, CSCD provides essential support services through its four units: the Unit for Graduand Career Services, the Disability Unit, the Unit for Academic Counselling and Development, and the Unit for Psychotherapeutic and Support Services.
Students who visited the stalls had the opportunity to speak directly with staff about leadership development programmes, workshops, and masterclasses, amongst others. They also engaged with student assistants and interns, hearing firsthand how DSAf's offerings have positively impacted and enhanced their academic success, leadership skills, mental health, and overall well-being, and cope at university with visible and invisible disabilities.
"Our decision to also host an Open Day on the university's Stellenbosch campus was based on the success of the Tygerberg open days and to ensure that we raise awareness among students – especially first years – about DSAf and the wide range of services we offer here," said Ms Lynne Rippenaar-Moses, DSAf's Communications Coordinator.
"We hope this event fosters stronger connections between students and the DSAf team, and enhances the experience of all students at the university."
During the event, students were able to submit an entry for a competition run by the Division that tested their knowledge of each centre and unit. Ten students walked away with a R250 Neelsie voucher each at the end of the day.
