Stellenbosch University
Welcome to Stellenbosch University
First-year students encouraged to embrace diversity in first virtual welcoming
Author: FMHS Marketing & Communications / FGGW Bemarking & Kommunikasie
Published: 09/03/2021

First-year students at Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) were, for the first time in history, welcomed virtually to the Tygerberg Campus, where they will conduct their studies for the next four to six years.

“It is our privilege to welcome you to our Faculty. Under normal circumstances we would have extended this welcome in an in-person event on campus, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, circumstances are far from normal," FMHS Dean Prof Jimmy Volmink said in a welcoming video to new students.

Close to 580 aspiring health professionals joined the FMHS this year – 340 of them enrolled in the MBChB programme to become medical doctors; 55 are studying towards the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy; 36 have signed up for the BSc in Dietetics; 60 are doing the BSc in Physiotherapy; 35 have enrolled in the Bachelor of Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy; and 50 entered the Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery.

The FMHS offers students “much more" than the necessary skills to be a competent health care provider, Volmink said.

“At the FMHS we encourage our students to develop into their best selves. Our Faculty values are inclusivity, compassion, accountability, respect, excellence and equity – and we encourage our students and staff to embrace these values. We believe this will not only make them better health professionals and health care workers, but also better human beings," said Volmink.

He told the new students they will be exposed to a diverse range of people at the Faculty and encouraged them to learn from, and seek to understand, people who are different than themselves.

“It is our hope that our students will become agents of change in society, and that long after they graduate, they will continue to strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people and communities," Volmink said.

In her virtual welcoming address, Ms Kristin Arends, chair of the Tygerberg Student Council, also encouraged first-year students to embrace new experiences. “Having an open mind is one of the best things you can do for yourself at university. Open yourself up to meeting new people, and interact with others with different values and beliefs. At the Tygerberg Campus we are blessed with diversity in all aspects of life, and everyone does their best to celebrate this diversity," Arends said.

She told the new students to be patient with themselves when they first arrive on campus: “There is a place for everyone under the sun and you will find your spot in no time." She also encouraged them to work hard and challenge themselves, but also to take good care of their mental health and to take time out when they need it.

Dr Therese Fish, FMHS Vice Dean: Clinical Services and Social Impact, introduced students to the “entry commitment" that was first introduced in 2018 and which first-year health sciences students at the FMHS undertake at the commencement of their studies. This pledge is a declaration of a student's commitment to being a health sciences student.

A multilingual reading of the FMHS entry commitment was done in all official languages.

Watch the 2021 First Years Welcoming video here: