During the month of May, Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University (SU), in partnership with the Centre for Student Recruitment and Career Advice (CSR), hosted Bloemfontein, Kimberly, Oudtshoorn and George school principals and two of their student council members.

The schools that were invited consisted of both strategically identified feeder schools as well as new market schools. This event created an opportunity to position the University, address perceptions in the school market and to acknowledge the important role these schools play in delivering exceptional academic talent for admission into undergraduate programmes at the University.

The Rector acknowledged these school's valuable contribution to reach both past, present and future goals. He emphasised the importance of strengthening partnerships as we ensure that top talent keeps on choosing SU as their university of choice. Prof de Villiers also stressed the fact that SU is an institution where students have “more choices and more access for a better future".

An advisor from the Centre for Student Recruitment and Career Advice also did a presentation on the new SUNStudent application process to empower these school leaders to go back to their school and community and assist their peers in applying to the University.

“Events like these provide a platform where we can maintain and advance mutually beneficial relationships," says Leon van den Heever, Director: CSR. The CSR would like to acknowledge and celebrate visionary principals and passionate student leaders. “We understand that we need each other if we want to impact the system in a meaningful way."