More than 350 medical and health science students graduated from Stellenbosch University (SU) this week.
At the oath taking ceremonies for students from the undergraduate programmes, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Prof Jimmy Volmink, congratulated the Class of 2017 on the successful completion of their studies, and welcomed them to the fraternity of health professions.
“The FMHS extends its warmest congratulations to all those who are participating in this oath taking ceremony. You have made a solemn pledge to serve humanity, to respect humankind, to provide compassionate, effective and ethical health care, and to act honourably at all times," Volmink told the graduates.
In total, 357 students from the FMHS' five undergraduate programmes were capped this week: 226 medical students graduated from the MB,ChB programme; 47 graduates received a BSc in Physiotherapy; 31 students obtained a BSc in Dietetics; 28 students graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy; and 25 graduates obtained their Bachelor's degree in Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy.
In his motivational talk at the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences' oath taking ceremony, Dr Gillian Arendse, Deputy Director of SU's Centre for Student Recruitment and Career Advice, warned students against the “seven deadly sins of mediocrity". This concept, coined by the author Todd Henry, highlights seven behavioural traits to overcome in order to rise above mediocrity, namely aimlessness, boredom, comfort, delusion, ego, fear, and guardedness.
Addressing the group of MB,ChB graduates, Prof Glenda Grey, Director of the South African Medical Research Council, called on the newly qualified medical doctors to use their positions in the health care system to contribute to social justice. The FMHS also awarded Grey an honorary doctorate degree for her pioneering research, her revolutionary work in HIV/Aids, and her social impact by harnessing science to serve society.
The Dean's Award for Excellence in Leadership was presented to Bohlale Selahle, a graduate from the Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy programme, and the Dean's Prize for Undergraduate Research went to MB,ChB student Coutney Olivier. The top performing undergraduate student of the Class of 2017 was Estè Louw, who averaged 88,68% for the entire Occupational Therapy programme. The top MB,ChB student was Leanne Young, who achieved a 83,27% average over this six-year programme.
A total of 18 doctorates were awarded to PhD students, of which several are also staff members at the FMHS.
Caption: The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences capped 357 graduates in December.
