| Your behaviour can influence SU’s green built environment | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8668 | | Your behaviour can influence SU’s green built environment | Facilities Management | <p>Stellenbosch University works hard to change systems and processes on campus to more sustainable energy sources and reduce the impact on the environment. Environmental sustainablity principles guide new buildings, refurbishing and renovation projects, and planning new spaces for research, teaching, and interaction. But the best intentions, regulations and principles in the world will have no impact if we do not change our behaviour, says Nadeem Gafieldien, Director Property Services at Facilities Management.</p><p>“Students and staff may not always have the environment as top of mind in their daily engagement on campus. However, we must always be aware that where there are people, they will affect the local ecosystem in one way or another," says Nadeem.</p><p>The efficient and safe operations of all buildings and spaces depends on the interactions of people in accordance with the design intent of that space Detail sustainability initiatives are incorporated in the design of buildings and spaces, which when operated correctly will facilitate optimisation of the buildings's environmental performance which will during its lifecycle will yield benefits to not only the occupants, but to the community by reducing the strain on the environment.</p><p>As part of FM's Environmental Sustainability team, Christine Groenewald is the driving force behind engaging our student and staff communities in projects that raise awareness around sustainability on campus. Her engagement sessions range from planting trees on identified spaces to involving students and staff in recycling projects.</p><p>Groenewald gave us ten ways to incorporate a bit of green-mindedness into our daily interaction with the built environment at our various campuses. Here is her food for thought:</p><p>1. Coffee, that morning must-have, how do your drink it? In a disposable cup perhaps? Why not consider buying yourself a reusable cup (the Matie Shop has a few on special from time-to-time!). It might require of you to wash it every time, but soon there will even be a solution for this on campus, so watch this space. And while we on this topic, instead of buying yet another plastic bottle of water, consider buying yourself a nice reusable bottle as well.</p><p>2. Buy second-hand. The one thing that SU have a lot of is students and every year they come and they go. And every year the first-years buy new desks and the final years sell of throw away old desks. Consider reselling your furniture (there are some second-hand shops around or use Facebook marketplace). Instead of buying a brand-new desk, look around for some good quality second hand ones – it costs less and with a fresh coat of paint, anything can look good again. The same goes for your old books, kettle, toaster, other furniture and even your clothes.</p><p>3. Consider a minimalist lifestyle. While on the topic of getting rid of things, around the world people are becoming more minimalistic in their way of life. Less is more, is not just a saying. Why crowd your life with books you are never going to read (again) or clothes you never wear? You will be amazed how little you really need and you will feel a lot lighter and brighter too.</p><p>4. Go digital. If there is one thing we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, is that we do not need printed books, notebooks and even posters any more. We were almost forced into a world where digital is the new norm. Think before your print a document or your bank statement. Make notes on your mobile or computer and where you are able to submit a project or dissertationdigitally, do so. Reduced printing saves a lot of trees, water, energy and harmful ink.</p><p>5. Walk or cycle to work or class. If you are fortunate to stay close to campus, consider walking or cycling there. You might have to wake up a little bit earlier, but there might be some sustainable worms to catch along the way – less carbon emissions, less fuel, saving money, getting fit and who knows, a healthier and happier you! For people travelling by car prevent single use occupants per car. Be part of a lift club.</p><p>6. Keep the lights off. Rather open the blinds and let natural light show you the way. Opening the window for fresh air where possible and mechanically allowed, is much better than being stuck in a closed office with air-conditioning. Just let nature in! Heating of warm water is the second biggest consumer of electricity on campus. That is why FM replaced geysers with energy efficient heat pumps. So, showering for less time saves water and electricity.</p><p>7. Recycle. Like re-using that coffee cup, should you buy a take-out, make sure you recycle. On campus there are three very visible recycling waste bins where you can recycle almost everything – paper, plastic, and nowadays also e-waste. Look out for the big yellow bins on campus where you can recycle all your old chargers, leads, batteries and even mobile phones.</p><p>8. Do not waste food. Food waste is one of SU's biggest problems and every day lots of food is sent to the rubbish heap. Think before you dish up that extra spoonful of rice. Rather come for a second helping than to leave food on your plate. If you are not a big fruit eater, buy them loose instead of a whole pack of bananas that will go off easily. </p><p>9. Keep your eyes open. If you detect a water leak at your student house or residence building, please report it immediately to FM's service desk at (021) 808 4666 or <a href="mailto:fmhelpdesk@sun.ac.za">fmhelpdesk@sun.ac.za</a></p><p>10. Be green. Get involved in SU's sustainability projects. Contact your Green Ambassador in your residence or student community and make a difference for your campus, the town of Stellenbosch and the world.</p><p>"We saw with the drought and the response to COVID that we can overcome all sorts of challenges by collaborating. We noticed that we were able to make decisions to the benefit of all. This is how we should deal with all future challenges because siloed, self-interest decision making is no longer an option. Let us all do our part and support SU's environmental sustainability goals and projects to make our campus greener, says Gafieldien.</p><p>He says the Environmental Sustainable teamis currently rolling out a series of projects and engagements on campus that form part of SU's overall environmental sustainability strategy towards becoming a sustainable university. In using their division as a living laboratory, SU's Facilities Management has since 2015 been putting systems and processes in place to start paving the way for the University to become a smart campus where data-led decision-making will result in contributing solving problems and providing sustainable solutions for the future.</p><p><br></p> |
| Kickoff for new football partnership | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8659 | | Kickoff for new football partnership | Maties Sport | <p>Stellenbosch University (SU) and the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS) have embarked on a multiyear collaboration to develop football players, football career opportunities as well as social cohesion in the Stellenbosch and broader Winelands football community. The two entities signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Maties Sport's office in Stellenbosch on Monday (11 October 2021).</p><p>The partnership will allow Stellenbosch Football Club (SFC) to train at the University's Lentelus football complex for three seasons, and will facilitate Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches at the Danie Craven stadium for nine seasons, all effective from 2021/22. This means that the collaboration will run until 2029.</p><p>At the official signing, Prof Wim de Villiers, SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor, welcomed the MoU and its aim of bringing people together and creating social cohesion through sport. “Football is the biggest global sport, so establishing a platform in Stellenbosch to create career opportunities for talented young players will have a positive impact on not only our university community and town, but on the entire province," he said.</p><p>According to Mr Rob Benadie, SAS and SFC chief executive officer, the Stellenbosch club's strategic plan was fast-tracked with their immediate elevation to the PSL in 2019. “Fortunately, we are based in a town with a rich sport heritage. We have the University and other key stakeholders partnering with us to assist our continued growth," he said. “It is incredible to see how excited the town is about the SFC brand and the prospect of building a home fortress at the iconic Danie Craven stadium."</p><p>In addition to offering young talented players a platform to hone their skills, the partnership will also encourage the holistic development of players, support staff as well as administrators. </p><p>“We hope to build on the incredible history that Maties Rugby has created, and continues to generate, at the stadium," Benadie continued. “The club sincerely thanks Messrs Johann Rupert and Jannie Durand from Remgro as well as SU's Chief Operating Officer, Prof Stan du Plessis, and his executives for making this dream a reality. I am confident that this partnership will be a very exciting and successful journey, delivering benefits beyond football as well."<br><br></p><p><br></p> |
| Communication from Council (meeting of 27 September 2021) | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8616 | | Communication from Council (meeting of 27 September 2021) | Corporate Communication and Marketing / Korporatiewe Kommunikasie en Bemarking | <p>The Stellenbosch University (SU) Council held its third meeting of 2021 on Monday 27 September. <br></p><p>Council took note of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its negative effect on society. We mandated management to work towards the urgent development of a rule on COVID-19 vaccination for students and staff for the 2022 academic year.</p><p>We also reaffirmed our commitment to a uniform brand for SU by giving the go-ahead for the development of a ceremonial version of the new corporate logo to replace the institution's current heraldic crest.</p><p>In addition, Council approved two policies – one on visual redress, and another on assessment – both for implementation with effect from 1 January 2022.</p><p>We received a report from our Language Committee and considered the second draft of the revised SU Language Policy. The policy is being revised this year, its fifth year of operation, as required by its own provisions.</p><p>Council also initiated the process of appointing a new Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies to succeed Prof Eugene Cloete, who will be retiring at the end of June 2022, and confirmed the reappointment of Prof Sam Tshehla as Dean of Military Science.</p><p>Please read on for more about these and other matters we dealt with on Monday.</p><p>Best regards and stay safe.</p><p><strong>George Steyn</strong><br> <strong>Chair: SU Council</strong></p><h2><br><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Management mandated to urgently develop COVID-19 vaccination rule</span></h2><p>SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers told Council that it is an institutional priority for the University that all its staff and students be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. </p><p>“Vaccines are safe, and they save lives. Our message is that getting vaccinated is the responsible thing to do. So, we have been urging everyone to get the vaccine," he said.</p><p>The University has been conducting an awareness drive since the rollout of the national vaccination programme in February this year, and established its own vaccination site at the Lentelus sports grounds in Hammanshand Road in Stellenbosch, which serves SU staff and students as well as the broader public. SU Chief Operating Officer Prof Stan du Plessis reported to Council that 518 staff members, 2 236 students and 1 472 members of the community had received their jabs at Lentelus since 10 August 2021, while many others also continue to make use of vaccination facilities elsewhere. </p><p>Prof De Villiers confirmed that SU is exploring the possibility of mandatory vaccinations, learning from the experience of other institutions and organisations in South Africa and worldwide. To this end, SU's Institutional Committee for Business Continuity (ICBC) appointed a task team on 27 August 2021 to conduct the risk assessment required in terms of a health and safety direction promulgated in June 2021.</p><p>Council discussed the matter, and subsequently adopted the following motion: “The SU Council mandates management to work towards the urgent development of a rule on vaccination for students and staff for the 2022 academic year. Staff and students are reassured that due process will be followed in terms of consultation and risk management."</p><p>Prof Du Plessis stated: “A vaccine rule will determine the extent to which staff and students can work and study at the University depending on their vaccination status. It will describe the expectation, as well as the criteria for exceptions."</p><p>Prior to Monday's meeting, the assumption was that Council would take a decision on the University' vaccination rule at its last meeting of the year, on 2 December 2021. But SU Council Chair Mr George Steyn explained that “because it is a matter of life and death, Council agreed that its Executive Committee (EC(C)) would be entitled to take a decision as soon as possible to avoid any delays".</p><h2><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Commitment to uniform SU brand reaffirmed</span></h2><p>Council ratified the recommendation of its Executive Committee to replace the institution's current heraldic crest with a ceremonial version of the new corporate logo. </p><p>A suggested design will be tabled at the Council meeting scheduled for 2 December 2021, for consideration and approval. This, however, will be preceded by consultations with such SU structures as the Rectorate, Institutional Transformation Committee, Visual Redress Committee, Institutional Forum and Students' Representative Council. </p><p>In April this year, Council approved a new logo for SU. That was the first milestone in the development of a new visual identity for the University. The heraldic crest is next in line to be aligned with the decision in favour of a uniform brand architecture. </p><p>While the corporate logo operates as the University's commercial brand, the ceremonial version of the logo will serve as the University's registered accreditation symbol. The ceremonial version will replace the current heraldic crest as SU's highest mark, to be used for formal ceremonial purposes and the endorsement of academic achievements on degree certificates.</p><h2><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Visual Redress Policy</span></h2><p>Council approved a Visual Redress Policy for SU to assist the institution in its transformation drive. The policy will guide visual changes on SU campuses, specifically through new art installations, the removal or contextualisation of historically sensitive art and other symbols, campus signage, and the naming and renaming of buildings, venues and other facilities and premises. </p><p>The implementation of the policy is envisaged to have a direct impact on the renewal of SU's institutional culture, as outlined in the University's <a href="/english/transformation/about/SU%20Transformation%20Plan" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">Transformation Plan</span></a>. The Visual Redress Policy emphasises the celebration of diversity by calling for forms of art, symbols, architecture and other expressions that deliberately share something of the rich historic and cultural heritage of Stellenbosch, the Western Cape, South Africa and the rest of the continent.</p><p>The draft policy followed the full institutional consultation route before serving before Council. It was presented to all faculty boards, the Social and Business Ethics Committee of Council, the Rectorate, the Institutional Forum, chief and senior directors, the Institutional Transformation Committee, the Visual Redress Committee and the Naming Committee. It was also the subject of a full 30-day public participation process. The policy will take effect on 1 January 2022 and will be available in SU's <a href="/english/policy/policies" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">digital institutional repository</span></a><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1"> </span>as soon as possible.</p><h2><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Renaming of the RW Wilcocks Building ratified</span></h2><p>Council ratified the renaming of the RW Wilcocks building to the Krotoa building. The EC(C) approved the renaming at its meeting of 16 August 2021 after the Rectorate received a shortlist of proposals from the Committee for the Naming of Buildings, Venues and Other Facilities/Premises in June. Following extensive debate and taking various aspects into consideration, including Krotoa's complex personal history, the Rectorate proposed the name to the EC(C). <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8515" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">Click here</span></a><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1"> </span>to read more.</p><h2><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Assessment Policy</span></h2><p>Council approved a revised Assessment Policy for SU. The policy aims to provide (i) a flexible framework that delivers robust assessments across all academic programmes and modules, and (ii) a system that effectively promotes students' learning and evaluates their achievements for certification.</p><p>SU recognises that assessment is an integral part of learning and teaching. Therefore, the Assessment Policy links up with SU's <a href="http://sunrecords.sun.ac.za/controlled/C4%20Policies%20and%20Regulations/Teaching%20&%20Learning%20Policy%20approved%20SU%20Council%2026.09.18.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">Teaching and Learning Policy</span></a>, which is aimed at “quality teaching and learning that embraces the rich potential of an increasingly diverse student body and the need for graduates who can contribute to a complex society". </p><p>In light of the move to online methods in the time of COVID-19, the importance of quality control to ensure the integrity of qualifications awarded by SU was a key discussion point at Monday's Council meeting. Council welcomed the fact that the revised Assessment Policy would apply to all assessment activities across the University, whether face-to-face or online, supervised or unsupervised, written or oral.</p><p>The policy was first approved in 2004 and last revised in 2012. This latest version will take effect on 1 January 2022. All ten of SU's faculties as well as all other relevant institutional structures, including the Institutional Forum and Senate, were consulted and provided input as part of the revision.</p><h2><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Language Committee and Policy </span></h2><p>The Language Committee of Council provided feedback on its meeting of 30 August 2021, where the second draft of SU's reviewed Language Policy was among the items discussed. </p><p>SU's current Language Policy, which Council approved in 2016, is being revised this year – in its fifth year of operation, as prescribed by the policy itself. </p><p>The Language Committee thanked the chair and members of the Language Policy revision task team for their dedicated work to ensure that the process runs smoothly. The committee also highlighted certain points for the task team to consider. These included that multilingualism should receive special attention in both SU's teaching and services environments.</p><p>Council itself also considered the <a href="/english/Documents/Language/Second%20Draft%20Language%20Policy_fin.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">second draft</span></a> of the revised Language Policy, as well as the <a href="/english/Documents/Language/Item%203%20=%20Final_Public%20participation%202nd%20response%20report%20with%20responses%2022%20Aug.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">response report</span></a> on the second public engagement phase from 23 July to 14 August 2021. In addition, Council took note of the <a href="/english/Documents/Language/The%20legality%20of%20proposed%202021%20Language%20Policy.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">legal opinion</span></a> dated 26 July 2021 on the validity of the proposed revised Language Policy. All of these documents also served before Senate on 10 September 2021 and are freely available on SU's website at <a href="/language" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">www.sun.ac.za/language</span></a>. <br></p><p>The task team will be finetuning the final draft in October, taking into account the inputs received during the second public engagement phase, as well as the feedback from faculty boards, the Institutional Forum, Senate and Council.</p><p>The final draft of the revised Language Policy will serve before Senate on 26 November 2021, and before Council on 2 December 2021. SU's Statute stipulates that Council determines the institution's Language Policy – in terms of the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997, as amended – with the concurrence of Senate. </p><p>Prof Mbulungeni Madiba, Dean of the Faculty of Education and an expert on language and its pedagogical value, has been appointed to the Language Committee as a co-opted member, and Mr Philip Visagé, Vice-Chair of the new Students' Representative Council (for the 2021/2 term), as student member. </p><p>Click on the following links for more information on the <a href="/english/Pages/Language.aspx" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">2021 review of the Language Policy (2016)</span></a> and <a href="/english/Pages/Multilingualism.aspx" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">language at SU</span></a><span lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">.</span></p><h2><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Mid-year financial report</span></h2><p>Council accepted its Executive Committee's recommendation to approve the mid-year financial report (as at 30 June 2021), as required by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Moreover, while not a DHET requirement, the Executive Committee also recommended the approval of the mid-year financial report on the accommodation budget, which Council also accepted. </p><p>Council noted that the University – along with the rest of our sector – remained exposed to significant uncertainty, which created risks for the financial sustainability of the institution. A major concern is the effect of COVID-19 on government debt levels, and the knock-on effect this will have on the funding of higher education institutions going forward.</p><h2><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Senior appointments</span></h2><p>Council noted the appointment of Prof Sam Tshehla as Dean of the Faculty of Military Science for a further five-year term, with effect from 1 January 2022. While Prof Tshehla's second term expires at the end of the year, Council gave the go-ahead for the University to consider his reappointment at its previous meeting in June already. The relevant faculty board subsequently voted in favour. </p><p>Council initiated the process of appointing a new Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies to succeed Prof Eugene Cloete, whose second five-year term expires on 31 July 2022. A senior appointments committee has been formed under the leadership of the Council Chair, which responsibility will be taken over by the Deputy Chair of Council when the Chair vacates his position at the end of the year, although staying on as an ordinary Council member. Prof Aslam Fataar was appointed to the committee in his capacity as a Council member, and Ms Nadine Moody as his substitute if needed.</p><h2><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">SU further ascends Times Higher Education ranking</span></h2><p>In his quarterly management report to Council (<a href="/english/management/wim-de-villiers/Documents/MR%20COUNCIL%2020210927.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">click here</span></a> for the complete document, and <a href="/english/management/wim-de-villiers/Documents/20210927%20MR%20COUNCIL%20PPT.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">here</span></a> for a slide show), Prof De Villiers pointed out that SU has further improved its position on the <em>Times Higher Education (THE)</em> World University Rankings. According to the <a href="https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">2022 edition</span></a> of the rankings, which was released in early September, SU is now ranked second in South Africa. For more, <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8533" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">click here</span></a>.</p><h2><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Operations and Finance</span></h2><p>Chief Operating Officer Prof Stan du Plessis presented Council with a detailed report on activities in the responsibility centre (RC) Operations and Finance over the past 12 months. The report covers the operations of the divisions of Finance, Facilities Management, Innovus and SUNCOM, Maties Sport and Information Technology during this period. <a href="/english/management/wim-de-villiers/Documents/Management-Reports/COO/STANdP_Report%20to%20SU%20Council%20Sept%202021%20dt.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" style="text-decoration:underline;">Click here</span></a> for his full report, and <a href="/english/management/wim-de-villiers/Documents/Management-Reports/COO/Stan%20Council%20Report%20September%202021%20ENG%20PPT.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" style="text-decoration:underline;">here</span></a> for his slides. </p><h2><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs </span></h2><p>The annual report of the RC for Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs (previously known as Strategy and Internationalisation) also served at Council on Monday. Over the past 12 months, the RC led significant initiatives to achieve its strategic priorities, which, at the same time, also advanced the University's vision and strategy. These included the rebranding project, the establishment of a structure for issue-based and executive communication, the visualisation of data for the scorecard to track the University's progress with its strategy, and strong growth in global partnerships and other internationalisation activities. <a href="/english/management/wim-de-villiers/Documents/Management-Reports/DVC%20SI/RC%20Strategy%20and%20Internationalisation_Annual%20Report%202021_English.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" lang="EN-ZA" style="text-decoration:underline;">Click here</span></a> to read the full report. <br></p><h2><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Honorary degrees</span></h2><p>An honorary degree is the highest honour a university can bestow, and the recipients are held up to the student community as people in whose footsteps they should strive to follow. Council adopted a motion proposing an investigation into the conferment of honorary degrees by SU with a view to improving the process and making the most of this valuable practice.</p><p>Council members Messrs Hubert Brody and Ainsley Moos have been appointed to the Honorary Degrees Committee. They will serve up until 31 December 2022. Council also approved an amended mandate for this committee.</p><h2><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Personalia</span></h2><p>Council welcomed Ms Viwe Kobokana and Mr Philip Visagé, the new Students' Representative Council Chair and Vice-Chair respectively, as new members. Their Council term will run until 19 September 2022.</p><p>In addition, Council took leave of Adv Gesie van Deventer, whose term as SU Council member designated by the Stellenbosch municipal council will end on 30 November 2021.<br></p><p>The following Council members were congratulated on recent achievements:</p><ul><li>Mr Wayde Davidse, on having completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Procurement Policy and Regulation</li><li>Adv Jean Meiring, on having made the shortlist for the kykNET Rapport award for book reviewer of the year, which acknowledged the best Afrikaans reviews from 2020 </li><li>Prof Aslam Fataar, on his recently published book <em>Evoking Transformation: Visual Redress at Stellenbosch University </em>(African Sun Media), co-authored with Prof Elmarie Costandius </li></ul><h2><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Next meeting</span></h2><p>The next meeting of Council is scheduled for 2 December 2021.</p><p>* * *<br></p><ul><li><em>Photograph above: Spring in Victoria Street, Stellenbosch. PICTURE: ANNEKE </em><em>MÜLLER </em><br></li></ul> |
| Stellenbosch University vaccination statement | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8569 | | Stellenbosch University vaccination statement | Stellenbosch University Rectorate/ Rektoraat van die Universiteit Stellenbosch | <div style="text-align:left;">Forward together: Choose vaccination | Saam vorentoe: Kies inenting | Sonke siya phambili: Khetha ugonyo</div><p style="text-align:left;"><br></p><p>We call on the people of Stellenbosch University (SU) to <em>choose vaccination</em> against COVID-19, a severe, life-threatening disease. The vaccine is the most effective way to protect yourself as well as your family, friends, colleagues, fellow students and members of our community.</p><p>The coronavirus pandemic has had a far-reaching impact on our lives. Some of us have lost loved ones, while others have survived COVID-19, but now face its lingering after-effects. The lockdown restrictions have dealt our country a financial blow, which has put livelihoods at risk. The pandemic has also forced us to adjust to the “new normal" of life with COVID-19, a harsh reality that has changed how we live from day to day.</p><p><strong>Move forward together</strong></p><p>Consistently adhering to all the relevant health and safety measures and choosing to get vaccinated is the best way to overcome this pandemic and the risk it poses to our lives and livelihoods.<br></p><p>We know some are hesitant to get vaccinated. However, we assure you that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe, whether you receive Pfizer's (double-dose), Johnson & Johnson's (single-dose) or any other approved vaccine. It has been tested scientifically and approved by medical authorities, and – most importantly – it undoubtedly reduces risk and saves lives.</p><p>Vaccines are designed to prevent loss of life, and have been doing just that for decades across the globe. They not only reduce the consequences of infection for those who contract an infectious disease, but – above all – largely prevent infection altogether. Vaccines helped eradicate smallpox and continue to prevent devastating viruses such as polio from causing severe illness and death. The COVID-19 vaccine is doing the same for the coronavirus.</p><p><strong>Choose vaccination</strong></p><p>As part of our commitment to overcome this pandemic, the University has established a vaccination site at the Lentelus clubhouse at SU's soccer complex in Hammanshand Road, Stellenbosch. The site is open to staff, students and members of the broader community. <a href="/english/covid-19-vaccinations">Click here</a> for more information.</p><p>Please make use of the vaccination services at this site or one closer to you, and encourage others also to vaccinate.</p><p>Choosing vaccination is the responsible choice, and a commitment to moving forward – for yourself, your family, your community and our nation.</p><p><em>Choose vaccination | </em><em>Kies inenting | Khetha ugonyo</em></p><p>This statement was adopted by the Stellenbosch University Rectorate on 15 September 2021:</p><ul><li>Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor</li><li>Prof Stan du Plessis, Chief Operating Officer</li><li>Prof Nico Koopman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel</li><li>Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching</li><li>Dr Ronel Retief, Registrar</li><li>Prof Eugene Cloete, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies<br></li><li>Prof Hester Klopper, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy and Internationalisation<br></li></ul><p><br></p> |
| SU celebrates Arbour Week by planting trees on campus | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8536 | | SU celebrates Arbour Week by planting trees on campus | Facilities Management | <p>Facilities Management's Landscaping and Environmental Sustainability teams collaborated to plant between 50 and 60 trees over the past couple of months on Stellenbosch University's campus, ending on a high note in celebrating Arbour Week during the first week of September 2021.<br></p><p>According to the initiators of the project, Christine Groenewald, engagement project coordinator, and Sivu Kweleta, senior horticulturist at Facilities Management, they, together with colleagues, suppliers and students have planted various trees on campus at buildings, such as the Engineering Faculty, the Old Main Building and the Krotoa Building – all at carefully selected spaces and allocated in appropriate areas within existing garden spaces.</p><p>"The collaborative effort between our environment sustainability and landscaping teams resulted in us planting 50 to 60 trees. We all know that trees create a greener and more oxygen-rich environment. It also helps to cool down our urban areas, increase the resilience of our ecosystems, and increase carbon sequestration," says Groenewald. The term carbon sequestration describes both natural and thoughtful processes by which CO2 is either removed from the atmosphere or diverted from emission sources and stored in the natural carbon sinks.</p><p>Groenewald says tree planting also enriches SU's biodiversity and help with the conservation of our biomes. The trees that were selected and planted varied from indigenous, water-wise and endemic trees, which adapt and survive in the weather conditions of the Stellenbosch area.</p><p>"Indigenous trees help create resilient ecosystems that can survive climate challenges like the recent drought we had. They help improve biodiversity and the sustainability of open spaces on campus. Most of the non-indigenous trees or plants use too much of our precious water resource, tend to become invasive, displace our rich biodiversity and disconnect our rich environmental, ecological services and are less resilient against pest and diseases Trees also help with the total ecosystem balance when one plants endemic and indigenous species," Kweleta says.</p><p>Nadeem Gafieldien, Director Property Services at Stellenbosch University's Facilities Management (SUFM), says the Environmental Sustainable Unit is currently rolling out a series of projects and engagements on campus that form part of SU's overall environmental sustainability strategy towards becoming a sustainable university. In using their division as a living laboratory, SUFM has since 2015 been putting systems and processes in place to start paving the way for the University to become a smart campus where data-led decision-making will result in solving problems and providing sustainable solutions for the future.</p><p>"We have even digitised our trees to measure and manage many of the influencing variables. In some cases, this information enabled us to replace some vegetation with the water-wise endemic and indigenous trees planted in the past few weeks," says Gafieldien.</p><p><br></p> |
| SU and fitness company holds first-ever virtual sports and wellness day in support of #Move4Food | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8495 | | SU and fitness company holds first-ever virtual sports and wellness day in support of #Move4Food | Innovus | <p>Stellenbosch University joined forces with a virtual health and fitness company, JEFF Fitness, in hosting the first-ever virtual sports and wellness day in the hope to set a new world record for #BiggestUniversityWorkout on Saturday, 28 August 2021, and raising funds for SU Alumni's # Move4Food initiative. A hallmark of #Move4Food is Stellenbosch University students, staff, alumni, and friends taking part in sporting events to raise funds to aid student hunger.<br></p><p>Some amazing people will join in on the fun and help in the fundraising cause, such as SA sport stars, Alumni champions from around the world, some of our Paralympic athletes currently on their way to the Tokyo Paralympics, students, celebrities and previous and current Maties Sport stars.</p><p>The event will take place virtually from 07h00 until 13h00 and consists of live workouts, competitions, talks, live "virtual" music, cook-offs and more.</p><p>SU's new Central Events and Conferencing Office (CECO) is the driving force behind this unique "Stellenbosch University-owned event". Liz Dirkse-van Schalkwyk, the event's main organiser, said they have partnered with JEFF fitness to co-host the event. JEFF brings to the event their expertise and know-how to host online events of this size and scope. Supporting this event from within SU is the office of the COO, Maties Sport, SU Wellness and SU Alumni.</p><p> "JEFF is owned by SU Sport Science Alumni, Johno Meintjies, who is passionate about impacting people's lives through sports and wellness," says Dirkse-van Schalkwyk. “This fitness company was born in the recent lockdown through a free Facebook group that has grown into a global fitness company impacting lives in more than forty countries. With their recent success in virtual events of this nature the synergy just made sense for one of our alumni to take hands with us and do something special together with the rest of our Maties community around the world," says Dirkse-van Schalkwyk.</p><p>She said they would like Maties and Alumni from across the globe to join them and experience the "gees" of the broader local, national and international Stellenbosch community in coming together to support our students and global health and fitness.</p><p>"Join us and experience an iconic event from the comfort of your home and stand a chance to win prizes throughout a fun-filled morning," says Dirkse-van Schalkwyk.</p><p>She said they are finalising the programme of events and will communicate all the information on social media and SU's website over next week – leading up to the challenge. In the meantime, visit the event's website page <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https://www.jeff.fitness/pages/stellenbosch-university-sports-wellness-day&data=04%7c01%7c%7c73460954b3a44220798308d9636bbd61%7ca6fa3b030a3c42588433a120dffcd348%7c0%7c0%7c637650136655870636%7cUnknown%7cTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7c1000&sdata=G6lTglqugTcRwugupiSc8W7G0YRSEvqYfkxpenhIkaU%3D&reserved=0">here</a> to take part.</p><p><br></p> |
| Innovus celebrates women entrepreneurs | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8498 | | Innovus celebrates women entrepreneurs | Innovus | <p>Innovus, Stellenbosch University's university-industry innovation interaction platform for the commercialisation of SU's assets, celebrates our women entrepreneurs – an opportunity to showcase SU's entrepreneurial talent.<br></p><p>"We've decided to launch a series of stories celebrating entrepreneurial women in Stellenbosch during this year's women's month," says Anita Nel, Chief Director: Innovation and Business Development. "Every year, more and more women approach us with their innovations and ideas to start small businesses and time and time again, we stand in awe of what they bring to us. We've seen it all: farming with insects, solutions for early detection of cancer, virtual reality therapy tools and eco-friendly shark barriers, to name but a few.," says Anita.</p><p><strong>Meet the women entrepreneurs of BioCODE</strong></p><p>This week, Innovus celebrates its first group of women entrepreneurs: The team from BioCODE. BioCODE develop point-of-care smart sensing solutions that detect novel circulating inflammatory molecules in the blood.</p><p>The directors of BioCODE are Prof Resia Pretorius, head of Stellenbosch University's Physiological Sciences Department in the Faculty of Science (Managing Director), Prof Anna-Mart Engelbrecht and Prof Willie Perold. Together with Este Burger and Simoné Turner, the team pride themselves that they are the first company to receive funding from the newly formed University Technology Fund (UTF) for developing their rapid inflammation biosensor. Innovus Technology Transfer has been working very closely with the team and supported them to protect their intellectual property, set up the company, enter into partnerships, raising funding etc.</p><p><br></p><p>Read their full story <a href="https://www.innovus.co.za/celebrate-women-entrepreneurship-at-stellenbosch-university.html">here</a><br></p><p><br></p> |
| Stellenbosch University paving the way for becoming a smart sustainable campus | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8456 | | Stellenbosch University paving the way for becoming a smart sustainable campus | Petro Mostert | <p></p><p>In using their division as a <em>living laboratory</em>, Stellenbosch University's Facilities Management (SUFM) has since 2015 been implementing systems and processes to start paving the way for the Institution to become a smart campus where data-led decision-making will result in solving problems and providing solutions for the future.</p><p>Nicolette van den Eijkel, Chief Director at SUFM, says one of their strategic objectives for 2021–2025 is to move to a technology-enhanced campus through a process of digitalisation in collaboration with, among others, SU's Faculty of Engineering. </p><p>This directly supports SU's Vision 2040 of being a technology-enabled university.</p><p>Within the broader context of the United Nations' 17 sustainable development goals (SDG's)and South Africa's commitment by signing the agreement on climate change, and participation in the Global Alliance for Universities in Climate (GAUC), Stellenbosch University (SU) is following suit by reducing the University's carbon footprint to Net Zero Carbon and ensuring that 50% of all electricity used comes from renewable sources by 2025.</p><p>"We can only manage our utilities by measuring it," says Nadeem Gafieldien, Director: Property Services at SUFM. "That is why we've been working hard to put digital systems and infrastructure in place to measure our utilities such as water and electricity. Our smart metering systems provide us with valuable usage data which ensure that we can make effective decisions and react to real-time problems as and when they happen."</p><p>According to Gafieldien they have been installing smart metering systems at most of the buildings on SU's five campuses and embarked on various projects, which have already had a significant impact on energy, water and waste saving for the University.</p><p>"Our smart metering systems provide us with the agility to react fast and pro-actively plan for the future. It also enables us to verify our usage in terms of checking it against our billing information. This ability has already resulted in large cost savings."</p><p><strong>Data integration</strong></p><p>Recently SUFM joined forces with Prof Anton Basson and his team of researchers at the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering to develop a system that can integrate all the different data sources using a reconfigurable approach to enable data-led decisions by various users. </p><p>"Our research deals with handling information in complex systems - systems where there are many different components and interactions. The system is dynamic and evolves over time, which means it changes as the system and needs change," says Basson.</p><p>"There are expensive commercial systems on the market, but we have decided to develop a unique system to provide an integrated information system to support SUFM in our decision making and reporting."</p><p>The approach taken for SUFM's Smart Sustainable Campus builds on the idea of using “Digital Twins" and “Microservices" to combine information from existing systems, which currently exist as "information silos", to enable detection of anomalies (e.g. to quickly identify water leaks), expedite monitoring and reporting (e.g. of electricity use and carbon footprint), record usage actual patterns (e.g. of lecture room occupancy), and other data-lead decision making.</p><p>“Our approach stems from the 'shoestring approach' formulated by Cambridge University to also help small and medium businesses (SMEs) who cannot afford expensive software to manage their information. The approach is that we build a basic framework, and companies can buy more modules to expand the system's capabilities," Basson said.</p><p>In this way the system can grow indefinitely as needs grow or new data sources are added.</p><p>While completing his PhD, Dr Anro Redelinghuys built the basic architecture for the software and is currently working to implement the system at SUFM, where the first commercial release is nearing completion. "Eventually, the system will be able to provide different users with different dashboards of actual usage patterns of utility information which will assist them with efficient decision-making," says Basson. </p><p><strong>Becoming a sustainable university</strong></p><p>In the meantime, the sustainability team at SUFM is hard at work to ensure that SU becomes a sustainable institution. "We work arduously to change our systems and processes to more sustainable energy sources and reduce the impact on the environment," says Gafieldien referring to initiatives such as creating their own recycling plant, installing PV panels on the roofs of SU's buildings, consolidating and reducing air conditioning systems and generators, as well as installing greywater systems at residences and faculty buildings on the various campuses – all projects that resulted in further cost savings and contributing towards the institution's sustainability goals.</p><p>"We have even digitised our trees to measure, among others, their water usage. Thanks to this information, we have been able to replace some vegetation with water-wise endemic and indigenous trees."<br><br></p> |
| How to get vaccinated against COVID-19 | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8454 | | How to get vaccinated against COVID-19 | Prof Stan du Plessis & Prof Nico Koopman | <p><span class="ms-rteFontSize-2 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0 ms-rteFontFace-5"><em>A message to SU staff from Prof Stan du Plessis, Chair of the Institutional Committee for Business Continuity, and Prof Nico Koopman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Social Impact, Transformation & Personnel</em></span></p><div><hr width="33%" size="1" align="left" /><div><div style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;"><a name="_msocom_1"></a></span> <span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000">Dear colleagues</font></span></span></div></div></div><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span></span></p><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000">Stellenbosch University (SU) is pleased to announce that it will be establishing a vaccination site to administer COVID-19 vaccines.</font></span></span></p><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span></span></p><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000">The site, located in the </font><strong><font color="#000000">Lentelus clubhouse</font></strong><font color="#000000"> at
SU’s soccer complex </font><a name="_Hlk78363566"><font color="#000000">in </font><strong><font color="#000000">Hammanshand Road</font></strong></a><strong><font color="#000000">, Stellenbosch</font></strong><font color="#000000">,
will commence operation on </font><strong><font color="#000000">Tuesday 10 August</font></strong><font color="#000000">, starting off using the Pfizer
vaccine. </font></span></span></p><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span></span></p><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000">Vaccines are safe and save lives.</font></span><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000"> By enhancing
access to vaccinations, the site is expected to free up much-needed capacity in
hospitals and clinics. </font></span></span></p><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span></span></p><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000">For now, all permanent and non-permanent staff members
over the age of 35 from any of the University’s five campuses will have
preference at the SU vaccination site. As an added benefit, they will also be
able to have members of their families vaccinated. </font></span></span></p><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span></span></p><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000">Once </font></span></span><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000">registered on the national </font></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="margin:0px;"><a href="https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0000ff">EVDS </font></span></span></a></span><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000">(Electronic Vaccination Data System), s</font></span></span><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000">taff can
register on </font></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="margin:0px;"><a href="https://stellenbosch.sharepoint.com/sites/SUNVACCINATIONROLLOUT" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><font color="#0000ff">SU’s vaccination portal</font></span></span></a></span><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000"> to
scheduled an appointment for their vaccination. </font></span></span></p><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span></span></p><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000">The launch of the site coincides with the roll-out of
the Higher Health mass vaccination programme set up in collaboration with Universities
South Africa (USAf). This programme secured vaccines for the higher education
sector in the same way that healthcare workers and teachers were assisted with
vaccines.</font></span></p><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span></p><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000">Getting vaccinated is the responsible thing to do –
not only for your own sake and that of your family, but also to protect the
broader University community and society at large. Please make use of this
opportunity, or an alternative vaccination option you may have access to. </font></span></p><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="rgb(0,0,0)"></font></span></p><div><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="rgb(0,0,0)"></font></span></div><div><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="rgb(0,0,0)"></font></span></div><p style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;"><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><a href="/english/covid-19-vaccinations"><font color="#000000"><strong>Click here</strong></font></a></span><span style="margin:0px;font-family:"calibri",sans-serif;font-size:11pt;"><font color="#000000"><strong> to read more about the site.</strong></font></span></span><br><br></p> |
| COVID-19 vaccination opportunities for staff over 35 | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8431 | | COVID-19 vaccination opportunities for staff over 35 | Prof Stan du Plessis & Prof Nico Koopman | <p style="text-align:right;">26 July 2021<br></p><p style="color:#000000;font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;"></p><p>Dear colleagues<br></p><p>As stakeholders of <a href="https://healthcheck.higherhealth.ac.za/login/?next=/"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-9-5">Higher Health</strong></a> via Stellenbosch University (SU), our staff now have access to the comprehensive post-school education and training (PSET) COVID-19 vaccination strategy, which was developed in line with the Department of Health’s national vaccination roll-out plan.</p><p style="color:#000000;font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;"></p><p><strong>All SU staff aged 35 years and older – including full-time, part-time and contract staff as well as postgraduate students who teach at the University</strong> – are eligible for the following two initiatives, starting this week:</p><p style="color:#000000;font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;"></p><p>1. Between Tuesday 27 and Friday 30 July 2021, from 08:00 to 17:00 daily, any PSET-institution staff member over 35 – as defined above – can go to any of more than <strong>2 000 public health vaccination sites nationwide</strong> to get vaccinated against COVID-19. <a href="/english/Documents/2021/Annexure-A-Provincial-Vaccination-Plan-Sites-List.xlsx"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-9-5">Click here</strong></a> for a list of sites. Please note that this opportunity has been extended to our sector on a priority basis, but at some sites employees from a number of government departments might also be assisted at the same time.</p><p style="color:#000000;font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;"></p><p>2. Alternatively, Higher Health has allocated dedicated slots at specific times for SU staff members (same definition as above) at the <strong>Momentum mass vaccination facility at Parc Du Cap in Bellville</strong> between Friday 30 July and Monday 16 August 2021. You will need to register specifically for this opportunity, as explained below.</p><p style="color:#000000;font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;"></p><p>We welcome these valuable opportunities and encourage everyone who is eligible to participate. To make use of either of these two opportunities, you must register on the national EVDS (Electronic Vaccination Data System) by using any of the following options: · Self-registration web portal: https://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za</p><p>· Dial *134*832*ID number# on your cellphone. (No ID? – Just dial *134*832#)</p><p>· WhatsApp: Send the word “REGISTER” to 060 012 3456.</p><p>· Toll-free hotline: 0800 029 999</p><p style="color:#000000;font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;"></p><p>If you wish to make use of the opportunity at <strong>Momentum</strong>, please also register on SU’s database by entering your details <a href="https://stellenbosch.sharepoint.com/sites/SUNVACCINATIONROLLOUT"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-9-5">here</strong></a>. Once registered, you will be notified of the scheduled time when you need to go to the site at 5 Mispel Road, Bellville, to obtain your vaccination. Further information will be provided on confirmation of your scheduled timeslot.</p><p style="color:#000000;font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;"></p><p>For either opportunity, please remember the following: <br></p><p><strong>Leave</strong>: As per the staff notification of 11 June (<a href="https://stellenbosch.everlytic.net/public/messages/view-online/94LMxBaGIHp4a2YI/cZA95VcKwWPL55SZ/46YwOa4vTvUq7hUj"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-9-5" style="">click here</strong></a>), please submit a leave request, selecting “Leave of absence: Vaccination”.</p><p style="color:#000000;font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;"></p><p><strong>Identity</strong>: Please remember to take a valid ID document or passport along, as well as your SU staff card or letter from the University. If you are going to the Momentum site, you will also need your medical aid card (any scheme).<br></p><p>If you require further information regarding COVID-19 vaccination, please <a href="/english/faq-covid-19-vaccination"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-9-5">click here</strong></a> to read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).</p><p style="color:#000000;font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;"></p><p>For any further questions, please contact SU’s:</p><p> · Campus Health Service on <strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-9-5" style="">chs@sun.ac.za</strong> or 021 808 3494/6 </p><p>· Human Resources on <strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-9-5" style="">sun-e-HR@sun.ac.za</strong> or 021 808 2753/2484</p><p style="color:#000000;font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;"></p><p>We are extremely grateful for these opportunities. At the same time, we continue working on other initiatives to ensure that all our staff and students are assisted under the national vaccination programme as soon as possible. We will keep you informed of further developments.<br></p><p style="color:#000000;font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;"></p><p>It is in everyone’s interest – yours, your family’s and the broader SU community’s – to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Please make use of this opportunity, or an alternative vaccination option you may have access to.</p><p style="color:#000000;font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;"></p><p>Sincerely<br></p><p><br></p><p style="color:#000000;font-family:"times new roman";font-size:medium;"></p><p>Prof Stan du Plessis </p><p>Chair: Institutional Committee for Business Continuity<br></p><p><br></p><p>Prof Nico Koopman </p><p>Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Social Impact, Transformation & Personnel</p><p><br></p> |
