| SU names building after Krotoa | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8515 | | SU names building after Krotoa | Corporate Communication and Marketing Division | <p>The RW Wilcocks building of Stellenbosch University (SU) has been renamed the Krotoa building. This building on the Stellenbosch campus houses the departments of History and Psychology, the Division of Research Development, SU International, the SU Archives, as well as the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology.<br></p><p>Krotoa (1642–1674), a woman of the Khoe people, lived at the Cape in the time of Jan van Riebeeck, who came to establish a settlement for the Dutch East India Company (the VOC) at the tip of Africa in 1652. Named “Eva" by the Dutch, Krotoa served as, among others, an interpreter and interlocutor between her people and the VOC. <a href="https://www.sahistory.org.za/site-search?search_api_fulltext=krotoa"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Click here</strong></a> to read more about her.</p><p>SU's Executive Committee of Council (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). </p><p>“The name Krotoa is particularly significant now that we are celebrating Women's Month. Apart from a few residences, no SU buildings have previously been named after women," says Dr Ronel Retief, Registrar and chair of the Naming Committee. </p><p>“The Rectorate also considered it important that the name, although linked to a historical figure, has symbolic value and, as such, represents more than simply a person. The name Krotoa is not only linked to a woman, but also to an entire underrepresented group of people indigenous to Southern Africa and the area now known as the Western Cape. As such, it acknowledges the heritage of the First Nation people of our region, and we also acknowledge something of our shared and complex history.</p><p>“In addition, Krotoa's role as interpreter between different cultural and language groups is a demonstration of bridge building, which is particularly relevant to conversations on multilingualism, inclusivity and creating a mutual understanding between different groups of people," Retief concludes. </p><p>“So, with this name, we wish to send a strong message about our commitment to transformation and redress at SU."</p><p>Dr Leslie van Rooi, Senior Director of Social Impact and Transformation, and member of both SU's Visual Redress and Naming committees, adds: “SU acknowledges the role and place of the First Nation people in the broader history of Southern Africa. The significance of linking the name Krotoa to a prominent building on campus should also be understood against the backdrop of ongoing conversations about supporting and formalising Khoekhoegowab language-related courses at SU. </p><p>“SU decided in 2019 already to call the new dining hall of Goldfields residence Sada Oms, a Khoekhoegowab term for 'our home'. Therefore, this added symbolic acknowledgement through the Krotoa building forms part of our ongoing partnership and engagement with the First Nation people of Southern Africa.</p><p>“Conversations about the name, also with the relevant Khoe structures, gives recognition to Krotoa as an important figure, but does not ignore her complex, tragic history as a person."</p><p>Installations contextualising both the Wilcocks and the Krotoa stories are being planned for inside and outside the building.</p><p><strong>Process</strong></p><p>Back in 2019 already, the Rectorate gave approval for the Registrar and the Senior Director of Social Impact and Transformation to follow an institutional and inclusive process for the renaming of the Wilcocks building.</p><p>As part of the process, various stakeholders were interviewed. The University also notified more than 100 community organisations and institutions of the planned renaming. These included the Stellenbosch Co-management Forum (including Die Vlakte Forum), Stellenbosch Municipality, the Western Cape Education Department (Stellenbosch), the Stellenbosch Civil Advocacy Network, and the Stellenbosch Ratepayers' Association, all of whom have seats on the University's Institutional Forum.</p><p>A <a href="/english/rw-wilcocks-building"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">call for proposals</strong></a> was distributed among all staff and students as well as members of the community (as represented by the structures serving on SU's Institutional Forum) in July 2020. In October 2020, the Naming Committee, which had been expanded for the purpose of renaming the RW Wilcocks building, agreed on the process to arrive at a short list. The 17 proposals received were subsequently whittled down to the most suitable options, which were presented to the Rectorate. </p><p>The Rectorate also requested that the relevant stakeholder groups be approached to determine whether there would be any opposition to using the name Krotoa in the context of SU. Keen support for the use of the name was expressed by the relevant leaders and representatives of the First Nations structures.</p><p>A date for the unveiling of the new name is yet to be determined. In the meantime, SU's new Visual Redress Policy will serve before Council for approval in September. </p><p><strong>More information</strong></p><p>The RW Wilcocks building was opened in 1966 and named after Prof Raymond William Wilcocks, who was Rector of the University from 1935 to 1954.</p><p>The renaming of the RW Wilcocks building forms part of a long-term and extensive visual redress process on SU's campuses in an attempt not only to remove certain symbols, but also to introduce new visual symbols that point to a shared history, our diverse stories, and public spaces that are welcoming to all.</p><p>This process was launched a few years ago, and much progress has been made in recent years to create student and staff-friendly living and work spaces that meet the needs of a diverse group of students, staff and other stakeholders, and at the same time promote a welcoming campus culture.</p><p><strong>Recent name changes at SU:</strong></p><p>Some name changes over the past few years include the Coetzenburg Centre (previously the DF Malan Centre), the Stellenbosch University Library (previously JS Gericke Library), the <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=6115"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Adam Small Theatre Complex</strong></a> (previously HB Thom Theatre), <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=5997"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Pieter Okkers House</strong></a> (7 Joubert Street, now named after the first resident of the building, Mr Pieter JA Okkers, 1875-1952) and <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=5315"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Simon Nkoli House</strong></a><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1"> </strong>(39 Victoria Street).</p><p>Recently constructed buildings have been given the following names: Russel Botman House (named after the late Prof Russel Botman), Ubuntu House, <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=5662"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Nkosi Johnson House</strong></a> and the <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=5422"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Jan</strong> <strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Mouton Learning Centre</strong></a>.</p><p><strong>Other recent projects:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=6690"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">“The Circle</strong></a><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">"</strong>, a bronze art installation featuring 11 phenomenal South African women thought leaders (including Krotoa), which was erected on the Rooiplein towards the end of 2019</li><li>Welcoming messages carved on benches in public areas on campus in 15 languages, including in Braille, South African Sign Language and San</li><li>Installation of a map of Die Vlakte at the entrance of the Arts and Social Sciences building, which is built on land from where families were evicted under the Group Areas Act in the 1960s</li><li>The creation of the <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=6727"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Lückhoff Living Museum</strong></a></li><li>Displaying the University's Centenary restitution statement at the SU Library<br><br><br></li></ul> |
| Children’s rights being ignored | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=6953 | | Children’s rights being ignored | Marianne Strydom | <p>The 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children kick off on Monday (November 25). In an opinion article for <em>Die Burger</em>, Dr Marianne Strydom of the Department of Social Work writes about how children's rights are still being undermined. The article was originally written in celebration of International Children's Day (20 November).<br></p><ul><li><p>Read the article below or click <a href="/english/Documents/newsclips/Strydom_DieBurger_23Nov2019.pdf" style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0" style="text-decoration:underline;">here</strong></a><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0" style="text-decoration:underline;"></strong> for the published version.</p></li></ul><p><strong>Children's rights being ignored</strong><br></p><p><strong>Marianne Strydom*</strong><br></p><p>International Children's Day has been celebrated annually on November 20 since 1954. Given that this day is primarily aimed at promoting the well-being of children, a strong emphasis is placed on advancing and raising awareness about children's rights. However, the fact that children have rights and are aware of them does not mean that those rights are realised on their behalf. In South Africa, many children may be aware of their rights because they are part of the school curriculum. But in their daily lives, the fact that they are aware of their rights often does not make much difference to their reality.</p><p>One of these realities is poverty. Approximately 14 million children in South Africa live in poverty. Although a large number of these children receive a Child Support Grant, it is important to remember that this grant is only R430 per month and is only paid out to households where the income is less than R4000 per month for single parents, and R8000 if both parents are in the household.<br></p><p>Poverty is particularly linked to unemployment, which is another reality for South Africa's children. About a third of the slightly over 19 million children in the country live in households where no adult has a permanent job. Thus in a household where there is no income or where the only income is the child grant. Under these circumstances, children have little control, and more than five million children suffer from hunger-related illnesses. This despite their constitutional right to basic nutrition.<br></p><p>An important argument for children's rights is that children need special protection because they are some of the most vulnerable members of society because of their dependence on care and protection of parents or family. If family care fails, the state must take responsibility. Children not only have a constitutional right to be cared for by their families, but also to appropriate alternative care when family care fails. Furthermore, the child has the right to social services.</p><p>Poverty and unemployment are strongly linked to the neglect of children. Children also have the right to be protected from any form of neglect, abuse and humiliation. Statistics on child neglect in South Africa are high, indicating a need as well as the right to social services. However, the child's right to social services is influenced by structural challenges in the welfare sector. Charities, in particular, experience challenges such as the lack of vehicles to assess the circumstances of children and families, insufficient staff, and a lack of resources in communities. These challenges result in few preventative services being provided, which means that children must be removed from their families and placed in alternative care, such as foster care.<br></p><p>Thus, children's constitutional right to social services and the right to parental care are not always feasible. In practice, the child's right to care in the family and the provision of services to promote family maintenance means that the child's right to social services is realised in the right to alternative care. The child can therefore be removed because of the structural challenges that exist in welfare organisations and communities. A step that causes tremendous trauma for the child.<br></p><p>The date of November 20 is important because it is the day on which the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Rights of the Child in 1959, as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. It is important that we celebrate International Children's Day because children, especially those under the age of six, have very little power to realise their rights themselves (such as not being hungry, for example), without the full support of the State.<br></p><p>South Africa is a signatory of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This means that the State has an obligation to protect the basic rights of all children in South Africa. However, we still have a long way to go before this becomes a reality.<br></p><p><strong>*Dr Marianne Strydom is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Work at Stellenbosch University</strong>.<br></p><p><br></p> |
| Vosloo couple invests in Chair in Afrikaans Language Practice at SU | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=6909 | | Vosloo couple invests in Chair in Afrikaans Language Practice at SU | Development & Alumni / Ontwikkeling & Alumni | <p>Ton Vosloo and Anet Pienaar-Vosloo, a couple with close ties to Stellenbosch University (SU), announced that from 2020 they will be sponsoring the Ton and Anet Vosloo Chair in Afrikaans Language Practice at SU for five years.<br></p><p>In addition to the Chair, funds are made available for bursaries for deserving students studying Afrikaans at postgraduate level at SU.</p><p>According to the Vosloo couple, the Chair is aimed at further developing Afrikaans as an important instrument in the service of the entire South African community.</p><p>Until 2015, Vosloo was in the industry for 59 years as a journalist, editor, CEO and chairperson of Naspers, and for the past three years, professor of journalism at SU. Pienaar-Vosloo, also a former journalist, is filming the third television series <em>Mooi </em>for the VIA TV channel. She is a Matie who studied fine art, and is well known for her role as co-founder and director of the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, Aardklop and various other festivals across the country. She is also the first female chair of the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town.</p><p>Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU, says the donation not only helps in maintaining Afrikaans as a medium of instruction, but also in promoting Afrikaans as a science and career language in a multilingual community. "As far as we know this is the first and only sponsored Chair in Afrikaans Language Practice at any university," he adds.</p><p>Prof Ilse Feinauer of the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch in SU's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, has been appointed incumbent of this Chair. She has been teaching at the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch since 1982, and since 1996 has been involved in the postgraduate programme in translation, which has been expanded under her guidance from a postgraduate diploma in translation to a PhD in translation. She chaired the Department from 2005 to the end of 2008 and held the position of Vice Dean: Research of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences from 2015 to 2018. In 2013, Feinauer became the first woman to be promoted to professor of Afrikaans linguistics at SU, and in 2014, the Taiyuan University of Technology in Taiyuan, Shanxi (China), awarded her an honorary professorship in their Faculty of International Language and Culture.</p><p>“It is an incredible honour and privilege for me to be able to hold this Chair in Afrikaans Language Practice. All credit goes to Prof Wim de Villiers for laying the groundwork to make this Chair a reality in the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch."</p><p>According to Prof Feinauer, bursaries have already been awarded to four honours students, three master's students, two PhD students and one postdoctoral fellowship in Afrikaans and Dutch for 2020. “This Chair provides the Department with the opportunity to empower postgraduate students in particular to do research in and about Afrikaans in order to pursue a professional career after completing their studies in and through Afrikaans," she added.</p><p>When Ton Vosloo was asked why he and his wife came forward with the support of Afrikaans, he replied: “In my memoirs <em>Across Boundaries: A life in the media in a time of change</em>, published last year, I wrote a chapter entitled, 'Afrikaans in decline'. I made the point in the chapter that I hope gracious individuals would come forward who were concerned with the A to Z of Afrikaans.</p><p>“Anet and I have the grace that we can help. Afrikaans, as Jan Rabie put it, is our oxygen. Now is the time to step in further to develop this incredible source of knowledge for the sake of our nation's future. "</p><p>The Vosloos have been esteemed SU donors for some time.<br></p> |
| Disability studies could help end discrimination against people who stutter | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8919 | | Disability studies could help end discrimination against people who stutter | Corporate Communication & Marketing / Korporatiewe Kommunikasie & Bemarking [Alec Basson] | <p>Stuttering can be debilitating and frustrating. This is something Dr Dane Isaacs knows all too well. As a person who stutters, he had to overcome many barriers and had to deal with oppression and discrimination all his life.<br></p><p>“Growing up with a stutter has not been the easiest experience. I have been bullied, discriminated against and endured various social and psychological challenges," says Isaacs. <br></p><p>“My stutter has also had a negative impact on my masculine identity. As a man who stutters, I have often felt weak, emasculated and not being able to live up to society's expectation of what it means to be a man. These experiences have always left me wondering about the disabling and masculinity experience of people who stutter."<br></p><p>Despite these challenges, Isaacs, who is a researcher at the Human Sciences Research Council, has managed to reach the pinnacle of academic success when he recently obtained his doctorate in Psychology at Stellenbosch University. His study explored the disabling and masculinity experiences of young adult men who stutter.<br></p><p>As part of his research, Isaacs described his own experience of discrimination, oppression and disablement at church, school, university and in the workplace (autoethnography). He also conducted interviews and held focus group discussions with young adult men (aged 20–39 years) from Cape Town and Stellenbosch who stutter to learn more about their disabling and masculinity experiences. <br></p><p><strong>Vulnerable</strong></p><p>Isaacs says his findings showed that these men predominately drew on hegemonic or dominant norms and practices of masculinities to construct their own masculine identities. </p><p>“For them, being a man typically involved occupying a position of power and control, being the provider, being heterosexual and exerting physical strength. Several men perceived stuttering to be in direct contradiction to what it meant to be a man. For them, the exercise of control over speech denoted manliness.<br></p><p>“As a result, they commonly reported a reduced self-esteem and self-confidence and feeling weak, vulnerable, emasculated and shameful as men who stutter. <br></p><p>“For some, the marginalised position they occupied as men who stutter motivated them to gain control over their stutter and improve their performance of hegemonic masculinities. For others, the marginalised position of stuttering resulted in them rejecting dominant ideas of masculinities and constructing masculine identities accepting of their stutter." <br></p><p>Isaacs adds that some of the men (students who had a severe stutter) believed that stuttering was a disability. “They shared experiences of emasculation, disablement and oppression, and were strong advocates for the disability rights of people who stutter." <br></p><p>He says although young professionals agreed that stuttering is a disability, they did not see themselves as disabled men. <br></p><p>“Interestingly, some of these men reported being disabled by their stutter earlier in life. However, the fact that they could exercise control over their stutter and achieve career success, allowed them to reject the identity of a disabled man, which they typically associated with weakness and vulnerability.<br></p><p>“They also rejected the idea of advocating for reasonable accommodation for people who stutter in the workplace." <br></p><p>Isaacs mentions that some men completely rejected the idea of stuttering as a disability and believed it was a developmental speech disorder that can be controlled with proper techniques. <br></p><p>According to Isaacs, three things fuel the discrimination and oppression that these men and other people who stutter experience. <br></p><p>He explains: “Firstly, it is ignorance and myths about stuttering. Secondly, it's the dominant view of stuttering as a speech production disorder that can be fixed, managed or controlled. By viewing stuttering in this way, the responsibility of stuttering is placed solely on the individual who stutters, while society's role in this oppression and discrimination remains hidden and unaddressed. <br></p><p>Thirdly, people who stutter also discriminate against and oppress each other. When rejecting the identity of a disabled man, people who stutter are hesitant to advocate for the disability rights of others just like them and to address the challenges they all face." </p><p><strong>Support</strong></p><p>Isaacs says more should be done to support people who stutter. They should not merely be accommodated but should be treated as valuable members of society.</p><p>“Although there are associations and support and self-help groups that aim to ensure the full participation of people who stutter in all spheres of society, many of these organisations focus primarily on fixing, managing or controlling of stuttering instead of addressing issues of disablement, discrimination and oppression. <br></p><p>“We should design policies that promote the needs and disability rights of people who stutter and allow them to participate fully in educational spaces (schools, universities) and the workplace as these are some of the most oppressive and disabling places for them. They should also be consulted in the design of policies, programmes, courses and curriculums aimed at ensuring their full participation." <br></p><p>Isaacs adds that a disability studies approach should become part of speech-language therapy. <br></p><p>“I believe that the full participation of people who stutter will only occur if stuttering is approached through a disability studies lens. By approaching stuttering through a disability studies lens, attention will be directed to the social and political aspects of stuttering, which is important for addressing the oppression, disablement and discrimination encountered by people who stutter." <br></p><p>Isaacs says he will continue to explore innovative ways to promote the disability rights of people who stutter. “I am determined to see the discrimination and oppression of people who stutter eradicated in my lifetime." <br></p><p><strong>FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES ONLY</strong></p><p>Dr Dane Isaacs</p><p>Human Sciences Research Council</p><p>Cape Town</p><p><strong>ISSUED BY</strong></p><p>Martin Viljoen</p><p>Manager: Media</p><p>Corporate Communication and Marketing</p><p>Stellenbosch University</p><p>Tel: 021 808 4921</p><p>Email: <a href="mailto:viljoenm@sun.ac.za">viljoenm@sun.ac.za</a> </p><p> </p><p><br></p> |
| Ten SU finalists compete for SA’s ‘Science Oscars’ | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=7411 | | Ten SU finalists compete for SA’s ‘Science Oscars’ | Corporate Communication / Korporatiewe Kommunikasie [Alec Basson] | <p>Over the past few years, Stellenbosch University (SU) has featured prominently at the annual <a href="http://www.nstf.org.za/awards/about/"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)/ South32Awards</strong></a>. This year is no different with 10 SU finalists competing for the 2019/2020 NSTF/South32 Awards at South Africa's “Science Oscars". As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the announcement of the winners will take place through a live-streamed Gala Event on Thursday, 30 July 2020.</p><p>Regarded as the most sought-after national accolades of their kind in the country, the NSTF/South32 Awards recognise, celebrate and reward the outstanding contributions of individuals, teams and organisations to science, engineering and technology (SET) in the country. Among the competitors are experienced scientists, engineers, innovators, science communicators, engineering capacity builders, organisational managers and leaders, as well as data and research managers.<br></p><p>According to the organisers, it is an extraordinary honour to be a finalist given the quality of the nominations received every year, the fierce competition that nominees face and growing interest from the SET community over the years.<br></p><p>The SU finalists (with department or environment) and the categories in which they will compete are as follows:<br></p><p><em>Lifetime Award:</em></p><ul><li><strong>Prof Leslie Swartz </strong>(Department of Psychology)</li></ul><p><em>TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher:</em></p><ul><li><strong>Prof Christine Lochner</strong> (South African Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders and Department of Psychiatry)</li></ul><p><em>TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher:</em></p><ul><li><strong>Dr Wynand Goosen</strong> (Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences)</li><li><strong>Prof Richard Walls</strong> (Fire Engineering Research Unit)</li><li><strong>Dr Jacqueline Wormersley</strong> (Department of Psychiatry)</li></ul><p><em>NSTF-Lewis Foundation Green Economy Award:</em></p><ul><li><strong>Prof Thinus Booysen</strong><em> </em>(Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering). He is also a finalist in the <em>NSTF-Water Research Commission Award</em> category.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Prof Wikus van Niekerk</strong> (Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies)</li><li><strong>Sharksafe (Pty) Ltd</strong> with CEO and Co-Inventor Prof Conrad Matthee (Department of Botany and Zoology)</li></ul><p><em>Data for Research Award:</em></p><ul><li><strong>Stellenbosch University Computed Tomography Scanner Facility Team with Leader Prof Anton du Plessis </strong>(Department of Physics)</li></ul><p><em>Communication Award:</em></p><ul><li><strong>Dr Rehana Malgas-Enus</strong> (Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science)<br></li></ul><p><br></p> |
| SU improves its position on QS subject rankings | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9814 | | SU improves its position on QS subject rankings | Corporate Communication & Marketing / Korporatiewe Kommunikasie & Bemarking [Alec Basson] | <p>Stellenbosch University (SU) can count itself among the leading higher education institutions globally in the broad subject areas of Life Science and Medicine, Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and Management, Engineering & Technology, and Natural Sciences. This is according to the <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/subject-rankings/2023"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0"><strong>2023 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subjec</strong></span><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0"><strong>t</strong></span></a><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0"> </span>released on Wednesday (22 March 2023). </p><p>For the 2023 edition, 1 597 institutions were ranked across 54 subjects in the abovementioned five broad subject areas. More than 16,4 million unique papers published between 2016-2020, producing close to 117,8 million citations in 2016–2021, were analysed.<br></p><p>SU improved its standing in four of these subject areas. It achieved a top 250 spot in Life Science and Medicine and is now ranked in the top 350 in Arts and Humanities, top 450 in Engineering & Technology, top 400 in Social Sciences and Management, and top 500 in Natural Sciences.</p><p><strong>Leading in SA</strong></p><p>As far as specific subject categories are concerned, SU improved its global position in Environmental Sciences and Medicine having moved into the top 250. It is the leading university in South Africa in Agriculture & Forestry (74th in the world) and Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies, and Development Studies (both in the top 100), Chemical Engineering (top 300) and Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering (top 350). For a second year in a row, SU is ranked number one in South Africa in Agriculture & Forestry and Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies, and second in Education (top 350), Pharmacy & Pharmacology (top 300), Business & Management Studies (top 500), Psychology (top 330), Biological Sciences (top
350), and Electrical and Electronic Engineering (top 450). SU also moved into second position in English
Language & Literature (top 250) after having finished third in 2022. In Accounting & Finance, SU is among the top 330 institutions globally.<br></p><p>“In line with our vision to be Africa's leading research-intensive university, we also want to discern ourselves in higher education globally, so we are pleased that our reputation in Agriculture & Forestry and Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies has been ranked number one. As the only university in South Africa that offers viticulture and oenology due to our unique wine region, we are especially proud that Agriculture received such recognition," says Prof Hester Klopper, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs.</p><p><strong>Indicators</strong></p><p>The QS subject tables use academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations per paper, H-index and International Research Network (IRN) as indicators to rank universities. The first two of these are based on global surveys of academics and employers that are used to assess an institution's international reputation in each subject. Research citations per paper measures the average number of citations obtained per publication, and is an estimate of the impact and quality of the scientific work done by universities. The H-index assesses the stability of impact and quality of the work published by an institution's academics. The IRN is a measure of a university's efficiency in establishing stable research collaborations in each of the five broad subject areas.</p><p>Over the last few years, SU has been consistently ranked among the best tertiary institutions globally on the <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9049"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">QS World University Rankings by Subject</strong></a>, the <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8646"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings</strong></a>, and the<a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=9329"> <strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects</strong></a>. These rankings all use different methodologies and indicators to determine universities' position on their ranking.<br></p><p><br></p> |
| Anker and Viljoen receive awards from the SA Academy of Science and Arts | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=4357 | | Anker and Viljoen receive awards from the SA Academy of Science and Arts | Lelanie de Roubaix | <p>The council of the SA Academy of Science and Arts awarded a number of big prizes earlier this year, and Dr Willem Anker and Prof Louise Viljoen of the Afrikaans and Dutch Department were among the winners.</p><p>For his novel <em>Buys: 'n Grensroman</em>, Dr Anker was awarded the prestigious Hertzog prize, which is named after General JBM Hertzog and is the most well-known and prestigious award in the Afrikaans literary world. The prize is awarded for original literary work in Afrikaans and is awarded annually for poetry, drama and prose respectively. </p><p><em>Buys </em>also received the University of Johannesburg prize for best creative work, the kykNET Rapport Book Prize for fiction and the WA Hofmeyr Prize for Afrikaans fiction last year. Dr Anker also received a Fleur du Cap award in March for his play <em>Samsa-masjien</em> in the category Best New South African Script. <em>Samsa-masjien </em>won Fleur du Cap awards in the categories for best actor (Gerben Kamper), best original musical score (Pierre-Henri Wicomb), best set design (Jaco Bouwer) and best director (Jaco Bouwer) as well. The play has received various other awards, too, including an Absa KKNK Kanna award for innovative work and an ATKV Woordveertjie for drama.</p><p>The SA Academy awarded the Gustav Preller Prize for literary studies and literary criticism to Prof Louise Viljoen, well-known literary critic and lecturer in Afrikaans literature. Her book <em>Die mond vol vuur: Beskouings oor die werk van Breyten Breytenbach</em>, published in 2014, was well received in literary circles and is an impressive addition to an oeuvre dedicated to Afrikaans literature and literary figures. Her other books include a volume of essays on the work of Antjie Krog and a biography of Ingrid Jonker.</p> |
| Nelson Mandela colloquium on 30 March | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=3732 | | Nelson Mandela colloquium on 30 March | Lynne Rippenaar-Moses | <p>The Nelson Mandela Museum, in cooperation with the Stellenbosch University Museum, cordially invites you to the Nelson Mandela Colloquium.</p><p><strong>Keynote speakers:</strong></p><p>Prof Xolela Mangcu, professor of sociology, University of Cape Town</p><p>Prof Amanda Gouws, distinguished professor of political science, Stellenbosch University (SU)</p><p>Mr Bradly Frolick, SU Student Representative Council, Transformation portfolio</p><p>DATE: 30 March 2016<br><br>TIME: 18:00</p><p>VENUE: Stellenbosch University Museum (Sasol Art Museum), Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch</p><p>RSVP: Mrs Nwabisa Moshenyane at nmoshenyane@sun.ac.za or on 021 808 3691.</p><p><em>Refreshments and wine will be served after the discussions. </em></p> |
| Drama department alumni victorious at the kykNET Fiëstas | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=3605 | | Drama department alumni victorious at the kykNET Fiëstas | Verskaf / Supplied | <p><span></span><span></span>Alumni of the US drama department made a clean sweep at this year's KykNet Fiëstas.</p><p>All four of the main acting categories went to <em>draMATIES</em>. Stian Bam, who was a part-time lecturer at the drama department, and acclaimed actresss Tinarie van Wyk-Loots respectively won the best actor and best actor awards for their work in the KKNK production, <em>In Glas</em>. </p><p>The two awards for the best-supporting actress and actor went to Greta Pietersen for <em>Son. Maan. Sterre.</em> (Woordfees) and Dean Smith for <em>Die Dag is Bros</em> (Innibos). Dean will receive his Hons in acting in the coming graduation ceremony. Marlo Minnaar won the award for the best acting in a solo performance for his role in <em>Santa Gamka</em> (KKNK).</p> |
| Get your Road Map to the BA World here | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=3587 | | Get your Road Map to the BA World here | Lynne Rippenaar-Moses | <p>Are you interested in one of the Faculty of Arts and Social Science's degree programmes but not sure where to start with the application process? If this is the case, you can <a href="/english/faculty/arts/Documents/Road%20Map%20to%20the%20BA%20World.pdf?Web=1">download</a> our user-friendly <em>Road Map to the BA World </em>here and find out more about how you can navigate the application process step-by-step. </p><p>With 18 departments offering a variety of subjects, there is a lot to choose from. So come visit our Open Day stalls on the 2nd floor of the Arts building on the corner of Merriman and Ryneveld streets from 08:30 to 16:00 today (Saturday, 27 February) to get more information. </p><p><a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=3558">Click here</a> for general information on Open Day. </p> |
