This is the sentiment of Prof Linda du Plessis, acting campus rector, when reflecting upon the campus’s most recent accomplishments. “I am a firm believer that a shared dream motivates individuals to come together in an extraordinary way to achieve exceptional results,” says Prof Du Plessis and adds that she is excited about the remainder of the 2017 academic year. The following accomplishments are worth mentioning:
Autumn graduation
During the autumn graduation, that will take place from 9-12 May, a total of 1 400 students will cross the stage to receive their qualifications. No less than 14 doctoral degrees will also be conferred during the graduation.
PMR Business Award
The campus recently won a Professional Management Review (PMR) Diamond Arrow Award for a sixth consecutive year. The campus regularly features in the PMR survey and has taken home an award on several occasions. The Sedibeng region includes the municipalities of Emfuleni, Lesedi and Midvaal. This region has been identified as a major growth point and potential investment area for international and local developers and investors. “This award is a reward for every extra step, every late night and every new initiative that our staff members have brought to the table. A sincere word of congratulations and a big thank you to all our staff members for their respective contributions,” says Prof Du Plessis.
Institutional Teaching Excellence Awards
The Institutional Teaching Excellence Awards (ITEA) recently saw several of the campus’s staff members taking to the stage in the following categories:
Award for Emerging Teaching Excellence: Dr Steven Dunga, Ms Anneke Moolman (Faculty Economic Sciences & IT), Ms Rochelle Botha, Dr Velaphi Aaron Nhlapo and Dr Ella Wehrmeyer (Faculty Humanities).
Awards for Teaching Excellence: Prof Jaco Fouché (Faculty Economic Sciences & IT), Dr Johanita Kirsten, Dr Leon Moolman, Dr Ilyayambwe Mawanawina, Dr Karen van der Merwe en Prof Hans van Deventer (Faculty Humanities).
“With teaching-learning representing a core imperative of the University it is important that we recognise the efforts and commitment of our academic staff members. I wish to congratulate each award recipient for the sterling work they are doing.” Professor Du Plessis also conveys her appreciation to the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) for the enthusiasm and professional way in which they manage the ITEA process.
A special word of thanks to Dr Esmarie Strydom for the enthusiasm and professional way in which she manages the ITEA process together with her team at ADS (soon to be CTL- Center for Teaching and Learning).
“I believe that the words of Helen Keller – ‘Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much’ encapsulate the story behind the successes on our campus: we realise that we can fly so much higher together than we can ever dream of on our own. May this attribute remain an enduring trait of our campus,” says Prof Du Plessis.
Prof Linda du Plessis, acting rector of the NWU’s campus in Vanderbijlpark.
