The annual Klassieke Collage concert will take place in the Fismer hall as part of the Endler Concert Series on 22 February at 16:30. This concert is the series' yearly fundraiser with the emphasis on fun whilst engaging with the serious business of supporting the series financially. Performing staff and students from the Department of Music at Stellenbosch University have in recent years had audiences in stitches with performances of Allan Stephenson's Toy Symphony and Camille Saint-Säens Carnival of the Animals. This year the central work in Klassieke Collage is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Pantomime in which it is believed that Mozart himself acted in the premier in 1783. Known for his sense of humour and drama, Mozart's little masterpiece is the perfect antidote to the seriousness with which so many people view Classical music.

The cast includes four characters, Columbine, Pierott, Harli and the doctor (for which the beloved Mr T will come out of retirement to perform the role for the second time), whose story of love and situational comedy is accompanied by a piano and string quartet. Check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDC9TyGw7HM to watch the 2011 Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival performance. In addition to Mozart's Pantomime, the 2015 Klassieke Collage will also feature newly appointed lecturer in singing, Lauren Dasappa in Bernstein's "La Bonne Cuisine". 

The concert will take place on 22 February, at 16:30 in the Fismer Hall, Konservatorium.  Ticket for R70 & R100 are available from Computicket.  Please come and show your support.  For more information, please visit our website at www.sun.ac.za/music, or contact Leon van Zyl on leonvanzyl@sun.ac.za or 021 808 2358.  

The South African born pianist Renée Reznek will be opening the Endler Concert Series on 8 February, with a solo recital concert.  Reznek has earned a reputation for lucid and sensitive interpretations of 20th and 21st century piano music, and has given many first performances of works written especially for her.  Her recent CD with works by Janáček, Debussy, Messiaen, Stravinsky and Earl was enthusiastically reviewed by various classical music magazines.  Fanfare magazine said "Reznek's affinity for her chosen repertoire, maturity of conception, and superb technical command can be heard in every note of this highly polished, yet intimate recital".

The concert will include works by Erik Satie (Préludes flasques pour un chien), Sadie Harrison (The Fluttering Wings of Love: 6 Pieces after Bidel), Claude Debussy (Images Book 2 and Masques), Peter Klatzow (Barcarolle), Hendrik Hofmeyr (Preludio and Umsindo from Partita Africana) and Neo Muyanga (hade, TaTa).  The piece by Neo Muyanga was commissioned by Reznek as a tribute to Nelson Mandela. 

The concert will take place at 16:30 on 8 February in the Fismer Hall, Konservatorium.  Tickets are on sale at Computicket for R70 & R100.    For more information, please visit our website at www.sun.ac.za/music, or contact Leon van Zyl on leonvanzyl@sun.ac.za or 021 808 2358. 

​The Austrian composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold is often associated with the creation of the symphonic film score. Indeed, many of his admirers today became familiar with his music through his film scores of the 1930s and 1940s. But before arriving in Hollywood he was a well-known composer of concert and chamber music, operas and stage works, as well as an arranger and conductor. Though most often compared to Mozart himself, Korngold was, in his own right, one of the most gifted composing child prodigies in the history of music.

What is interesting about the Korngold Project, besides the most enticing and genius repertoire, is the reunion in South Africa of some of the most exciting musicians of their generation.  The group of musicians - consisting of violinists Daniel Rowland and Francesco Sica, violists Gareth Lubbe and Benjamin Roskams, cellists Julian Arp and Peter Martens, and pianist Luis Magalhães – is partially a result of random selection at the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival.  Not only were their performances rapturously received, the musicians also felt as if something unique had been created.  And such was the chemistry in the group that the idea and passion for The Korngold Project was born.  The concert will feature Korngold's Piano Quintet and the String Sextet.

The concert will take place on the 15^th of February, at 16:30 in the Fismer Hall, Konservatorium.  Tickets for R90 & R125 are available from Computicket.  For more information, please visit our website at www.sun.ac.za/music, or contact Leon van Zyl on leonvanzyl@sun.ac.za or 021 808 2358.  

Working hours: 12 hours per working week (Mo.-Fr. 8:00-16:30), February to November 2015, arranged according to the availability of the successful candidate.

Duties:

• Preparation of material for digitisation
• Digitisation
• Uploading digitised content
• Creating and modifying pdf-documents and other image formats
• Administrative duties

Requirements:

• Computer skills
• Accuracy
• Knowledge of Adobe Acrobat Professional

Recommendations:

Interest in information technology

Knowledge of XML

Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop

At post-graduate level in a suitable course of study with little regular class attendance

Commencement:  18 February 2015

Closing date for applications:  11 February 2015

Enquiries: Ms Mimi Seyffert at (021) 808 9489 or e-mail: mseyf@sun.ac.za. Please send a complete Curriculum Vitae with cover letter to Mimi Seyffert, Manager: Digitisation and Digital Services, JS Gericke Library. Applications can be handed in at her office, room 1071, in the JS Gericke Library or e-mailed to mseyf@sun.ac.za.

The Department of Biochemistry concluded their 40^th anniversary activities with a stylish gala dinner at STIAS and recognised 12 of their staff members for over 20 years of service to the department.

Prof Pieter Swart, former chair of the department and currently vice-dean: research in the Faculty of Science, also received a distinguished service certificate. He has been associated with the department since its establishment in 1974 and has served as chair on numerous occasions.

The other long service certificates went to Prof Dirk Bellstedt, Prof Ann Louw, Prof Marina Rautenbach, Prof Amanda Swart and a former chair of the department, Prof Kirsten van der Merwe. Mr Kerneels Botha, Mr Ghalieb Damonse, Ms Coral de Villiers, Ms Lynne du Toit, Ms Anita Februaie, Ms Ralie Louw and Ms Welma Maart were also recognised with long service certificates.

In his speech to mark the occasion, Prof Swart provided glimpses and anecdotes from the past 40 years, including the original Senate minutes documenting the foundation of the department. 

Prof Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector: Research & Innovation at SU, said the Department of Biochemistry is a shining example of a group which started from scratch but developed into a flourishing and well-established academic department with major research outputs, several patents and ongoing innovative research. At the same time they have been training close to 200 final year students majoring in biochemistry every year.

Prof Cloete specifically acknowledged the foundation laid by Prof Kirsten van der Merwe, and in particular his special management style. This style of leadership has continued to benefit the department under the leadership of former chairs like Prof Pieter Swart, Prof Jacky Snoep and Prof Jannie Hofmeyr. The department is currently headed by Prof Johann Rohwer.

The gala dinner also saw the launch of a 50 page gloss publication recording the history of the department in the form of photos, anecdotes and interviews with current and former staff members. If you want to know why Prof Swart had to hide away in a broom closet for 20 minutes, then you should obtain a copy from Dr Karl Storbeck at storbeck@sun.ac.za at R150.

More about the Department of Biochemistry

In 1974 Stellenbosch University decided to form a new department from two research groups in different departments and faculties in order to keep up with the latest scientific trends: Agricultural Biochemistry, from the Faculty of Agriculture, and the biochemistry section in the Department of Chemistry, which was part of the Faculty of Science.

Dr Hennie de Kock (Department of Chemistry) and Prof Lothar de Wit (agricultural biochemistry) served as co-heads of the newly-established department. After the untimely death of Dr De Kock in 1974, Prof Kirsten van der Merwe became co-head. In 1978 Prof Van der Merwe became the sole head after Prof De Wit stepped down.

As the field of biochemistry was still somewhat unfamiliar to the new academic staff, Prof Van der Merwe held informal weekly discussions at his home with Jannie Hofmeyr and Pieter Swart to brainstorm and debate problems they encountered in their work. In time, more and more students joined the informal think tank. Today, this spirit of enquiry is seen in all of the department's laboratories and other research endeavours.

By 2000 the department grew to such an extent that they relocated to the new J.C. Smuts building in Merriman Avenue. Today the department has well-established laboratories in various areas of biochemistry, such as steroid research, drug and biocide discovery, immunology, plant bioinformatics and molecular systematics, plant pathogen detection and evolution, systems biology and water treatment research.

The academic and research activities of the department are supported by a strong cohort of technical and administrative staff, many of whom have postgraduate degrees in biochemistry and other disciplines.

Source: Looking back at Biochemistry 1974-2014 

On the photo, at the back from left to right, Mr Ghalieb Damonse, Prof Marina Rautenbach, Ms Ralie Louw, Prof Johann Rohwer (chair), Prof Ann Louw, Ms Lynne du Toit and Mr Kerneels Botha. Front, Ms Welma Maart, Ms Anita Februarie, Prof Amanda Swart, Prof Pieter Swart, Prof Kirsten van der Merwe, Prof Dirk Bellstedt and Ms Coral de Villiers. Photo: Anton Jordaan

South African students in mathematics were inspired by several world-renowned mathematicians during the recent AIMS-Stellenbosch University Number Theory Conference that took place from 19-23 January 2015. AIMS is the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences.

Prof Florian Breuer, head of mathematics in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at SU and one of the co-organisers, says conferences like these are crucial to overcome South Africa's historical isolation from the mainstream of international mathematical research.

"The South African mathematics community still suffers from an isolation that can be traced back to the apartheid years. Conferences like this are vital for keeping us connected to the rest of the world, and so we are especially pleased that experts at the highest level, such as the delegates from the Institute for Advanced Studies in Princeton, participated in our conference," he remarks.

Among the delegates from Princeton University were, inter alia, Prof Enrico Bombieri, one of the world's leading authorities on number theory and analysis. He won the Fields Medal in 1974 – the highest honour in Mathematics and equivalent to a Nobel Prize.

Another delegate from Princeton University was the South African born Prof Peter Sarnak. Born in South Africa, he is currently one of the most  influential mathematicians of South African origin in the world and recipient of the 2014 Wolf Prize in Mathematics. He was also one of the conference organisers.

Prof Breuer says postgraduate students were exposed to mathematics at the highest level: "We hope this will inspire them and open opportunities for  them and our researchers to visit leading institutions overseas," he adds.

Several South African mathematicians also delivered talks. They were Dr Filip Cools (University of Cape Town), Prof Augustin Munagi and Prof Florian Luca from the University of the Witwatersrand, and from Stellenbosch University Prof Breuer, Dr Dirk Basson and Dr Gareth Boxall.

This was the 11^th biannual conference hosted by SU and AIMS since 1997. The project was originally started by Prof Breuer and Prof Barry Green from AIMS to keep contact with experts overseas. Over the years the conferences have been highly successful at attracting leading international experts in the area of Number Theory. This year's conference was supported by the Clay Mathematics Institute, the Centre of Excellence in the Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at the University of Witwatersrand, AIMS and SU.

What is number theory?

According to MathWorld  number theory is a vast and fascinating field of mathematics, sometimes called "higher arithmetic," consisting of the study of the properties of whole numbers. The Encyclopaedia Britannica calls number theory one of the "oldest and most natural of mathematical pursuits". Today number theory is providing unexpected answers to real world problems in, amongst other fields, digital communication and computer technology.

For more information visit the conference website http://www.aims.ac.za/en/research-centre/workshops-conferences/currentfuture/aims-stellenbosch-university-number-theory-conference-19-23-january-2015

On the photo, Dr Patrick Rabarison from the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar is presenting while, seated in the front row, from left to right, are Prof Enrico Bombieri (IAS), Prof Nick Katz (Princeton) and Prof Peter Sarnak (IAS and Princeton). Photo: Florian Breuer

​​​​​Prof Stan du Plessis, dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences at Stellenbosch University, visited USB on Monday afternoon to celebrate the School's latest EQUIS reaccreditation.

USB is now the only business school in Africa with EQUIS reaccreditation for 5 years.

​In the picure Prof du Plessis is pictured with Gretchen Arangies, head: BPC Management Services​ , Prof Eon Smit, Professor in Business Management and Prof Piet Naudé​, director at USB. ​​​

​​This article also appears in the Faculty's annual publication. Click here to read full story.

Professor Samad Shaik is sentimental  about a somewhat grainy photograph. It shows four toddlers on whom he performed lifesaving operations before they were born. After the procedures, they were allowed to develop further to full term in their mothers' womb.

Prof Shaik became head of the Division of Paediatric Surgery in 2014. He is the only paediatric surgeon in South Africa able to perform intricate foetal surgical interventions  involving anything from closing spina bifida to opening blocked bladder pipes. During such procedures, the baby can be removed partially or fully from the womb for up to three hours,  because its vital functions are still controlled through the mother's umbilical cord.

This graduate of the University of KwaZulu-Natal Medical School believes it's simpler to perform certain procedures before birth.

"For instance, it's easier to remove a growth from a baby's neck whilst the baby is still attached to the placenta than struggling to insert a respiratory pipe after birth to do the same operation," he explains.

Prof Shaik also believes that foetal intervention should be the "gold standard" for selected spina bifida cases.

Comprehensive American research shows that the closing up of a foetus' spinal cord prebirth dramatically improves a child's quality of life and further ability. The same procedure can of course be done after birth, but by then the spinal cord has already been damaged through exposure to amniotic fluid.

"Foetal surgery can contribute more to the developing world than we probably realise," he says, sharing in the sentiments  expressed by Dr Diana Farmer, one of the pioneers of foetal surgery, at a recent conference in Cape Town. "Amongst others, it saves costs when the baby recuperates for free in the best ICU – its mother's womb – rather than occupying a precious bed in a neonatal ICU after birth". Read more

Click here for a short video on foetal surgery

​​​​​​VENSTERS is an exciting event for all Matie students. Enjoy the evening, but please be careful and aware. Stellenbosch University Campus Security suggests the following tips:

• Walk with friends.​
  
• Keep your cellphone out of sight and leave valuables at home.
  
• Carry a whistle and pepper spray with you.
  
• Be careful of people offering you lifts or stopping to ask directions. Keep your distance to prevent them from robbing you or pulling you into the car.
  
• Personal items, such as bags, shouldn't be left unattended, especially not in public areas.
  
• Make sure your vehicle is locked and don't leave any valuable items in sight.
  

There is a possibility that Stellenbosch might experience loadshedding from 20:00 tot 22:00 during Vensters. Campus Security requests students and visitors to be prepared (bring a headlight or torch). Don't wander around in the dark streets and if you have to go somewhere, please walk in groups.

Send a whatsapp message about suspicious activitity to Campus Security Ops Centre on 082 808 2333 or save the emergency number on your phone: 021 808 2333.

Stellenbosch is preparing to welcome thousands of spectators at the annual Vensters Street Theatre on Friday night (30 January). The event is held all over the campus of Stellenbosch University (SU).

According to the organisers, this year's productions promises to be the best yet with 19 productions taking place all over campus (see attached map). Some 5000 new students take part in the productions.

Vensters forms part of the MAD² program. MAD² (Making A Decision 2 Make A Difference) is a fun, student-driven, fundraising project in aid of Matie Community Service (MCS), better known as "MGD" – Matie Gemeenskapsdiens.

"Spectators can expect an explosion of sound and colour as the 19 house partnerships illustrate their interpretation of this year's theme, Challenge Accepted", says James de Villiers, Vensters Coordinator. "Via innovative and creative storylines and original dances, spectators are taken on a journey through the imaginary world of the students, each world being unique."

According to De Villiers, the interpretations of the theme vary from ancient exploration to animated adventure.

He adds that the MAD² team aims to make this year's Vensters the safest yet. Almost triple the normal number of security guards and numerous safety officials from all the residence partners will be present at all the productions.  No alcohol is allowed at Vensters. 

All funds raised during the MAD² program are in aid of Matie Community Service (MCS) which funds the student-driven community interaction projects. These projects are targeted at uplifting the Stellenbosch community and instilling a culture of giving back amongst students.

Load shedding

Load shedding on Friday night (at 20:00 according to Eskom's Stage 1). However, a contingency plan, coined  "MAD stage one", is in place. "When the lights go down, Stellenbosch goes picnicking!" says De Villiers.

Visitor, students and their parents are encouraged to enjoy the evening around a picnic. There are allocated spots for each production area which will be glass, alcohol and smoke-free zones and will be equipped with a generator. Extra safety marshals and security officers have been secured to ensure that the public is safe at all times.

The public is invited to bring picnic baskets along. The productions will resume at 22:00 and will then continue until 00:00.  

"I believe that this challenge will prove the power of a campus coming together. The contingency plan requires of every partnership and committee to do their part to ensure a safe and successful blackout," says Daniella Potgieter, MAD² Chairperson.

• MAD² Vensters Street Theatre starts at 18:00 on Friday 30 January with performances of 10 minutes each being repeated over the course of the night. Tickets are R20 each (valid for all the productions) and are available at each production's entrance, in the Eikestad Mall or at the SRC Office in the Neelsie.

Trapkarre

New to the MAD² programme is Trapkarre, which will take place on Saturday afternoon at 14:00 in Victoria Street in Stellenbosch. Residences will race each other with these "trapkarre" to see who will take the crown. Entrance is free.

• Contact James de Villiers on  021 808 3637 for more information. Media passes are available from Martin Viljoen at tel 021 808 4921, 082 775 2396 or media@sun.ac.za .
• Click here for a short video of Vensters 2014.

​After an absence of two years on the winner's podium a team of Maties Mechatronic Engineering students once again won first prize in the PneuDrive Challenge. Since the inception of this annual design competition in 2008, Matie engineering students have been the top team five out of seven times.

This competition, sponsored by SEW-EURODRIVE and Pneumax, shows innovation in the field of mechatronic design. It is aimed at third- and fourth-year mechanical, electronic, and mechatronic engineering students.

This year's theme was "green warehousing". Design aspects in the warehouse chain that could be addressed included conveying, placement, packing, loading or palletising. Teams had to use the sponsors' products in their designs, but products were not specified.

Jos van der Westhuizen, Herman Nieuwoudt, Landolf Theron and Stefan Nel were the members of the Stellenbosch team. Their design, MOVIPAL, addressed two aspects, namely conveying and palletising. MOVIPAL combined the functionality of a gantry-styled palletiser and a forklift, which not only palletises the boxes, but also transports the palletised pallet to a temporary storage zone. It is ideal for medium-sized warehouses in the production and logistics industries.

"This is indeed a success story!" said Dr Cobus Müller, the lecturer who supervised the team. "It is a feather in the cap of the Mechatronics programme at Stellenbosch University. The module Mechatronics 424 covered part of the project, but the team had to complete the rest of the project in the second semester, as it was not part of the module. During this period they were also responsible for their individual final-year projects. It was a great challenge to manage everything in spite of a high academic workload. The team did quite a lot of work on their own steam without my input."

However, their hard work was rewarded. As first prize they won a ten-day all expenses paid visit to SEW-EURODRIVE in Germany and Pneumax in Italy at the end of Januarie 2015. Furthermore, more than R 300 000 worth of products from SEW-EURODRIVE and Pneumax will be made available to each participating university to make the latest drive and pneumatic technology available to future students.

The team also acknowledges the assistance they received from Kevin Neaves regarding technical aspects.

More information regarding MOVIPAL available at: http://josvdwest.wix.com/movipal | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dxleBxg-8A | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJne2cG7qfU

Photo collage:

Left: The MOVIPAL.

Right: From the left are Byron Griffiths (Cape Town Branch Manager, SEW-EURODRIVE), Herman Nieuwoudt, Jos van der Westhuizen, Stefan Nel, Landolf Theron and Dr Cobus Müller.

​​​The Faculty's annual publication is now available online. 

Highlights in this issue:​

- HIV treatment: The next frontier
- FMHS campus of the 21st century
- Fertility option for couples affected by HIV

​Click here to download the publication.

Visit www.sun.acz.a/FMHSpublications​ to subscribe.

​The dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at Stellenbosch University, Prof Stan du Plessis, the director of USB, Prof Piet Naudé, and the chairman of the USB Advisory Board, Mr Simon Susman, announced the names of several well-known South African executives that will serve on the Business School's Advisory Board for a term of three years.

The new members are:

Dr Judy Dlamini, executive chair of the Mbekani Group

Dr Sias Mostert, managing director of Space Commercial Services

Mr Thys du Toit, managing director of Rootstock Investment Management

Ms Phuti Mahanyele, CEO of the Shanduka Group

Ms Terry Volkwyn, CEO of Primedia Broadcasting

Ms Jo-Ann Strauss-Held, director of companies and entrepreneur.

At the announcement, Prof Du Plessis said the new members were carefully selected to complement the existing Board members. "We made sure that the new members come from all industries, bring a wealth of experience and represent the diversity of Stellenbosch University and our society. Their input will help to ensure that the Business School's academic programmes will prepare our students for real-world challenges in any industry, anywhere in the world."

Prof Naudé said that he has no doubt that the new members of the Board will make an invaluable contribution to USB. "We are looking forward to their expert advice on how to take USB to a new level where it would be recognised as the undoubted leader in Africa and among the top schools in the world. We can now build on the solid foundation that has once again been confirmed earlier this month with the announcement of USB's international EQUIS re-accreditation on the highest possible level (5-year term)."

Well-known among Maties is Jo-Ann Strauss-Held, a former Miss South Africa and Matie alumnus who graduated from Stellenbosch University with a BCom (Law).

The new members will join the 18-member Advisory Board under the chairmanship of Mr Simon Susman, non-executive chairman of Woolworths and non-executive chairman of Virgin Active International. 

​The dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at Stellenbosch University, Prof Stan du Plessis, the director of USB, Prof Piet Naudé, and the chairman of the USB Advisory Board, Mr Simon Susman, announced the names of several well-known South African executives that will serve on the Business School's Advisory Board for a term of three years.

The new members are:

Dr Judy Dlamini, executive chair of the Mbekani Group

Dr Sias Mostert, managing director of Space Commercial Services

Mr Thys du Toit, managing director of Rootstock Investment Management

Ms Phuti Mahanyele, CEO of the Shanduka Group

Ms Terry Volkwyn, CEO of Primedia Broadcasting

Ms Jo-Ann Strauss-Held, director of companies and entrepreneur.

At the announcement, Prof Du Plessis said the new members were carefully selected to complement the existing Board members. "We made sure that the new members come from all industries, bring a wealth of experience and represent the diversity of Stellenbosch University and our society. Their input will help to ensure that the Business School's academic programmes will prepare our students for real-world challenges in any industry, anywhere in the world."

Prof Naudé said that he has no doubt that the new members of the Board will make an invaluable contribution to USB. "We are looking forward to their expert advice on how to take USB to a new level where it would be recognised as the undoubted leader in Africa and among the top schools in the world. We can now build on the solid foundation that has once again been confirmed earlier this month with the announcement of USB's international EQUIS re-accreditation on the highest possible level (5-year term)."

Well-known among Maties is Jo-Ann Strauss-Held, a former Miss South Africa and Matie alumnus who graduated from Stellenbosch University with a BCom (Law).

The new members will join the 18-member Advisory Board under the chairmanship of Mr Simon Susman, non-executive chairman of Woolworths and non-executive chairman of Virgin Active International. 

​The Military Academy had its Welcoming Parade for the first year learners on 29 January 2015 at the Military Academy parade ground.  The students were especially welcomed and honored by the presence of the Mayor of Saldanha municipality, Mr Francois Schippers, the Chief Human Resources, Lieutenant General Norman Yengeni as well as the Chair of the Defence Force Service Commission, Prof Edna van Harte and her team.  There are a total of 75 first years from all Defence Force services who are starting with their studies this year.  The parade was led by the SA Army Band from Youngsfield.

The Commandant, Brigadier General Lawrence Mbatha welcomed the first years to the unit and also extended a welcoming to all staff members and students, back from leave.  In his speech, Brigadier General Mbatha mentioned that 2014 has been one of the busiest for the Military Academy and that the successes achieved would not have been possible without the dedication of the staff, interest and financial support from the Department of Defence and last but not least, the support from the West Coast community.

The Commandant mentioned that with various high-profile visits and unit activities that kept members together, the Military Academy was re-established as an asset to the DOD.  He also said that the unit needs to balance the emphasis of academia with professional military training.  "For the Academy to succeed in producing the DOD desirable end state - a balanced product of a professional Junior Military Leader."

Brig Gen Mbatha also said that the Military Academy do not only want to be perceived as a relevant institution to the DOD and Military Veterans, but to be regarded a pedestal of hope wrt academic and professional military training of excellence to the broader community of the DOD. "I therefore extend my plea to all Services, Divisions, up to the lowest serving member of the DOD not to hesitate to forward their training requirements to the Academy, so as to remain relevant to the critical needs and address the skills gaps currently existing within the DOD".

The Welcoming Parade marks a great start to the beginning of the year for the Military Academy, and first year learners got their first taste of events to come at this unit.  As part of the parade, the Dean of Faculty Military Science, Professor Samuel Tshehla, read the Military Academy Code of Honour to the students, which should serve as a guideline for them to complete their studies successfully.

The evening of the 29^th of January, saw first year students and staff of the Military Academy (Faculty of Military Science) attending the Academic Opening for 2015 – formally getting the academic year underway to the beat of the Diazville High School Band.  The unit were privileged to have the Acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University, Professor Leopoldt van Huyssteen, as the guest speaker.

Prof van Huyssteen reminded everyone that "a good start is half the battle" and that the university places a high premium on excellence.  "We are now ranked amongst the top 2% of higher-education institutions in the world and the high academic achievements here at Saldanha (Military Academy) is part of this success story.  Last year, 38 BMil degrees, 12 Honours degrees and 2 master's Degrees were awarded here."  He also stated that "it is an honour for Stellenbosch University to contribute, through the Faculty of Military Science and the Military Academy, to such important structures in our country as the DOD and the SANDF"

Prof van Huyssteen also highlighted that Community Interaction is one of the core activities of the university, "because the pursuit of knowledge is not of much use if it does not improve people's lives."  In September 2014, the university has concluded an agreement with the Saldanha Bay Municipality to be the "knowledge partner" of the community through its structure at the Military Academy.

As Brigadier General Mbatha has pledged that we remain committed as an institution irrespective of the challenges we are encountering, to be focused and committed to our vision and mission, we wish the intake of 2015 a prosperous three years at the Military Academy.

Stellenbosch University (SU) is cementing its reputation as a world-class institution, judging by its ranking as one of the top 20 universities in emerging economies. SU has moved up four places from last year to be ranked 17th in the latest Times Higher Education BRICS & Emerging Economies Rankings 2015, released on Thursday (3 December). The institution was placed 21st in the previous edition.

The Times Higher Education (THE) BRICS & Emerging Economies Rankings use the same 13 performance indicators as the prestigious THE World University Rankings, examining each university's strengths against all of its core missions – teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook. But the methodology has been carefully recalibrated to better reflect the characteristics and development priorities of universities in developing economies.

Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen, SU's Acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor, said the University is pleased with its position among the top 20 Universities in the THE BRICS & Emerging Economies Rankings 2015. "The fact that Stellenbosch is included in some of the most well-known rankings is telling of a University that is receiving international recognition for the quality and stature of its teaching and research. In this regard Stellenbosch University has the highest number of weighted research outputs per academic staff member in South Africa."

Prof Van Huyssteen explained that rankings are part and parcel of the realities within which universities must function. "In the highly-competitive environment in which universities operate, reputation is important and some of the rankings are considered indicators of a university's reputation. Rankings are especially popular in the media and are widely discussed in the public domain. It thus cannot be ignored.

"However, our clear point of departure is still that we do not compromise on our academic excellence, that we put quality first, and that we do not model our programmes and academic output in such a way that we try to influence our ranking in an artificial manner," he added.

According to Prof Van Huyssteen SU maintains a nuanced approach to the rankings given the current realities of the University, South Africa and the African continent, as well as the methodology of the various rankings of which there are differences of opinion.

"For example, it has been well-documented that the rankings favour universities in affluent countries, in particular English speaking countries such as the USA, UK and Australia and that universities in other parts of the world, in particular in the developing countries, will therefore struggle to make a real impression on the rankings.

"Given the fluid nature of rankings, more reliable measures would be to consider hard evidence such as student success rates and research output. In this regard SU has consistently stood its ground over the last few years, with a success rate of 84% (one of the top three in South Africa) and the highest research output per staff member of all South African universities over the past five years," Prof Van Huyssteen said.

• For more information on the Times Higher Education BRICS & Emerging Economies Rankings and the full list visit: http://www.thewur.com

​The growing poverty and persistent unemployment and inequality are symptoms of a society with deep wounds and excruciating social pain.

This was the view of former anti-apartheid activist and one of South Africa's eminent thought leaders, Dr Mamphela Ramphele, at Stellenbosch University's (SU) Faculty of Theology on Monday (2 February 2015). She was the keynote speaker at the Faculty's annual Theological Day. This event also served as the start of the Faculty's academic year.

Newly appointed SU Rector, Prof Wim de Villiers, also attended the event in an unofficial capacity.

The theme of the day was Theology and Public Life: Facing the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

Ramphele, who is also the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, said the majority of South Africans still suffer psychological pain because of our current social structure that perpetuates the triple burden of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

"We have to address the psychological pain of the majority," she said.

"A healing process is needed to acknowledge the wounds of millions of South Africans and to dismantle the structures that continue to wound and humiliate them."

Ramphele said we have to tackle both the structural and psychological impediments that prevent us from achieving true liberty.

"Structural transformation is required to uproot poverty, unemployment and inequality. We need to confront and dismantle the social structures that enabled a minority to exploit the majority of our nation, and which remain intact today."

According to Ramphele, we are struggling to come to terms with the structural transformation that is required to build a society where freedom reigns in the daily lives of all citizens.

She argued that the euphoria of 1994 blinded us to the enormity of the transformation and the healing that was needed and is still needed to build the non-racial, non-sexist and just democratic society envisaged by our Constitution.

Ramphele said it is particularly worrying that we continue to perpetuate poverty and inequality.

She encouraged churches and faith communities to respond to the desperate need for equality in education and the promotion of human dignity in our homes and communities.

• Photo: Back: Prof Karlie August, Prof Ronelle Burger; Middle: Ds Malcolm Damon, Dr Dion Forster, Prof Piet Naudé, Ms Mawande Mhlambi; Front: Prof Robert Vosloo, Dr Nadine Bowers-du Toit, Dr Mamphela Ramphele, Prof Nico Koopman, Prof Wim de Villiers.
  
• Photographer: Anton Jordaan
  

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Stellenbosch University (SU) signed a memorandum of understanding with Ningxia University in China, paving the way for closer cooperation between the two institutions.

Prof Leopald van Huyssteen, Acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor, and Mr Robert Kotzé, Senior Director of the Postgraduate and International Office, met with a delegation from Ningxia Province on 29 January 2015. The delegation was led by Prof Xie Yingzhong, Vice-President of Ningxia University, who signed a general agreement outlining a framework for a possible partnership agreement.

Welcoming the delegates to Stellenbosch, Prof Van Huyssteen, highlighted SU's commitment to innovation and referred to the university's unique position with regards to Viticulture and Oenology, the latter something the Chinese university has expressed an interest in.

SU has partnership agreements with 11 Chinese universities, offering mobility opportunities for staff and students of the university and Chinese partner universities.

See a list of Chinese partner universities here.

Picture: Signing a memorandum of understanding are in front: Prof Xie Yingzhong, Vice-President of Ningxia University and Prof Leopald van Huyssteen, Acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor. At the back, from left, are: Mr Zhang Huaiyi, Director of the Asian  African Affairs Division at Ningxia Foreign Affairs Office, Mr He  Jian, Vice-Secretary General of the General Office of the CPC Ningxia Commitee, and Mr Robert Kotzé, Senior Director of the Postgraduate and International Office.