​Some of the top performing computer science students at Stellenbosch University were told they are "at the right place at the right time in South Africa" at the annual awards ceremony of the Computer Science Division.

Mr Andrew Baker, a technologist from Barclays and one of the sponsors of the awards, said that, with a technology fund of R6 billion, Barclays used to be a big importer of technology. "We are now sourcing in South Africa.  You are at the right place at the right time," he told the students.

Barclays, one of five industry partners at the awards function on 19 March 2015, sponsored the awards for the Best First Year Student (Willem Wilken), the Best Second Year Student (Elrich Groenewald) and the Van der Walt medal for the Best Final Year Student (Pierre le Roux and Chris Coetzee). Mrs Nettie van der Walt, widow of the late Prof APJ van der Walt, presented the medals.

The other industry partners were IBM, Vastech, Praelexis and 4iMobile.

Prof Lynette van Zijl, head of the Computer Science Division in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at SU, said they are excited about having so many industry partners on board, as their involvement provides much-needed practical experience for the students.

One of the oldest industry partners is IBM. Mr Harry Lewis, a software engineer from IBM, said their relationship with SU goes back to the early 1960s when the first mainframe computer was installed at the university. In 2012 IBM established a Software Centre of Excellence at SU to help postgraduate students hone their technical skills.

IBM sponsored the award for the Best Honours Project. This was won by Kanil Patel for the development of Sketchit, a software programme that allows non-programming game players to modify a game like Super Mario. Kanil provided proof-of-concept that a user can design a game level on paper, which Sketchit then converts to an actual game.

Mr Gavin Gray, general manager for research and technology development at Vastech, said they are deeply indebted to the Computer Science Division: "Of our 115 staff members, over a hundred are graduates and postgraduate students from SU," he said. Vastech sponsored the prize for the Best Honours Student, which also went to Kanil Patel.

Mr Herman van Dyk from 4iMobile said they started walking a path with SU in 2015 with the introduction of short courses and internships: "We need more students to go into app development. The moment you think you're on top, you are already six months behind. It is a new and exciting field," he said. The prize for the Best Mobile Systems Development Project, sponsored by 4iMobile, went to Percy Groenewald and Ryno Claassen.

Lastly, Dr McEleroy Hoffman, founder of Praelexis, said it is important for industry and academic departments to take hands in the development of students: "Ultimately we benefit the most from these partnerships," he said. Praelexis sponsored the prize for the Best Machine Learning Project (Jason Scott).

Alex Wright, Gerard Louw, Jacques Marais and Liam Baker received certificates as the best team from Stellenbosch University to have participated in the ACM Collegiate Programming Contest at the University of Cape Town last year. The contest is an annual multi-tiered programming competition among the world's universities, hosted by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and sponsored by IBM.

On the photo, from left to right, Prof Louise Warnich (Dean: Faculty of Science), Chris Coetzee, Mr Andrew Baker (Barclays), Mrs Nettie van der Walt and Pierre le Roux. Photo: Hennie de Villiers

​

"The 'State of the Nation': Society Must Fix Market and State"- Firoz Khan

Edited Version of article in Business Day, 16 March 2015 titled: Time to reclaim market and state from self-serving elite

See: http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/2015/03/16/time-to-reclaim-market-and-state-from-self-  serving-elites

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                                            If] you let the horses guzzle enough oats, something will go through for the sparrows

          (John Kenneth Galbraith satirizing the predictions of neoliberalism)

At Davos (2015), the Bank of England governor Mark Carney warned: 'unchecked market fundamentalism can devour the social capital essential for the long term dynamism of capitalism itself'. Carney appeared to be repeating what critical scholars have - for some length of time prior to the financial crisis - been saying: 'market fundamentalism' is 'markets without fundamentals'.

Rampant and escalating levels of inequality are economically unsustainable and politically unviable. Out of the global economic crisis, the consensus now prevails (now more) strongly across the ideological spectrum. Market fundamentalism is devouring society and tearing it asunder. In these times of profound crises, it is only society that can arrest the downward spiral into political chaos, anarchy and meltdown. This insight is lost on our African leaders. Thabo Mbeki recently caricatured African leadership as an 'admixture' of a bureaucratic and parasitic elite, who with and without democratic mandates, wield state power to plunder, loot and oppress their own people.

At the root of this plunder and devouring are three drivers relevant to South Africa (and perhaps applicable to other African countries).

First, is the fiction and myth of 'Black leadership'. At base is a fulsome vision of the moral and political salvation of a society and nation residing in the actions and deeds of a few charismatic good (predominantly) 'men'. These 'men' trade on their struggle credentials, history and virtue to (not infrequently) anoint themselves as liberators, saviours; the sole representative of the (black) majority and its aspirations. This anointment is often preceded by co-option, demobilisation,          decapitation and coercion of civil society. The scene is then set for the sole representative to usurp, appropriate and reconfigure the public realm. It is quick step from here to claim possession of  unique and 'special insights' of majority needs and aspirations; and they then proceed to weave an enchanted magic carpet – steered by them - to transport the masses to a new free, non-racial and democratic society. Examine closely the knots on the flip side of the magic carpet and what becomes plain to see is a contrived 'unity'; a 'unity' of elite of aspirations and interests with those of the wider black community. This 'unity' admirably serves to authorise and legitimate policy choices as 'automatically progressive', regardless of their content and impact on the majority and society as a whole (collective welfare). Any questioning of these' progressive policies' generated by these 'men' of 'special insight' is met with harsh derision. 'Betrayal', treason and ostracism are routinely invoked; directed at 'cockroaches', anti-patriotic forces in the media, the opposition, trade unions, social movements and, and villainous foreigners.  Any possibility to openly debate, and less even, contest policies and praxis in this toxic environment is rendered virtually impossible; and can be mortally endangering.

Second, further constraining democratic forms of political participation is a virulent strain of nationalism. Dubbed 'new racial nationalism' (NRN), it is the real face and identity of elite interests and agendas. The core features of NRN, identified in critical scholarship, include an indifference towards poverty and inequality, authoritarianism and a racially divisive politics. Integrally connected to post-apartheid elite formation, NRN, on the round, distorts, dilutes, and subverts 'progressive' policies. Fuelled and maintained by patronage, gatekeeper politics and corruption, access to and allocation of resources to the majority poor is determined by personal connections between leaders and subjects. The knots connecting NRN with universal 'progressive policies', in this context, struggle to contain the weave of the magical carpet.   As the unity knots untangle, the self-aggrandising strategies of the elite are exposed as sham, subterfuge, deceit and fraud. The pandemonium and drama at the SONA are tell-tale signs of the knots coming apart. The President's response – dismissal by laughter – is tantamount to the elite's failure to recognise/acknowledge a profound credibility crisis and, at worse, rank contempt of citizens' grievances.

Third, far from the hallowed and securely bolted halls of government, NRN now confronts fierce, concerted and fiery resistance from a restive youth and the denizens of the townships and shantytowns. The unilateral downgrading of their expectations and aspirations of the 'men' with 'special insight' – but deteriorating sight and vision it appears – now ignites rebellions and revolutions. Police and police and public order units are reportedly unable to contain their speed, multitude and spread. With the spaces for state-citizen engagement forcibly shut down and/or inherently deficient and defective, the social fault lines deepen.  In short, the 'diminishing progressivity' of our second-class citizenship policies for the poor, enforced by NRN's authoritarianism, proliferates cycles of state engineered inequality termed poverty traps. 'Insiders' – nationals, the beneficiaries of patronage and spoils – are privileged over 'outsiders'; exacerbating inherited, new and renewed individual human, physical capital, spatial and locational inequalities.

It is clear we are in a grave crisis. While the world, including the CEOs, central bankers and equity market leaders at Davos seek alternatives; our (inter-locked) political and economic elite chooses to bury their heads in the sand. Milton Friedman, who some perhaps justifiably label a market fundamentalist, reminds us:

Only a crisis – actual or perceived – produces real change. When that crisis occurs, the actions that are taken depend on the ideas that are lying around. That, I believe is our basic function: to develop alternatives to existing policies, to keep them alive and available until the politically impossible becomes the politically inevitable.

We have may reached the tipping point – crisis-induced and propelled transition from the 'impossible' to 'inevitable'. Regrettably, though, we live in a twilight zone of the 'what is' (business- as-usual) and the 'what should/can be' (business-unusual). There is a slim likelihood of the state and/or market delivering an inclusive and humane capitalism. Lest we not forget – it is they, in the first instance that landed us in this mess. By default and design, then, the architecture and content  of an inclusive capitalism is society. This is corroborated by historical record and experiences of recovery from depressions and economic crises of both past and present. Now is the time for society to re-appropriate the 'commons' that the state and market over the last three decades violently appropriated and enclosed. Now is the time for society to arrest and reverse corporate welfarism and the upward redistribution of incomes and assets that the bureaucratic and rentier elite have jointly engineered. Now is the time for society to demand radical elite transparency and accountability. Now is the time for society to reclaim and institutionalise both the market and the state as servants of the people. Now is the time for society to defend itself by any and all means necessary.

In Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad remarks: 'It was written I should be loyal to the nightmare of my choice'. It is no longer viable and feasible for society to remain loyal to a nightmare scripted and imposed on them by the state and the market. Society can no longer endure the living hell of being daily devoured and cannibalized. The time is now and can no longer be postponed.

For more publications from Dr Firoz Khan visit: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Firoz_Khan6/publications?pubType=article 

​​Stellenbosch University (SU) reaffirmed its partnership with the University of Freiburg with a meeting held between the heads of the two institutions on 2 April 2015.

Prof Dr Hans-Jochen Schiewer, Rector of Germany's fifth oldest university, is the first high-ranking leader from a partner university to meet with new Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wim de Villiers. Leading a delegation from the University of Freiburg Prof Schiewer held informal talks on internationalisation with his SU counterpart and representatives from faculties. Prof Schiewer's visit followed his participation in the AC 21 International Forum hosted in Stellenbosch in April 2014.

Prof Schiewer was accompanied on his second visit to Stellenbosch by Prof Ursula Wittwer-Backofen, Director: Department of Biological Anthropology, and Ms Anja Hausmann from the International Office at the University of Freiburg. Mr Robert Kotze, Senior Director of the Postgraduate and International Office at SU, also attended the meeting.    

The University of Freiburg is one of 16 German universities Stellenbosch has an institutional partnership with. SU also has faculty level partnerships with five other German institutions and several departmental collaboration activities.

Pictured from left are: Mr Robert Kotze; Prof Ilse Feinauer, Vice Dean: Languages; Prof Dr Hans-Jochen Schiewer; Prof Wim de Villiers; Prof Mariana Kruger, Executive Head and Paediatric Oncologist: Paediatrics and Child Health; Prof Ursula Wittwer-Backofen; and Ms Anja Hausmann. 

​Photo: Hennie Rudman

Nearly 2 out of every 3 females and nearly 1 out of 3 males in South Africa are either overweight or obese. In the Western Cape, males have a 10% greater prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to national levels.

"This burden is making the Western Cape ill because with obesity comes an increased risk of diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease," says Dr Celeste Naudé, a registered dietician and senior researcher at Stellenbosch University's (SU) Centre for Evidence-based Health Care (CEBHC) in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The CEBHC has, along with SU's Department of Sports Science, partnered with the provincial government, which is addressing this problem through the Western Cape on Wellness (WoW!) initiative.

The 6-month pilot of the initiative was launched in Cape Town on 31 March 2015. Besides SU, other partners in the working group include the universities of Cape Town and the Western Cape, as well as the Biokinetics Association South Africa, 44ten MEDIA, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and a number of other private and parastatal companies.

"Data indicates that obesity levels have increased in South Africa over the past decade. Many of our children are also affected with nearly a third in the 1 to 9 years-old group being overweight or obese," says Naudé.

The situation is exacerbated by the fact that 2 out of 3 adult females (62,1%) and males (65,8%) believe their eating and drinking habits are healthy, according to data from the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1).

"88% of South Africans think the ideal body image is 'fat'," says Naudé. "They do not believe there is a need to make changes to their diets."

This, according to Naudé, points to a real need for health promotion. The WoW! initiative consists of a range of health-related physical activities and healthy eating. For the next 6 months, teams from 13 WC provincial government departments, 10 communities and 10 schools will aim to improve their lifestyle by increasing their levels of physical activity and implementing healthier eating habits.

The Western Cape Department of Health will provide training, support and mentor all participants in living a healthy lifestyle. No fewer than 110 leaders will be trained at the departments, schools and communities to facilitate a range of integrated health-related physical activities and better choices regarding eating habits.

"The average global life expectancy of individuals is 72 years," Dr Michael Moll – popular presenter of the Hello Doctor TV-series said at the launch. "However, in South Africa the age drops to 59 years. This is because of bad lifestyle choices which lead to non-communicable illnesses like diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers."

Moll said South Africans "move too little and eat too much."

A main culprit is the many hours we spend sitting (driving, watching TV, working at our computers, chatting to friends and family, having meals). By exercising for only 150 minutes per week, we can make a significant change to our health. It will help to combat excess weight and also help to alleviate symptoms of depression. Adults also need around 9 hours sleep per night to maintain overall health and good body weight.

WoW! team leaders will plan healthy lifestyle activities for the different groups and advocate and activate health-related physical activities of light, moderate and vigorous intensity and promote a number of actions for incremental healthier eating. This intervention will culminate in an award ceremony in December this year to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of leaders and participants.

"Our aims are to reduce individual vulnerabilities and the consequences of the burden of disease," said Dr Beth Engelbrecht, Head of the WC Department of Health.

"There is no better way to reduce the effects of life-style induced illness than through exercise and sensible dietary choices."

The WoW! initiative is led by Dr Frederick Marais, Deputy Director: Increasing Wellness at the Western Cape Government Health Department.

At SU the CEBHC assisted with elements of the healthy eating component of the WoW! initiative by serving as member of the Technical Reference Group for Healthy Eating established by the Health Department.

"This forms part of the CEBHC's knowledge translation activities, a component of the Centre's core business," says Naudé. "Knowledge translation seeks to close the 'know-do' gap by moving knowledge to action, and can be defined as ensuring that stakeholders are aware of and use research evidence to inform their healthcare decision-making.

The CEBHC also assisted with decisions during the development and implementation of the WoW! initiative. This was done by examining and using best-available research evidence on healthy lifestyle interventions in schools, workplaces and communities, while also considering important contextual factors such as available resources, time constraints and the characteristics and needs of WoW! participants.

"We helped with developing the WoW! healthy eating material and resources for schools, workplaces and communities, as well as with the training of the WoW! Club Leaders."

The CEBHC further contributed to developing the research study component of the initiative, which will be completed on a sample of participants to monitor and evaluate the initiative.

Naudé explains further: "This interaction is part of one phase of a five-phase research project that we are doing at the CEBHC, called 'Policy Buddies: Building demand for evidence in decision making through interaction and enhancing skills'. This specific phase of the project aims to link policymakers (defined as government officials working as health programme managers and programme co-ordinators), and researchers in order to enhance their interaction and dialogue, to present an opportunity to learn more about each other's worlds and identify areas of work related to evidence-informed decision making. In this process, both role players are working together and learning.

"Evidence-informed decision-making is an approach that integrates the use of research evidence with expertise, resources and knowledge about contextual health issues, local context and political climate to make intervention, policy and program decisions. This contributes to the provision of effective and efficient health interventions and services and supports a more responsible use of financial and human resources in healthcare."

• Photograph: Getting ready to move! People who attended the WoW! launch participated in a short walk in Cape Town. Photographer: Stephanie Nieuwoudt
  

See, hear and experience what it is to be an engineer at the Stellenbosch University Faculty of Engineering's Winter Week (for Grade 11 and 12 learners) that takes place from 28 June to 3 July 2015. Here all you questions regarding the engineering profession and the Faculty of Engineering's degree programmes will be answered. You will also get the opportunity to stay in a University residence for the week.

The programme is exciting! During the day you will listen to interesting talks by engineers and lecturers and you will see the Faculty's well-equipped laboratories. In the afternoon you will have educational industrial visits. Your evenings will be filled with enjoyable social outings. The engineer in you will be challenged by an engineering project done in teams.

The cost of the Winter Week is R2 000 per person and includes all meals, accommodation and transport during the Winter Week programme.

Get your application form here. Hurry up! Space is limited.

Contact person: Sandra Tribelhorn

E-mail: winterweek@sun.ac.za

Tel: 021 808 4203

Photo captions:

Left: The enthusiastic and dedicated Winter Week committee.

Right: Last year's teams busy with their engineering project.

​Fourth year medical students, Gaby McMurray and Danielle Bosman, chose to spend 4 weeks in Nepal at the end of 2014 for their fourth year medical elective. They worked at Tamakoshi Cooperative Hospital in Ramechhap district - an 8 hour drive east of the capital, Kathmandu.

The students spent their days working in the outpatient clinic – taking histories, doing physical examinations and working out a treatment plan - or assisting in surgeries if needed. 

Tamakoshi Hospital is an NGO affiliated with the German rotary as well as an organization called RAN (Rural assistants Nepal). During the students' stay at the hospital, German Rotary sent 4 doctors to help at the hospital: a dentist, physician, surgeon and an anaesthetist. Gaby and Danielle got to assist or observe in over 30 elective surgeries, including hernia repairs, vasectomies, tumour/lipoma removals, hysterectomies, and hemorrhoid surgery.

The Nepalese society treat their  children and animals very well, however, the hospital did not have  a paediatric ward, so children were placed with adults. The students decided to convert a room into a paediatric ward using funds raised by the SMILE initiative.  An amount of R12 000 was used to create the ward and to paint the walls and ceilings.

The German Rotary club was so enthusiastic and supportive about the idea that they decided to donate money towards more equipment for the ward -paediatric beds and phototherapy lights amongst other equipment. The paediatric ward meant a great deal to the staff of Tamakoshi Hospital!

Working in rural Nepal was a life-changing experience for the students. It was a privilege to learn from wonderful doctors who work hard and give so much of themselves in the face of very trying circumstances. The students gained much from the Nepalese people too who always choose to see the good in life and choose to live with grateful hearts rather than bitter ones.  

​​"Society is also looking at universities for solutions to global crises in such areas such as the environment, conflict management, health, water, food security, social cohesion and growing inequality," new Stellenbosch University Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers writes in an op-ed in Die Burger (1 April 2015).

"What we need now is innovation –new ways of thinking and doing. Society expects of universities to fulfil this role" he adds.

Read a translation of the text, as submitted, below, or follow this link to read the published article (in Afrikaans): http://www.netwerk24.com/stemme/2015-04-01-enjins-van-innovasie?vc=45bc16dfc53b1ed6e1dc8ae15b7f0216

• Read an article about Prof De Villiers' first day at the ​office here.
  
• ​​Visit his home page: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/management/wim-de-villiers/Pages/default.aspx
  
• Follow him on Twitter @WimdeVilliers: https://twitter.com/wimdevilliers
  
• Read an article about his appointment here.
  

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'Universities are engines of innovation' 

By Wim de Villiers

All eyes are on universities these days – not only in South Africa and not merely regarding institutional symbolism. Universities are in the spotlight the world over, especially in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2007-8.

Probing questions are being asked. Is a university degree still relevant? Will it get you a job? Why is higher education so expensive? Is it necessary to attend classes if the internet provides access to the world's best professors?

These concerns are indicative of a revolution that is unfolding in higher education. Continued transformation has become a necessity for any university that is worth its salt and wants to survive.

Society is also looking at universities for solutions to global crises in such areas such as the environment, conflict management, health, water, food security, social cohesion and growing inequality.

Humankind has always had problems, and have always made plans to address them. What we need now is innovation –new ways of thinking and doing. That is the only way we will achieve outcomes different from those in the past.

Society expects of universities to fulfil this role. Huge amounts of money are poured into higher education annually, and it is not too much to expect a decent return.

Innovation is born out of problem-setting, and therefore the university environment offers an excellent breeding ground for innovation because it puts forward critical questions. That is partly why universities are vital for innovation.

The other reason is that universities, particularly research-intensive institutions, are places of knowledge production – reliable knowledge resulting from the scientific method. Specialists in various subject fields are able, via multi- and interdisciplinary approaches, to come up with multi-faceted solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems.

If many experts are concentrated in a particular region, the area can become an innovation hub, for example Silicon Valley in the USA, Vancouver in Canada, Cambridge in the UK, and Leuven in the EU. The Western Cape is ideally suited to be an innovation hub, with its pivot in the greater Cape Town area, including Stellenbosch. An increasing number of technology companies, entrepreneurs and investors are setting up business here.

Initiatives such as Silicon Cape, the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative, and the Stellenbosch Innovation District offer exciting possibilities. Evidently, they all recognise the fact that we have four leading universities within a radius of 50 km – CPUT, SU, UCT and UWC.

Universities have a rich tradition that dates back a thousand years to the Middle Ages. Central to this, is the idea of academic freedom to perform fundamental research – the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. However, the idea of the ivory tower is outdated. Universities must be relevant, particularly in the light of dwindling government subsidies and difficult economic circumstances.

Are universities ready for these challenges? In their book, Engines of Innovation: The Entrepreneurial University in the Twenty-First Century, Holden Thorp and Buck Goldstein suggest that entrepreneurship is the key, as this supplies "the spark, the passion, and the commitment that inspire creative people to come together and achieve extraordinary things."

Entrepreneurial thinking can assist universities to be more innovative; and innovative universities, together with other role players, can assist society to turn problems into opportunities.

Commercialising the intellectual property produced at universities is of the greatest importance. For example, SU is Africa's research leader, with the highest research output per fulltime academic. However, what good would this knowledge be if it merely gathered dust on library shelves? What we need is patenting, licensing and spin-off companies, as well as the transfer of technology to entrepreneurs, in order to create feasible products and services.

At Maties, these functions are performed by Innovus, the company that mediates the SU's interaction with the industry and promotes innovation within and outside the University. Thanks to this system, SU registered 59 PCT patents (Patent Cooperation Treaty) from 2009 to 2014 – the most in the country, even more than the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research).

Overall, there were 314 patent applications in South Africa in 2012 – considerably less than the USA's 52 000 applications, Japan's 44 000 and Germany's 19 000. Naturally, we are a small, emerging economy compared to these giants.

However, it is also interesting to consider the relationship between education and innovation. In the USA and Japan, 1 out of every 3 people between the ages of 25 and 34 have a bachelor's degree. It shows that higher education is certainly one of the building blocks of innovation and development.

What is the situation in South Africa? In 2001, 1 out of 17 people had a university degree, but the goal set in the National Development Plan is 1 out of 6 by 2030. That should boost innovation.

In the past, students were prepared for a specific career and graduates would spend their entire working lives at one or two companies. These days, young people are being prepared for professions that do not even exist yet. Moreover, many people change careers through the course of their lives – often more than a few times.

Entrepreneurship training is part of the solution. There is an interesting initiative known as the LaunchLab at Maties. It functions as a business accelerator boosting entrepreneurship on the campus through network opportunities, mentorship and affordable rental rates for start-up companies by both students and staff, as well as external parties. In the meantime, the LaunchLab has also extended its activities to the other three universities in our province. This is in line with the global trend of campuses providing a platform for creating new companies.

Nowadays students have access to knowledge all the time, from every any place. They carry around entire libraries on their smart phones, they listen to podcasts and watch internet video clips to assist them with their studies, and they communicate instantly and continuously with each other – and with lecturers – via social media.

It is predicted that more than half of the world's traditional universities offering contact tuition may disappear as on-line education increases. However, it is also expected that given their reputation for excellence, universities such as Harvard will be adding hundreds of thousands of students to their numbers in cyberspace.

South African universities are beginning to test these new waters. Wits and UCT have already introduced MOOCS (Massive Open Online Courses), while SU and other institutions have advanced plans in this regard. In the long run, blended learning will probably prevail. In this model, technology does not replace contact sessions; rather it is used to enrich learning and education.

Higher education used to be an extremely stable sector. Of the 85 institution in existence worldwide since 1522, 70 are universities, according to Clayton Christensen and Henry Eyring in their book, The Innovative University: Changing the DNA of Higher Education from the inside out. However, ancient stone foundations are beginning to crumble everywhere.

For a university to survive, it has to distinguish itself from other institutions. A university cannot be everything to everybody. Institutions must decide where they can have the greatest impact.

The challenge for universities is to be locally relevant, yet globally competitive. We can focus unique areas in which we have developed expertise over time. South Africa's medical schools are shining examples in this regard.

By joining hands with the private sector, higher education could be setting the pace, and at the same time assist the people of our country and the continent with proven expertise. In this way, universities can be the innovation engines that drive much-needed development.

• ​​Prof Wim de Villiers is the new rector and vice-chancellor of Stellenbosch University. This article is an edited version of his speech at the Kaapstad Sakekamer (Cape Town Chamber of Commerce) on 31 March 2015.​
  

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Piano Recital – Tribute to SA composer Arnold van Wyk

The Endler Concert series is proud to present the Piano Faculty of the Stellenbosch Konservatorium in tribute to Arnold van Wyk at the Endler hall on Saturday the 18^th of April at 20:00.

Arnold van Wyk (1916 –1983) was a South African art music composer and Stellenbosch Konservatorium of music lecturer. He received an Honorary Doctor of Music by the University of Cape Town in 1972 and by the University of Stellenbosch in 1981.

The piano compositions in the concert are performed by the students and personel of the Music Department. These youthful piano pieces have never been heard since their composition between 1930 and 1938. The works are presented in a manner that resembles an art exhibition more than a musical recital and showcases the development of van Wyk as a composer.

The concert takes place on Saturday, 18 April at 20:00 in the Endler hall, Stellenbosch.  Tickets can be purchased from Computicket for R70 and R100.  For more information contact Dawid de Villiers at concerts@sun.ac.za or 021 808 235.

​​

Jazz Vocal Quintet – Endler Hall

The Endler Concert series is proud to present Track five jazz vocal quintet at the Endler hall on Sunday the 19^th of April at 16:30 in the Endler Hall.

Track Five is a five-voice vocal group specializing in exciting arrangements of the well-known popular jazz standards and romantic ballads. They will be performing with saxophone quartet SAXIT as well as a jazz quartet.

The program consists of a variety of songs including old favourites such as Route 66, Round midnight, Birdland and even some local folksongs like Bobbejaan Klim die Berg and Kaapse Draai, all given the Track Five treatment. 

The concert takes place on Saturday, 19 April at 16:300 in the Endler hall, Stellenbosch.  Tickets can be purchased from Computicket for R70 and R100.  For more information contact concerts@sun.ac.za or 021 808 235.

​Like all universities in South Africa, Stellenbosch University also grapples with issues of transformation, while also dealing with the added challenge of multilingualism. 

One cannot however look at transformation in isolation. Universities the world over have gone into "transformation mode" in the broad sense of the word. The impact of information and communication technology (ICT), sustainability and relevance are probably the biggest challenges facing universities today. Other challenges are dwindling state funding, the tensions related to access, quality  assurance, student success rates, sustainability, graduates who remain in demand, the maintenance of physical infrastructure and the provision of cutting-edge facilities and technology. 

In the South African context, Stellenbosch University's stance on transformation is clear: continuous transformation is part of the core 'being' of the University – not only because of a deep-rooted commitment to transformation, but also because it is viewed as a key prerequisite for success in the 21st century. The University firmly believes that a diversity of staff, students, knowledge, ideas and perspectives can enhance the quality of core academic activities even further.

The choice for transformation is clearly outlined in the University's Vision, as stated in its Institutional Intent and Strategy (serving as the University's roadmap for the future) which states that Stellenbosch University is inclusive, innovative and future-focused. The University's Institutional Plan also encapsulates its transformation objectives which are entrenched in its core business.

This said, the University is acutely aware of the need to accelerate and deepen the process of systemic transformation.  Whilst progress has been made with regard to access and success, institutional language flexibility, integration, welcoming practices and student support, challenges with regard to high level representation and perceptions of the institutional culture remain, perhaps even exacerbated by the passing of Prof Russel Botman in 2014.

The Management of Stellenbosch University is systematically and purposefully addressing these issues, but also has taken note of the need for students to see progress with regard to transformation and to have meaningful discussions with Management on these topics. In this regard, Management recently confirmed its commitment to further discussions with students at the Dignity March recently held on campus.

The SU management is also greatly encouraged by the ever-growing culture of robust debate at the institution.  This was recently illustrated not only by the Dignity March mentioned above, but also via a discussion on 'Name Changes and Statue Removals' as facilitated by the Listen, Live and Learn (LLL) community on campus. This is to be followed up by other LLL initiatives such as a blog competition and a series on conflict resolution and transformation – complementing the courses already offered by the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership Development (Click here for more information). This culture of interaction and dialogue should  be integrated into  all facets of campus life: in lecture discussions, over coffee in the hubs and in living spaces.

Learning and living spaces

Sharply put into focus via the events at UCT, is the physical campus environment in which a diverse group of students have to live and study on campus – also acknowledging that in Stellenbosch's case, some icons or elements on campus are alienating to some of its students. In this regard the University has worked hard over the last few years to create student-friendly living and working spaces, such as the refurbishment of faculty buildings to create a more welcoming atmosphere – in part addressing the issue.

However, based on a longstanding awareness that  visual elements and symbols are a reminder of a hurtful history and therefore create an unwelcoming environment, the University  has begun a process to make the physical environment acceptable to a diverse group of Matie students and staff members. This process stems from among others a decision by Council before the turn of the century in which "the University acknowledges its contribution to the injustices of the past, and therefore commits itself to appropriate redress and development initiatives". 

This process includes changing controversial names of buildings. The most recent change was the renaming  of the DF Malan Memorial Centre to the Coetzenburg Centre (in 2014), while the names of the former BJ Vorster and HF Verwoerd buildings were changed more than a decade ago to the Arts and Social Sciences and the Accountancy and Statistics building (Rek- en Stats-gebou) respectively (also see information below).

In addition, linked to a campus renewal project and tying in with a renewed effort to improve the welcoming campus culture, the University in 2013 embarked on a journey of reviewing the names of buildings and venues, and historical features such as portrait paintings and busts – including contextualising certain visual representations such as plaques and properly documenting artefacts from bygone days.

In line with our vision to be future-focused, a part of the project will be dedicated to adding new symbols and cultural icons.

MORE INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVES

Students

Black, Coloured and Indian (BCI) students currently make up one third of the institution's undergraduate student population and the objective is to reach 50% by 2018/2019. On postgraduate level BCI students currently make up nearly 50%. The University is also actively working towards broadening access and placing  a focus on promoting diversity by creating multi-cultural living and learning environments across clusters, residences and private wards.

The University has numerous  opportunities for newcomers with regard to training, discussions, debates, and other co-curricular events and programmes to enhance their knowledge of multicultural issues, exposure to other cultures and inter-cultural communication. In this way they are equipped to function optimally and thrive in a diverse and multi-cultural context.

Furthermore, in all training opportunities of student leaders, explicit attention is given to multiculturalism and the benefits of  developing an appreciation for others who are different from themselves.

Staff

With regard to staff, there has been significant progress in increasing Black, Coloured and Indian (BCI) appointments in the Support Services. Senior academic appointments at the university still remains a challenge (as also pointed out by the University of Cape Town and Rhodes University), but the University is seriously working toward improving the equity profile in this regard. Initiatives include strategic recruitment; the University's Legacy Project to attract senior BCI staff; all appointments that need to meet the requirements of a management code, as well as a mentorship project focused on accelerated knowledge transfer to young academics.

Buildings and community

Part of redress the University committed itself to, is rectifying its relationship with surrounding communities. Due to historical factors, these  relationships were strained at best. Forced removals from 'Die Vlakte' under the Group Areas Act which resulted in the Lückhoff School being given to Stellenbosch University and 'forgotten' incidents between residents of 'Die Vlakte' en students such as the Battle of Andringa Street caused bitter  divides in the past.

The Lückhoff School has since been rededicated to the local community and houses various community organisations in addition to the University's Community Interaction division. The history of 'Die Vlakte', the Battle of Andringa Street and subsequent actions by university students is documented in an exhibition in the Memory Room of the University Archive where it can be viewed by the public.

Student recruitment

As we realise that not all prospective students have had the same quality schooling; that thousands of students are unable to pay for tertiary education; and that Stellenbosch University's campus culture has been unwelcoming in the past, various initiatives have been instituted to tackle these issues. These include a focus on the creation of a welcoming culture; broadening access in terms of language via parallel medium teaching and educational interpreting services; recruitment bursaries for deserving BCI students; mentor and tutor programmes; diversity programmes in residences (where a new residence placement policy was accepted in 2013 to improve the success rate of vulnerable students such as first-generation students); the Listen, Live and Learn Houses and hubs to enable students from different backgrounds to integrate; a mobility plan for students who have to commute; and, special recruitment initiatives to improve the diversity profile of students. In 2014 the University Council approved an additional R102.3 million for bursaries to increase the number of BCI students. In addition, the University's fundraising initiatives give top priority to increasing the bursary fund through philanthropic donations.

"The SBA seemed to be the perfect opportunity for me to apply my MBA and work experience. I believe that through this process of mentoring you develop and learn from your assigned mentee as well.

"It is a very special opportunity to be a part of helping others to achieve their personal development and business goals within the structured environment that the highly skilled USB SBA team designed," she says.

Ganesan is a USB MBA alumnus who graduated in December 2014 and who currently works at Cadiz Asset Management within the structured products division.

She compares the process of pairing the mentors with their mentees to that of speed dating.

"Each of the mentees had 15 minutes to interview each of the mentors.  They then decided who would be more aligned to assist them in achieving their respective goals and who they could most likely work well with," she explains.

She has been assigned to be the mentor of Nolundi Rulumeni, owner of Amahle Security and Cleaning Services in Mitchells Plain. Nolundi has been running her business for the past eight years.

As a mentor, Ganesan looks forward to helping to make a difference to someone who is highly motivated and driven to develop herself.

"I am also excited to learn from Nolundi's life and business experiences. I look forward to our journey over the next few months," she says. 

Sudha Ganesan's top three tips for success for the SBA participants:

• Be true to yourself
• Be proud of all that you have achieved over the years
• Never give up on your dreams.

"The MBA was as demanding as it was rewarding and required constant focus and motivation," he says.

Other challenges included the ability to master and switch rapidly from one subject area to another, likewise to switch from theory to practical application and from individual assignments to teamwork, all of which constantly tested one's resilience.

He says USB's MBA represents world class future-fit thinking which allows graduates to practically and immediately apply the most relevant business and leadership knowledge across multiple disciplines in their organisations.

Read the full interview at http://www.fin24.com/Entrepreneurs/News/USB-honours-best-MBA-student-20150401-2

​Maties athletes dominate the Boland team chosen for the South African Senior Track and Field Championships on 17 and 18 April at Coetzenburg. Some 67% of the Boland team consists of Maties. A total of 37 athletes were selected to represent Boland Athletics at the 2015 ASA Senior Track and Field Championships. 

At the 2015 ASA Senior Track and Field Championships and Combined Events Championships the athletes will: have the opportunity to be crowned as the 2015 National Champion in their respective events; attempt to qualify for the National Team to the 2015 CAA Southern Region Track and Field Championships from 13-14 June 2015 in Mauritius; attempt to qualify for the National Team to the 15th IAAF World Senior Championships in Beijing, China from 22-30 August 2015 and attempt to qualify for the National Team to the 11th African Games in Brazzaville, Congo from 3-19 September 2015. 

Maties in the Boland team for the SA Championships: Cheyne Rohme (Pole Vault); Damian Boshoff (High Jump); Johan Kruger (Hammer); Juan de Swardt (Pole Vault); Keegan Fourie (High Jump); Kwezi Mtoba (Triple Jump); Luvo Nkewu (High Jump); Marcel Maree (High Jump); Victor Hogan (Discus); Giovanni Mathews (High Jump); Ebeth Marais (10 000m); Ilse Hayes (100m); Jean-Mare Senekal (100m and 400m Hurdles); Jodie Sedras (Pole Vault); Justine Palframan (100m, 200m, 400m); Kaitlyn Sparks (Pole Vault); Karla Bronn (High Jump); Luca Hartman (100); Robyn Haupt (200); Samantha Pretorius (100m, Long Jump); Thineke Fourie (800m, 1500m); Christy Nell (Pole Vault); Chane Coetzee (Discus); Nienka du Toit (Heptathlon); Helene Pens (Heptathlon).

Feast of athletics

Stellenbosch residents can also look forward to the best university athletics have to offer.

The Varsity Athletics event, hosted by Varsity Sports, will take place at Coetzenburg on Monday 20 April. The athletics action will kick off at 18:00. Tickets at R20 are available at the gate. 

The USSA National Track and Field championships will be hosted at Coetzenburg from 23-25 April. The best athletes from 27 tertiary institutions in South Africa will participate in this event. Entrance from 07:00 to 17:00 on 24 and 25 April is free.

​Sarah Erasmus, PhD student at Food Science, has been granted the prestigious Brian Koeppen Memorial Scholarship to the value of R30 000 for 2015.  This award is granted annually to one postgraduate student by the South African Association of Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST) and is the most competitive award within SAAFoST.  The scholarship honours the late Professor Brian Koeppen, a world-renowned food scientist and Head of the Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University (SU) until his death in 1980.

Sarah was granted the scholarship based on the research she is performing.  Her MSc was upgraded to a PhD in 2015 and involves research based on region of origin lamb such as Karoo lamb.  The MSc research focused on comparing the sensory and chemical profiles of lamb meat in order to determine whether the characteristic diet, linked to specific regions, have a significant influence on the sensory profile of South African lamb.  A more in-depth study into the sensory and chemical profile and the use of analytical tools for the authentication of region of origin lamb meat was outside the scope of the MSc-study and required further research at PhD-level.

Concrete, and more specifically cement as one of its parts, has become a key ingredient of economic growth, but not without a cost to the environment.

This was one of the viewpoints of Prof Billy Boshoff of the Department of Civil Engineering at Stellenbosch University (SU) in his inaugural lecture in SU's Electronic and Engineering Building on Tuesday (14 April 2015).

Boshoff said although concrete seems like the perfect construction material for modern society, it has a significant negative effect on the environment both directly and indirectly.

Referring to the impact of cement, Boshoff said "it is estimated that cement manufacturing alone contributes to more than 5% of world CO2e emissions and it is estimated that this will increase to 10 % by 2050 if current trends are sustained".

Unfortunately, modern society cannot function without concrete, Boshoff said. "The world simply cannot do without concrete. Cement is entrenched in almost every sphere of human settlement and industry."

Boshoff pointed out that concrete it is cheap, robust and relatively easy to use and the final product is a rock-like structure that typically lasts for decades.

He added that it can be prepared by hand with limited skills and still produce a reliable product, but it can also be optimised using expert knowledge of advanced mix designs and, with the aid of modern chemical admixtures, produce a superior product with almost limitless possibilities.

Boshoff said there is no current technology that offers a solution to replace concrete in a sustainable manner with a new material that is so-called carbon neutral (or even carbon negative), durable, robust and easy to use.

However, there are solutions for the short and medium term (probably defined as the next 40 to 50 years) to reduce the environmental impact of concrete, Boshoff argued.

"The key for the near future lies in using supplementary cementitious materials, optimising mix designs, improving durability and, lastly, using advanced/unconventional applications of concrete."

Boshoff said advanced and high-level research should continue and even be accelerated, as this could produce long-term solutions to the environmental impact of concrete.

Universities should also expose future engineers to new technology, he added.

• ​Photo: Proff Hansie Knoetze, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Billy Boshoff and Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector: Research and Innovation, at the inaugural lecture.
  
• Photographer: Anton Jordaan
  

​​​​Like all universities in South Africa, Stellenbosch University also grapples with issues of transformation, while also dealing with the added challenge of multilingualism. 

One cannot however look at transformation in isolation. Universities the world over have gone into "transformation mode" in the broad sense of the word. The impact of information and communication technology (ICT), sustainability and relevance are probably the biggest challenges facing universities today. Other challenges are dwindling state funding, the tensions related to access, quality  assurance, student success rates, sustainability, graduates who remain in demand, the maintenance of physical infrastructure and the provision of cutting-edge facilities and technology. 

In the South African context, Stellenbosch University's stance on transformation is clear: continuous transformation is part of the core 'being' of the University – not only because of a deep-rooted commitment to transformation, but also because it is viewed as a key prerequisite for success in the 21st century. The University firmly believes that a diversity of staff, students, knowledge, ideas and perspectives can enhance the quality of core academic activities even further.

The choice for transformation is clearly outlined in the University's Vision, as stated in its Institutional Intent and Strategy (serving as the University's roadmap for the future) which states that Stellenbosch University is inclusive, innovative and future-focused. The University's Institutional Plan also encapsulates its transformation objectives which are entrenched in its core business.

This said, the University is acutely aware of the need to accelerate and deepen the process of systemic transformation.  Whilst progress has been made with regard to access and success, institutional language flexibility, integration, welcoming practices and student support, challenges with regard to high level representation and perceptions of the institutional culture remain, perhaps even exacerbated by the passing of Prof Russel Botman in 2014.

The Management of Stellenbosch University is systematically and purposefully addressing these issues, but also has taken note of the need for students to see progress with regard to transformation and to have meaningful discussions with Management on these topics. In this regard, Management recently confirmed its commitment to further discussions with students at the Dignity March recently held on campus.

The SU management is also greatly encouraged by the ever-growing culture of robust debate at the institution.  This was recently illustrated not only by the Dignity March mentioned above, but also via a discussion on 'Name Changes and Statue Removals' as facilitated by the Listen, Live and Learn (LLL) community on campus. This is to be followed up by other LLL initiatives such as a blog competition and a series on conflict resolution and transformation – complementing the courses already offered by the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership Development (Click here for more information). This culture of interaction and dialogue should  be integrated into  all facets of campus life: in lecture discussions, over coffee in the hubs and in living spaces.

Learning and living spaces

Sharply put into focus via the events at UCT, is the physical campus environment in which a diverse group of students have to live and study on campus – also acknowledging that in Stellenbosch's case, some icons or elements on campus are alienating to some of its students. In this regard the University has worked hard over the last few years to create student-friendly living and working spaces, such as the refurbishment of faculty buildings to create a more welcoming atmosphere – in part addressing the issue.

However, based on a longstanding awareness that  visual elements and symbols are a reminder of a hurtful history and therefore create an unwelcoming environment, the University  has begun a process to make the physical environment acceptable to a diverse group of Matie students and staff members. This process stems from among others a decision by Council before the turn of the century in which "the University acknowledges its contribution to the injustices of the past, and therefore commits itself to appropriate redress and development initiatives". 

This process includes changing controversial names of buildings. The most recent change was the renaming  of the DF Malan Memorial Centre to the Coetzenburg Centre (in 2014), while the names of the former BJ Vorster and HF Verwoerd buildings were changed more than a decade ago to the Arts and Social Sciences and the Accountancy and Statistics building (Rek- en Stats-gebou) respectively (also see information below).

In addition, linked to a campus renewal project and tying in with a renewed effort to improve the welcoming campus culture, the University in 2013 embarked on a journey of reviewing the names of buildings and venues, and historical features such as portrait paintings and busts – including contextualising certain visual representations such as plaques and properly documenting artefacts from bygone days.

In line with our vision to be future-focused, a part of the project will be dedicated to adding new symbols and cultural icons.

MORE INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVES

Students

Black, Coloured and Indian (BCI) students currently make up one third of the institution's undergraduate student population and the objective is to reach 50% by 2018/2019. On postgraduate level BCI students currently make up nearly 50%. The University is also actively working towards broadening access and placing  a focus on promoting diversity by creating multi-cultural living and learning environments across clusters, residences and private wards.

The University has numerous  opportunities for newcomers with regard to training, discussions, debates, and other co-curricular events and programmes to enhance their knowledge of multicultural issues, exposure to other cultures and inter-cultural communication. In this way they are equipped to function optimally and thrive in a diverse and multi-cultural context.

Furthermore, in all training opportunities of student leaders, explicit attention is given to multiculturalism and the benefits of  developing an appreciation for others who are different from themselves.

Staff

With regard to staff, there has been significant progress in increasing Black, Coloured and Indian (BCI) appointments in the Support Services. Senior academic appointments at the university still remains a challenge (as also pointed out by the University of Cape Town and Rhodes University), but the University is seriously working toward improving the equity profile in this regard. Initiatives include strategic recruitment; the University's Legacy Project to attract senior BCI staff; all appointments that need to meet the requirements of a management code, as well as a mentorship project focused on accelerated knowledge transfer to young academics.

Buildings and community

Part of redress the University committed itself to, is rectifying its relationship with surrounding communities. Due to historical factors, these  relationships were strained at best. Forced removals from 'Die Vlakte' under the Group Areas Act which resulted in the Lückhoff School being given to Stellenbosch University and 'forgotten' incidents between residents of 'Die Vlakte' en students such as the Battle of Andringa Street caused bitter  divides in the past.

The Lückhoff School has since been rededicated to the local community and houses various community organisations in addition to the University's Community Interaction division. The history of 'Die Vlakte', the Battle of Andringa Street and subsequent actions by university students is documented in an exhibition in the Memory Room of the University Archive where it can be viewed by the public.

Student recruitment

As we realise that not all prospective students have had the same quality schooling; that thousands of students are unable to pay for tertiary education; and that Stellenbosch University's campus culture has been unwelcoming in the past, various initiatives have been instituted to tackle these issues. These include a focus on the creation of a welcoming culture; broadening access in terms of language via parallel medium teaching and educational interpreting services; recruitment bursaries for deserving BCI students; mentor and tutor programmes; diversity programmes in residences (where a new residence placement policy was accepted in 2013 to improve the success rate of vulnerable students such as first-generation students); the Listen, Live and Learn Houses and hubs to enable students from different backgrounds to integrate; a mobility plan for students who have to commute; and, special recruitment initiatives to improve the diversity profile of students. In 2014 the University Council approved an additional R102.3 million for bursaries to increase the number of BCI students. In addition, the University's fundraising initiatives give top priority to increasing the bursary fund through philanthropic donations.

The Stellenbosch student community as well as the Maties MAD² committee is extremely excited to see this year's Vensters, Trapkarre and overall  MAD² winners annouced at the first ever JOOL-konsert taking place on the 24^th of April. JOOL-konsert  promises great fun with an amazing lineup which includes Rubber Duc, The Plastics and our local Spoegwolf while focussing on this year's committee's dream to raise R1 million for Matie Community Service.

JOOL-konsert is the result of the current Maties MAD² committee that saw a need to reinvent the anouncement as to accommodate the over 7 000 students that helped made this year's Maties MAD² a huge success. With Maties MAD²'s mandate to see campus unified and moving as a single body to make a radical impact in community, it was only fitting that every student involved in the organisation of MAD² be invited to the festive celebration.

The Head-organiser, Tosca Ferndale, states that JOOL-konsert is not an event that should perpetuate the status quo of what is precieved as a student lifestyle. Ferndale says ", Rather we are trying to reinvent that, making giving back and building the community a key aspect of student life and not isolated from it." Ferndale adds ", JOOL –Konsert is the epitome of a community coming together to celebrate and honour one another for their hard work as well as enjoy some good music."

House Committee members can look forward to special arrangements that have been made to acknowlegde their huge contribution to the success of MAD². In partnership with the Alumni Offices of the University of Stellenbosch, a VIP area is planned where House Committee members will be wined and dined while they can watch the concert.

This event also differs to the past as it doesn't symbolised the end of Maties MAD² activities, but rather doubles as the kick off for the next leg of fundraising to take place in second semester to reach the R1 million mark for Matie Community Service (MCS|MGD). As Daniella Potgieter, the current Matie MAD² converner, puts it "We are excited to see the very same passionate hearts of our student leaders once again ignited to push the boundaries toward the 'impossible-R1 million."

The Maties MAD² committee would like to extend a huge word of thanks to all out sponsor, especially out main financial sponsor ATKV.

Tickets can be bought for R60 at the SRC Office or at House Committee's.

​​​​​​​​Stellenbosch University's Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) in partnership with AEE-INTEC and SESSA hosted a very successful launch of the South African​ Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap (SA-STTRM) on 19 March 2015 at Bytes Conference Centre in Midrand. 

The workshop was attended by delegates from industry, research institutions, government and government agencies.

The workshop report and news release as well as the latest version of the roadmap document is available online.

Photo captions:

Photo left: Professor Prof Wikus van Niekerk, Director of CRSES, (right) handing a copy of the SA Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap (SA-STTRM) to Katima Temba, Executive: Testing and Inspection at the SABS.

Photo right: Participants listening to Werner Weiss, Managing Director AEE - Institute for Sustainable Technologies (AEE INTEC), the Austrian implementing agent for Soltrain 2.​

​A group of some 300 students convened over the lunch hour on the Rooiplein yesterday (Wednesday 15 April) to discuss the language policy of the University. Several staff members also attended the meeting, while representatives of the Rhodes Must Fall movement of the University of Cape Town also joined the meeting.

Speakers said that the language policy is indicative of larger transformation issues at the University. The opinion was expressed that the policy does not sufficiently cater in the needs of those students who cannot speak Afrikaans and that the policy must be reviewed.

Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, also attended the meeting and was request to put forward a point of view. He noted that transformation is central everything that is being done at the University. "I believe this university is deeply committed to transformation. This is a key prerequisite for success. For transformation to be successful, we need a diversity of people on campus – staff and students. But it also means we need a diversity of knowledge, ideas, language. And we need tolerance and respect for these different perspectives."

He committed himself to creating fora and spaces where these pertinent issues can be discussed. "This will require courageous discussions."

• Click here for a link to an article on the University's transformation.

Council's decision on the language policy

Multilingualism and an increase in the lecture offering in both English and Afrikaans form the essence of the Language Policy accepted by the Stellenbosch University Council on 22 November 2014. Council also committed itself to make additional funding available so that at least 75% of all the University's undergraduate modules will be offered in both English and Afrikaans within the next five years.

The University follows a blended language model consisting of the following: parallel medium (separate classes in Afrikaans and English), double medium (Afrikaans and English in one class) and real time interpreting from Afrikaans to English or from English to Afrikaans.

The new language policy gives Afrikaans and English the same status. In 2011 the module credits were 64,3% for Afrikaans and this year it is 64,5%. By 2020 the offering must be 75%. The English module credits were only 25% in 2011 and in 2015 it is already 63,3%. As with Afrikaans, the target is 75% by 2020.

In the Faculty of Engineering all class modules are already offered in English and Afrikaans. The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences will reach this target by 2016.

Stellenbosch University also accepts responsibility to promote isiXhosa as academic language and language of social interaction judiciously and where possible. Various initiatives have been instituted at the University: as academic field in the Department of African Languages up to PhD level; short courses in basic communication skills; career-specific communication in Education and Health Sciences and the discipline specific terminology guides in for example social work, sociology, psychology, law and economic and management sciences. The Language Centre also has developed sport terminology in three languages for rugby and soccer (football).