​​The way women dress must not be used as an excuse to rape them, writes Farai Mubaiwa, a third-year Accounting student at Stellenbosch University and a House Committee Member at Sonop Women's Residence, in an opinion article published in the Cape Argus on Thursday (23 April 2015).

​​​Members of the Maties ParaSport​ Club are performing exceptionally well at the III Caixa Loterias Athletics and Swimming Open Championships taking place in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Source: Mark Etheridge (SASCOC website)

• ​​Three-time Paralympic sprinter Ilse Hayes continued her dream season with a world record in the 100-metre dash on Thursday. The Stellenbosch ace raced to a time of 11.89 seconds in the T13 category. The previous record was 11.99.
  
• Anruné Liebenberg ran a personal best and African record of 12.77 s in the 100 m in the T46 category.
  
• Three-time Paralympian Fanie van der Merwe ran a season-leading 11.60, also in the 100m (T37). 
  
• Zanele Situ won a silver medal in the javelin mixed classes F53/54.
  
• Reinhardt Hamman also had a good day in the men’s shot put men’s (F38). Although there was no medals for this event he finished first with a PB and new SA record of 13.77m. 
  

Read complete article: http://www.sascoc.co.za/2015/04/24/sas-hayes-hurtles-to-world-best-in-brazil/ 

A delegation from Leiden University visited Stellenbosch University (SU) on Friday 24 April 2015. It consisted of Prof Simone Buitendijk, Vice-Rector; Prof Robert Tijssen, Centre for Science and Technology Studies at Leiden University, extraordinary professor at SU and member of South Africa's DST-NRF Center of Excellence in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (SciSTIP); Dr Jeroen't Hart, Director Student and Educational Affairs and Dr Marieke te Booij, Associate Director International Relations.

The delegation met with Prof Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector: Research and Innovation, and other university representatives to discuss areas of mutual interest and to explore further areas of possible collaboration and cooperation. Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and also one of SU's oldest partners. Prof Simone Buitendijk will further be attending the inauguration of Prof Wim de Villiers as Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University on Wednesday 29 April.

From left, are Dorothy Stevens, Deputy Director: Postgraduate and International Office (PGIO) at SU; Dr Jeroen't Hart; Ben Nel, Manager: International Student Mobility (PGIO); Prof Simone Buitendijk; Prof Robert Tijssen; Dr Marieke te Booij; and Jan Willem van der Westhuizen, Coordinator: Student Exchanges and Mobility Programmes (PGIO).

Photo: Simon Sonnekus

Various viewpoints on the staff composition of Stellenbosch University were expressed in newspapers and on social media over the last few days. The University hereby gives a perspective on the situation.

As is the case with other South African universities, Stellenbosch University (SU) also faces the challenge of making appointments from underrepresented groups, but through our postgraduate study programmes we are developing this capacity for ourselves, as well as other institutions.

How Stellenbosch University is contributing:

• SU is one of the institutions with the most postdoctoral fellows in the country, with some 230 currently at the University. Of these 33% are black*. These are students who can potentially strengthen the whole pool of black academics in the country.
• Also, SU has the highest research output per full-time academic staff member of all South African universities. This includes Masters and Doctoral degrees. Of the 158 South African doctoral students who have graduated at SU in 2014, 25% were black.
• Another 50 doctoral students are from other African countries. SU thus also supports initiatives to grow the pool of African academics.  
• In 2014 nearly 38% of students who obtained master's degrees were black.  
• Currently, 46% of the University's postgraduate students are black.  
• SU also supports its young academics with appropriate individualised career planning and accelerated career development.
• The University also supports sector initiatives such as the nGAP programme (new generation academics programme).

There are however realities that cannot be ignored. It cannot be emphasised enough that the potential pool of black candidates are still limited in terms of numbers, and all South African universities compete for the same small group. Also, universities cannot compete with the private sector's salary packages for especially senior experts.  The University's labour turnover rate is very low and normal attrition via planned retirements provides the only major opportunity for diversifying the staff corps at senior levels. The Council's approval of the new Language Policy that gives equal status to Afrikaans and English as mediums of tuition, should also promote the recruitment of black academics.

The University is fully committed to sustained and systemic transformation, including the diversification of its employee corps in terms of race, gender, and cultural diversity. This also applies to all job levels and for both academic and support service staff.

The University's Institutional Intent and Strategy and it is supporting plans include mandatory transformation. The goal has been set for the University's staff to be more than 50% black by 2018.

The achievement of these goals is supported by a formal Code of Management Practices, which guides all appointments, as well as strategic recruitment for all senior positions including professorial appointments. Succession planning is a key component of the multi-year staff plans for all university environments.

The University reiterates its viewpoint that diversity and quality are not two opposing concepts. Diversity is a necessary prerequisite for sustained academic excellence and it is for this very reason as well as from the moral imperative that the University is committed to a deepening and accelerating of its systemic transformation.

* "Black" includes coloured, Indian and black (African)

• See tables below
  

​We need technological and social innovation to address some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, writes Prof Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector: Research and Innovation at Stellenbosch University, in an opinion article published in the Cape Times on Tuesday (28 April 2015).

The complete article, as submitted, follows below:

Unlocking a prosperous future through innovation

Almost two decades into the 21st century global crises such as armed conflict, food insecurity, climate change, disease, terrorism, unemployment and growing poverty and inequality continue unabated.

Although these and other challenges may seem daunting, even insurmountable, we dare not become despondent and throw in the towel. More than ever, we need to intensify our search for real and lasting solutions to a plethora of problems if we are to create a better future.

One way to achieve this is through innovation, that is, thinking and doing things differently. One could argue that humanity's survival depends on innovation and creative thinking because they bring something new and connect us with a more peaceful and prosperous future.

Addressing the challenges we face will require more than just the manufacturing or application of new products. While technological innovation is vital, it is not enough to solve all societal problems. We should also focus our attention on social innovation.

We have to look at how forms of social innovation such a carnivals and festivals could help address, among others, rising unemployment and poverty and the spread of diseases, especially in developing countries which often lack the necessary resources to tackle these issues.

In her 2011 book, Innovation Design: Creating Value for People, Organizations, and Society, Elke den Ouden makes a similar point. Highlighting the need for social innovation, she argues that tackling today's societal challenges requires a deeper level of innovation than just inventing products that sell well.

According to De Ouden, social innovations bring new ideas for improving people's quality of life. Social innovation is important because it enhances people's capacity to work together in finding sustainable solutions to societal problems. 

Unfortunately, many societal challenges persist because we do not venture beyond our existing problem-solving paradigms. Our creative juices only start to flow when we find ourselves in a desperate situation.

We lack creative thinking and the ability to ask questions regarding the way in which the use, size and form of current technologies could be enhanced to solve some of the problems we face.

When we start to think deeper and also change our behaviour, we are more likely to find solutions that we never thought existed.

The recent World Creativity and Innovation Day (21 April) celebrations encouraged people of all walks of life to engage in deeper intellectual thought for the purpose of generating new ideas that could help make the world a better place and create a brighter future.

Since critical thinking is often the beginning of innovation, universities could do well to heed the message spread on World Creativity and Innovation Day.

As places of knowledge production and innovation, universities play a key role in solving societal problems.

In a recent speech at the Cape Town Chamber of Commerce, the new rector and vice-chancellor of Stellenbosch University (SU), Prof Wim de Villiers, also alluded to this when he said that society expects of universities to fulfil this role.

He added that the University environment offers an excellent breeding ground for innovation because it puts forward critical questions.

In this regard, SU is playing its part. Through Innovus  ̶  the company that mediates the SU's interaction with the industry and promotes innovation within and outside the University  ̶  we 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).

Our LaunchLab, the epicentre of entrepreneurship at the University, 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.

The work being done at Innovus and the Launchlab clearly indicates that SU is committed to creating more products, engaging in technology transfer and commercialising intellectual property, and in so doing, enhancing its impact on society.

Central to these endeavours is the need for the University to be socially relevant in continually changing contexts and to focus on extending research innovation and unlocking new knowledge for the express purpose of creating of new products and services for the betterment of our society.

This is in line with SU's vision to be a future-oriented, innovative, and inclusive institution where the collective creativity of people from diverse backgrounds and cultures can be harnessed to make the world a better place to live in.

Although the problems we face today are indeed serious, solutions might be just around the corner. Creating and fostering a culture of innovation could prove decisive in this regard.

*Prof Eugene Cloete is the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at Stellenbosch University.

​​Daniel Malan, senior lecturer and director of the Centre for Corporate Governance in Africa at USB, has been appointed as a consultant to the World Economic Forum (WEF). He will focus specifically on the WEF's New Social Covenant project. 

He has been a member of the WEF's Global Agenda Council on Values since 2011.

What does your appointment entail?

USB has agreed that I could use 25% of my time to work on the WEF's New Social Covenant project.

What is for you the most important aspect of the Global Agenda Council on Values' work?

The Global Agenda Council on Values is uniquely positioned to introduce discussions on values at a very high level.

How does your involvement with the WEF, as well as your new role, connect to the work of the Centre for Corporate Governance in Africa?

Corporate Governance is underpinned by sound ethical values such as accountability and transparency. The World Economic Forum work provides a global perspective on the value of values in a business environment.

What do you regard as the major challenges facing us in relation to corporate governance in South Africa, Africa and globally?

Governance has to be rescued from a narrow focus on compliance. South Africa – through the various King Reports – is leading the field in this regard.

How realistic is it that corruption can be eradicated?

Corruption, especially where it has become systemic, will never be eradicated completely. That is sad but realistic, and reinforces the need for corruption to be tackled at more manageable levels, e.g. company or industry.

Does it mean simply managing it?

Anti-corruption activities form part of a broader ethics management process, but the aim should be to eradicate, not to manage.

In which way should a board of directors be put together to tackle the challenges of corporate governance?

Because corporate governance focuses on both direction and control, there is a specific need for efficient non-executive, independent directors. They provide balance and novel perspectives and, if they do their job properly, can drive performance in any corporation.

You are currently completing your PhD…

My PhD dissertation has been completed and is currently being edited before it is submitted for examination. The title is: Integrative Social Contracts Theory and the United Nations Global Compact: A South African Perspective.

​​

​​

​USB's MPhil in Management Coaching has been ranked as best Master's degree in Human Resources Management in Africa by Eduniversal. Dr Salomé van Coller-Peter, head: MPhil in Management Coaching, shares her thoughts.

"Since the beginning of this programme we have decided to give it a very African-flavour, to bring in diversity and story-telling. We are getting a lot of students from Africa, but also Europe, onto the programme. Our programme is well-designed to produce professional coaches," she says.

She adds: "I have been working with a core group of people since the inception of this programme and I also believe that you surround yourself with people that know more than you do about certain subjects. If you lead them well, you let them do what they are good at doing. This programme was certainly co-created."

On what makes the programme stands out from the rest, she says that when students walk out, they are coaches; they don't just know how to coach.

"We give quite a bit of weight to the practical side of things and we also underpin the programme with very strong theory. Students make the transition to become a person who is a better listener, supportive and authentic," she says.

"What also makes the programme stand out is the consistency. Everything fits together in the end. We use double-loop learning to enhance the students' learning," she adds. 

​All staff and students, as well as members of the Stellenbosch community in general, will have the opportunity to experience the inauguration of Prof Wim de Villiers Wednesday afternoon 29 April.

He will be inaugurated as the 12th Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University (SU), and anyone can attend this festive event. Prof de Villiers requested that it should be hosted in such a way that no-one is excluded and that it is accessible to all.

The inauguration will take place in the area in front of the Old Main Building (Ou Hoofgebou) under a marquee tent (without walls). Approximately 500 guests, who will gain access with a ticket, will be accommodated in this area. However, on the pavement and in Ryneveld Street in front of the building, 500 chairs will be available for anyone who wishes to attend.

The event formally starts at 14:30 and will last until approximately 16:15, but guests are requested to be seated by 14:15. They will be able to see the procession walking from the Wilcocks Building across the street, the parade of the Military Academy, and the journey of the procession in Ryneveld and Victoria Street after the event.

The Stellenbosch University Choir, the Stellenbosch University Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the OKOSI Marimba Ensemble will all perform at the event.

Prof De Villiers will deliver his inaugural address, and also ceremonially take off his Oxford academic gown and put on his SU Rector's gown.

Messages of felicitation will be delivered by Mr Mduduzi Manana, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Johann Rupert, SU Chancellor, Mr George Steyn, Chairperson of the SU Council, Prof Adam Habib, on behalf of Higher Education South Africa (HESA), as well as three student representatives, Mr Stefan Laing, Mr Mothlabane Koloi and Ms Faith Pienaar.

All staff members and students as well as invited guests are requested to park at their faculties or divisions and to walk to the Old Main Building or to use the shuttle busses that will be moving around on campus for this purpose. Parts of the parking areas in front of Administration Building A, B and C will be made available to guests, and the parking area at the Old Main Building will be closed on Wednesday. Alternative parking arrangements will be made for people working in that building.

• The inauguration can be followed on www.sun.ac.za/streaming, or follow it on Twitter with #SUrector.
• Read more about Prof De Villiers at www.sun.ac.za/rector.

​

System dynamics session at the 9^th Annual African Young Graduates and Scholars Conference.

Dr Josephine Musango Chaired a System Dynamics Session at the 9th Annual Young Graduates Scholars Conference which took place on 30 March - 1 April 2015 at the University of Cape Town. The presenters for this session were Stellenbosch University students who did System Dynamics Modelling Module in 2013 and 2014, which is an elective module in the MPhil Programme in Sustainable Development.

The purpose of the session was to showcase the application of approach in many of the real world problems facing South Africa. The papers presented were:

• Rooftop photovoltaic installations in middle class South Africa: a systems approach; by Maloba Tshehla
• HIV and AIDS in South Africa: the perfect storm; by Brett Anderson-Terry
• Western Cape transition to a green economy; by Jocobus Smit Van Niekerk, Willem Jonker, Theodore York, Juan Oosthuizen and Aliza Piennar
• The influence of ostrich product commodity cycles on ostrich production in South Africa: a system dynamics approach; by Lize Duminy
• Minibus taxi industry: can computer subsidies drive industry regulation?; by Eamonn O'Rouke (Skype presentation).

The presenters expressed the insights gained from system dynamics modelling processes, scenario analysis and policy analysis. The need to build capacity in system dynamics to understand many of the South African complex challenges, facilitate learning and catalyse the transition to desired goals was echoed.

The Steinhoff Maties Sevens Team had mixed results over the course of the Varsity 7s held at the Villager Rugby Club in Cape Town.

After the first day they had accounted for the Shimlas, University of Fort Hare, NWU Pukke and UCT. A narrow loss of 17-12 to NMMU was the only blemish of the opening five games.

On Saturday morning UWC held out for a 17-7 win in which the Maties where desperately unlucky not to be awarded a try in the last minute. The UP Tuks then handed the Maties a big defeat of 27-0 and this proved to be a timely wake-up call for the men in maroon. UJ were then beaten 24-17 in a quality exhibition of what the Maties were capable of. Walter Sisulu were ran ragged and the final score of 44-0 could have been much more if the powerplay was exploited, as the Maties were only able to score once.

After nine rounds of matches the Maties and Pukke both had 28 log points and the teams had to be separated on point's difference. Pukke finished on 80 points and the Maties on 61, meaning the Maties finished in fifth position and went into the plate.

The final day of play saw an Intervarsity match between the Maties and UCT, which the Capetonians won 17-12. Putting the disappointment behind them the team finished with a 30-7 victory over NMMU and salvaged some pride, finishing in seventh place. 

The University of Free State added the Varsity Sevens trophy to the cabinet after claiming the Varsity Cup title earlier in the year to be crowned the undisputed university rugby champions.​

Photograph: Varsity Sports

​Passing his undergraduate and honours degrees with flying colours, Matie student Riaan Visagie is on his way to London to add another qualification to his list of achievements.

As recipient of a Commonwealth Scholarship, Riaan has been accepted to King's College in London, where he will enrol for a Master's degree in Intelligence and International Security. He will study for a year at this elite institution, part of the golden triangle of universities in the cities of Cambridge, London and Oxford.

Riaan, who completed his BA International Studies (2013) and BA Honours International Studies (2014) cum laude, is the only Stellenbosch University (SU) student to receive the scholarship this year. Awarded to "high academic quality" scholars of developing Commonwealth countries the scholarship offers support for full-time Master's and PhD studies at an UK institution. SU was invited to nominate eight students in a process facilitated by the Postgraduate and International Student Funding Office.  

"There is no way that my mother or I could afford the costs to study at an overseas university," says Riaan who is also currently completing a Master's degree in Political Science at SU. "This bursary provides a great opportunity to specialise in my study field and at the same time gives my mother's purse a break after almost five years of study fees."

With two degrees under his belt and two to go, Riaan says determination and a passion for his studies brought him to where he is today.

"Up until I came to university, I had never performed at any level, not in sports, culture or academia. I remember the first few months of being a first-year. I was convinced that I had made a big mistake to pursue a tertiary education. As a constant underperformer, I never expected that I would achieve anything remarkable at university.

"Passionate about my studies I was well motivated to put in a little extra with every assignment, test or exam and as I continue with it my marks improved accordingly. My first subject distinction was a watershed moment, and when I first tasted success I was determined to pursue it all costs in everything I do at the university."

Swapping the Cape Town winter for an English autumn, Riaan begins his studies at King's College in September this year.

"I am looking forward to the English winter, long cold nights and snow. I know I will enjoy the theatres and I will have a busy time in a city full of history and culture. I hope to slip out of the city during short holidays and explore the rest of the country."

Photo: On his way to England. Riaan Visagie with Chantal Swartz, manager of the Postgraduate and International Student Funding Office.

The Cape's fynbos has been burning for thousands of years and we need to figure out a way to live with that reality.

So says Prof Brian van Wilgen, an applied ecologist with the DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology (CIB) at Stellenbosch University. Prof Van Wilgen, who has over four decades of experience working with fires in fynbos, grassland and savanna ecosystems across southern Africa, will tackle this hot topic during a Science Café Stellenbosch on Wednesday 6 May.

In the aftermath of the devastating wild fires on the Cape Peninsula earlier this year, questions are being raised about the efficacy of throwing nearly two million litres of water at a cost of about R2.4 million on fynbos and forests. Would it not make more sense to rather prevent these fires by prescribed burnings and weeding out invasive vegetation like pines, hakeas and acacias?

The conversation, moderated by Prof Nox Makunga from SU's Department of Botany and Zoology, will start at 19:00 at Café Art in Blom Street, Stellenbosch.

Science Café Stellenbosch is an initiative of SU's Faculty of Science to promote the public discussion of science matters. Entrance is free but space is limited, so please make sure you get there early. On the menu for the evening are hamburgers and chips or soup and bread with wine for R45. 

Join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter ​and use the Twitter handel @scicafeSU

For more information​, contact sciencecafé@sun.ac.za

Photo of 2009 fire on Table Mountain by Warren Rohner

​​​​​​Having made significant progress in many areas, Stellenbosch University (SU) is moving forward into its next century, deeply committed to the community, the country and the values of the Constitution.

This was the gist of new SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wim de Villiers' inaugural address on Wednesday (29 April 2015). De Villiers was inaugurated as the 12th Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU after being appointed in December 2014.

Among the guests at the inauguration were Ms Helen Zille, Premier of the Western Cape Government, Dr Johann Rupert, Chancellor of SU, Mr George Steyn, Chairperson of the SU Council, Prof Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand and Chairperson of Higher Education South Africa (HESA,), Mr Mduduzi Manana, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, as well as the Consul Generals of Germany, the Netherlands and India.

Staff members and students, as well as members of the Stellenbosch community, experienced the inauguration, which took place outside the Old Main Building on the corner of Ryneveld and Victoria Streets.

In his speech, De Villiers reiterated SU's commitment to transformation, inclusivity and diversity, especially in terms of redressing past injustices and creating a better future.

He also highlighted the University's notable research and student successes.

"We want to create a University that works for all of us – a national asset, in fact a continental and global asset, to help make the world a better place by finding solutions to developmental challenges and societal problems", De Villiers said.

"That will be the main thrust of my time as Rector and Vice-Chancellor: Forward, Stellenbosch. Vorentoe! Siyaya!"

De Villiers pointed out that in 1990, the year Nelson Mandela was released, SU only had 762 black, coloured and Indian students.

"Today, we have more than 11 200, or nearly 38% of our student body. And looking at our staff diversity, 43% of our personnel are black, coloured or Indian."

He added: "Today inclusivity is one of the cornerstones of our new policy framework, our Institutional Intent and Strategy".

De Villiers said SU should be a place where all people, especially students, feel welcome.

He referred to the broadening of access to the University from the ranks of those who were excluded in the past based solely on the colour of their skin.

"Last year, SU paid out R588 million in bursaries and loans to the 37% of our students in need of financial assistance. Of this amount, 55% went to black, coloured and Indian students based on merit and financial need."

In the spirit of transformation, inclusivity and reconciliation, De Villiers announced the establishment of a bursary fund for descendants of people who were forcefully removed from Die Vlakte, an area close to the town centre of Stellenbosch, in the 1960s.

Addressing the language issue, De Villiers said SU is a world-class multilingual university that works hard to ensure that language is "not a barrier to access, but a tool for success".

He pointed out that in terms of student success, SU's first-year retention rate is constantly above 85%. De Villiers also referred to SU's position among the top 300 universities in the world and one of the leading institutions in 10 subjects, including Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Mathematics.

"Our research outputs are among the highest in the country and our research income increased significantly."

De Villiers said although SU is well positioned, there is room for improvement as it strives to be locally relevant and globally competitive.

He highlighted the need for an open discussion on where SU is at, and where it is heading.

After his speech, De Villiers was congratulated by Deputy Minister Manana, Prof Habib and representatives of SU's student body.

Manana said SU's has done well in choosing a person of De Villiers' calibre and his Department trust that he will continue to grow the diversity and relevance of SU within our democracy.

Habib encouraged De Villiers not to lose sight of SU's transformation goals, while student representatives expressed the hope that De Villiers will build on current successes, lead the University to even greater heights and collaborate with students.

• Read the inaugural address here​.
• Photo: Prof Wim de Villiers delivers his inaugural address
  
• Photographer: Anton Jordaan
  

The Maties Tennis team won the Sun City Invitational Tournament over the long weekend.

Stellenbosch University (SU) now features among the world's elite institutions in 10 of the 36 subjects featured in the QS World University Rankings by Subject for 2015. The latest QS Rankings, with six new subjects added this year, was released today (Wednesday, 29 April).

• Click here for an overview of SU's scores.
  

The QS World University Rankings by Subject is compiled annually and aims to provide a useful resource for prospective students worldwide, who are seeking to identify the most prestigious and influential institutions in their chosen subject of study. Institutions are scored according to academic reputation; employer reputation; and research impact.

Among the seven South African institutions (UCT, Wits, UP, UKZN, Rhodes and UJ) that took part in the latest rankings, SU consistently remained in the top five – scoring first position in Agriculture and Forestry; second in Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Mathematics, third in Medicine, Environmental Sciences, Development Studies and Geography and fourth in English Language & Literature as well as Law.

On an overall international level, SU is ranked in the following positions, performing best in Development Studies at #46; followed by Agriculture & Forestry - #51-100; English Language & Literature - #151-200; Geography - #151-200; Law - #151-200; Biological Sciences - #251-300; Medicine - #251-300; Environmental Sciences - #251-300; Chemistry - #301-350; and Mathematics - #301-350.

"Rankings can be problematic in certain respects, but they are the global academic currency of our time. The achievement is however a clear indication that Stellenbosch University is indeed a world-class institution that can compete with the best in the international arena. I would go as far as saying that the SU brand is still undervalued. The achievement is also an endorsement of the academic and research excellence of an institution that has distinguished itself as an active and relevant role player in a global context," SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wim de Villiers said.

"All credit should go to our hardworking staff and students," he added. "I believe that with the support of our stakeholders – government, parents, alumni, donors and research partners – we shall remain a relevant international player."

According to correspondence from QS Ranking, they have evaluated 3 551 universities, qualified 2 186 and ranked 894 institutions in total. Furthermore over 100 million citations attributions were analysed and the provision of over 14 000 programs were verified.

• For more information on the QS World University Rankings visit: www.topuniversities.com

​MORE ABOUT STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY

SU, which celebrates its centenary in 2018, is one of the oldest universities in South Africa. With its 10 faculties (AgriSciences, Economic and Management Sciences, Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering, Military Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Science, Education, Law and Theology), it boasts the highest weighted research output per full-time academic staff member of all South African universities and the second-highest number of scientists in South Africa who have been ranked by the National Research Foundation (NRF) – 306 in 2012. 

With 18 research chairs under the NRF South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChi), the University is regarded as a leader in the fields of biomedical tuberculosis research and management, wine biotechnology, animal sciences and mathematical biosciences. Another SARChi chair, in the field of invasion biology, is shared between SU and the University of Venda. This constitutes but one of SU's many partnerships, both local and international. As preferred research partner, SU also participates in various international academic networks. The institution has over 150 bilateral partners in 42 countries on 6 continents and 4 000 international students which make up 14% of the student body.

Did you know it takes as little as three minutes to commit a theft?​

Follow these tips to NOT become a victim of theft:

• Lock your residence's door when you leave your room, if only for three minutes.
• Windows must be closed when leaving rooms. Windows with burglar bars should also be closed, especially on the ground floor.
• Avoid leaving valuable items close to open windows.
• Get to know your fellow residents.
• Avoid giving unknown individuals access to your residence.
• Access cards should not be lent out. If your card is lost or stolen, cancel the card immediately.
• Valuable items such as cell phones and laptops should not be left unsupervised, especially in public areas.
• Keep a record of your property's serial numbers. Write it down and/or take a photograph.

Report any suspicious people, with a good description, to Campus Security immediately. Memorize the emergency numbers of Campus Security, 021 808-2333 (Stellenbosch) and 021 938-9507 (Tygerberg). Or send a whatsapp message  082 808 2333.

South African online users must rethink their online password strategy – or they may expose themselves to becoming victims of cyber criminals. Only one in every five local computer users actually regularly changes their passwords, even though most are aware that they should do so. This is according to Prof Rika Butler of the School of Accountancy at Stellenbosch University, and Mr Martin Butler of the Stellenbosch University Business School, who analysed an online survey investigating South Africans' password practices.

The survey was completed by more than 900 South African online users. It highlighted a marked difference between users' perception, their actual knowledge about password safety and what happens in reality.

It showed that although 70% of South African computer users are aware that they should regularly change their passwords, alarmingly only 23% actually do so. In addition, local computer users rate convenience as being more important than actual online safety when choosing new passwords.

The survey is also the first to show that South African online consumers are generally overoptimistic about what they know about cybersecurity. "South Africans overestimate their ability to behave securely in an online environment," say the Butlers.

The survey further shows that:

• 65% of users are not exactly sure what a 'strong' (and therefore safe) password is;
• Only 11% of users can distinguish between more and less secure passwords;
• Even though 75% of users believe they employ safe password practices, only 50% (one in every two users) in fact do so; and 
• Not even hearing about security breaches in the media or from friends, or being on the receiving end of a security breach results in a password change.

Users employ weak password practices such as:

• Using information that is meaningful or can be associated with the user;
• Not using a combination of upper and lower case alphabetical and numerical characters when creating password;
• Re-using previous passwords;
• Simultaneously using a password for more than one purpose;
• Sharing passwords;
• Writing passwords down; or
• Keeping passwords in electronic lists that are not password-protected.

"The survey highlights the disparity between what users know and perceive about password safety on the one hand, and what they actually do about it on the other," says Prof. Rika Butler. "Failing to be password savvy could result in frustration, embarrassment and even financial losses when computer users fall prey to cyber criminals."

It was also found that certain users lack security-related knowledge, while others often overestimate their password abilities or underestimate their vulnerability.

"Online users often apply unsafe practices because they suffer from 'password overload' stemming from the need to authenticate themselves online in so many spheres of their lives," says Mr Martin Butler. "They then rather choose convenience above safety when choosing and managing passwords."

The two academics are now preparing recommended guidelines that South Africans can use to ensure a safer online experience. They advise that users should:

• Vary the complexity of a password to match the purpose of the password. Choose more secure passwords for higher risk sites, such as for internet banking;
• Use passphrases that are longer and easier to remember. A passphrase includes words (or phrases) and numbers, both upper case and lower case letters as well as special characters. (For example: Iamthe#1passwOrdcreatOr);
• Become more informed, vigilant and aware of the risks and vulnerabilities when interacting via the internet; and
• Pay attention to security indicators and warnings posed by computer systems.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A lecturer at Stellenbosch University (SU) who allegedly made racist remarks via SMS towards a student at the University, has been temporarily relieved of his duties. The University views the matter in a very serious light as any such remarks or types of behaviour are unacceptable and not in line with the University's values.

The necessary steps in accordance with the University's formal disciplinary procedures have been initiated and the matter will be handled decisively and fair. A Committee of Preliminary Investigation will now investigate the allegations and the University will act in accordance with the committee's findings.   This may include a hearing followed by appropriate sanction. At this stage It is premature to speculate on the possible outcomes of the investigation and resulting sanctions.

The student who laid the complaint, has been notified accordingly via e-mail. 

Staff and students can report incidents of discrimination to the Ethics Hotline or to the Ombudsman. The ethics hotline is managed independently by Deloitte. If preferred, statement can be made anonymously. The ​Ethics Hotline can by reached at 0800 204 549 (tel), 0800 007 788 (fax), sun@ethics-line.com (e-mail) or visit www.tip-offs.com. The University’s Ombudsman is Prof Julian Sonn – tel 0828072994 , e-mail ombudsman@sun.ac.za.