Sometimes all you need is a helping hand on your way to success. And just because you weren't successful on your very first try, does not mean you're a failure. Just ask former SciMathUS students Matlakala Claudia Ntsapi and Luxolo Dywili. They were among the more than 2 700 Maties who received their well-earned degrees and diplomas at Stellenbosch University's (SU) March 2015 graduation ceremonies.
Ntsapi, who obtained her MSc degree in Science and Dywili, who received his B Accounting degree, also count among 17 SciMathUS (Science and Mathematics at Stellenbosch University) alumni who graduated at SU this year.
The year-long SciMathUS bridging programme helps students from educationally disadvantaged communities to gain access to higher education and also prepares them for success in their tertiary studies. Students follow one of two curricula: Mathematics and Physical Sciences and rewrite the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination in both subjects; or Mathematics and Introduction into Financial Accounting and Introduction in Economics and rewrite the NSC examination in Mathematics. The other two subjects are offered and assessed by SU.
"I am proud to say that SciMathUS was well-represented at this year's graduation ceremonies. Of the 17 graduates, one received a PhD degree, three got their Masters' degrees, two Honours degrees and several graduated with B degrees," says the programme's Anneke Müller.
Students may apply for SciMathUS if they have passed Grade 12 with a minimum of 50% in Afrikaans or English, a minimum of 45% in Mathematics and 45% in Physical Sciences, or 80% in Mathematical Literacy and 50% in any four of the subjects designated for university admission. The programme follows a hybrid problem-based learning model of teaching. Students receive instruction in not only core subjects but also in language, computer and thinking skills.
Ntsapi, who is currently busy with her PhD, says the unlimited support and motivation she received on an educational and personal level during the year-long programme, contributed to her success. "SciMathUS has given me a second chance to get the Maths and Science marks I needed to be accepted into the study programme of my choice, and ultimately, it opened the door to a world I never knew outside of the community I lived in, where my future prospects were bleak at best."
Her advice to learners who do not get accepted for tertiary studies the first time around is also clear. "Do not dwell on your past failure in your matric year. As time passes, you will soon come to realise that failure is only a temporary change in direction to set you straight for an even greater journey of success. We all ultimately reach our goals, but how we go about reaching those goals may not be the same, nor will it take the same time."
For Dywili, the SciMathUS programme proved that there's always hope in the face of adversity. "I have seen how I can rise above my circumstances and I have also observed some of my peers who probably had it harder than me, succeed. SciMathUS students personify resilience. I have learned never to be satisfied with mediocrity and to always strive to be the best that I can be."
Dywili plans on tackling an Honours degree next year and says he wants other students to realise that "all you ever need is within you. I heard those words for the first time at SciMathUS and they still guide me up to this day".
"SciMathUS students who succeed in this programme and then in higher education, should all be commended. A programme can offer the best opportunities but if the students do not make the most if it, it is offered in vain," says Müller.
According to Müller, SciMathUS has helped more than 1 100 students since 2001 to complete the programme successfully. On average, 75% of each cohort enrols at SU for their first year. So far, 139 students have completed their degrees here in disciplines ranging from medicine, engineering, agriculture, as well as various programmes in natural sciences and economic and management sciences. Almost a third of these students have also completed their postgraduate studies.
"The SciMathUS class of 2014 earned 11 A symbols in Mathematics and 6 in Physical Sciences. The subject average was 66% for Mathematics and 65% for Physical Sciences. And 51 out of 71 students did the same in Physical Sciences (22 students took Accounting rather than Physical Sciences). The group's average increased with 15 percentage points in each of the subjects. The biggest individual improvement in Mathematics was 39 percentage points while the biggest improvement in Physical Science is 38 percentage points. The top achiever in Mathematics achieved 87% while the top achiever in Physical Sciences got 95%. Of this class, 83% enrolled at SU in 2015," Müller adds.
- Photo 1: Luxolo Dywili
For more information on the SciMathUS programme:
- Visit their website or Facebook page.
