"We believe in our product. We also take pride in the achievements of our alumni."
This was the message by the Dean of Economic and Management Sciences, Prof Johann de Villiers, at an alumni networking event held at Stellenbosch on 4 September.
The event also served as the launch of a bursary fund, the Dean's fund, to which alumni can contribute.
With some 4 230 undergraduate students, Economic and Management Sciences is the largest faculty at Stellenbosch University (SU).
Discussing the priorities of the Faculty, Prof De Villiers said these include broadening access to degree programmes, enhancing excellence in both research and student success rate, and making an impact on society.
To make programmes accessible to more students, the Faculty has been increasing the number of undergraduate programmes offered in English and Afrikaans. Currently three programmes are taught in both languages from the first to the final year.
"The Faculty is also committed to maximizing the success rate of our students and produce graduates well-equipped to serve their business community. We would therefore like to make it easier for our top undergraduate students to focus on their studies without being concerned about finances," Prof De Villiers explained.
Since 2012, the Faculty has made R3 million of its own funds available and has provided 74 undergraduate students with top-up bursaries to help cover both class and accommodation fees.
"By helping to remove the obstacle of finances and boost student success, we also help build a future source of supply for our postgraduate programmes."
However, the Faculty's current investment is not sufficient to meet students' growing financial needs. In order to continue strengthening the student pool and attract the best possible students from across the country, a Dean's Fund has been established for the Faculty. It is aimed at academically deserving and financially needy students and is supported by grants from donors and alumni.
"As an alumnus/a it is within your power to create the opportunity for a dedicated student to enrol in one of our programmes," Prof De Villiers told the audience. "You can help the next generation of business people by supporting the Dean's Fund."
Ms Bev Witten, Senior Director for Alumni Relations added, "It was an honour to co-host this event with the faculty and we fully support this initiative, encouraging our alumni and friends to contribute towards the Dean's Fund helping give other students the opportunity to share in the SU experience."
For more information about the Dean's Fund, or of ways in which to support student success through the Fund, please contact:
- Mr Hugo Steyn, tel. 021 808 3615, e-mail hugos@sun.ac.za or
- Mr Khaya Jack, tel. 021 808 9262, e-mail kjack@sun.ac.za.
Photo caption:
Prof Johann de Villiers, present Dean of the Economic and Management Sciences Faculty, Ms Bev Witten, Senior Director: Alumni Relations and Mr Thys du Toit, Chairman of the Stellenbosch Trust, attended the networking event.
