On Tuesday evening (14 May), prospective students from Cape Town's Southern Suburbs got a taste of what to expect should they choose Stellenbosch University (SU) as their academic home next year. About 700 prospective students and their parents attended the Rector's Information Evening on Tuesday held at Islamia College in Rondebosch East, where staff members from various SU faculties and support services were on hand to answer questions about fields of study, entrance requirements, student fees and housing, bursaries and loans.
Prof Russel Botman, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU, told parents: "I know that every parent wants what is best for his or her child and it's only natural that you will constantly be thinking, 'Am I doing the right thing?'. I'm here to reassure you, Stellenbosch University is the best choice, for your child and for the 'return' that you will be getting on your investment."
To the prospective students at Tuesday's event, Prof Botman said: "You might be wondering whether Stellenbosch is the place for you. I want to tell you, 'Yes it is!' At Stellenbosch you will get a top education to lay the foundation for a successful career one day and you will get a unique student experience that is simply not available anywhere else." He assured them that when it comes time to apply for jobs once they've received their degrees, they can do so with confidence. "We provide a degree that can speak for you in your absence, a degree that speaks of quality."
Prof Botman also took the opportunity to highlight some of the University’s successes. "We are number one in Africa on the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities. This ranking is based on an evaluation of universities' web presence. We're also on three other major global rankings - the QS World University Ranking, The Times Higher Education World University Ranking, and the Leiden Ranking. According to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Stellenbosch also has the highest weighted research output per fulltime-equivalent academic staff member of all universities in South Africa."
Prospective students and their parents were told that SU’s undergraduate success rate of 84% is among the highest in South Africa. Nationally only 50% of all students make it to their second year, but SU's first-year throughput rate has for the past six years been on average 87%. “How do we manage this?” Prof Botman asked. "We do this by providing strong academic support. We set the pace among universities with our First-year Academy – it’s a virtual academy, not in a building somewhere – it is in every faculty and department and students are supported by academic staff, tutors, mentors and support staff.”
Prof Botman stressed that the Southern Suburbs area is important to Stellenbosch. "In 2011, 637 former learners of the schools here tonight were studying at Maties. By this year, that number had grown to 680. We feel honoured that the community has placed its trust in Stellenbosch. I believe after tonight we will grow that number even higher for 2014."
He also told them about SU's recent decision to offer all classes also in English. "This will make the University more accessible and allow students greater choice. Being exposed to a broad spectrum of people and ideas prepares you to become a critical global citizen, a thought leader of the 21st century," he said.
Lance van Rooy, the 2012 SU-JIP Matriculant of the Year winner who is currently studying Law at Su, also got the opportunity to tell of his experiences as a Matie. Van Rooy, one of five siblings raised by a single mother under difficult financial circumstances, says the bursaries he received have opened a whole new world for him. "I'm a proud Matie and I feel priviliged. I'm having a blast at my residence (Dagbreek) and the support system has been amazing. I can assure you, Stellenbosch University always goes the extra mile.
"Stellenbosch is a world-class institution, it was my first choice and I hope it will be yours too," he concluded.
- Interested in becoming a Matie? For more information contact the Centre for Prospective Students on tel: +27 21 808 9111, e-mail: info@sun.ac.za or visit the website: http://www.maties.com/under-graduate-prospectus.html.
