The March graduation ceremonies at Stellenbosch University (SU) concludes the 2015 academic year, and it is now clear that two significant academic records have been set: the most qualifications to be awarded, 7 857, including a record number of doctoral degrees, 266.
During this week's graduation ceremonies, 139 doctorates will be awarded as part of the 2015 academic year. This brings the total number of doctorates for the 2015 academic year to 266, which is the most doctorates ever for an academic year at the University. Of the 266 doctoral degrees, 39% will be awarded to coloured, black and Indian candidates, 59% to women and 71% to South African citizens.
A total of 2 833 students will be rewarded for their hard work at seven ceremonies from Monday 14 to Thursday 17 March 2016. Taken together with the 5 024 qualifications awarded in December 2015, this is also a new record for SU.
The qualifications will be awarded at seven ceremonies this week. Five will take place at the Coetzenburg Centre, while the doctoral degrees will be awarded in the Endler Hall at the Conservatoire in Victoria Street.
One honorary doctorate will be awarded – to the award-winning psychologist and Nobel prize winner Prof Daniel Kahneman. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil), honoris causa, will be awarded to him in recognition of his "thought-provoking research on the human response to uncertainty, which is integral to Stellenbosch University's institutional journey towards transformation and the fostering of thought leaders for the future." The degree will be awarded in absentia on Thursday.
At graduation ceremonies the University also gives recognition to its foremost academics. This week's recipients of the Chancellor's Award are Professors Petri Meyer (Faculty of Engineering), Stephanus Muller (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences), as well as Helmut Prodinger and Dave Richardson (both of the Faculty of Science).
Among the recipients on Monday 14 March 2016 will be the first group of students in South Africa to receive the degree MSc Sustainable Agriculture.
Graduation Ceremonies:
- Monday 14 March, 10:00, Coetzenburg Centre: AgriSciences, Science, Engineering and Theology
- Tuesday 15 March, 10:00, Coetzenburg Centre: Economic and Management Sciences: PGDip Business Management and Admin, PGDip Dispute Resolution, PGDip Leadership, PGDip HIV/Aids Management, PGDip Development Finance, PGDip Project Management, PGDip Futures Studies, PGDip Sustainable Development, BPAHons, MPhil (Management Coaching, HIV/Aids Management, Environmental Management, Development Finance, Futures Studies, Sustainable Development), MPA, MBA, BAcc, BAccLLB, BAccHons and MAcc
- Tuesday 15 March, 17:00, Coetzenburg Centre: Medicine and Health Sciences, Law, Education and Military Science
- Wednesday 16 March, 10:00, Endler Hall: Doctoral degrees in Science, Engineering, AgriSciences, and Economic and Management Sciences Wednesday 16 March, 14:00, Endler Hall: Doctoral degrees in Arts and Social Sciences, Education, Theology, Law, and Medicine and Health Sciences
- Wednesday 16 March, 17:00, Coetzenburg Centre: Economic and Management Sciences: PGDip Actuarial Science, PGDip Marketing, PGDip Financial Planning, BCom (including LLB), BComHons, MCom and MPhil (all fields of study not listed at the 2nd graduation ceremony, 15 March)
- Thursday 17 March, 10:00, Coetzenburg Centre: Arts and Social Sciences and honorary degree
Parking in Stellenbosch
Heavy traffic is expected on all the main roads to Stellenbosch as well as in town. Graduates, parents and friends are kindly requested to arrive early to avoid traffic jams and to ensure parking spots. Graduates with disabilities or injured or sick graduates who cannot move on the stage, should contact Ms Nikki Malan at 021 808 3729 or email nikkimalan@sun.ac.za to make special arrangements.
