Two computer science students who graduated on Monday morning (14 March) at Stellenbosch University's (SU) first March 2016 graduation ceremony, demonstrate how the institution is realising its strategic goals to be inclusive, innovative and future focused.
Willem Venter, a visually-impaired student, received his master's degree in computer science, while Hanno Schreiber developed software for the first electronic sign language dictionary as part of his final-year honours project.
The two were among 625 students from the Faculties of AgriSciences, Science, Engineering and Theology who received their well-earned degrees at the first of five March undergraduate ceremonies. There will also be two doctoral ceremonies.
Besides succeeding in his studies, Willem also sang in the SU choir and played goalball for Maties as well as at a provincial level during his time in Stellenbosch.
Schreiber, in turn, teamed up with the dictionary expert, Dr Hanelle Fourie Blair, to give shape to the first theoretical model of an electronic sing language dictionary for foundation phase learners which she developed for her doctoral thesis in lexicography in 2014.
The multimedia electronic dictionary functions without the principle of a specific source language or target language. In other words, users can search the dictionary by means of a picture, a sign or a word – each search method will lead to exactly the same result. The picture search method also implies that the user does not have to be literate in sign or written language to be able to use the dictionary. Click here to read more about this project.
Asked for comment, Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, congratulated both students.
"Becoming more inclusive by broadening access to SU is one our strategic objectives. Disability is part of this objective, and also of our other goals – which are to become more innovative through excellence, and more future focused by making a greater impact on society. Willem has shown that disability need not be a barrier to academic excellence, and Hanno has demonstrated how we meet societal needs through research and innovation. We are very proud of them," he said.
(Complete English to follow soon)
Ook onder die graduandi was Busi Mahlobo, Sakeus Kafula, Tshepo Morokong and Zander Venter, almal deel van die eerste groep studente in Suid-Afrika om die graad MSc in Volhoubare Landbou te behaal. In Desember 2015, het Tawanda Marandure die voortou geneem deur die eerste student te word om hierdie graad te behaal.
Dié studente het almal in 2014 ingeskryf toe die MSc-program in Volhoubare Landbou van stapel gestuur is. Dit is ʼn inisiatief tussen die Fakulteit Agriwetenskappe aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch, Wageningen Universiteit Navorsing in Nederland, en Conservation South Africa. Lees meer oor die program hier.
Prof Dave Richardson van die Fakulteit Natuurwetenskappe en prof Petri Meyer van die Fakulteit Ingenieurswese het elkeen 'n Kanselierstoekenning ontvang.
- Foto: Hanno Schreiber (links) en Willem Venter. Fotograaf: Stefan Els
