Alumni in Namibia hear of SU's exciting new chapter

Stellenbosch University (SU) alumni in Namibia recently got firsthand information of the latest developments at their alma mater when Prof Russel Botman, Rector and Vice-Chancellor and Prof Tobie de Koning, Chief Director: Strategic Initiatives and Human Resources, visited Swakopmund and Windhoek.

SU's Alumni Relations Office invited all alumni to attend discussions on the University’s Vision 2030 to stay relevant in the 21st century. The events took place at the Swakopmund Hotel on 9 July where Prof De Coning addressed attendees and also at the Windhoek Country Club on 11 July where Prof Botman was the speaker. A networking event followed each discussion, giving alumni an opportunity to connect with one another. 

"Stellenbosch University is taking a new course. Our aim is to train thought leaders for the future. On 29 April 2013, the Council of Stellenbosch University approved Management's Institutional Intention and Strategy for 2013 to 2018, an action plan for the transformation of SU into a future-fit and globally competitive institution. Our Vision 2030 is for the University to become more inclusive, innovative and future-oriented and the realisation of this vision is supported by three main strategic priorities, namely broadening access, sustaining th​e momentum on excellence and enhancing societal impact," Prof Botman said. 

In the interest of broadening access, a fully bilingual academic offering will be provided through extended use of parallel-medium tuition and educational interpreting. This will enable SU to be completely accessible to English-speaking students, while also strengthening the position of Afrikaans. This language model will open up new​ opportunities to renew and expand our programme offering and to enter new markets. In line with the latest trends in education glob​ally, SU will be relying on the use of advanced learning and teaching technology. 

Prof Botman also told attendees that Maties is now officially one of the best universities in the world and also Africa's research leader. "For the past two years in a row, we broke into four global rankings, the QS World University Ranking, Times Higher Education World University Ranking; the Leiden Ranking and the Webometric Ranking of World Universities. Earlier this year, for the fourth consecutive time, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) acknowledged us as the university with the highest weighted research output per fulltime academic staff member in the country," Prof Botman said.

He also encouraged alumni to give deserving students a chance to become members of the SU alumni community. "As a university, we have an obligation to help those who come to us brim-full of talent and passion, but with empty pockets. We have found that alumni have been particularly supportive with bursary funds, affording the next generation the same opportunities they had. My call to you tonight is to pledge a bursary donation. You would be welcome to specify that it should go to Namibian students."

"Our alumni are found all over the world and Namibia is no exception. Alumni attended from all sectors and based on their professional profiles they have certainly done us proud," said SU Alumni Relations Manager, Mr Fahim Docrat. "SU is a very welcoming place to be, especially now during these exciting times when we find that the university has invested heavily in its commitment to maintaining its standing as a centre of academic excellence," he added.

​

Namibia is SU’s top source of international students with the majority of undergraduate students enrolled in Engineering, Medicine, BComm and Humanities programmes.