Stellenbosch University’s (SU) new rector and vice-chancellor’s vision for the university centres around holistic transformation. This was according to Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, during a recent lunch-hour conversation.
SMF News attended the session on 14 April, hosted by the Frederik van Zyl Slabbert (FVZS) Institute for Student Leadership Development, which was held in the Adam Small Theatre.
The panel members of the lunch-hour conversation held at the Adam Small Theatre on 14 April. From left to right: Nopi Mubaiwa, citizen engagement coordinator for the Frederik van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership Development, Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, Stellenbosch University’s (SU) new vice-chancellor and rector, and Jan-Hendrik Pretorius, PhD student in economics at SU and host of the podcast, Vice-Chancellors Unplugged: Candid Conversations Beyond the Title. Issues tackled in this discussion included the Israel and Palestine conflict, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, and language policies within SU. SMF News was in attendance. PHOTO: Annemieke Thomaidis
“On various kinds of ranking bodies, Stellenbosch University comes out as one of the leading research intensive universities on the African continent,” said Ramjugernath. “[But] we have to be bolder.”
In sharing his vision for SU, Ramjugernath highlighted three interrelated focus areas that, he believes, will achieve holistic transformation, extending impact beyond traditional teaching and learning.
These foci are “academic excellence”, “our people, our culture, our processes”, and “sustainability and partnerships”, said Ramjugernath, during the event. He said that it involves a student-centred approach, focused on increasing graduate employability, tackling the issue of equitable access, and creating a supportive environment and culture.
“Ultimately, we can talk about all the wonderful things that we do in teaching and learning, the number of graduates we produce, the type of research that we undertake, but it is not meaningful unless it has societal impact,” said Ramjugernath. “That’s where I’m pushing us as a university.”
Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, Stellenbosch University’s (SU) new rector and vice-chancellor, shared his vision for the university, which, he said, involves three interlinked foci, namely “academic excellence”, “our people, our culture, our processes”, and “sustainability and partnerships”. SMF News was in attendance. PHOTO: Annemieke Thomaidis
“I came with no expectations, honestly, but I was actually blown away by how open and mindful Prof Deresh was of us and his students,” said Francisca Darkoh, an MSc (Physiological Sciences) student at SU, and FVZS Institute facilitator.
“Emails are one thing, videos are one thing, but actually sitting here, listening to the person,” said Darkoh. “It’s easy for you to take it as a conversation.”
A glimpse into new podcast: Vice-Chancellors Unplugged
Audience members also got a glimpse into a newly-launched podcast series by the FVZS Institute.
The new podcast is titled Vice-Chancellors Unplugged: Candid Conversations Beyond the Title, according to Heidi October, head of the FVZS Institute and deputy director for the Centre for Student Leadership, Experiential Education, and Citizenship.
The Frederik van Zyl Slabbert (FVZS) Institute for Student Leadership Development is launching a new podcast series titled Vice-Chancellors Unplugged: Candid Conversations Beyond the Title, which aims to “introduce the human being behind the official leader role”, said Heidi October, head of the FVZS Institute and deputy director for the Centre for Student Leadership, Experiential Education, and Citizenship at Stellenbosch University. AUDIO: Annemieke Thomaidis
“The reason for this podcast is to really create a […] space for students and staff across South Africa to get to know the newest vice-chancellors of Stellenbosch University, University of Pretoria, University of the Western Cape, University of the Free State, and the University of Cape Town,” said Nopi Mubaiwa, citizen engagement coordinator for the FVZS Institute.
The pre-recorded podcast is set to be released on 28 April, said Mubaiwa.