Proud day for UWC graduates

THE University of the Western Cape (UWC) will confer 55 doctoral degrees at its spring graduation ceremony tomorrow.

In total more than 620 degrees, diplomas and certificates will be awarded. These include 55 doctoral degrees, 108 masters degrees, 64 honours degrees, 243 undergraduate degrees, and 71 diplomas and certificates.

Visually impaired student Matthys Johannes Odendal will obtain his PhD in Linguistics. In his research titled “Beyond the glass ceiling: Towards a multi-sensorial definition of functional literacy”, he explored the challenges to theories of literacy emerging out of how the visually impaired engage with “texts” and think about their literacy, exercise “functional literacy”, and orientate themselves in the world generally.

He said his purpose was to create awareness about people with visual disability as through his research he had found that there were limited opportunities for them.

Among the PhD graduates is Usisipho Feleni from Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape.

She developed a smart electro-phenotype tamoxifen biosensor (b-Cancerphenosens) to determine a patient’s complete response profile to tamoxifen, the most prescribed breast cancer treatment drug.

UWC’s rector and vicechancellor, Professor Tyrone Pretorius, said: “I hope that UWC has contributed positively to shaping your character, your values, your morals and your decisions.

“Continue to make us proud as you design the next chapter of your life.”