RHODES CELEBRATES SUCCESS OF GRADUATES
Of the 2,321 Rhodes University students and candidates who received their degrees and diplomas at the university’s six graduation ceremonies over three days last week, 61% were women and 19% were international students.
The graduation venue was the edifice on Gunfire Hill, at the 1820 Settlers National Monument, and its Guy Butler Theatre was packed at each of the six ceremonies with graduating students and their parents and families.
On the vast stage of the auditorium sat scores of gown-clad academics, creating a colourful backdrop to the capping proceedings, and thunderous applause and cheering accompanied the formalities.
Among those making their way onto the stage were 89 PhD candidates, whose number included a 77-year-old botanist who received her PhD in botany, Yvette van Wijk.
The university celebrated a new record of 30 PhD degrees for the Faculty of Humanities, up from the previous record of 26 achieved in 2018.
The faculty of science produced 38 PhD graduates, the faculty of education 16, the faculty of commerce three, and the faculty of pharmacy two.
During 2019’s graduation ceremonies, Rhodes also conferred five honorary doctorates upon Professor Ian Scott, Professor Glenda Gray, Professor Emeritus George Ellis, Professor Pumla Gobo-Madikizela and Chief Oyenike Okundaye.
Rhodes vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela said during proceedings that the graduation ceremonies were important highlights on the university calendar, affording it a special opportunity to recognise, honour and celebrate the academic success and achievements of the new graduates.
Mabizela said: “On behalf of our chancellor, council and the entire Rhodes University community, I offer our warmest congratulations to each one of you – our graduands – on your wonderful achievements.”
In a bid to make education accessible and inspire pupils, Rhodes live-streamed the graduation ceremonies to Makhanda schools.
Aimed at grade 11 and 12 pupils, the initiative started in 2018.
“We are very excited about pioneering this vital educational initiative,” said communications and advancement director Luzuko Jacobs.
Graduating students studied for their degrees and diplomas at the faculties of education, humanities, pharmacy, law, commerce, science and social sciences.
Rhodes University is the smallest university in SA and enjoys the best undergraduate pass and graduation rates of any South African university, also boasting the best research outputs per academic staff member in the country.