Graduation season at Rhodes University, which kicked off on 11 April, will see 2 321 students receiving their degrees and diplomas in six ceremonies spread over three days.
This year, the University will cap 89 PhD candidates, which includes a 77-year-old Botanist, Yvette Van Wijk, who will be receiving her PhD in Botany.
The University is celebrating a new record of 30 PhD degrees for the Faculty of Humanities, up from the previous record of 26 achieved last year. The Faculty of Science has produced 38 PhD graduates, the Faculty of Commerce 3, the Faculty of Education 16, and the Faculty of Pharmacy has produced 2 PhDs. 61 percent of the graduating students are women and over 19 percent of the graduates are international students.
Dr Sizwe Mabizela, Rhodes University’s Vice Chancellor said: “Graduation ceremonies are an important highlight in our University calendar. They afford us a special opportunity to recognise, honour and celebrate the academic success and achievements our new graduates. On behalf of our Chancellor, Council and the entire Rhodes University community, I offer our warmest and proud congratulations to each one of you, our graduands, on your wonderful achievements”.
In this year’s graduation ceremonies, Rhodes University will also confer five honorary degrees on highly eminent individuals in recognition and celebration of their extraordinary lifetime achievements and contributions in a field of knowledge or scholarship, in public service or in artistic creation. These distinguished women and men are: Prof Ian Scott, Prof Glenda Gray, Professor Emeritus George Ellis, Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, and Chief Oyenike Okundaye.”, Dr Mabizela added.
Rhodes University is the smallest University in South Africa and enjoys the best undergraduate pass and graduation rates of any South African university. The University also has the best research outputs per academic staff member in the country. The University takes pride in its motto, Where Leaders Learn, and producing graduates who are knowledgeable intellectuals, skilled professionals, and critical, caring and compassionate citizens who can contribute to economic and social development and an equitable, just and democratic society.