It gives me immense joy and profound honour to welcome you, our new students, to Rhodes University. Each one of you has worked hard, persevered through challenges, and made sacrifices to be here. This is now your university - your academic home for the next few years.

If you have been eagerly anticipating the beginning of this new chapter in your life, know that we, too, have awaited your arrival with great excitement. You are about to embark on a transformative journey – one of discovery, learning, growth and new possibilities. This marks the start of an adventure that will shape not only your own future, but also that of our society and the world beyond our university.

You join us at a particularly significant moment in Rhodes University’s history. Having recently celebrated 120 years of pioneering scholarship, critical thought, and societal impact, we move forward with renewed energy and purpose. Yet, we do so in a world that is evolving at an unprecedented pace –a world defined by the rapid advancement in artificial intelligence, the urgent realities of climate change, growing global inequalities, and an ever-pressing call for social justice. In such a time, our mission as a university is not only to prepare you for the future but to empower you to help shape that future with wisdom, courage, and integrity.

Rhodes University continues to be recognised nationally and internationally for its academic excellence, research impact, and commitment to the public good. Even as undergraduate students, you will be taught and mentored by scholars who are leaders in their fields of research and innovation, individuals who generate new knowledge, challenge existing paradigms, and contribute to global debates of consequence. You have chosen wisely in joining an institution that is small enough to know you personally, yet strong, distinguished, and globally respected enough to offer an educational experience comparable to the best in the world.

Here, you will be nurtured and challenged in equal measure.

Beyond developing technical expertise, our aspiration is to cultivate in you the qualities of a life-long learner, a critical and creative thinker, an ethical leader, a digitally capable graduate, and a compassionate global citizen. These attributes will
enable you not only to navigate an unpredictable world but to shape it in ways that advance justice, sustainability, and human flourishing.

University life, however, is about far more than the pursuit of knowledge. It is about the people you meet, the ideas you engage with, and the experiences that will broaden your horizons. You will encounter peers from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives — each with their own lived experiences, stories and insights. Embrace this diversity. Engage deeply, listen generously, and learn from one another. Build relationships, debate ideas, test your convictions and remain open to different ways of seeing the world. It is through these encounters that we grow in empathy and understanding and discover what it means to be fully human.

AT RHODES UNIVERSITY, WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN BEING A COMMUNITY
GROUNDED IN RESPECT, DIGNITY, AND CARE.

There is no place here for intolerance, prejudice, discrimination, or harm of any kind. We are committed to ensuring that every member of our community can thrive in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. But remember that with freedom comes responsibility. The choices you make in your studies, in your conduct, and in your relationships will shape your own life and influence the lives of those around you.

We recognise that the transition to university can be both exhilarating and daunting.
You may at times feel uncertain, challenged, or even overwhelmed. Remember that you are not alone.

Our dedicated academic, professional, and support staff are here to walk this journey with you – to guide, mentor, and help you realise your potential. Make full use of the resources available to you: your lecturers, tutors, student advisors, counsellors, and the many enrichment opportunities that form part of the Rhodes University experience.

You hold in your hands both a privilege and a profound responsibility—many dream of the opportunity you now have. Honour the sacrifices that have made this possible by working hard, setting high standards for yourself, and striving to discover your purpose. Your time at Rhodes University is not only about personal achievement, but also about contributing to something greater than yourself - advancing knowledge, serving society, and helping to build a more just, humane, and sustainable world.

AS YOU BEGIN THIS JOURNEY, WE EXTEND OUR WARMEST WISHES FOR
YOUR SUCCESS. MAY YOUR YEARS AT RHODES UNIVERSITY INSPIRE YOU TO
GROW IN KNOWLEDGE, IN CHARACTER, AND IN VISION. MAY YOU LEAVE
THIS PLACE NOT ONLY WITH A DEGREE, BUT WITH A DEEPER SENSE OF WHO
YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE CALLED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORLD.

Welcome to a community of thinkers and dreamers, doers and leaders, innovators and change-makers. Welcome to a university where ideas flourish, where curiosity is nurtured, and where your future begins.

Above all, welcome to Rhodes University - where leaders learn!

Professor Sizwe Mabizela
Vice-Chancellor

Last Modified: Thu, 15 Jan 2026 19:52:55 SAST