Last week, Rhodes University hosted an evening on the Commercialisation of Research themed “Transforming ideas into impact”. Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships, Dr Nomakwezi Mzilikazi, Associate Professor and Head of Political and International Studies, Professor Siphokazi Magadla, Economics Professor and Head of Department, Professor Jen Snowball, distinguished guests, and students.

It is with great sadness that Rhodes University has learnt of the passing of the founder of Pick ‘n Pay and one of the University's esteemed honorary doctorate recipients, Dr Raymond Ackerman. Dr Ackerman was conferred with a Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) by Rhodes University in 1986, in recognition of his role as a foremost entrepreneur, a committed humanitarian and the immense contribution he made to business and society. In a ceremony comprising a multitude of individual celebrations of students' achievements, there was a collective celebration of the unique achievement of Dr Ackerman.

In a bold move to articulate its ambition in postgraduate education, Rhodes University hosted an event to encourage third-year students to apply for Honours studies. The event was held at the Barrat Lecture Theatre on 18 August 2023 and was hosted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor responsible for Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Dr Kwezi Mzilikazi.

Fifty-eight Rhodes University staff members were recognised at this year’s Vice-Chancellor and Thomas Alty Awards on 14 August 2023. This ceremony acknowledges staff members who have attained further qualifications within the last year, either through Rhodes University or an external institution.

The topic of women in leadership holds personal significance to many due to the pervasive patriarchal norms affecting societies worldwide.

For the first time in the history of Eastern Cape Intervarsity, Rhodes University emerged victorious at the 2023 tournament, beating the nearest competition by 16 points to take the winning spot from titleholders, Nelson Mandela University (NMU).

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thembi Nkadimeng called for a reduction of municipal councillors’ power in order to achieve good governance. The Minister was making a keynote address at Rhodes University during first day of week-long Student Representative Councilor’s (SRC) Leadership Week series.

Education is the real lever to transform our society. We are supposed to rediscover, discover, replant and plant because what matters the most is the seed that we plant, and with current crop of students, the country can harvest that. These were the sentiments shared by the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature Deputy Speaker, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, during the second day of the Student Representative Council (SRC) Leadership Week last night.

“Strijdom, you have tampered with the women, you have struck a rock, you will be crushed!” These are the words of the song composed by the women of 1956 as they staged a peaceful march to the Union Buildings on 09 August 1956 to confront the might of the ignominious apartheid regime that had enacted a law designed to extend the cruel and iniquitous ‘pass law’ to African women.

Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela has pleaded with the National Parliament to keep the Seat of the High Court in Makhanda. He highlighted the potential loss of jobs and destruction of livelihoods that could result from such a move.

Rhodes University’s international recognition was boosted last week when the South Korea Ambassador, His Excellency Chull-joo Park and administrative official, Jung In Myeong, visited Rhodes University.

Rhodes University is delighted to announce that Dr Nomakwezi Mzilikazi will assume her role as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships on 1 July 2023.

Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, welcomed 62 graduates to campus last week as they joined the University as part of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) programme.

Rhodes University’s Director of the Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation, Distinguished Professor Tebello Nyokong, has been selected as a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Rhodes University has come out strongly to re-affirm its decision not to participate in scientifically dubious and anti-transformation international university ranking systems.

At its fourth graduation ceremony on Thursday, 30 March 2023, at 14h30, Rhodes University will confer a degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) on its alumnus and Judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, Justice Mbuyiseli Russel Madlanga.

At its graduation ceremony on 29 March 2023, Rhodes University will confer a degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) on the Chairperson of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of state capture and Chief Justice of South Africa, Judge Raymond Mnyamezeli Zondo.

The Rhodes University community is saddened by the passing of one of its honorary doctorate recipients and the first Speaker of the National Assembly in the democratic South Africa, Dr Frene Ginwala. Dr Ginwala died on Thursday following a stroke.

Rhodes University recently bade farewell to one of its longest-serving staff members, outgoing Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation Professor Peter Clayton.

Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, last week hosted a legacy luncheon for the University bequestors at the Lagoon Beach Hotel, Cape Town

In its October postgraduate graduation, Rhodes University will bestow an honour of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) on journalist and anti-apartheid activist, Thenjiwe Mtintso. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela said the honour was in recognition and celebration of Mtintso’s long and sustained contribution as a dedicated freedom fighter and a committed gender activist.

Rhodes University constituencies converged at Mpekweni Beach Resort in Port Alfred from 12-14 August 2022 to deliberate and review the current Institutional Development Plan (IDP).

Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, today officiated the sod-turning ceremony to mark the commencement of a R90 million state-of-the-art building that will house a global Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation (INI).

Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, welcomed 61 graduates to campus this week as they joined the University as part of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) programme.

A delightful evening filled with laughter and smiles, with everyone interacting and conversing with one another. This week, Rhodes University hosted a dinner in honour of the visiting African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) special guest, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at the University of Ibadan: Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose and ARUA Secretary General, Professor Ernest Aryeetey.

As part of its continuing transformation agenda, Rhodes University has renamed two of its residences after two of South Africa’s struggle icons - Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu and Dr Hugh Masekela.

Rhodes University is pleased to announce that the applicants in the matter of Makhanda Against Mandates & Others v Rhodes University (Case no.: 124/2022) have elected to abandon their application in regard to the University's vaccine mandate.

As per tradition, Rhodes University recently hosted the 2022 VC's Distinguished Community Engagement Award Lecture by Professor Rod Walker.

For the second consecutive year, over 50 Gadra Matric School (GMS) alumni graduated from Rhodes University in a single graduation ceremony, which marks a significant milestone in the journey to transform education in Makhanda.

For the second time in over 100 years of its existence, Rhodes University will, on Friday 29 October 2021, host an exclusive graduation ceremony for Masters and Doctoral graduates. The virtual graduation will be the fourth since lockdown measures were implemented.

Rhodes University has joined other universities in the fight against COVID-19 by establishing an on-campus vaccination site situated at its Gavin Relly Postgraduate Village.

On its 72nd graduation ceremony on the 28th of April 2021, Rhodes University will confer a degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) on its alumnus and notable educator Mr William Smith.

On its 72nd graduation ceremony on the 28th of April 2021, Rhodes University will confer a degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) (honoris causa) on researcher in natural products chemistry, Professor Berhanu Abegaz.

On its 72nd graduation ceremony on the 28th of April 2021, Rhodes University will confer a degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) (honoris causa) on alumna and prolific author of fiction and non-fiction works, Dr Marguerite Poland.

On its 72nd graduation ceremony on the 28th of April 2021, Rhodes University will confer a degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) on community builder, Nontsikelelo Ntsiki Biko.

Rhodes University has appointed retired provincial Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Les Roberts as the University’s first Ombudsperson. His two-year appointment expires in 2022.

On its 72nd graduation ceremony on the 28th of April 2021, Rhodes University will confer a degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) on activist for political and human rights, Ms Mary de Haas.

On its 72nd graduation ceremony on the 28th of April 2021, Rhodes University will confer a degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) on African Court for Human Rights and People’s Rights Judge and Cricket South Africa’s Social Justice Ombudsman, Advocate Dumisa Buhle Ntsebeza SC.

In response to the COVID-19 context, the Centre for Higher Education, Research, Teaching and Learning (CHERTL), offered the annual Academic Orientation Programme (AOP) in a distance mode this year.

On behalf of our Chancellor, Council and the entire Rhodes University community, I offer you our warmest and proud congratulations on graduating with a Masters or PhD degree from Rhodes University. Without hard work, perseverance and a dogged determination, you would not have reached this important milestone in your academic pursuits.

Rhodes University’s Equity and Institutional Culture office recently hosted webinar sessions in commemoration of and closing off of Heritage Month. The two-day webinar series, themed “Connecting the past to the present”, saw different speakers presenting on several issues about the history of South Africa.

On Wednesday, 16 September 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation regarding the move from national Alert Level 2 to 1. In his speech, the President emphasised the need for the country to open the economy as a result of a significant decrease in COVID-19 infections and deaths, as well as the preparedness of our health system. However, he warned us not to lower our guard as we embrace the ‘new normal’, but to keep adhering to health and safety protocols and non-pharmaceutical interventions of wearing a face mask, washing our hands regularly with soap and water or a sanitiser and practising safe physical distancing at all times.

The unfortunate premature release on social media platforms of our pre-packaged 2020 virtual graduation ceremony video has caused justified and understandable consternation.

Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, our University was unable to hold its graduation ceremonies scheduled for April 2020. This denied us an opportunity to recognise and celebrate your hard-earned accomplishments in the way we have always done at Rhodes University.

Although the concept of remote teaching at Rhodes University is not new, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought this form of teaching and learning into focus.

Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizela, has pledged 33% of his salary - for three months - to the Covid-19 Relief Fund.

In the wake of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), where hand washing is one of the ways to avoid contracting the virus, South Africa is currently experiencing a nationwide shortage of hand sanitiser. In response to this dire need, a team of Rhodes University scientists has set up a lab to produce hand sanitiser.

Shaun Johnson, founding Executive Director of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation and dedicated member of Rhodes University’s Board of Governors, died at his home on Monday 24 February 2020, at the age of 60.

Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizela officially welcomed almost 100 first year local (Makhanda) students as part of the University’s ongoing initiative to create access for local communities into the University yesterday.

Rhodes University support staff members involved in the University’s Vulindlela programme are excited to welcome their children to Rhodes University this year. Seven learners whose guardians were involved in the programme produced exceptional matric results and have been accepted to enrol for their first year of studies at Rhodes University.

Rhodes University academics are assisting grade 11 Stutterheim High School pupil, Konwaba Putsu, to realise his dream. The 17-year-old Konwaba has aspirations of discovering what can be done to stop cancer from spreading in the body.

Rhodes University academics are assisting grade 11 Stutterheim High School pupil, Konwaba Putsu, to realise his dream.

Rhodes University’s leadership welcomed the newest group of staff members to the University on 13 November. The event provided a space for new and established staff members to meet and get to know one another.

Six Professors will deliver their inaugural lectures at Eden Grove Blue from May until September this year.

A TALENTED university graduate who was wasting away in a dead-end job when he nearly died in a life-changing shack fire

Professor Enyinna Nwauche’s highly anticipated book on traditional cultural expression in Africa has been published.

Rhodes University academic, administrative, and support staff recently gathered in Eden Grove Red to celebrate those who have been in service at the University for 10, 15, 25, and 35 years.

As part of Rhodes University’s Equity and Institutional Culture annual Disability Week, ability activist Chaeli Mycroft shared her inspiring story with the University.

Rhodes University held its 69th Annual Meeting of Convocation, together with its Annual General Meeting of the Old Rhodian Union at the Gavin Relly Postgraduate Village recently.

As the recipient of the 2018 Vice Chancellor’s Senior Distinguished Research Award, Professor Brett Pletschke presented a lecture on his research topic and findings on 14 August in the Eden Grove Blue lecture theatre.

Rhodes University today welcomes Dr ‘Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Student Affairs.

Social change begins with you - the people of Makana with rich histories, complex struggles and formidable resilience. Tapping into this deep well of stories and lived experiences is the core purpose of Rhodes University’s new Social Innovation Hub - a multi-faceted digital storytelling lab launched by the Rhodes University Community Engagement Division on the chilly evening of 25 June.

Rhodes University held its annual Vice-Chancellor and Thomas Alty Awards on 6 June this year. This award ceremony recognises staff who successfully completed an additional qualification either through Rhodes University or an external academic institution over the past year.

Professor Tally Palmer from the Institute for Water Research (IWR) has been announced as the recipient of the 2018 Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Award for Community Engagement, for her ground-breaking work in ecological justice and water sustainability.

Rhodes University is committed to play a significant role in revitalising public schooling in Grahamstown. The extent of its commitment is underlined by the fact its Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizela, personally heads up an institutional programme aimed at coordinating all efforts in this regard.