Campus welcomes record number of first year students

If the eagerness and excitement of the newly welcomed first year students on the Vaal Triangle Campus is anything to go by, 2012 is going to be one for the history books! During the recent welcoming ceremonies – which took place over a period of three days, the campus became the academic home of more than 1 600 first year students.

In her address to the students and their parents, Prof Linda du Plessis (Vice Rector: Academic and Planning) compared the arrival of the new students to a breeze of fresh air and commented on how the sense of anticipation and excitement in the air was almost tangible on campus.  Her address centred on the theme of choice and she commended the students on choosing the Vaal Triangle Campus as their academic home.

First years during the registration and orientation

“We want the campus to become your second home and therefore the entire campus community is accepting you into the fold of our big extended family,” said Prof Du Plessis whilst adding that senior management’s open door policy represents a standing invitation to anyone who whish to discuss problems and even to give constructive criticism.  She furthermore urged the students to make use of every opportunity that is afforded to them – be it terms of academic work, cultural activities, sport or other student initiatives.
 

First year students pictured with members of the senior management. From left are Prof Herman van der Merwe (Dean: Faculty of Economic Sciences and Information Technology), Dr Theuns Eloff (Vice Chancellor), Mr John Maloma (Director: Marketing and Communication) and Prof Linda du Plessis (Vice Rector: Academic and Planning)

The campus’s commitment to academic excellence was illustrated by relating well-known and established alumni who are found all over the world – from the international group manager IT for ArcelorMittal based in Luxembourg, the general manager of ArcelorMittal South Africa, chartered accountants in Australia, New-Zeeland and Great Brittain, senior economists at the Reserve Bank and the JSE to the classrooms preparing the next generation of achievers. In closing the Vice Rector told the students that although the student community is made up of culturally, racially and ethnically diverse individuals the campus celebrates this rich multiplicity and embraces the ethos of diversity.

Published by Sipho Msolo