By Staff Reporter
Sol Plaatje University hosted its 6th Graduation Ceremony on 1 May. The virtual ceremony was streamed live across various online platforms such as KimberleyTV, YouTube, Facebook, Zoom and MS Teams.
Over 900 people logged in to watch Professor Andrew Crouch, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, preside over his first graduation ceremony at Sol Plaatje University. He awarded 404 graduates with their qualifications.
Sol Plaatje University, which is in its eighth year of existence, now boasts over 1000 alumni. The new graduates join other Sol Plaatje University graduates, committed individuals that respect diversity, inclusion, human rights, and social justice.
In his address, Professor Crouch assured the graduates, “You have a special place in society because education is known to offer the greatest opportunity for changing and impacting lives.”
Crouch reminded them of the many challenges their generation has to overcome and that they will. However, he counseled them not to let their backgrounds and circumstances define their future because they have control over that.
“Prepare yourselves for a wonderful journey where you will fully engage on issues like water delivery and climate change. Make great contributions to society and champion equity within the digital evolution,” encouraged the Professor.
The University Registrar, Mr Rathnum Naidoo, reminded the graduates, “It is not where you start in life, but where you end that matters.”
President of the School Representative Council, Olebogeng Mokwene and President of the newly formed Convocation, Thabo Moshe also conveyed congratulatory messages to the graduates during the ceremony.
As the only University in the Northern Cape Province, Sol Plaatje University is mandated to do three things mainly. Firstly it is to generate new knowledge. Secondly it is to produce skills needed to influence tomorrow’s technological advances and lastly the university must play a significant role in transforming the economy of the Province and society at large.
Since opening its doors in 2014, the University has become a center for data science and analytics. In the Humanities, it stands out in Archaeology, Anthropology, Heritage and Creative Writing in African languages. Its flagship programme in Education includes specialisations in mathematics, language teaching and curriculum development. For the entrepreneur, Sol Plaatje University is an emerging hub for Management Sciences and Entrepreneurship. This year the university will offer its first Master’s qualification.
In 2021 Sol Plaatje University registered a record of 959 new students, of which 803 are first-time students entering undergraduate students and 156 are new postgraduate students. The university boasts a total of 2685 students registered this year. By 2030 the anticipated enrolment is expected to reach just over 8000 students.
A recording of the 6th graduation ceremony can be viewed at www.spu.ac.za
Comments are closed.