Being at university isn’t only about getting a degree. It is a pathway experience during which students develop and grow as individuals. This is where the Department of Student Affairs plays a key role.

According to René Pelser, Assistant Director at Student Affairs, her department focuses on the holistic development of the student. “The staff members at Student Affairs are crucial to this process. We offer programmes specifically to achieve these goals.”

Therefore it is important for them to award staff for their exceptional performances, innovation, resourcefulness, and new ideas in the student support and co-curricular environment. This was done on 16 November 2017 at the annual Student Affairs Awards, which were held at the Centenary Complex on the Bloemfontein Campus.

Staff showcased their work in diverse programmes
The awards consisted of four main categories, Excellence, Innovation, New Best Project and Leadership Honorary Awards. The Excellence and Innovation sections are divided into different sub-categories.

Pelser says their recognition encourages a high standard of work among staff and boosts their morale and personal development.
Student Affairs runs programmes with intentional outcomes, assuring that students gain the desired graduate attributes and competencies that are crucial for their future careers, their social skills and their active roles in broader society. These programmes and support services are specifically designed to maximally develop students and provide support so that they can reach their full potential at university and beyond.

Winners: 

Excellence Awards: 

Professionalisation: Belinda Janeke, High-Impact Practices; Belinda Janeke; Student Communities and Structures: College Coordinators, South Campus and Academic Co-ordinator; Intersectionality, Partnerships and Collaboration; Belinda Janeke, Transformation: Social Justice-Social Cohesion-Critical Diversity; Student Wellness Office (including social workers) and RAG Community Service

Innovation Awards:
There-is-no-Box: Angelo Mockie; There-is-no-Spoon: Abel Jordaan and Wilmie van der Wal; There-is-no-Budget: Gerben van Niekerk; There-is-no-Limit: René Pelser; There-is-no-Better-Mentor: Amelia Disela.

New Best Project Award:
Tobias van den Bergh

Leadership Honorary Awards:
All staff members who belong to professional bodies relevant to the Student Affairs realm or specific field of practice, at provincial/ regional/ national/ international level, were recognised for their involvement and respective achievements.               

Back