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Celebrating Excellence - Student Academic Awards

Under the umbrella of celebrating excellence, we celebrate and recognise our top academic award for students. 

Excellence is one of the University’s six values, which we believe is core to achieving our vision of Nelson Mandela University as a dynamic African university, recognised for its leadership in generating cutting-edge knowledge for a sustainable future.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Sibongile Muthwa in her address to students and staff at the first virtual awards ceremony said: “In the midst of so much turbulence and uncertainty, however, it is still important for us to celebrate – to celebrate both significant achievements, like our student Academic Awards and the Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards for staff – and the smaller gains.

This is not the year to get everything you want.  This is the year to appreciate and celebrate everything you have in spite of the global pandemic.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our achievers for 2020 for making excellence a habit. It is your hard work, your sacrifices, positive attitude and commitment to an end goal that makes for excellence.”

Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Academic Excellence - Best First Diplomate

Claudia Mouton

Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Academic Excellence

Four Vice-Chancellor’s awards for Academic Excellence are made annually in the following categories: the Best first diplomate, first degree, postgraduate (Social Sciences and Humanities) and postgraduate (Science, Engineering and Technology).  The recipients are selected from all the winners of the academic awards.

The recipient for the best first diplomate Vice-Chancellor’s award was Claudia Mouton from the  Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences - Diploma in Management. 

To reach my full God given potential!

 

Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Academic Excellence - Best First Degree

Bernard McDonald

The recipient for the best first degree was Bernard McDonald, from the Faculty of Science - Bachelor of Science: Computer Science and Statistics. 

The bare minimum for big dreams is a lot.

 

Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Academic Excellence - Best Postgraduate (Social Sciences & Humanties)

Melody Peters

The recipient for the best postgraduate award in the category of Social Sciences and Humanities was Melody Peters for her performance in the Faculty of Humanites - Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology.  

A single thread of hope is still a very powerful thing.

 

Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Academic Excellence - Best Postgraduate Science, Engineering & Technology)

Jessica Potgieter

The recipient for the best first diplomate the best postgraduate in Science, Engineering and Technology was Jessica Potgieter   for her performance in the Faculty of Science - Bachelor of Science Honours: Mathematical Statistics. 

 

Do your best and let God do the rest.

 

Rupert Gesinstigting Awards - Best Doctoral Student (Social Sciences & Humanities)

Alphonso Goliath

The Rupert Gesinstigting awards are awarded to the best full-time doctoral students registered for the current year at Nelson Mandela University in the two disciplinary categories, namely Social Sciences and Humanities and Science, Engineering and Technology.  It is based on the merit of the candidates’ full academic records and the candidates obtaining their Master’s qualifications cum laude.

The recipient in the Social Sciences and Humanities category was Alphonso Goliath from the Faculty of Law with his Master of Laws (Criminal Justice) with his research titled Rethinking minimum sentence legislation. 

Despite life’s hardships, never give up on your dreams and goals.

 

Rupert Gesinstigting Awards - Best Doctoral Student (Science, Engineering & Technology)

Funsho Oyekunle

The recipient in the Science, Engineering and Technology category was Funsho Oyekunle from the Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology with his Master of Engineering in Mechatronics with his research titles Optical diamond turning of rapidly solidified aluminium grade.  Don't give up what you want the most for what you want right now, is his motto

Don't give up what you want the most for what you want right now.

 

Master’s Awards - Coursework (Social Sciences & Humanities)

Brett Steynberg

The institutional award for the best Master’s graduate by coursework in the Social Sciences and Humanities category went to Brett Steynberg for his performance in the Master of Business Administration, with his research titled: A model for enhancing employee engagement and reducing turnover intention in the oil and gas industry.  This award is sponsored by the Rupert Family Trust. 

To use my training and skills to make a significant contribution to the development of personnel and organisational success.

 

Master’s Awards - Coursework (Science, Engineering & Technology)

Nomava Goduka

Nomava Goduka was the winner of the institutional award for the best Master’s graduate by coursework in the Science, Engineering and Technology category for her performance in the Master of Science in the Built Environment: Property Economics and Valuation, with her research titled: Learners’ perception on the effect of infrastructure development on academic performance in Port Elizabeth public secondary schools.  This award is sponsored by the Albert Wessels Trust.

Do not underestimate yourself or your abilities. Be aware of your space in the world and occupy your God given space in the world. 

 

Master’s Awards - Dissertation (Social Sciences & Humanities)

Christopher Mbaakanyi

The institutional award for the best Master’s graduate by dissertation in the Social Sciences and Humanities category went to Christopher Mbaakanyi for his performance in the Master of Arts (Conflict Transformation and Management), with his research titled: An investigation of the challenges experienced in South Sudan (2004- 2011): A military component perspective.  

The essence of academic success is hard work, discipline and determination to reach greater heights; no one can make me what I want to be, but rather, someone can help me become what I want to be.

 

Master’s Awards - Dissertation (Science, Engineering & Technology)

Richard Campbell

Richard Campbell was the winner of the institutional award for the best Master’s graduate by dissertation in the Science, Engineering and Technology category for his performance in the Master of Science: Geology, with his research titled: Identifying methane emissions with isotopic and hydrochemical clues to their origin across selected areas of the Karoo basin, South Africa.

 

Master’s in Technology Awards - Dissertation (Science, Engineering & Technology)

Hayley Hodgson

The institutional award for the best Master’s in Technology graduate by dissertation in the Science, Engineering and Technology category went to Hayley Hodgson for her performance in the Master of Technology: Radiography (Diagnostics) for her research titled: Experiences of undergraduate diagnostic radiography students regarding assessor feedback during summative clinical assessment. 

Nothing in life comes without hard work and dedication, so do not give up easily when times are tough otherwise you will never achieve all that you can be.

 

Honours Awards - Social Sciences & Humanities

Melody Peters

The Honours awards are sponsored by the Rupert Family Trust.

The institutional award for the best Honours graduate in the Social Sciences and Humanities category goes to Melody Peters for her performance in the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology.  

A single thread of hope is still a very powerful thing.

 

Honours Awards - Science, Engineering & Technology

Jessica Potgieter

The institutional award for the best Honours graduate in the Science, Engineering and Technology category goes to Jessica Potgieter for her performance in the Bachelor of Science Honours: Mathematical Statistics. 

Do your best and let God do the rest.

 

BTech Awards - Social Sciences & Humanities

Grettel Osorio Hernandez

The BTech awards are sponsored by the Rupert Family Trust.

The best Bachelor of Technology degree award in the Social Sciences and Humanities category: Grettel Osorio Hernandez - Bachelor of Technology: Fine Art.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

BTech Awards - Science, Engineering & Technology

Ighsaan Salie

The best Bachelor of Technology degree award in the Science, Engineering and Technology category: Ighsaan Salie - Bachelor of Technology: Information Technology: Software Development.  

No matter how hard or impossible it is, never lose sight of your goal.

 

Academic Undergraduate Awards - First Degree: Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences first degree

Claire Bodley

The Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences first degree award: Claire Bodley - Bachelor of Commerce in Computer Science and Information Systems. 

Live my truth and have the courage to remain true to.

 

Academic Undergraduate Awards - First Degree: Faculty of Education

Ellen Joubert

The Faculty of Education first degree award: Ellen Joubert - Bachelor of Education (Foundation Phase). 

Let love be the catalyst for all my actions both great acts of will and small acts of tenderness.

 

Academic Undergraduate Awards - First Degree: Faculty of Health Sciences

Diana Walker

The Faculty of Health Sciences first degree award: Diana Walker - Bachelor of Health Sciences in Dietetics. 

At the end of the day I believe it matters that you did it with all your heart.

 

Academic Undergraduate Awards - First Degree: Faculty of Humanities

Tayla Hynch

The Faculty of Humanities first degree award:  Tayla Hynch - Bachelor of Arts (Media, Communication and Culture). 

"Temporary discomfort is an investment in your future self. Accept a small and uncomfortable transition now, for a lifetime of growth and self-development." - Florence Given 

 

Academic Undergraduate Awards - First Degree: Faculty of Law

Daniel van der Merwe

The Faculty of Law first degree award: Daniel van der Merwe Bachelor of Laws.

 

Academic Undergraduate Awards - First Degree: Faculty of Science

Bernard McDonald

The Faculty of Science first degree award: Bernard McDonald Bachelor of Science: Computer Science and Statistics. His motto is the bare minimum for big dreams is a lot.

The bare minimum for big dreams is a lot.

 

Academic Undergraduate Awards - First Diploma: Faculty of Business & Economic Sciences

Claudia Mouton

The Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences first diploma award - Claudia Mouton - Diploma in Management. 

To reach my full God given potential.

 

Academic Undergraduate Awards - First Diploma: Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment & Technology

Dean Trollip

The Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology first diploma award - Dean Trollip - National Diploma: Information Technology: Software Development.  

Let all that you do be done in love. - 1 Corinthians 16:14

 

Academic Undergraduate Awards - First Diploma: Faculty of Humanities

Avuzwa Sibonda

The Faculty of Humanities first diploma award - Avuzwa Sibonda - Diploma in Public Management. 

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.  Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.

 

Academic Undergraduate Awards - First Diploma: Faculty of Education

Andre Adendorff

The Faculty of Science first diploma award - Andre Adendorff - Diploma in Game Ranch Management. 

Knowing love.

 

Academic Undergraduate Awards - First-year Diploma Award

Kamogelo Makofane

First-year diploma award - Kamogelo Makofane - National Diploma: Information Technology: Software Development.  

I want to be an expert in the Software Development industry. To reach that level it requires me to work hard, accumulate the necessary skills, be committed to my work, and be passionate about it.

 

Academic Undergraduate Awards - First-year Degree Award

Kaylin Bouwer

First-year degree award - Kaylin Bouwer - Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting. 

Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world.

 

Contact information
Mrs Allison Olivier
Campus Events Manager
Tel: 041 504 2142
allison.olivier@mandela.ac.za