UKZN’s 2015 Convocation AGM

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Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, UKZN’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, delivered the keynote address at the 2015 Convocation Annual General Meeting on the Westville campus.

Van Jaarsveld said he planned to drive excellence and transformation, jointly, and listed the University’s flagship achievements including the establishment of the KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV, and CAPRISA. 

He highlighted the University’s rankings and noted the exceptional performance by Development Studies, a disciplinary area ranked in the Top 100, worldwide. 

‘I want this University to be not just a great institution in Africa, but a great African institution,’ said van Jaarsveld.

He congratulated Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim who was announced as an A-rated scientist by the National Research Foundation and acknowledged former Vice-Chancellor Professor Malegapuru Makgoba and his team’s efforts in establishing the University as one of the most transformed in the country.

He encouraged alumni to be brand ambassadors and said it was a ‘rare privilege to be leading this university.’

Mr Fanle Sibisi, President of Convocation, noted the impact of UKZN alumni, many of whom are in leadership positions in government and the corporate world. ‘Twenty five percent of the Commissioners of the National Planning Commission are alumni of UKZN; a sizeable percentage of our country’s Cabinet are alumni of UKZN, including the President who was once honored by the student leadership as an organic intellectual,’ said Sibisi.

He welcomed Dr van Jaarsveld to the University and acknowledged the work done by Professor Makgoba. ‘On behalf of the Executive Committee of Convocation we wish to extend our gratitude to the former Vice-Chancellor, Solwazi Makgoba siyabonga izandla zidlula ikhanda. Sikufisela unwele olude ukhule ungakhokhobi.

Sibisi condemned the xenophobic attacks that swept across the country, ’We are all human beings and we must behave in a manner that seeks to portray the correct image of South Africans, let the spirit of ubuntu prevail.’

‘As graduates and members of this alma mater let us be part of shaping our society in a more positive way,’ said Sibisi.

Treasurer Ms Thembeka Dlungwane, presented the 2014 Financial Statement, and encouraged alumni to contribute to the Alumni Bursary Fund. 

Dlungwane, who serves on Council, said without the support of bursaries from the National Research Foundation and the University, her career would have taken a completely different path.

Programme Director and Deputy President of Convocation, Ms Bavelile Hlongwa, echoed Dlungwane and encouraged alumni to play a role in fundraising at the University.

The evening was rounded off with a buffet dinner, musical entertainment and networking among alumni and friends of the University.

Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer