​​​​Stellenbosch University’s (SU) second staff assembly of the year took place on Monday 2 August 2021. It was again held online due to COVID-19 restrictions.The meeting highlighted some of the outstanding accomplishments achieved at SU despite challenges caused by the pandemic, and the Rector also broke the news that SU will be establishin​​g its own vaccination site at Lentelus on the Stellenbosch campus. Click here to read more about that. “Our overarching priorities at this time are to succeed with the academic projects, and to remain sustainable as a leading higher education institution, while at the same time prioritising the health and safety of our students and staff,” SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim De Villiers said.The pandemic did not stop SU students and staff from excelling in their respective fields, as was apparent from examples mentioned by the Rector:In the 2020 academic year, which was concluded with the autumn graduation ceremonies in March and April this year, SU managed to break its own record for the most qualifications ever awarded. The University conferred 9 236 degrees, certificates and diplomas – up from the previous record of 9 133 set in 2019.SU researchers have shown resilience in the face of adversity, making breakthroughs in medical research, using biotechnology to overcome challenges created by COVID‐19 and tracking the socio-economic impact of the pandemic. Professionals from several SU environments were also once again rewarded for outstanding work at the annual Marketing, Advancement and Communication in Education (MACE) Excellence Awards ceremony, held on 29 July 2021. SU walked away with no fewer than 26 awards, achieving the highest success ratio of all 11 institutions that submitted entries.“These achievements speak volumes for SU’s ability to be agile in the face of adversity,” De Villiers said. He specifically thanked employees for their “hard work and sacrifices”. However, he also acknowledged the “challenges, grief and heartache” experienced by staff members during this time, highlighting a number of “steps we can take to promote self-care”:

• Practice mindfulness and focus on the moment
• Separate what you can and cannot control
• Connect with nature and with others
• Take breaks from the news
• Find a balance between routine and flexibility
• Take care of your body and stay physically active​​​​​

“I know this is easier said than done, but it is important, colleagues. Burn‐out is a real threat, so please take care of yourselves, because the future of SU is exciting, and we should all be part of it,” he said.The Rector pointed out that the implementation of SU’s Strategic Framework 2019–2024 has reached the halfway mark. “We are making good progress across a broad front.”He welcomed new staff members, pointing out that SU has been able to attract top academics and researchers, such as:

• Prof Elmi Muller, a pioneering clinician who performed the first HIV-positive-to-positive kidney transplants in the world;
• Prof Tulio de Oliveira, a world-renowned bioinformatician who identified a new variant of COVID-19 in South Africa in December 2020;
• Prof Shannon Hoctor, the Editor-in-Chief of the South African Journal of Criminal Justice; and
• Prof Kopano Ratele, former Director of the South African Medical Research Council’s Men, Injury and Violence Research Unit

Another major focus at the staff assembly was COVID-19 vaccinations. “Vaccines are safe, and they work. That’s why I got the jab,” De Villiers said, showing staff a picture from when he was vaccinated against COVID-19. "Getting vaccinated is the responsible thing to do – not only for your own sake and that of your family but to protect the broader University community and society at large. So, please colleagues, I urge you to get your shot.”

• ​To watch the full Staff Assembly, click​ here​.​

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  Staff Assembly 2021-08-02.pdf