"Today you are embarking on an exciting journey of personal development that will be truly transformational," Prof Jimmy Volmink, dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), said in his welcoming address to first year students.

This week, 465 new undergraduate Tygermaties joined the bustling student community at Stellenbosch University's Tygerberg campus. Of this group, 290 students are enrolled for the MB,ChB (medical) programme, 60 students are starting their BSc in Physiotherapy, 50 are doing a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy, 35 are studying towards a BSc degree in Dietetics, and the remaining 30 are doing a Bachelor's degree in Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy.

"Your presence here today is a remarkable feat. You have been blessed with extraordinary ability as well as good fortune," Volmink said, praising the students for the hard work that has led to their selection to the respective programmes. He encouraged them to continue working hard and to stay focused on what they came here to achieve.

"If you do your best you will eventually reach your goal of becoming a doctor, physiotherapist, a dietician, or any other type of health practitioner. We look forward to being instrumental in your growth and to assist you in acquiring everything you will need to practice your chosen craft."

Volmink encouraged students to embrace the diversity of the Tygerberg campus. "Our living and learning spaces comprise people of different races, religions, ethnicities and socio-economic status. There are people of every gender identity and sexual orientation and different political persuasions. Some people see this type of diversity as a threat, but we see it as a strength. We believe it offers a great opportunity for our students and staff to deepen their understanding of people that are different from themselves, learn respect for each other, and build a community," said Volmink.

The chairperson for the Tygerberg Student Representative Council, Mr Lee Baatjes, also encouraged the new students to stand together and realise the dream of Stellenbosch University's late rector and vice-chancellor, Prof Russel Botman, who wanted the son of the farm owner and the daughter of a farm worker to have the same Matie experience.

"Let us move away from a culture that perpetuates exclusion and unite in achieving a non-racial and non-sexist campus. Let us respect each other's cultural and religious differences, and let us achieve the liberation of a non-discriminating campus," said Baatjes.