​The second year of the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be more challenging than the first, but the staff and students of Stellenbosch University (SU) has risen to the challenge in exemplary ways.

This was the main message from Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU, during the year's third and final staff assembly on 8 December 2021. The meeting was held virtually.

Prof De Villiers said that SU has been able to adapt to new circumstances in 2021. “A significant change from last year is that we've been able to bring students back to campus, and for the most part followed a hybrid method of learning and teaching," he said. “SU is a residential university with top facilities and infrastructure designed to have students on campus to provide them with an enriching experience in and out of the classroom."

The Rector also highlighted the Institutional Committee for Business Continuity's (ICBC) decision that recommends face-to-face teaching, learning and assessment, with everyone back on campus in the new year, COVID-19 permitting.

He went on to say that the ICBC will, however, continue to monitor and assess the current situation and fourth wave of infections, and communicate any decisions accordingly.

Prof De Villiers focused on some of the main activities at SU during the past few months. These included the developments in establishing a COVID-19 vaccination rule, the revised Language Policy, the rebranding process and roll-out, budget announcements for 2022 and plans for the December graduation. Many of his talking points were also highlighted in the most recent communication from council, including the fact that there will be a general increase of 4,5% in staff remuneration for 2022.

Furthermore, he highlighted SU's performance on the 2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, where the institution is currently placed second in Africa, 24^th on the Emerging Economies Rankings, and in the top 500 and best in Africa for Computer Science Studies; he mentioned the impressive first-year application statistics for 2022, a number that exceeds 55 000; and highlighted achievements like former Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) fellow Abdulrazak Gurnah's Nobel Prize for Literature and SU Chancellor Justice Edwin Cameron's National Order award.

Prof De Villiers also expressed gratitude toward initiatives like the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme and Dell Young Leaders Programme for their comprehensive support of SU students.

During the second part of the assembly Prof De Villiers delivered a presentation on behalf of Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, who could not attend the meeting. He referenced, amongst others, the strides the Responsibility Centre has made in terms of Hybrid Learning, and its success with the revised Language Policy.

Prof Ramjugernath was appointed in this position at the beginning of the year.

Prof Nico Koopman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel reminded staff of the Employee Assistance Programme that promotes staff well-being and encouraged them to take unused leave from 2021 that will still be available until the end of January 2022.