​​Stellenbosch University's first ever student council for postgraduate students was recently established at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS).

The inaugural Tygerberg Postgraduate Student Council (TPSC) was elected in August 2016 and started their term in September 2016.

"The vision of this council is to be an inclusive postgraduate community striving towards holistic success, with the mission to cultivate unity and advance student development through innovative and accountable leadership," says the TPSC chair, Ascentia Seboko. According to her, academic success not only depends on the work postgraduate students put into their research, but also requires emotional, spiritual, physical and mental wellbeing.

"The TPSC would like to encourage a more inclusive and accepting community, where all students work together to promote the success of each individual postgraduate student," says Seboko. They aim to achieve this through a variety of workshops and activities to help postgraduate students balance their studies, work and home life.

One of the first issues the TPSC is addressing, is to clarify the roles in the student-supervisor relationship. The TPSC is currently working with the faculty management to introduce a memorandum of understanding that both students and supervisors will sign at the start of a postgraduate degree to manage expectations, and to protect both the student and the supervisor.

"Finding a platform to voice concerns has been a challenge for most postgraduate students. In response to this need, the TPSC will host a postgraduate student forum on 1 December 2016 where pertinent issues relating to postgraduates and tertiary institutions nationally, will be discussed," says Seboko.

Since the start of their tenure the TPSC has been involved in various projects:

#FeesMustFall Survey

A survey was conducted among postgraduate students to gauge opinions about the events that were taking place on campus with regards to the #FeesMustFall movement. Results of this survey were shared and discussed in meetings with the dean's management team and the Tygerberg Student Council. "For the first time on this campus, postgrads also had a voice," says Seboko.

"Let's Braai" Social

The TPSC recently hosted a braai where the postgraduate community socialised and got to know each other. This initiative led to the development of a networking platform for postgraduate students on campus.

Santa Shoebox Project

Through a TPSC initiative, postgraduate students participated in the Santa Shoe Box project which distributes shoeboxes filled with stationary and Christmas gifts to underprivileged children. A total of sixteen boxes were donated by postgraduate students and some also volunteered at the drop off point where they assisted with checking and organising shoe boxes before they are sent to the children. 

"The TPSC is still in its infancy and currently dependent on the support of postgraduates and staff on campus. We are hopeful that our work will ensure the optimal success of postgraduates and assist in achieving the vision of the University to become a world-class research institute," says Seboko.

For more information on the TPSC or upcoming events:

Email: [email protected]; [email protected] or [email protected]

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TygerbergPostgraduateStudentCouncil

Twitter: @tpsc_info

Instagram: @tpscinfo

Photo: Back: Chané Bain (Media and Marketing), Lauren Paterson (Community Interaction), Ascentia Seboko (Chairperson), Yessica Fitzermann (Policy Unit) and Simoné Nel (Hons and MSc Representative).

Front: Hygon Mutavhatsindi (PhD Representative), Kopano Dube (Student Development), Eduard Roos (Financial Officer), Taimé Sylvester (Vice-Chairperson), Karmistha Poovan (Student Wellness) and Wentzel Dowling (MMed Representative). Insert: Roxanne Higgitt (Secretary).