The March graduation ceremonies at Stellenbosch University (SU) concluded the 2015 academic year, and it is now clear that two significant academic records have been set: the most qualifications to be awarded in an academic year, 7 857, and a record number of doctoral degrees, 266.

Of these degrees, 621 were awarded to students in the Faculty of Education (417 undergraduate degrees and 204 postgraduate degrees – honours and master's).

Most of the students graduated in December, while a total of 2 833 students were rewarded for their hard work at seven ceremonies from Monday 14 to Thursday 17 March 2016.

One of these students was the Paralympic athlete Dyan Buis, who received his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) on Tuesday.

Buis, who suffers from cerebral palsy, won two silver medals at the IPC World Athletics Champs in Doha last year – one in long jump (F38) and one in the 200m (T38).

He didn't have much time to celebrate this week, because as a teacher at Wes-Eind Primary in Franschhoek he still had to finalise his learners' marks before the term ends on Friday.

He teaches Life Orientation. He explained that he tells learners about his disability when he meets them and that they're generally quite accepting.

Buis is currently registered for an honours degree in educational development and democracy and preparing for possible participation in the 2016 Paralympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro later this year.

The Stellenbosch University Centre for Pedagogy (SUNCEP) celebrated the news that 21 former SciMathUS students graduated this week. The year-long SciMathUS bridging programme helps students from educationally disadvantaged communities to gain access to higher education and also prepares them for success in their tertiary studies. 

Of these students, three received their PGCEs, two received their BAccounting degrees and ten received BCom degrees.

Photos:

Julian Claasen and Kayla-Lee Elders obtained their BAccounting degrees.

Dyan Buis received his PGCE. Photographer: Stefan Els