Su recently hosted a “Gambling and student wellbeing” symposium organised by the South African Association of Senior Student Affairs Professionals (SAASSAP) in partnership with Higher Health. The symposium brought together higher education leaders, researchers, student affairs practitioners and policymakers from around the country to examine how gambling is affecting student wellbeing, academic success and financial security. In a statement of intent, participants committed to working together on implementing programmes aimed at addressing the growing challenge.

Cape Winelands Airport and Stellenbosch University (SU) have entered into a cooperation agreement aimed at advancing innovation under the shared themes of “Smart” and “Green” development. Through this partnership, both parties will actively seek opportunities to align academic research, industry expertise, and infrastructure development to address real-world challenges and unlock new opportunities. Beyond its aviation role, the airport expansion is expected to become a major driver of regional economic development and job creation within the Western Cape.

Prof Hafizah Yousuf Chenia of the Department of Microbiology delivered her inaugural lecture on 23 June 2026. She focuses on how microorganisms communicate, share resistance genes, survive hostile environments and behave like organised communities. She explores innovative alternatives for addressing antimicrobial resistance.

Switched from music to law. Recipient of the Rector’s Award for best LLM thesis. A deep appreciation for the value of living and learning alongside people from different backgrounds.

SU’s Division of Health Systems and Public Health and the Institute for Life Course Health Research, in collaboration with partners at the University of Cape Town, the University of the Western Cape and Wits, hosted a symposium, entitled “Showing Courage and Solidarity with Refugees and Migrants in South Africa”. Held ahead of World Refugee Day on 20 June, the event brought together researchers, civil society organisations and asylum seekers to discuss the challenges faced by refugees and migrants. Discussions also focused on misinformation about why people leave their homelands.

International Women in Engineering Day was observed on 23 June. Prof Sara Grobbelaar of the Department of Industrial Engineering wrote an opinion piece. South Africa needs a systems- and lifecycle-based approach to development.

As Dean of Students, Dr Leslie van Rooi is a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s management team and provides strategic leadership for student life, wellbeing, leadership development and the overall student experience. Van Rooi officially assumed the role of Dean of Students on 1 May after serving in an acting capacity for the past 17 months. Central to Van Rooi’s philosophy is the idea that student success cannot be measured by academic throughput alone.

An aerospace engineer, drone pilot, and astronaut candidate focused on space and climate innovation. She co-founded Hisia Space, a climate-tech and geospatial intelligence company. Her time at SU was a period of personal growth, leadership development, and learning how to connect research with real-world impact.

World Refugee Day was on 20 June. Experts at Stellenbosch University co-authored an opinion piece. Many South Africans, civil society, and faith groups continue to stand in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers.