Stellenbosch University
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|
Stellenbosch University |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Motto | Pectora roborant cultus recti |
| Established | 1866 |
| Type | Public university |
| Rector | Prof. Russel Botman |
| Chancellor | Prof. Elize Botha |
| Staff | 2 430 |
| Students | 21 972 |
| Location | Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Campus | 4 campuses |
| Nickname | Maties |
| Affiliations | AAU, ACU, CHEC, HESA, IAU |
| Website | http://www.sun.ac.za/ |
Stellenbosch University (Afrikaans: Universiteit van Stellenbosch) is an internationally recognised university which is situated in the town of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Other nearby universities are the University of Cape Town and University of the Western Cape.
Stellenbosch University designed and manufactured Africa's first microsatellite, SUNSAT, launched in 1999.
Students are also nicknamed Maties. Some claim the term arises from their maroon rugby colors: a tamatie is the Afrikaans translation for tomato. It is more likely to come from the Afrikaans colloquialism matie (meaning "buddy" or "mate") originally used diminutively by the students of the University of Cape Town's precursor, the South African College.
Contents |
[edit] History
The origin of the university can be traced back to the Stellenbosch Gymnasium, which was opened on 1 March 1866 , which became the Stellenbosch College in 1881 and which was located at the current Arts Department. In 1887 this college was renamed Victoria College; when it acquired university status on 2 April 1918 it was renamed once again - to Stellenbosch University.
[edit] Location
Stellenbosch is a university town with a population of about 90,000 (excluding students). It is located about 50 kilometres from Cape Town and is situated on the banks of the Eerste Rivier ("First River") in the famous wine-growing region and is encircled by picturesque mountains. Teaching at Stellenbosch University is divided between the main Stellenbosch campus, the Tygerberg campus, where the Faculty of Health Sciences is situated, the Bellville Park campus, where the graduate School of Business is, and the Saldanha campus, housing the Faculty of Military Science.
[edit] Language
Stellenbosch University is a predominantly Afrikaans medium university, especially at undergraduate and honours course level. However, students are allowed to write their assignments, tests and examinations in English.
At postgraduate level the language of tuition is determined by the composition of the class. The majority of advanced postgraduate courses are conducted in English.
This is still an ongoing issue for the University, since it is one of the very few tertiary institutions left in South Africa offering tuition in Afrikaans, as well as the very high regard it is held in the Afrikaner community, with the university being considered a central pillar of Afrikaner life. Most other institutions have always been English or have changed over to an English-only policy.
[edit] Faculties and schools
Stellenbosch University consists of about 150 departments divided amongst 10 faculties. It also has more than 40 research (and other) institutions.
The faculties that are situated on the main campus are:
- Arts and Social Sciences
- Science
- Education
- AgriSciences
- Law
- Theology
- Economic and Management Sciences
- Engineering
The faculties that are not situated on the main campus are:
- Military Science
- Health Sciences
[edit] Student societies (2006 - 2007)
- ACDP-YL (African Christian Democratic Party Youth League)
- ACT
- ACTS (Catholic Tertiary Students)
- Adam Tas Vereniging
- Adlib-Improv
- ANSOC (Anglican Students Society)
- Bhakti Yoga and Vegetarian Society
- BTK (Berg en Toer Klub)
- BSA (Black Students Assosiation)
- Canticum Novum (Stellenbosch Student Church Choir)
- DASUS (German Students at Stellenbosch University)
- Every Nation (His People Christian Church)
- Golden Key Academic Honours Society
- GRSDG (Gabonese Research and Scientific Discussion Group)
- Habitat for Humanity
- Landsdiensbeweging
- Lesbigay
- Matie Community Service
- Matie Dance Society
- Matie Productions
- NACS (New Apostolic Church Society)
- Pulp
- Quercus Staatmakers (Voortrekkers)
- SDASM
- Shofar
- Chess Society
- SBS (Stellenbosch Baptists Society)
- Stellenbosch Gemeente
- TBT (The Bible Talks Student Church)
- UNASA-Stellenbosch (United Nations South Africa)
- USDV (Stellenbosch University Debating Society)
- USK (Stellenbosch University Choir)
- US Otaku
- Vineyard Christian Fellowship
- Wynkultuurvereniging (Wine Culture Society)
[edit] Academic student societies
- AgriScience Students Association (ASA)
- Consumer Science Society
- Economic and Management Sciences Society
- English Society
- Geology Society
- Industrial Psychology Society
- Sciences Student Society
- Stellenbosch Forestry Student Association
- Theological Student Society
[edit] Facilities and services
The university has an extensive library, The J.S. Gericke, which is notable for being semi-subterranean, on two levels, and occupying a surface area equivalent to two and half rugby fields. Student fans of Asimov's Foundation series of novels sometimes call it 'The Galactic Library'. The library has collections scattered around the campus outside of the main facility, and all of which are catalogued on a computerised database, using the Universities original mainframe, a Univac.
It also has a modern Conservatoire, including two concert halls where regular concerts are held. The larger of the two, the Endler Hall, is famous for its extremely fine acoustic characteristics, and modern recording technology suitable for quick post-production of live concerts. The Conservatory is the home of the internasionally acclaimed Stellenbosch University Choir, who have received numerous awards over seas and is noted as the finest choir in South Africa. It is also the oldest choir in South Africa.
The Langenhoven Students' Centre (Neelsie) houses the Students' Representative Council, a food court, a shopping mall, an advice office and all the student societies. Often, student bands play during lunchtimes for other students, and perhaps the most subsequently famous band to play has been Saron Gas in 2000 and 2001, now known as Seether.
Sports facilities for the more than 30 competitive and recreational sports that are supported by the university include two sport stadiums, two large swimming pools (one under roof), numerous playing fields, including an Astro hockey field, and a modern gymnasium. A high-performance centre is also being built as of 2006.
The campus offers more than 50 cultural, sporting, religious and political clubs and societies.
On-campus residences for circa 6,000 students are available.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Andries Petrus Treurnicht, theologian.
- Antony Melck, researched the economics of education and lectured commercial law.
- Beyers Naudé, theologian and student of HF Verwoerd.
- Cornelis Jacobus Langenhoven, Afrikaans poet and writer of the words of Die Stem.
- Danie Craven, prominent Rugby player and sport administrator.
- Daniel François Malan, former Prime Minister of South Africa.
- Deon van der Walt, was a singer who performed at the Nico Malan Theatre as a tenor.
- Edwin Cameron, is a Rhodes scholar and High Court judge.
- Elsa Joubert, her novel Die swerfjare van Poppie Nongena was translated into 13 languages and staged as a drama.
- Ernst van Heerden, was a leading Afrikaans poet.
- Frederik van Zyl Slabbert, is a Political analyst and a former leader of the official opposition of South Africa.
- Heinz Carl Heinrich Winckler, entertainer and former law student.
- Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd, former Prime Minister of South Africa.
- James Barry Munnik Hertzog, lawyer, former Boer general and Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa.
- Peet Pienaar, art student who created an anatomy museum specimen from his own body...
- Jan Rupert, studied Mechanical Engineering, businessman and nephew of Anton Rupert.
- Johann Rupert, businessman and founding trustee of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.
- Jan Smuts, Former South African Prime Minister, military leader, and international statesman. One of the key figures behind the formation of both the League of Nations and the United Nations.
- Johannes Frederik Janse Van Rensburg, was a South African leader of the Ossewa Brandwag.
- Lourens Wepener Hugo Ackermann, is one of the four judges appointed to the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
- Magnus André De Merindol Malan, last Minister of defence during the Apartheid era.
- Rona Rupert, musician and author of 33 Afrikaans books.
- Stuart Abbott, rugby player and former economics student.
- Uys Krige, famous writer, poet, playwright, translator, rugby player, war correspondent and romantic.
[edit] External links
- Stellenbosch University official site
- Maties alumni official site
- official site for prospective students
 |
South African universities |  |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional universities Cape Town | Fort Hare | Free State | KwaZulu-Natal | Limpopo | North-West Pretoria | Rhodes | Stellenbosch | Western Cape | Witwatersrand
|
||
