Rhodes University mourns passing of much-loved Old Rhodian, Kerry Swift
Rhodes University is mourning the passing of Mr Kerry Phillip O’Sullivan Swift, aged 74.
Rhodes University rallies for resilience: Dr Jessica Cockburn’s award-winning engagement celebrated
In a recent gathering at Rhodes University, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student and Academic Affairs, Professor 'Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela, set the stage for an evening dedicated to celebrating community engagement. She emphasised the significance of the Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Community Engagement Award, an accolade honouring impactful collaborations between the university and its surrounding communities in education and research. “The Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Community Engagement Award is a prestigious and competitive Annual Award that recognises meaningful and committed partnerships between the members of the university and community partners in the areas of teaching, learning, and research, where human and material resources of the university have been combined with assets found in the local communities”.
Rhodes University excels at psychology conference
Karabelo Ramosala, a Counselling Psychologist and Lecturer in the Psychology Department, has been awarded the 2024-2025 Fulbright Visiting Researcher scholarship.
Professor Keet advocates for transformative academic practices at Community Engagement Conference
On 14 May 2024, a three-day Community Engagement Conference hosted by Rhodes University kicked off. Attended by scholars worldwide, the conference focuses on the history of community engagement in universities, exploring its milestones and impact while considering further actions to fortify a cohesive community-university-society partnership.
Confronting challenges in South Africa's democratic journey
On 9 May 2024, the historic Albany Museum in Makhanda, South Africa hosted a significant event organised by Rhodes University's Political and International Studies Department, along with the School of Journalism and Media Studies and Makhanda Legends. The gathering brought together intellectuals, activists, and community leaders to discuss "The Erosion of Democratic Institutions and the Future of Knowledge."
Escalating student debt threat to operations amidst NSFAS funding cuts
Concern is palpable at Rhodes University as the institution grapples with escalating student debt. The University is not alone in this struggle. Many others in the country face similar uncertainty following the decision by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to cap funding allowances for students.
Reputation over rankings: universities unfazed by hollow threats
In a recent University World News piece entitled ‘THE’ rankings: What happens to universities that leave?, Richard Holmes published an insightful response to an article by Times Higher Education staff which warned that universities refusing to participate in rankings would suffer reputational damage.
Gearing up first-year students for success
On 26 April 2024, Rhodes University students and academic staff gathered at Barratt Theatre Complex for the second in a series of sessions designed to create pathways to success for Rhodes University's first years.
Economics Department kickstarts research excellence via workshop series
In an effort to foster a sense of belonging and equip students with essential research skills, Rhodes University's Department of Economics recently organised a three-day orientation and research workshop for new Masters and PhD students.
Expert notes deepfakes' potential to impact national elections
At a recent event hosted by Rhodes University’s Law Faculty on 16 April 2024, Dr Nomalanga Mashinini, a senior lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand specialising in image rights protection, discussed the challenges posed by deepfakes in maintaining electoral integrity.
Flying into the future: what Rhodes University’s nanotech facility upgrade symbolises
In a spectacle that underscored its technological ambitions, Rhodes University recently deployed a helicopter to transport delicate scientific instruments to its new, state-of-the-art nanotechnology facility. This operation not only highlighted the sophisticated nature of the Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation (INI) but also marked a significant expansion from its original space in the ChemPharm building due to its substantial growth.
Faces of the RU120 legacy: Junaid Denston proves RU excellence is found in its people
Embarking on a journey to create an institutional RU120 advert that is authentic, sincere, and lives up to the legacy of 120 years of academic excellence is one thing. For Rhodes University to organically unearth in-house gems and powerful stories in the process is quite another.
Former SRC members start scholarship for struggling students
Going through University without financial support can be stressful, weighing down on many students in this position. To mitigate the impact of the challenge, four members of the 2017 Student Representative Council have heeded the call by Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela by establishing a scholarship fund.
[RU120] New project aims for climate resilience in Africa
Rhodes University’s celebration of its 120th anniversary was marked by a significant event on 22 April 2024 – the launch of the EU-funded collaboration project Nature-based Solutions for African Resilience (NbS4AfrRes).
Faces of the RU120 legacy: Zola Mbinda shapes history at Rhodes University
For many students at Rhodes University, Orientation Week was their first time being on campus. For Zola Mbinda, a History lecturer and PhD candidate at Rhodes University, however, university campuses were always home.
Faces of the RU120 legacy: Prof Pat Terry – the man who reached the world
In the 1980s, South Africa was cut off from the world politically, through sanctions, and technologically. Yet, from the small town of then Grahamstown, now Makhanda, a team of pioneers managed to send the country’s first email – and Professor Pat Terry, the man who reached the world through this (then) advanced technology, is now part of Rhodes University’s reflective year of celebrations as it marks 120 years in 2024.
Seen in the wild: #RU120 goes national
As Rhodes University celebrates a 120-year legacy of academic excellence through its #RU120 campaign, its next-generation institutional RU120 commercials have gone live on television, radio, billboards, and online – to name but a few.
From Vision to Action: Alistair Mokoena sets up an Education Fund
“A visionary with a heart to empower others to break through.” That is how Google South Africa Country Director Dr Alistair Mokoena has been described after launching the Alistair Mokoena Education Fund at his alma mater, Rhodes University. The announcement was made at a lively alumni event in Makhanda, in April.