Change the world

30/05/2014

Top achievers in NMMU’s Agricultural Management programmes - diploma, B-Tech and Masters levels - were recently acknowledged for their outstanding academic achievements at a special awards event hosted by the NMMU George Agricultural Management unit. 

Key industry stakeholders from, amongst others, Tuinroete Agri, Outeniqua Landbouvereniging, ABSA Bank, Cape Wools, Bonsmara Breeder’s Society and representatives from the Department of Agriculture Western Cape joined the university and other guests in celebrating the students’ successes and contributions to the agricultural sector.

Catherine Eckert (center) is proof that hard work really does pay off. She scooped the most awards, including Best Academic Performance in the subject Animal Production: 2011 -2013; Best Academic Performance in the subject Plant Production: 2011 -2013 and the Prestige Award for best academic performance in the National Diploma: Agricultural Management: DUX Student for 2013. She is pictured here with Prof Jos Louw (far left), Director: School of Natural Resource Management at NMMU George; Ms Maryna Lehmann-Maritz (second left), Programme Coordinator: Agricultural Management; Prof Raymond Auerbach (second right) and NMMU George Campus Principal, Prof Quinton Johnson (far right).

Best Academic Performance in the subject Agricultural Management for 2011 – 2013 went to Dylan Gebers (left).  He received the floating trophy from Mr. Jan Weys, CEO, Tuinroete Agri.

The award for sustained academic growth and personal self-development was shared by two well-deserving students - Vuyisanani Mdingi (left) and Spesande Nomlala (right). Congratulating them is Mr. Anthonie du Toit, lecturer in the Agricultural Management Unit at NMMU George.

The accolade for sustained academic performance over the three year study period in the National Diploma: Agricultural Management  (2011 -2013) went to Taylor Knott (third from left); Gabriel Brown (fourth from left) and Altus van Dyk (who completed the National Diploma: Agricultural Management  Cum Laude).  Featured with the recipients are - Prof Jos Louw, Ms Maryna Lehmann-Maritz, Prof Raymond Auerbach, Prof Quinton Johnson and Mr. Nico Jonck from the Outeniqua Landbouvereniging who handed them the awards. 

Megan Bruintjies (left) received an award from the Rainman Landcare Foundation for the student most likely to contribute to sustainable food security in the Southern Cape. She received the award from NMMU’s Prof Raymond Auerbach. This award highlights the good work of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture in supporting community members to be trained as Agricultural Extension Officers.  It also coincides with the launch of the new Centre of Excellence in Food Security, of which NMMU is a part along with a number of other universities.

Prestige Award: Best Academic Performance in the B.Tech Agricultural Management degree: DUX Student for 2013 went to Ray Chivizhe (left), an international student from Zimbabwe and Tiaan Gerber (right) who both completed their B. Tech level qualification Cum Laude. The award, sponsored by ABSA, is accompanied by a financial incentive and was handed over by Mr. Carl Goosen from ABSA

Stefan Terblanche (left) received the Prestige Award: Best Master’s Degree (Research Dissertation) for 2013.  A proud Prof. Almero de Lange handed over the award. Stefan did his Master’s research on “Economic analysis of an intensive sheep production system on cultivated pastures in South Africa, incorporating creep feeding- and accelerated breeding practices”.

A special award was handed to Prof. Tertius Brand (left) of the Department of Agriculture, Western Cape for his excellent contribution to research supervision of students over 15 years.  Prof. Brand, an external Research Associate in the Agricultural Management Unit accepted the award from Prof. Jos Louw (right) Director of the NMMU George School of Natural Resource Management (Faculty of Science).

Proud recipients… The group of excelling agriculture students with their well-earned awards and trophies.