Change the world

06/03/2013

Thirty new (2013) recipients of the prestigious NMMU Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship were congratulated by the university’s Executive Management during a very inspirational event hosted by the university in Port Elizabeth last week.

Two of these top-performing students, Gizelle Potgieter and Achley Nortje, are enrolled for qualifications at the university’s George Campus at Saasveld. This brings to six the number of students from NMMU George Campus that have benefitted from this prestigious programme which has a current monetary value of R70 000 per annum.

Gizelle, who matriculated as the top student at Hoërskool Outeniqua, and Achley, who matriculated at Point High School in Mossel Bay in 2012 are enrolled for a BCom Accounting for Chartered Accountants degree and National Diploma in Nature Conservation respectively. 

The first three scholarship recipients who started their studies at George Campus in 2010 have completed their first qualifications and have enrolled for further studies at NMMU – two (Ilanie Barnard and Bianca Venter) are enrolled for their Honours degree in Accounting at NMMU’s Port Elizabeth Campus . Francois Brooks, the first Nature Conservation student to receive the scholarship, is now doing his BTech degree in Nature Conservation at George Campus, after completing his experiential year (third year) in 2012.  

Francelise Maartens, another top student who received six subject distinctions during her first year of studies - is now registered for her second year of studies towards the BCom Accounting for Chartered Accountants degree in George.  

About the VC Scholarship Programme

The Vice-Chancellor of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Prof Derrick Swartz, introduced this premier scholarship award programme in 2009 to attract top performing school leavers from NMMU’s natural feeder area, and further afield. The annual enrolment of a cohort of gifted learners contributes to NMMU’s adherence to the value of academic excellence and is regarded as a strategic priority of the University.

Currently, up to 30 of these prestigious scholarships are offered annually to high achieving, academically meritorious matriculants. 

The scholarships are renewable for each year of a first NMMU undergraduate degree or diploma, provided that academic performance remains of the highest standard.

The thirty 2013 recipients represent four provinces, namely the Eastern Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng.  

The new intake of VC Scholarship holders for 2013 are enrolled for the following study programmes at NMMU: BCom Accounting for Chartered Accountants (9); B Eng (Mechatronics) (3); B Pharmacy (2); Bachelors in Law (LLB) (2); BSc (Chemistry, Biochemistry & Microbiology) (2); BSc (Computer Science) (2); B Architectural Studies (2); and one each for B Music (Interdisciplinary Studies); BCom (Law); BCom (Economics & Statistics); BCom Rationum (Computer Studies & Information Systems);

B Cur (Nursing Science); BSc (Geosciences); BSc (Physics & Applied Mathematics); and the National Diploma in Nature Conservation.

 

Jane Fountain with Gizelle Potgieter

VC Scholarship recipient, Gizelle Potgieter, with BCom Accounting lecturer at NMMU George, Ms Jane Fountain.

 Achley Nortje Martin Loubser Gizelle Potgieter

Martin Loubser, Acting Campus Principal, congratulated the VC Scholarship recipients who will be pursuing their studies at George Campus this year. Achley Nortje is enrolled for the National Diploma in Nature Conservation, while Gizelle Potgieter has her sights set on becoming a chartered accountant – she is enrolled for a BCom Accounting for Chartered Accountants degree at NMMU George Campus.

 Achley Nortje Gizelle Potgieter

Bright young minds… Achley Nortje and Gizelle Potgieter are the newest additions to the repertoire of VC Scholarship recipients who are pursuing their studies at NMMU’s George Campus. Achley is the second VC scholarship holder to enroll for the National Diploma in Nature Conservation at NMMU George, while Gizelle joins three other top performers who chose the BCom Accounting for Chartered Accountants-degree option.

Contact information
Ms Alet van Tonder
Manager: Marketing & Corporate Relations
Tel: 27 44 801 5098
alet.vantonder@mandela.ac.za