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Academics from various faculties and professional staff at Mandela University, George Campus, joined the Campus Principal in welcoming the new “Madibaz” and their parents to the George Campus as part of the university’s annual Welcome event for new 1st year students and their parents/guardians hosted on 2 February.
Nelson Mandela University operations are in full swing, with academic and support staff gearing up for the official start of the 2019 academic year. The start of the year is always a busy time and not without some glitches and Mandela University staff and student organisations are working hard behind the scenes to ensure that students return to a university ready to perform its core business – teaching and learning.
Nelson Mandela University, including the George Campus is abuzz with activity in preparation of the welcoming of new first year students and parents to the campus on Saturday, 2 February 2019.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Welcoming Ceremony for first year students and parents will take place on Nelson Mandela University's George Campus on Saturday, 2 February 2019.
Thirteen staff members at Nelson Mandela University, George Campus were acknowledged for 5, 10, 15, 25 and 30 years’ service – 135 years in total – during the staff year-end event on 6 December. In addition to the long service awards, certificates were also presented to a number of support staff who had recently completed a variety of short learning programmes. This is in line with the university’s endeavours to reward and encourage a culture of service excellence and continuous learning.
If the final exit presentations delivered by the 4th year BTech Agricultural Management students from the George Campus are to be taken as a measure of future success, a number of new innovative agricultural businesses should blossom in the future.
Reference is made to the e-mail circulated on 2 November 2018. A revised copy of the examinations timetable for the George Campus for 5 to 24 November 2018 is now available and can be downloaded here.
Due to the fires in the George area, which had also impacted our students at George Campus, the Executive Committee of Senate (ECS) had approved that the writing of the examinations (George Campus Students), which were scheduled for 31 October – 3 November 2018, be deferred to the period: 21 – 24 November. This effectively means that the (normal) exam period stretches from 31 October to 24 November 2018.
Students studying nature conservation at the Nelson Mandela University are set to benefit from the proceeds of the Schalk Willem Theron Trust.
Close to twenty awards were presented to excelling Nelson Mandela University (George Campus) Accounting students during the prestigious 2018 School of Accounting BCom George Excellence Awards sponsored by SAICA Southern Cape District Association.
A group of about fifty Grade 5 learners from St Pauls Primary School in George got a taste of campus life, when they visited the Nelson Mandela University George Campus on 17 July as part of the Campus’ Mandela Week outreach programme.
The annual Investec Nelson Mandela Uni (George) Accounting Winter School concluded on a high note at the George Campus on 6 July when teachers from across the Southern Cape, university management, the media and other stakeholders gathered on campus to share some final messages of inspiration, and some well-deserved accolades with the group of 200 Grade 12 learners who had participated in the exciting week-long programme
Staff members of the Mandela University, George Campus, recently took leave of former Campus Principal, Prof Quinton Johnson, whose term of office recently came to an end. Dr Johnson, who had commenced his tenure at the university in April 2013, as well as management and staff reflected fondly on the many exciting highlights our young university, including the growing George Campus in particular, has experienced over the past few years.
While students of Nelson Mandela University are enjoying the winter recess, the last arrangements are being finalised to welcome more than 200 learners from the Southern Cape to the George Campus for the annual Grade 12 Accounting School to be hosted here from 2 and 6 July in collaboration with Investec.
A group of about twenty postgraduate students from Nelson Mandela University’s Faculty of Science (School of Natural Resource Management) at the George Campus, have committed to support the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.
Town and gown joined the executive management of Nelson Mandela University, campus management, staff and lecturers to celebrate the outstanding achievements of George Campus students at the annual Academic Merit Awards hosted at the campus recently.
Africa Day, 25 May 2018, was celebrated in style at the Nelson Mandela University, George Campus. More than 150 staff and students, dressed in a variety of traditional, modern or everyday outfits gathered at the Student Recreation Centre to share a fun-filled afternoon featuring live music by well-known local band, GMinor, student DJs, a selection of traditional food and a thought-provoking message by motivational speaker, former human rights activist and educator, Mr George van Niekerk.
With various faculties and a host of support services all accommodated under one roof, the Nelson Mandela University’s Open Day(s) hosted at George Campus on 4 and 5 May were enthusiastically embraced as an opportunity to explore what the university has to offer.
Nelson Mandela University’s graduation season commenced on a high note with a record number of students who completed their studies at the university’s George Campus crossing the stage to receive a wide array of qualifications during two sessions on 13 April 2018.
This year 454 students from George Campus, representing an increase of 25% compared to 2017, graduated with qualifications in four faculties – Science; Business and Economic Sciences; Education; Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology.
Bachelor of Commerce degrees, including the BCom Accounting for Chartered Accountants degree, accounted for about half of the qualifications awarded in the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, with the National Diplomas in Management, Marketing and Tourism Management together with the newly introduced Advanced Diploma in Business Studies accounting for the other half.
Nelson Mandela University has again acknowledged sterling examples of excellent student leadership. At the annual Achievers Awards on 25 October 2017, 26 awards were made to students or student societies that had excelled in excellence across all spheres of student life at the George campus.
The announcement by Absa of a R17m bursary investment over three years for academically deserving but financially vulnerable students of Nelson Mandela University was met with an initial sense of disbelief, followed by gratitude and immense relief. Eighteen students from the George Campus are amongst the first group of beneficiaries of this initiative.
High School scholars in George will show off their woodworking skills during the upcoming Working with Wood Show taking place at Nelson Mandela University George Campus over the weekend 22 – 25 September.
Members of the George Business Chamber who attended the network evening hosted at the Nelson Mandela University, George Campus on 24 August were bowled over by senior students from the Business and Economic Sciences Faculty, as well as “Madibaz Diamonds” Bursars 2017 and Vice Chancellor Scholars who were invited to utilise this platform to engage the business sector.
The 45th International Forestry Students’ Symposium (IFSS 2017) which will be hosted by the South African chapters of the International Forestry Students’ Associations (IFSA), spearheaded by Nelson Mandela University is set to attract more than 130 students from 56 countries to South Africa between 2 and 17 July.
The SRU’s second Research Associates Symposium took place at the Nelson Mandela University George Campus on 16 May 2017. This year’s Symposium was attended by a congregation of enthusiastic undergraduate and postgraduate students, academics, civil society representatives and conservationists.
FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC SCIENCES
MASTER OF COMMERCE (COURSEWORK)
FOURIE, Catherine (Taxation)
Treatise: FAIRNESS AND EFFICACY OF THE PENALTY PROVISIONS IN THE TAX ADMINISTRATION ACT NO. 28 OF 2011. Supervisor: Prof AJN Brettenny.
With economic pressures mounting across the board, maximising economic opportunities in sectors with the greatest potential to contribute to local economic development in a sustainable manner becomes increasingly important. The Tourism industry, especially in the Eden District, is widely acknowledged as being a pillar of growth – a key driver in local economic development.
NMMU and Human Rights Foundation focused on “First Nations”
“From language and land to history and heritage in building a democratic South Africa!” This captivating theme forms the basis of a public dialogue to be hosted in Human Rights Month by the Foundation for Human Rights and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University here in the city of George.
Top performing NMMU George Campus BCom Accounting students of the 2015 Academic Year were acknowledged at the annual School of Accounting BCom George Excellence Awards on 17 February 2016. The event, held in partnership with SAICA (Southern African Institute of Chartered Accountants) Southern Cape District Association and industry partners in the Southern Cape region, also served to reflect on the phenomenal growth and excellent outcomes of these sought after programmes, ten years after being introduced at the George Campus.
The city of George is in the grips of “sevens fever” with both the USSA National Institutional Rugby 7’s Tournament as well as the George Mayoral Cup 7’s set to be hosted here within the next week.
The NMMU Wind Symphony from Port Elizabeth will join the NMMU George Campus Choir in hosting the campus’ much anticipated annual Spring Concert in George. The event, which will be presented in the NG Moederkerk on Saturday, 17 October, will also include performances by top choirs from the region, such as the South Cape Children’s Choir, the choirs from the Thembalethu and Imizamo Yethu secondary schools, and the George Male Voice Choir.
The Kaaimans-to-Touw (KTT) Eco Restoration Forum in collaboration with NMMU’s Sustainability Research Unit (SRU), George Municipality, SANPARKS and Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI) will be hosting a Community Hacking Day on the 1st October 2015, between 08:30 and 14:00.
NMMU has again acknowledged the outstanding achievements of 43 of the university’s top researchers and teachers at the prestigious Research, Teaching and Engagement Excellence Awards hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Derrick Swartz at the Boardwalk in Port Elizabeth on 14 September.
NMMU George Campus Madibaz Rugby Club qualified for the semi-finals in their first season in the SWD club rugby premier division after a 31 – 22 victory against Silver Stars on Wednesday evening.
Inclusive Education, an approach which has at its core a teaching environment in which all students, including those with disabilities and diverse needs, can thrive and excel, is much more than a global trend. It is an approach which recognises that all students need academic, emotional and social support to ensure academic success. This is especially relevant given the great diversity of learners entering the university sphere, including learners with specific learning difficulties, with different learning styles, with mental health challenges or other disabilities.
Senior NMMU George Campus Forestry students are among the delegates at the exciting XIV World Forestry Congress which is currently taking place in Durban.
Blessed with excellent running weather and boasting one of the most scenic routes in the southern Cape region, 130 runners took on the annual NMMU Madibaz George half-marathon on Saturday, 22 August.
The staff lounge at NMMU George Campus was abuzz with conversation as more than 140 guests gathered at the Campus for the August networking evening of the George Business Chamber hosted by the university.
The ground-breaking 2015 Forestry INDABA co-hosted by NMMU and DAFF at the NMMU George Campus recently incorporated a number of exciting complementing initiatives, such as the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the university and the Department of Agriculture: Western Cape.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) George Campus Forestry Students, Trudy Sebelebele, Heinrich Hechter, Ullrich Hechter and Tatenda Mapeto, have secured the bid for NMMU to host the 45th International Forestry Students Symposium (IFSS) in 2017.
The annual NMMU Madibaz George half-marathon is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 22 August at the university’s campus in George.
NMMU George Campus Principal Quinton Johnson recently welcomed authors Jeffrey Herbst and Greg Mills at the George Civic Centre as they launched their book – “How South Africa works and must do better”.
The Forestry INDABA hosted as a partnership between Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (George Campus) and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) concluded on a high note with an inspiring closing address by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, General Bheki Cele.
A variety of interesting exhibitions, lectures, workshops, demonstrations, wetland tours and much more will ensure that visitors to the much anticipated annual Science Expo presented by NMMU and Glenwood House School stand in awe at the technological innovations that underpin a more sustainable future.
A cross section of South Africans involved in forests and forestry gathered at the idyllic Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s (NMMU), George campus for the three day, 2015 Forestry Indaba, co-sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The much anticipated Forestry Indaba, which the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) will be hosting with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (George Campus) from 13 to 15 July, will bring together a range of stakeholders from the forestry and related industries.
Dr Keith Arnolds and NMMU George B Ed graduate, Roelof Steyl, will be presenting two papers at the European Congress of Psychology 2015 to be held in Milan, Italy from 07 to 10 July 2015. The studies, supervised by Dr Arnolds and Dr Bridget Johnson, both from the NMMU George Campus, form part of the research methodology module done by 4th year B Ed students at NMMU. The two papers will be the third out of the eight projects completed in 2014 to be presented at conference level.
Innovations for Sustainable Futures…
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) and Glenwood House School have again joined forces as knowledge partners to present the fourth annual science expo - ScieX 2015 - in George. This year the focus is on scientific innovations that may shape the future… with a number of workshops, in line with the academic curriculum, aimed at senior science students in grades 11 and 12 being added to the tried and tested mix of scientific lectures, demonstrations and exhibits.
For the sixth year in a row NMMU George Campus will host the top surfing students of tertiary institutions from around South Africa at the renowned Victoria Bay in the Southern Cape.
The School of Accounting at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) is committed to assist learners in improving their academic performance, specifically in the field of Accounting.
A diverse group of staff, students and visitors attended a thought-provoking guest lecture hosted by the NMMU Sustainability Research Unit at the university’s George Campus recently
From the start of the 2016 academic year NMMU George Campus will further increase its focused programme offerings in Business and Economic Sciences, with the introduction of a one year Higher Certificate programme in Business Studies.
The mid-year examination period at NMMU George Campus commenced on Wednesday, 3 June and will conclude with the last paper to be written on Thursday, 23 June; therefore an annual campaign to promote academic integrity is in full swing.
On Friday, 22 May 2015, the majestic Anglican Cathedral in York Street, George was abuzz with excitement as more than 150 guests, including learners, teachers, students, the church fraternity, parishioners, members of the public and representatives of NMMU and the Kagiso Trust, gathered there for the much anticipated NMMU Distinguished Dr Beyers Naudé Memorial lecture. The NMMU George Campus Principal, Prof. Quinton Johnson, warmly welcomed all guests and set the tone for the evening by calling on all to strengthen our noble quest to transform ourselves for the better from Africa, as the cradle of humanity. Furthermore, the NMMU George Campus Choir was also in attendance and enthralled guests with their beautiful voices and diverse repertoire.
NMMU Open Day exhibitors, representing six of NMMU’s seven faculties as well as a variety of support units, had the fulfilling task of assisting learners and other guests with information and advice at the university’s annual Open Day at the NMMU George Campus.
With five faculties and a host of support services all accommodated under one roof, the upcoming NMMU Open Day at George Campus offers an opportunity to learners, prospective students, parents and educators to get greater clarity about study options and career choices at this comprehensive university with its six campuses – five in Port Elizabeth and one in George.
"A healthy lifestyle is an important part of being a healthy and productive individual, and what better place to have a state of the art Fitness and Aquatics Centre than at the beautiful NMMU George Campus". These were the words of NMMU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Derrick Swartz as he addressed members of the NMMU Management Committee, staff, students and members of the sport fraternity who were present at the official opening of the latest in a series of infrastructure investments at the NMMU George Campus.
NMMU George Campus Choir members were invited by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP – Parliament) to participate in the Opening Ceremony of the NCOP’s Western Cape outreach titled ,“Taking Parliament to the People”) at the Bridgton Sports grounds in Oudtshoorn this week.
The choir has been preparing for their annual programme of action under the guidance of music maestro and NMMU alumnus, Mr Jan-Erik Swart. This includes late afternoon practise sessions at the NMMU George Campus, as well as workshops. Some of the members were captured while practising for the NCOP event at the NMMU George Campus recently.
A healthy growth in graduates at both postgraduate and undergraduate level, accompanied by a significant increase in the number of qualifications gained with distinction, called for an air of excitement at the George Civic Centre which was filled to capacity during the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s autumn graduation in George on 10 April.
People worldwide will have to become more active in protecting the planet’s freshwater resources – a matter which is particularly relevant in the context of the scarcity of surface freshwater.
At a public lecture presented at the NMMU George Campus on Tuesday 7 April 2015, Prof Dirk Roux, NMMU Research Associate and Freshwater Conservation Scientist for SANParks emphasised that freshwater ecosystems “must be the most precious natural resource on earth”, since only about 0.01% of the earth’s 1.4 billion kmᶾ of water occurs as surface freshwater in lakes, wetlands and rivers. He also pointed out that the well-being of humanity is highly dependent on the distribution, quality and availability of this tiny fraction of freshwater, which is critically threatened, yet extremely difficult to protect.
“Show you care – c’mon colour your hair – or even better shave it all off! All for a good cause!” This was the message the Student Council and Senior students at NMMU George Campus shared with all on campus when they recently hosted a Shavathon in aid of Cansa.
In celebration of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s 10th anniversary in 2015, NMMU George campus has dedicated itself to participating in at least ten corporate social initiatives and community outreaches for the year. The OCC wheelchair challenge, which NMMU has been supporting for the past six years, offered the first opportunity to the young Madibaz to demonstrate the university’s inspiring value system, notably of Ubuntu and taking responsibility.
NMMU George Campus students once again remained true to the values of the university when they participated in this year’s Cansa Relay for life at Carpe Diem School in George in support of cancer patients and survivors.
Two teams, consisting of postgraduate students and the student representative council, all proudly wearing their NMMU-branded clothing, enthusiastically devised a strategy to walk as many laps as possible - throughout the night - in aid of this worthy cause.
Only about 0.01% of Earth’s water stock occurs as surface freshwater, yet the well-being of humanity is highly dependent on the distribution, quality and availability of this tiny fraction of freshwater. “Freshwater ecosystems must be the most precious natural resource on Earth, yet, they have already deteriorated to critical levels and are regarded as more endangered than land-based and marine ecosystems, worldwide and in South Africa,” says freshwater conservation scientist, Prof Dirk Roux.
During October 2014 the Sustainability Research Unit at NMMU George Campus had the pleasure of hosting world renowned sustainability scientist, Prof Carl Folke, Founder and Science Director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University and the Director of the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
The first group of NMMU George Campus students to successfully complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Education attended NMMU’s inaugural (pilot) Summer Graduation in Port Elizabeth in December 2014. Livuhani Malaba, Simthembile Mangqishi, Axolile Jojo, Nobantu Gozongo and Masilakhe Dukwana were captured with Dr Keith Arnolds (Lecturer). Dewan Bouwer, graduated in absentia.
Student volunteers from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, or Madibaz as they are fondly called, will again be lending a helping hand at the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge.
NMMU Madibaz George RFC are looking forward to an exciting season having been promoted to the SWD Premier League after their win against Heidelberg RVK in the 2014 Presidents Final at Outeniqua Park at the end of last year.
From 26 January 2015 NMMU George Campus will again be a hive of activity when new first-year Madibaz who have been admitted to studies, and senior students register for the new academic year:
Four Forestry students from NMMU George Campus are amongst the winners of the AngloGold mining group’s (SA division surface operations) second quarter safety campaign.
NMMU George Campus will host the top university rugby sevens players from around the country for the fifth consecutive time when they host the USSA Rugby Sevens tournament on 1 and 2 December 2014.
Congratulations to the academic staff of the Forestry and Wood Technology programmes who were awarded with a prestigious Teaching and Learning Team Award during the annual NMMU Research and Teaching Awards function held in Port Elizabeth recently.
Rainy weather could not dampen the spirit of excitement amongst the group of about eighty golfers who joined NMMU Chancellor, Santie Botha, at Kingswood Golf Course in George on 16 October for the Chancellor’s Golf Day – the first of its kind to be hosted in George.
Madibaz George Rugby Club capped a picture-perfect season when they won the SWD Presidents league final 43 – 13 against Heidelberg Rugby Club on Saturday, 1 November at Outeniqua Park, receiving automatic promotion to next year’s Premier league competition in the process.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University has again acknowledged sterling examples of excellent student leadership. At the annual Achievers Awards on 22 October 2014, 41 awards were made to students or student societies that had excelled in excellence across all spheres of student life at the university’s George Campus.
The main entrance to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) George Campus now has a fully-fledged corporate look. This follows a brand strengthening ceremony on 16 October 2014 when the university’s Chancellor, Ms Santie Botha, accompanied by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Derrick Swartz and the Campus Principal, Prof Quinton Johnson, unveiled the new corporate signage at the entrance to the university’s picturesque George Campus, in the presence of dignitaries from the George Municipality, the George Business Chamber, as well as staff and students of NMMU.
Final year undergraduate students are reminded that the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programme is also offered at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s picturesque George Campus.
Congratulations to the 2014 winners of the Mr and Miss NMMU George pageant – Mr Xolela Pongoma and Miss Lindokuhle Dhlamini. They bowled over the judges and the audience with their beauty, intelligence and sprightly personalities to scoop the titles amidst tough competition from the group of twenty finalists.
Congratulations to Andrew McEwan, lecturer in the Forestry Programme at NMMU George (Science Faculty), who was recently elected as the President of the authoritative Southern African Institute of Forestry (SAIF).
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) George Campus and the George Business Chamber again joined hands to host a second lecture in the Campus Principal’s SUSTAINABLE FUTURES / LEADERSHIP series.
The George Campus annually supports Carpe Diem School, a local special needs school, by buying Casual Day stickers directly from the school. This year almost R600 was collected in aid of Carpe Diem.
Santie Botha, Chancellor of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) will host her annual golf day on Thursday, 16 October in George this year at Kingswood Golf Estate in aid of the NMMU George Development Fund for deserving Madibaz Diamonds.
With the start of the 2015 academic year NMMU George Campus will offer a Higher Certificate programme in Information Technology in User Support Services.
An enchanting evening of celebration and song enjoyed by some 400 guests! The second annual spring concert hosted by the NMMU George Campus Choir on 6 September 2014 saw the Civic Centre of George being transformed into a fantasy world of lights, flowers and feathers, complimented with beautiful music!
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in collaboration with the South African Institute of Forestry (SAIF) will present the 10’th Fire Management Symposium next week on Tuesday, 9 and Wednesday, 10 September at NMMU George Campus.
Well-known music “maestro”, Jan-Erik Swart, has taken the NMMU George Campus Choir under his wing and has already commenced working with the choir, notably in preparation for the annual Spring Concert scheduled for Saturday, 6 September at the George Civic Centre.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) and the George Business Chamber joined hands to introduce and share information on an empowering leadership approach which has the creation of positive work environments and cultures at its core.
Prof Edith Vries, the Director-General: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has accepted an invitation by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (George Campus) to deliver a Distinguished Open Lecture on Women in Agriculture.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) and the George Business Chamber have joined hands to introduce and share information on an empowering leadership approach which has the creation of positive work environments and cultures at its core.
Highly intelligent, talented, vibrant, inspirational, emotionally mature, humble and solidly grounded – are just some of the words that come to mind in attempting to describe Prof. Tania Douglas, the keynote speaker who enthralled guests with her captivating talk on “Women in 21st Century Leadership” during a recent NMMU Women’s Day event held at the Hyatt Regency International Hotel in Oubaai.
Prof Quinton Johnson, the Campus Principal of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, George, invites you to attend a Distinguished Open Lecture which accompanies the official opening of ScieX 2014.
With food security a cause for global concern, learners, educators and visitors from the Southern Cape and surrounds stand to gain valuable insights on the dynamics of sustainable food production and related topics to be discussed at ScieX 2014.
Staff and student leaders at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s George Campus were joined by guests from the Rosemore Retirement Centre, along with representatives of the George Municipality and the George Business Chamber to honour the legacy of the university’s namesake and international icon – Dr. Nelson Mandela!
NELSON MANDELA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY (NMMU) and Glenwood House School have joined forces for the third consecutive year to present the inclusive science expo – ScieX 2014 – which annually attracts large numbers of learners, educators, members of the public and industry stakeholders from George and environs.
Dear Maties
It is with deep sadness that the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (George Campus) received the news that Prof. Russel Botman has passed.
NMMU scooped the top positions in three out of five categories at the annual University Sport of South Africa (USSA) Surfing Championships held at Victoria Bay recently.
Thanks to an innovative partnership between NMMU’s School of Accounting and INVESTEC Grade 12 Learners from schools in George and environs will have an opportunity to sharpen their accounting skills prior to the final school exams.
From 7 to 10 July NMMU George Campus will host approximately 35 scientists at the ‘Palaeoscape 2014’ symposium organised by distinguished Professor Richard Cowling of the botany department at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth.
In a ground-breaking first for NMMU, the university’s Sustainability Research Unit (SRU) and the Southern African Program on Ecosystem Change and Society (SAPECS) initiated a winter school on ‘Ecosystems and Society’, attracting top academics and more than two dozen postgraduate and post-doctoral students from seven universities, including NMMU, to the university’s George Campus at the start of the winter recess.
Campus hosts cutting-edge engagements during the winter holidays
Abrie de Swardt, an academic at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) George Campus and well-known George resident, was recently inducted into the South African Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame.
It’s off to Canada soon for four NMMU George Campus Forestry students. The team – all executive members of the George Campus Student Forestry Association (SFA) – will represent this award-winning student association at the highest executive levels of the International Forestry Student Association (IFSA) when they attend and spearhead the association’s annual international symposium, scheduled to take place in Vancouver, Canada, in August.
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.
The main hall at NMMU George Campus was filled beyond capacity recently with senior learners from high schools in and around George, students from both NMMU and South Cape College, as well as educators, lecturers, members of the business community and the public who had gathered at the campus for the Dr Beyers Naudé Memorial Lecture delivered by Dr Brigalia Bam. The lecture – the first in a series of three commemorating the life and work and promoting the uplifting values that the late Dr Beyers Naudé lived by – was hosted by NMMU in partnership with Kagiso Trust.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University recently hosted its annual Open Day at their George Campus to enable high school learners, parents, educators and interested members of the public to experience all that the university has to offer under one roof.
Open Day at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (George and Port Elizabeth campuses) typically offers an opportunity to prospective students to become better acquainted with the university and its programme offerings. This year Open Day at George Campus will, for the first time, be accommodated in a single multi-purpose venue – literally offering “the university under one roof”.
NMMU George Campus, in collaboration with CANRAD will be the host to the first of the 2014 NMMU series of the distinguished Dr Beyers Naudé Memorial lectures – an innovative project of the Kagiso Trust. The event, scheduled for Tuesday, 20 May 2014 from 16:30 – 19:00 in the Main Hall, will feature Dr Brigalia Bam as keynote speaker, accompanied by a dialogue/debate with four youth panellists representing a diversity of perspectives, and a question and answer session with young people (learners and students) participating from the ranks of the audience.
The dialogue will also be live-streamed through NMMU’s Youtube link:
http://nmmutube.nmmu.ac.za/LiveEvents.aspx
Growing in knowledge with a 15,7% increase in graduates from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s George Campus, the George Civic Centre was abuzz with eager anticipation as guests gathered for the first of 14 graduation ceremonies in Port Elizabeth and George between 4 and 15 April.
The verdict is out! NMMU’s inaugural ball at the Hyatt Regency Resort Oubaai was indeed a shining occasion, setting an enviable benchmark for what is to become an annual event in aid of a bursary fund for the George Campus’ most deserving students of academic merit.
Ten staff members at NMMU George Campus, who collectively notched up more than a century’s service at the university, were congratulated by the Campus Principal, Prof Quinton Johnson at a staff function recently.
Arrangements for the NMMU George Campus Principal’s Grand Ball, which signals the start of a bursary fund for the university’s brightest prospects at the George Campus, are in full swing.
With only four weeks to go to 5 April when guests take to the dance-floor for what promises to be an enchanting evening of fine dining, entertainment and dance, corporates and individuals are invited to make use of the opportunity to contribute to this worthwhile cause.
A delegation from the University of Munich had a brief stop-by visit at NMMU George Campus recently to explore the possibility of establishing a partnership that will see student and staff exchanges and research collaboration between the two institutions.
The achievements of the top performing BCom Accounting students at NMMU George Campus during the 2013 academic year was duly celebrated at the recent School of Accounting BCom Awards evening in partnership with SAICA and other prestigious accounting firms.
Two top-achieving first-year students from the NMMU George Campus are amongst the thirty new recipients of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’ Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships. Top performing school-leavers from across the country annually vie for this scholarship, introduced by NMMU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Derrick Swartz, in 2009.
The Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency, Oubaai, will set the scene for a glamorous and glittering event through which Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) aims to secure the potential and grow the futures of the university’s brightest prospects at the George Campus.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) welcomed new first year students and their parents at a special ceremony held simultaneously at the university’s campuses in Port Elizabeth and the NMMU George Campus in the Garden Route on Saturday.
Abigail Crisp, a postgraduate student in Nature Conservation at NMMU (George Campus) is slowly but surely shooting her way to the top.
“In the green economy, environmental risks are reduced, improved human well-being is achieved and natural resource scarcities are addressed by the alternative solutions that ameliorate our destructive and resource-intensive relationship with earth”.
Students at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (George Campus) have been given an opportunity to participate in a unique and exciting pilot project developed to assist them in academic excellence. The group of sixty-six students in Forestry have each received a tablet which enhances access to information and allowed them to complete assignments relating to their studies through accessing of online resources.
The Director: Operations at NMMU (George Campus), Mr Martin Loubser, recently accompanied the university’s Office for International Education on a week-long visit to St. Cloud State University in the US.
A high profile delegation from South Korea, led by entrepreneur Dr Hae-Jung Jung, the founder, President and Chairman of M.K. International, a company which has 50,000 employees and an annual turnover of $3 Billion USD, was hosted at the NMMU (George Campus) as guests of Prof Johnson, Campus Principal, and his wife, Dr Bridget Johnson.
Through the collaborative efforts of Prof Christo Fabricius of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Sustainability Research Unit located at the George Campus and Professor Katrina Brown and Dr Saffron O'Neill of the University of Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability, the prospects for radical transformational change have been analysed and documented in the World Social Science Report 2013. These range from significant dematerialisation of the global economy through to living with a significantly altered climate in decades to come.
Relations between NMMU and the Universite Angers (UA) in France have received a welcome boost, thanks to the NMMU George Campus Principal, Prof Quinton Johnson.
Ensuring sustainable food production is a national priority, which requires the generation of innovative ideas and technologies.
A total number of 22 teams are set to participate in this year’s University Sport South Africa (USSA) rugby sevens tournament hosted by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (George Campus).
A team of researchers from Arizona State University in the US, CIRAD, IRSTEA and CEFE (France) and Exeter University in the United Kingdom, lead by Professor Christo Fabricius of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Sustainability Research Unit have recently received funding from the Belmont Forum, which includes the National Research Foundation and Dept of Science and Technology, for a three-year study to assess adaptations and perceptions of risk and vulnerability in coastal areas.
NMMU Chancellor, Ms Santie Botha, recently visited the university’s George Campus where she delivered a thought-provoking public lecture in a capacity-filled venue on campus.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University has again acknowledged sterling examples of excellent student leadership. At the annual Achievers Awards on 28 October, no less than 35 awards were made to students or student societies that had excelled in excellence across all spheres of student life at the university’s George Campus.
Gender-based violence, or violence in any form, cannot and will not be tolerated. This was the central message that was discoursed by NMMU staff and students at the ‘silent march’ they held on campus earlier this year. Now as the whole country is preparing for the global 16 days of activism against abuse, NMMU and various partners are joining forces to bring much needed awareness on this significant issue right here in George.
Thanks to a collaborative venture between South Africa and Norway, Heritage month 2013 marks the return to South Africa of the first-known written manuscript about the use of African plant medicines, dating back more than a century.
Third-year Marketing students from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (George Campus) have again rose to the occasion with their original advertising productions developed for the annual Advertising Showcase.
For the first time in the history of the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA), two South African students – both of them master’s students from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (George Campus) occupy the highest positions in the Association.
Mr Willie Louw, a Principal Lecturer in the School of Natural Resource Management at NMMU (George Campus), has been named the NMMU Science Faculty Excellent Teacher for 2013 at an annual gala event presented by the university to acknowledge outstanding contributions made by NMMU academics in various spheres.
On Saturday 7 September the George Town Hall will be “filled with the sound of music” when choirs from the region gather there for a spring concert hosted by the NMMU George Campus Choir, supported by their patron, the university’s George Campus Principal, Prof Quinton Johnson.
Wednesday 21 August, did not signal “business as usual” for the NMMU (George Campus) ladies - lecturers, professional support staff and student leaders - who were treated to a Women’s Day breakfast, good music and an inspirational talk at the Hyatt Regency International Hotel as guests of the Campus Principal, Prof Quinton Johnson.
It certainly is not “all work and no play” for Richard Payn, a third year student in Natural Resource Management (NMMU George Campus), whose musical talents recently saw him travel to Switzerland to participate in the world-renowned Basel Tattoo with the Cape Town Highlanders. The Basel Tattoo, a musical display of top military bands, attracts interest from around the world.
The talented Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s George Campus Choir has joined forces with a number of outstanding choirs from our region to present a spring Choir Concert in the George Civic Centre on 7 September.
Education students, Armand Gerber, Roelof Steyl, Nelia Fourie, Zihan Strydom and Adri Botha spoilt staff at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (George Campus) with a surprise visit to their offices on Women’s Day. The group inspired female staff members with messages of encouragement and something sweet. Their sense of humour was also evident, as this photograph confirms…
The Writing Centre at NMMU’s George Campus received a welcome boost with the appointment of an additional language specialist with a wealth of teaching experience.
The annual NMMU George half-marathon is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 24 August at the university’s campus at Saasveld.
Practical application of theory is an important component of the career-oriented qualifications offered at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
Roxy Giles, a first year student at NMMU’s George Campus at Saasveld, won the ladies section of the annual USSA surfing competition at the iconic Victoria Bay, when she beat Nikita Kekana of University of Cape Town (UCT).
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and Glenwood House Private School have again partnered to present the 2nd annual NMMU Glenwood Science Expo (ScieX 2013) on 26 and 27 July 2013. The inaugural event last year focused on innovations in the field of energy, while this year the focus shifts towards water, with the theme Water for All.
For the fourth year in a row NMMU’s George Campus will host the top surfing students of tertiary institutions from around South Africa at the iconic Victoria Bay.
Prospective students who are considering applying for admission to a qualification at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University for the 2014 academic year need to note that the first closing date of 1 August 2013 is fast approaching.
The student rugby team of NMMU George are looking forward to their participation in the upcoming University Sport of South Africa (USSA) Rugby Week hosted by Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria from 1 – 5 July.
Transforming African Agriculture: Organics and AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa)… This represents both the topic of a paper delivered by Prof Raymond Auerbach at the 19th annual International Sustainable Development Research Conference (ISDRC19) held near Stellenbosch from 1 – 3 July, and the title of the chapter he wrote in the book, “Organic Agriculture: African Experiences in Resilience and Sustainability” which was edited by himself, Gunnar Rundgren and Nadia El-Hage Scialabba (launched officially at a cocktail function at Spier Estate on 1st July as part of the ISDRC19 Conference).
PGCE creates scope for a professional teaching career
The Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE (FET)) will be offered at NMMU’s George Campus from the 2014 Academic Year.
NMMU students in Forestry are again taking the lead in presenting an international symposium at the George Campus during the winter recess. Between 40 and 50 delegates are expected to attend this niche event aimed at the forest industry.
NMMU recently welcomed Dr. Keith Little (PhD) to the George Campus where he joined the academic team as Senior Lecturer/Researcher in the School of Natural Resource Management, specialising in Silviculture.
Strategy to strengthen teacher education at NMMU (George Campus)
NMMU will be implementing measures to strengthen and focus its education offerings in the Southern Cape. The interventions include building capacity by introducing more full-time lecturing posts with highly qualified teacher educators from 2014, linked to long term appointments thereafter. It has also been decided to offer a new qualification, the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), at the George Campus from 2014, as a means of providing an additional avenue for graduates to prepare themselves for a career in education.
The three-man team from Rhino Knights, a non-profit organisation fighting for conserving southern Africa’s rhino, recently visited NMMU’s George Campus at Saasveld as part of a 10 000km awareness campaign.
NMMU’s annual Open Day at the university’s George Campus this year exceeded all expectations, capturing the interest of learners, parents, educators and other guests from far and near.
A kaleidoscope of careers awaits visitors at the annual Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) Open Day at the George Campus at Saasveld on Friday, 17- and Saturday, 18 May.
With no less than 13 ceremonies scheduled to accommodate 6000 graduates from the university’s seven faculties, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s graduation season commenced on a high note at the civic centre in George recently where 250 George Campus-students crossed the stage to be capped by NMMU’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Derrick Swartz.
Work on the much-anticipated new student accommodation at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s George campus at Saasveld has been completed. The set of three buildings, services by a central study area, was officially opened by NMMU’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Derrick Swartz, along with the campus’ newly completed roads infrastructure on 11 April 2013.
EVER wondered if what scientists tell us about climate change is just a hoax, or that the impact of our changing weather patterns is far worse than we anticipated; or how reliable the predictions are?
Accomplished academic, Dr. Quinton Johnson, has been appointed to lead the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (George Campus) from 1 April 2013. He succeeds Prof. Christo Fabricius who now heads up the Sustainability Research Unit at the university.
Ubuntu is one of the six NMMU values that the George Campus staff and students strive towards, and what better opportunity to practice this value than at the CANSA Relay for Life. This year’s event, which took place on the 16th March saw three teams of Madibaz willingly sign up to participate in the fun, overnight relay.
Prof Christo Fabricius, leader of the Sustainability Research Unit located at NMMU’s George campus at Saasveld, has been invited to give a plenary address at the fifth global Water for Food Conference, to be held in Lincoln, Nebraska from 5 – 8 May, 2013.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Sustainability Research Unit comprises of a group of critical thinkers who focus on the sustainability and resilience of ecosystems and society. It is based at NMMU’s George Campus at Saasveld, between the mountains and the sea in South Africa’s Garden Route – offering a unique thinking environment where academics, students, visiting scholars and practitioners from different disciplines and backgrounds can work and learn together, share ideas, discuss challenges, investigate solutions, reflect and learn again.
Prof Christo Fabricius, leader of NMMU’s Sustainability Research Unit (SRU), located at George Campus was invited to serve on the prestigious international project advisory committee of the United Kingdom’s Ecosystem Services and Poverty Alleviation (ESPA) programme for the next two years.
For the first time ever it’s through to the SWD Cricket Board Premier League competition for the NMMU George Cricket Club.
NMMU George recently hosted the Southern Cape members of Sawmilling South Africa (SSA). This event forms part of SSA’s initiative to have regional information sessions throughout the country to keep individual members of the Sawmilling Industry up to date with current affairs. Experts gathered at the Pampoenkraal Conference Centre at Saasveld to provide information and to discuss topical industry issues.
Congratulations to the fourteen staff members at NMMU George Campus who recently received certificates for completing five, fifteen, twenty and thirty years’ uninterrupted service at NMMU. They were congratulated by Martin Loubser, Acting Campus Principal, and colleagues during a staff tea held at Saasveld.
SAICA Southern Cape District Association, members of industry and NMMU’s School of Accounting again combined forces to acknowledge the top performing BCom Accounting students of 2012 at George Campus.
NMMU’s School of Natural Resource Management in George commenced the new academic year on a high note with an in-depth industry workshop and advisory committee meeting which drew together the cream of the South African forestry industry and other relevant stakeholders at Saasveld in February.
Higher Certificate in Veldfire Management to fill gap in the market
NMMU has added another niche programme – the Higher Certificate in Veldfire Management - to its array of qualifications offered within the School of Natural Resource Management (SNRM). The SNRM, one of four Schools in the Science Faculty of the NMMU, currently presents a cluster of five related academic programmes, namely Forestry, Wood Technology, Agricultural Management, Nature Conservation and Game Ranch Management.
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.
NMMU George Campus was once again a hosting station in celebration of the tenth annual CANSA Shavathon. The shavathon, which took place on campus on Friday, 1st March, saw staff and students demonstrate the value of Ubuntu and solidarity with cancer sufferers or survivors by shaving off or spraying their hair.
The NMMU George Cricket Team, captained by Lyndon Volkwyn, won their semi-final of the SWD Cricket Promotion League on Saturday 2 March by 139 runs. This historic match, played against Knysna Cavaliers at Saasveld, has paved the way for the promotion of the NMMU George team to the SWD Cricket Board’s Premier League next season.
More than eighty NMMU students and staff members again demonstrated their sense of Ubuntu when they provided a variety of services in support of participants in the 11th Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge in George. This included assisting with arrangements and lending a hand to learners who participated in the wheelchair games at the Garden Route Mall on the afternoon prior to the official race.
NMMU George Campus will once again be one of the hosts of CANSA’s annual Shavathon drive. With this fun-filled event involving NMMU students and staff at Saasveld on the 1st March, the campus intends generating a significant contribution towards CANSA’s noteworthy cause.
NMMU George Campus students recently had the opportunity to attend an entrepreneurship lecture presented at the campus by Jonathan Humphreys from RealStart and Jodie Louw, Project Manager at Traction Projects. The lecture, which formed part of the Eden District Entrepreneurship Week, was aimed at informing senior students of their options with regards to starting their own business and effective ways of making business ideas materialize.
NMMU’s marketing team also had a presence at an entrepreneurship expo hosted at the George Civic Centre during the Eden District Entrepreneurship Week.
“A long and hard-fought dream come true” – this is how Mervyn Green, SARU’s General Manager: Development expressed the general sentiment of rugby administrators attending the historic launch of the SARU/SWD Eagles Rugby Academy at Nelson Mandela University’s George Campus on Wednesday evening.
NMMU George Campus staff and students will once again show their support towards the highly anticipated Outeniqua Wheelchair challenge. More than 50 Madibaz and NMMU staff is prepared to roll up their sleeves as they fulfil a variety of logistical tasks in support of the OCC the 15th and 16th of February.
Venues at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s George Campus were filled to capacity recently by first year students, parents and staff who had gathered at Saasveld to listen to the Vice Chancellor’s official welcome message to new entrants to the university. Prof Swartz’s message was video streamed live from Port Elizabeth to all six of NMMU’s campuses, including the one in George, which was attended by about 650 guests. This was followed by meet and greet sessions where parents and students had an opportunity to meet with the academic staff of the various faculties, including the three faculties represented in George – Science; Business and Economic Sciences; and Education.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) has pledged its support to Imizamo Yethu Secondary School, one of the George Campus’ top partner schools, in a more tangible form to strengthen the school’s excellent initiatives to enhance the quality of education to learners.
Topo-Africa and !Khure Africa – a French-South Africa Earth Systems Science collaboration with a global flavour
More than 50 leading scientists and professionals from leading energy companies( in particular Total, France) from 13 countries (France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, UK, Argentina, Brazil, USA, Australia, Cameroon, Tanzania, DRC and South Africa) have converged at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s George Campus for a three-day workshop (23 – 25 January 2013) on Earth Sciences.
The essence of the Local Procurement Accord and the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP2), the importance of Buy Local and the various government incentives, programmes, initiatives and opportunities available to small enterprises and other companies wereworkshopped during a Proudly South African Business Forum hosted by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University recently. The event, which was presented at the NMMU George Campus for the second consecutive year, was attended by more than 30 representatives of the local business sector and other stakeholdersfrom George and environs.
History was made during the General Assembly of the International Forestry Students Association (IFSA) held in Istanbul in the second half of this year when for the first time ever two Forestry students from the African continent - one from Nigeria and one from the George Campus of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University - were elected to serve on the Board of this global organisation.
The George Campus cricket team showed excellent form in the recent B-section of the annual USSA Cricket Week remaining unbeaten during the pool phase before losing a tense final against Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).
While most students are taking a break from the books, it’s off to Qatar for Kutelani Tshivhase, a master’s student in Forestry at NMMU’s George Campus at Saasveld.
The history of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s George Campus is inextricably linked to the training of Foresters in South Africa. From 1906 to 1911 a theoretical course in Forestry was presented at Tokai, following which a training course focussed on the actual work done by infield Foresters was started at Saasveld from 1912.
For the second consecutive year NMMU George is the winners of the Bowl Trophy at the annual USSA Rugby Sevens tournament that took place earlier this week at their home ground at Saasveld.
From 28 January 2013 NMMU’s George Campus at Saasveld will again be a hive of activity when new first-year Madibaz who have been admitted to studies, and senior students register for the new Academic year:
The inaugural presentations of the first group of final year education students set to graduate early next year have set an inspiring tone for a very unique tradition at NMMU’s George Campus. The group of seven recently gave an overview of their diverse experiences, unique teaching methodologies and the insights gained during their practical year of study spent with secondary schools in the Southern Cape region.
A mammoth 21 teams are set to participate in this year’s University Sport South Africa (USSA) rugby sevens tournament hosted by the George Campus of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University has again acknowledged sterling examples of excellent student leadership. At the annual Achievers Awards on 30 October, no less than 24 awards were made to students or student societies that had excelled in excellence across all spheres of student life at the university’s George Campus at Saasveld.
NMMU GEORGE SPEAKERS’ PROGRAMME CONTINUES
The programme of lunchtime lectures featuring NMMU George senior students, academics and research associates continues with more interesting topics up for discussion during October and November. Members of the public are most welcome to “join the conversation”.
Carina Becker, NMMU George MSc: Botany student, was recently awarded a prize for the best student presentation during the Thicket Forum 2012 – an annual event hosted by Rhodes University and Living Lands (part of the PRESENCE network).
Students from NMMU’s George Campus again participated in this year’s Fynbos Eco Festival held at the George Botanical Gardens on 5 and 6 October.
Sustainable Energy for All is the theme of the upcoming science expo at Glenwood House – a knowledge partnership between Glenwood House Private School and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). The expo, which is open to the public on Thursday 11 October (14:00 – 18:00) and Friday, 12 October (08:00 – 16:00) features innovative technology displays and talks by learners, students, NMMU scientists and external experts.
Members of the public are cordially invited to join NMMU George in a discussion of the findings of an assessment of 12 farms in the Central Karoo where livestock farmers have been established through the Settlement Land and Acquisition Grant Scheme (SLAG) and the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) programmes of the Department of Land Affairs. The study is based on the findings (performance outcomes) of the past four years (2008 – 2011), compared to a baseline study conducted in 2008.
Students in the School of Natural Resource Management at NMMU’s George Campus will again participate in this year’s Fynbos Eco Festival to be held at the George Botanical Gardens on 5 and 6 October.
Work has commenced on the construction of the much-anticipated new student accommodation at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s George campus at Saasveld.
Third-year Marketing Management students from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s George Campus challenged to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in marketing and advertising rose to the occasion and impressed an appreciative audience and panel of judges with a spectacular Advertising Showcase recently. The event – an annual occurrence - Took place at the campus’s main hall on 13th September 2012.
This year 2nd year Tourism Management students of NMMU (George Campus) are staging an event as part of an assignment for one of their course modules. They have decided to host, in association with the Oliver Twist project, a food and clothing drive to benefit the community. The Oliver Twist Project has identified projects which include the feeding and clothing of young and old.
NMMU George’s annual Green Campus Awareness Week was launched on 17 September with a host of innovative displays and events put together by students. The week culminated with a fun-filled all-day programme on Friday, 21 September.
14th of September 2012 saw the crowing of this Year’s Mr and Miss NMMU George Campus. The event which took place at the campus’s main hall presented the theme of ‘glitz and glamour’ and portrayed exactly that.
Lecture Programme: 11 and 12 0ctober
Glenwood House Private School and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) have joined forces as knowledge partners to present a “one-of-a-kind” science expo in George.
Mr Yusuf Abramjee, well- renowned media expert, will be the speaker at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s (NMMU) official Public Lecture to be hosted at the George Museum on 20 September. He will share his views on the captivating theme - “Freedom of Expression” with invited guests and members of the public.
A vibrant group of NMMU George Campus student council members and members of the SASCO affiliation visited Bethesda Hospice during the month of August as part of their community outreach programme.
The annual NMMU George half-marathon is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 25 August at the university campus at Saasveld.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s (NMMU) George Campus at Saasveld has grown exceptionally well over the past few years, and is well-positioned for growth in various spheres. The university is committed to playing its part in realising the vision of a “coalition” to promote sustainability through quality education in the Garden Route and beyond, says Campus Principal, Prof Christo Fabricius.
Three Forestry students from NMMU’s George Campus at Saasveld (from left to right), Hannes van Zyl, Thandi Makoe and Sikhumbuzo Nxumalo, represented the campus at a recent two-day seminar organised by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).
It’s off to Turkey soon for three members of the Saasveld Forestry Association (SFA) who will be representing NMMU and their association at the International Forestry Students’ Symposium (IFSS) from 1 to 15 August.
Members of the International Forestry Student Association (IFSA) from across the globe participate in this two-week symposium, which is held annually in a different country.
Ena Wessels, an Information Technology lecturer at NMMU’s George Campus at Saasveld, and her son, Arian, a Maths teacher at Castle Bridge Private School in Bloemfontein, recently conducted a three-day basic computer course at a youth centre in Petrusville in the Northern Cape.
In a continuous effort to narrow the gap between the business sector and students within the higher education sector, NMMU’s George campus has welcomed industry expert Mr Bobby Hoole to share his expertise. He is the fire protection officer of the KwaZulu Natal Fire Protection Association (FPA).
Eleven postgraduate students from the Penn State University in Pennsylvania, accompanied by their tour leader, Prof Mike Jacobson and Mr Cori Ham from the University of Stellenbosch Forestry Faculty, recently visited NMMU George Campus as part of study tour of the forestry areas in Southern Africa.
A BSc Forest science graduate from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Mr Johansson Anders, recently visited the School of Natural Resource Management at NMMU George to share his experiences of the Scandinavian forest sector with fellow-academics and students in the third year Forestry class.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE… Top senior BEd (FET) student at George Campus, Nina Hanekom, is congratulated by Paddy Esselaar, Lecturer and Academic Co-ordinator in the BEd (FET) programme at George Campus.
The BTech Forestry / Wood Technology class of 2012, accompanied by Prof Jos Louw (Director: School of Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Science, front centre) and programme lecturers capture a moment in time in front of Pampoenkraal. This historic homestead is now utilised as a convenient conference venue and guest house at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s George campus at Saasveld.
Nationalisation is a contentious issue that has polarised public opinion. Some believe nationalisation will lead to a more equitable allocation of resources and create jobs, while others believe that nationalisation will create inefficiencies and a higher public sector bill.
NMMU students are continuously exposed to diverse opinions and are encouraged to participate in debate and express themselves. It was with this in mind that a panel of experts was convened at NMMU’s George Campus to discuss the feasibility of nationalisation of South African mines.
An information session specifically on careers in the IT sector has also been scheduled at the NMMU George Campus (Saasveld) on Tuesday, 17 July, 17:00 - 18:00. The venue is Classroom 009, Mopani Building.
The SA University Student surfing championships hosted for the third time in a row by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s George campus ended on a high note and in perfect weather at Victoria Bay on Friday 29 June.
The Second African Organic Conference held in Lusaka in May was a great success, reports Prof Raymond Auerbach, Programme Co-ordinator for the Agricultural Management programme at the George Campus of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).
A long-standing tradition of seventeen years was again honoured, with top students in Agricultural Management at NMMU George receiving various awards for exceptional academic achievement.
The impasse which has affected players of the NMMU George Rugby Club and which has prevented their recent participation in matches of the President’s League (Coastal Teams) has been resolved.
Following a discussion between senior representatives of both the SWD Rugby Union and NMMU George this week, it was agreed that the role of both institutions in the promotion of the sport of rugby is acknowledged, within their respective contexts.
Youth Day 2012 was of special significance to students at the NMMU George campus who were thrilled at the prospect of welcoming not one, but two ministers to Saasveld to address them.
More than 150 students and members of the student body, SASCO, spontaneously joined in song as they welcomed Mr. Malusi Gigaba, Minister of Public Enterprises and Mr. Maduduzi Manana, Deputy Minister of Higher Education to George Campus on 16 June.
It’s off to Germany soon for Sunel Esbach, a former student in Nature Conservation at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s George Campus at Saasveld.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, a comprehensive university with campuses in both George and Port Elizabeth, has realigned its governance system to strengthen the ties between George Campus and the various faculties located in Port Elizabeth.
Staff of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, George Campus, will be visiting various centres throughout the southern Cape during July. This initiative is aimed at creating an opportunity for anyone interested in studying at the university in 2013 to gain relevant information required to finalise their choice and to guide them in the application procedure.
For the third year in a row the Sport Office of NMMU in George will host the top surfing students of tertiary institutions from around South Africa at the iconic Victoria Bay.
Deslynne Hill has been appointed permanently as Assistant Librarian at NMMU’s George Campus with effect from 1 July 2012.
Willie Louw and Tiaan Pool, both lecturers in Forestry at NMMU’s George Campus at Saasveld, recently attended two forestry symposiums in Australia.
A group of lecturers in Forestry and Wood Technology from NMMU’s George Campus at Saasveld thought it wise to leave the comfort of George and set out on a field trip to one of the epicentres of the forestry industry - Pietermaritzburg.
On Thursday, 19 April 2012 NMMU George campus library received a generous donation of 49 school textbooks from Via Afrika. These books are intended for use by the BEd students within the Faculty of Education.
The NMMU George Campus Student Mobilization Change project was selected as one of the top five projects from Africa and Asia to be showcased in Shanghai, China recently during the launch of the RIO +20 Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability (GUPES).
A group of 18 students and two lecturers from the Texas A & M University’s Department Ecosystem Science and Management recently visited NMMU’s George Campus at Saasveld.
Staff from Datadot Technologies, Lions (District 410D) and the student-driven Green Campus Forum at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s George campus joined forces to plant trees on the campus.
This was done in an effort to finish the green corridors on the campus that will connect the various forest patches so that smaller animals that inhabit this natural environment may find it easier and safer to cross.
Third Year students from the NMMU George Campus studying towards the National Diploma: Marketing recently visited Cape Town with the objective to learn more about the advertising and print industry.
Professor Andrew Leitch, Executive Dean of NMMU’s Faculty of Science and Dr Jaap Steenkamp, Program Coordinator: Forestry in the faculty’s School of Natural Resource Management at George Campus (Saasveld) recently touched base with this important industry when they attended the Annual General Meeting of Forestry SA (FSA) in Pietermaritzburg.
Several NMMU George academics have been notching up additional postgraduate qualifications recently, and several more have enrolled for further studies this year – a tangible manifestation of NMMU’s commitment to academic excellence and cutting-edge research.
Dr Marianne Doubell, Mr Takalani Ramukumba, Ms Altouise Jonas and Dr Leonie de Witt –from the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences (George Campus), each added another postgraduate qualification to their already impressive academic records.
Neither the rain nor the cold could dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of both participants and visitors to the 2012 NMMU Open Day in George.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s top athlete in 20km Walk racing has been selected for the South African team that will be participating in the International Athletics Association Federation World Race Walking Cup. Armond Nel will represent South Africa in Saransk, Russia on the 12 and 13 May 2012.
Registration for the 2012 Academic Year is in full swing at all campuses of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. NMMU’s George Campus at Saasveld commenced with registration of first year students in the various programmes on 30 January and all indications are that this campus, too, will continue the positive growth trend established over the past few years.