More than 40 PhD students will graduate from the University of Fort Hare during its winter graduation ceremonies, with the number expected to reach the 60s by the end of the year.
Spokesman Khotso Moabi said the 44 graduands and graduates will be part of a group of 2831 students to graduate this winter.
“Thirteen of the PhDs are from the faculty of science and agriculture,” Moabi said.
The winter graduation ceremonies began yesterday at the Abbotsford Christian Centre during a ceremony where newly appointed SRC president Busisiwe Mashiqa made her maiden speech.
Moabi said the university was also set to confer three honorary doctorates on “candidates with outstanding contributions to the progressive social, educational and economic development of the society nationally and internationally”.
The three are former deputy president Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, South African Football Association president Dr Danny Jordaan and Dr Xavier Francis Carelse, the university’s alumnus who is famous for his passion in advancing science education in Africa.
Yesterday, seven doctorates were conferred during the first ceremony in the morning, and three in the afternoon session, including the honorary doctorate to Jordaan.
The president of the convocation, Max Makubalo, congratulated the new graduates. Makubalo reminded those in attendance that the university was soon to celebrate 100 years, and even in the light of the recent “intolerance” – referring to the xenophobic attacks – he emphasised the pan-African nature of the institution.
“Fort Hare says unequivocally no to xenophobia,” he said.
He encouraged the new alumni to give back to their communities and their alma mater.
“I know you pay your taxes, and this sounds like a voluntary tax,” he said, suggesting that the graduates could invest in bursaries and help other graduates get jobs in the future.
He congratulated the new SRC and wished them well on the journey ahead.
The total number of graduates and PhDs that will be conferred will increase after the second semester because the University of Fort Hare has held two graduation seasons a year since last year. — vuyiswav@dispatch.co.za
Fort Hare to award 44 doctorates
Spokesman Khotso Moabi said the 44 graduands and graduates will be part of a group of 2831 students to graduate this winter.
“Thirteen of the PhDs are from the faculty of science and agriculture,” Moabi said.
The winter graduation ceremonies began yesterday at the Abbotsford Christian Centre during a ceremony where newly appointed SRC president Busisiwe Mashiqa made her maiden speech.
Moabi said the university was also set to confer three honorary doctorates on “candidates with outstanding contributions to the progressive social, educational and economic development of the society nationally and internationally”.
The three are former deputy president Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, South African Football Association president Dr Danny Jordaan and Dr Xavier Francis Carelse, the university’s alumnus who is famous for his passion in advancing science education in Africa.
Yesterday, seven doctorates were conferred during the first ceremony in the morning, and three in the afternoon session, including the honorary doctorate to Jordaan.
The president of the convocation, Max Makubalo, congratulated the new graduates. Makubalo reminded those in attendance that the university was soon to celebrate 100 years, and even in the light of the recent “intolerance” – referring to the xenophobic attacks – he emphasised the pan-African nature of the institution.
“Fort Hare says unequivocally no to xenophobia,” he said.
He encouraged the new alumni to give back to their communities and their alma mater.
“I know you pay your taxes, and this sounds like a voluntary tax,” he said, suggesting that the graduates could invest in bursaries and help other graduates get jobs in the future.
He congratulated the new SRC and wished them well on the journey ahead.
The total number of graduates and PhDs that will be conferred will increase after the second semester because the University of Fort Hare has held two graduation seasons a year since last year. — vuyiswav@dispatch.co.za
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