It is a singular honour and a distinct privilege for me to welcome you, our new students, to Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网. Warm congratulations on earning your place at this prestigious institution. You have been chosen from thousands of applicants who aspired to further their education here. Your academic accomplishments, perseverance, and personal sacrifices have paved the way for your journey with us. This is now your university; well done!

If you have been counting the days to the start of your exciting new experience at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网, we too have been awaiting your arrival with much anticipation and excitment. You are about to embark on an important and transformative adventure of a lifetime – a journey of self-discovery, growth and development.

You are part of a remarkable cohort of young people joining Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 as the university concludes its 120^th anniversary celebrations. This is a time filled with fresh possibilities and new beginnings as we start a new chapter in your life and in the life of our university. As we step forward together, we honour Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网’s rich legacy of 120 years of pioneering spirit, academic excellence, innovation, and societal contribution.

Our 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 enjoys the best pass and graduation rates of any South African university. We have outstanding postgraduate success rates and enjoy one of the best research outputs per academic staff member of any South African university. Our academics are at the forefront of knowledge creation and knowledge dissemination in their fields of research. They are recognised by their peers around the globe as world leaders and experts in their research fields. This means that, even at the undergraduate level, you may be taught by academics who are actively engaged in creating and disseminating new knowledge. You have chosen wisely indeed!

We are proud of, and strive to maintain, our reputation as an outstanding university that provides high-quality formative education in a small, intimate and nurturing environment which is conducive to academic endeavours and building a sense of community for its students. At Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 we do not just equip our graduates with technical skills for jobs; we educate and prepare them for a future – an uncertain future; an unpredictable future; an unknown and unknowable future; a complex future; a future that is constantly changing. We educate, prepare and nurture responsible and engaged global citizens who are able to cope with, and thrive in, uncertainty and change. At Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网, our mission goes beyond equipping students with skills and knowledge. We believe in nurturing individuals who will contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world. You are part of a generation tasked with addressing complex global challenges, from social justice to environmental sustainability. The education you receive here is a catalyst for positive change, a force that enables you to think critically and act ethically as a global citizen committed to the public good.

Through our in-classroom and out-of-classroom activities, we shall endeavour to develop you as a whole person, fully equipped with our graduate attributes of a life-long learner; an ethical leader; a digitally competent graduate; a curious and innovative thinker and problem-solver; an empathetic person and a critical and engaged global citizen.

A university is a space for contestation of ideas. Ideas are the lifeblood of our intellectual endeavour. And so, not only will you be exposed to new knowledge, technical skills and competencies, we will also develop and nurture your ability and capacity to reason, analyse, reflect and argue using knowledge and evidence. As a research-intensive university, our approach to teaching and learning seeks to expose students to the nature of knowledge and induct them into the intricacies and mysteries of creating new knowledge and adapting or applying old knowledge in new contexts. This will prepare you to contribute to many and diverse fields of human endeavour ranging from science, innovation, corporate sector to justice and social upliftment.

During your time at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 you may find yourself challenged by ideas that are unfamiliar or that take you out of your comfort zone – open yourself to these challenges. Do not be afraid to enter alien territory or to explore new horizons. While your education will be nurturing and affirming, it will also challenge you to interrogate the world you inhabit and the views and perspectives that you may hold dear.

Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 is a learning community dedicated to furthering the public good.  We learn from and through each other, and for us learning extends beyond a lecture theatre, seminar room, library, or laboratory. It also occurs in sports fields, social clubs, student societies, extra-curricular activities and through participation in community engagement initiatives. Your involvement in these and other activities outside of the classroom setting is essential for your holistic development, growth and education. You must however learn to balance your academic demands, extracurricular activities and social life to become a well-rounded and well-educated graduate of Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 who is able to engage critically, meaningfully and responsibly with all aspects of life.

One of the exciting aspects of the university experience is the opportunity to meet and interact with other young people who come from different social, economic, geographic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds. At Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网, diversity is a cornerstone of our vibrant community. This diversity is essential to create an intellectual, social and cultural environment which is key to achieving academic excellence and personal growth and development. Engage with peers from all backgrounds, keep an open mind, and share your ideas and experiences in a manner that is respectful and enhances one’s understanding of what it means to be fully human. By doing so, you will broaden your understanding and enrich your time at university. In this way, you will grow and develop as a person and as a member of our community, which, in turn, will enhance our collective growth and development and broaden your education. More importantly, we encourage you to form new bonds of friendship with other young people whose lived experiences may be different to yours.

As an institution “where leaders learn” and, with the motto Vis Virtus Veritas (Truth, Virtue and Strength), we encourage our students to develop their capacity to raise critical, complex and uncomfortable issues that face our society and humankind in a thoughtful and respectful manner. Using the power of reasoned and rational argument and logic, they can persuade those who may hold views that are different to theirs. We encourage our students to endeavour at all times to uphold the values that we cherish deeply at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网: treating each other with respect, courtesy, dignity and honesty. Every member of the Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 community enjoys all the rights enshrined in our Constitution. In particular, no one has a right to interfere with the bodily integrity of another person without their consent. Our 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 has a zero tolerance to sexual and gender-based harm. There is no place at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 for any behaviour motivated by xenophobia, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and any other form of intolerance, bigotry and chauvinistic attitude.

This is an important time of transition for you – from school to university and into young adulthood. This transition, change and adjustment can be equally exciting, daunting and overwhelming. As a  university student, you will enjoy much more freedom and independence. With the freedom and independence of university life comes responsibility Your choices have consequences, and your decisions and action will shape your future. We are here to ensure that this transition is both manageable and enjoyable for you. Our academic and support staff are here to support and guide you; they are here to help you realise your dreams, hopes and aspirations; they are here to help you navigate the important transition into adulthood; they are here to make your university experience a positive, rewarding and a fulfilling one. As a small 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 with dedicated, committed and professional staff, we are able to offer that personal touch that may make a difference in your life. We encourage you to use all the professional assistance and support services available to you.

As you begin this journey, it is essential to recognise the context in which you are pursuing your higher education. In South Africa, higher education faces complex challenges, each of you has earned a place here through hard work and determination, and many others dream of the opportunity you now hold. It is a privilege that comes with responsibility—not only to yourself but to those who may not have this chance. Use your time at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 wisely and productively; discover your passion and find your purpose in life. Develop a work ethic from the get-go; set goals and standards of excellence for yourself. Develop a sense of self-discipline, focus and commitment. Do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it. 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 study is much more demanding and challenging than school. It requires you to develop the ability for independent study, persistence and dedication. Work hard and consistently, engage deeply in your studies and develop your potential fully. Embrace every resource and opportunity Rhodes offers, and let your journey here honour the sacrifices that made it possible.

The 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网’s Orientation Programme is designed not only to provide you with information on courses that are on offer at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网, but also to expose you to a wide range of support services and opportunities provided by the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 to enrich your experience and enhance your chances of growth, development and academic success. The Orientation Programme is also designed to help you settle quickly and smoothly in campus life and in your studies.

May your journey at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 empower you to realise your fullest potential, inspire you to explore your individuality and uncover the meaningful role you can play in shaping a brighter future for our society and humanity at large.

As you embark on this transformative journey, we extend our warmest wishes for your success in the years ahead. Welcome to a place that stirs the imagination and kindles the spark of curiosity. Welcome to a place that nurtures the creative spirit and fosters the pursuit of knowledge. Here, you will find a space brimming with ideas, hope, and the promise of opportunity for all who enter. Above all, welcome to a community dedicated to growth, purpose, and the making of tomorrow's leaders. Welcome to Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网!

Dr Sizwe Mabizela

Vice Chancellor Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网

Last Modified: Sat, 04 Jan 2025 15:22:55 SAST