Highlights of the HOPE Project

Successful fundraising at Stellenbosch University (SU) is linked to the objectives of the HOPE Project, the campaign through which the University promotes its sustainability and through which it positions itself, using its expertise, to advance development and progress in South Africa and on the rest of the continent.

• July 2010: The HOPE Project is launched nationally in Stellenbosch, with similar events in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, George, Durban, Windhoek, Berlin, London, Amsterdam and the USA following later.
• July 2010: A conference with the theme “Hope in South Africa” is held, with participants including Judge Albie Sachs, Prof Ben Smit, Prof Sandra Liebenberg, Ms Phylicia Oppelt and Mr Ernst van Dyk.
• August 2010: The first imbizo of the Standard Bank Centre for Agribusiness Leadership and Mentorship Development is held, during which rural development and land reform are placed under the spotlight.
• October 2010: SU becomes the first African university to sign the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Information.
• November 2010: The Partnership for Africa’s Next Generation of Academics (PANGeA) is established, comprising the universities of Botswana, Dar es Salaam, Makerere, Malawi, Nairobi and Stellenbosch.
• November 2010: The Ukwanda Student Learning Centre for training in the health sciences is inaugurated in Worcester.
• December 2010: The Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management presents a gala concert at the Artscape in Cape Town.
• January 2011: The African Doctoral Academy and the TsamaHub offer summer schools in research methodology and sustainability, respectively.
• February 2011: An ultramodern Learning Commons in the JS Gericke Library is inaugurated, followed by a Research Commons in May. The latter was opened by Mr Pravin Gordhan, Minister of Finance. Both centres promote student success.
• March 2011: The Department of Journalism inaugurates its MEDIAFRIKA building.
• March 2011: The Stellenbosch University Water Institute, acting as a coordinating body for water research in seven SU faculties, is launched.
• March 2011: The Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership Development, the first of its kind in South Africa, is launched, offering, inter alia, programmes to develop the leadership skills of SU’s students.
• March 2011: The SU Senate passes a policy document on hope as guiding motive of the University. Approval by the University Council follows two months later.
• May 2011: Conferences on the themes “Theology, disability and dignity” and “Law and Poverty” are held.
• May 2011: Prof Russel Botman is reappointed as Rector for a second term. The HOPE Project took shape under his leadership.
• June 2011: The “Locations and Locutions” lecture series kicks off. This initiative by the Graduate School of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is aimed at stimulating critical debate on Africa.
• June 2011: Safe candle holders that help to prevent fires are handed over to the community of Macassar.
• July 2011: SU Chancellor Dr Johann Rupert, in his capacity as head of Richemont, makes an endowment to the University for establishing the Anton Mostert Chair in Intellectual Property Law. Prof Owen Dean is appointed as the first incumbent.
• 21 July 2011: The first anniversary of the public launch of the HOPE Project. So far, approximately R900 million of the fundraising target of R1.75 billion has been raised.
• July 2011: Ms Siphokazi Ndudane is appointed Director of SU’s Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa (SIGLA).
• August 2011: The Stellenbosch University Legal Aid Clinic opens a new wing to meet the high demand for its services from the community. In addition, double the usual number of senior students will now receive practical training each year.