The Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria is proud to announce that seven of its academic staff members received recognition at UP’s Annual Academic Achievers’ Awards Function. 

Prof Steve Cornelius, Head of the Department of Private Law, received recognition as an exceptional academic achiever and Professor Reghard Brits in the Department of Mercantile Law was honoured as an Exceptional Young Researcher.  Other UP Law academics that were recognised for their research ratings include Dean André Boraine (B-rated), Prof Frans Viljoen (B-rated), Prof Philip Thomas (B-rated), Prof Anton Kok (C-rated), and Dr Gus Waschefort (Y-rated).  

These and 103 other University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) 2019 Academic Achievers were honoured on Tuesday, 21 May 2019, to honour more than 110 academics who have shown exceptional achievement in their disciplines, as well as National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated researchers.

The annual event is a highlight on UP’s calendar, and this year’s was the first under the vice-chancellorship of Professor Tawana Kupe, who said: “The academics honoured tonight help UP maintain its position as one of the top research institutes globally.” He told the honourees that their passion and commitment impact and transform lives in society. South Africa and the world need cutting-edge knowledge that only researchers or scholars with their expertise can produce.

Prof Kupe thanked the academics for being part of UP and for ensuring that the University “continues to illuminate the path of research excellence”.  He added, "It is in achievement that we valorise the pursuit of knowledge in its various forms. Knowledge as we know stimulates our intellect, illuminates in multiple ways, enables understanding, is a form of critical reflection, expands our horizons and enables us to imagine a better world than the one we live in. Knowledge also transforms lives, transforms societies, and transforms the world."