The JuniorTukkie Office, which forms part of the Department of Enrolment and Student Administration (DESA) at the University of Pretoria (UP), hosted an information session for Gauteng schools' Grade 9 learners, their life orientation teachers and their parents on Saturday, 16 April 2016.

More than 1 100 guests attended the session, which aimed to assist learners in making informed choices about their intended career paths and to give guidance to both learners and parents on making safe and responsible subject choices for Grade 10. 

Learners, parents and teachers visited faculty exhibitions in the Rautenbach Hall on the Hatfield Campus, where they had the opportunity to engage with faculty staff in a relaxed and informal environment.

The formal proceedings started in the Aula, where Prof Carolina Koornhof, Executive Director: Finance, Business Initiatives, Enrolment and Student Administration at UP, welcomed all guests. Prof Koornhof emphasised that learners should, from a young age, plan ahead and set their goals on tertiary studies to ensure that they end up in successful careers. She specifically referred to the excellent study opportunities offered by UP on its vibrant campuses, where students are guaranteed a high standard of education.  

In his motivational speech titled, 'Your future starts here', Mr Wallace Isaacs, Deputy Director of Student Recruitment and Enrolment at DESA, encouraged learners to pursue their dreams. He emphasised that the future starts now with your dream, your team and your mind-set.

The TuksSport video and presentation that showcased the University's winning culture and outstanding programmes, as well as the world-class performances achieved by TuksSport athletes, definitely inspired and made an impact on the audience.

The programme was complemented by a memorable performance by the University of Pretoria Wind Band and the audience enjoyed every minute of it.

Four JuniorTukkie members, Mishkah Abdool Sattar, Charnie Groenewald, Anleo Jansen and Kutlwano Otice Mositi, shared their successful ventures at UP with the learners and parents. They also explained how the JuniorTukkie programme has helped them in their transition from school to university, and how the knowledge and experience they gained while being part of it has added to their university experience.

When Dr Pieter Clase, Senior Assistant Director of Recruitment for DESA, took to the stage, he explained that since learners in Grade 9 are often not yet sure about which careers they are interested in, it is important to tackle the process step by step and in a positive way. 'There is no reason for learners and parents to panic,' he said. 'Instead, they should be excited to work together in planning an exciting an interesting future of study and work in order to determine a suitable choice of subjects for Grade 10'.

Each learner in the audience received a brochure, Grade 10 subject choices, a helpful guide for Grade 9 learners and parents. Dr Clase explained the content of the brochure, which is all about information on subjects and admission requirements for degrees offered by the University of Pretoria. Guests were treated to light refreshments, after which the programme concluded with a tour of the University's Hatfield Campus.