The most important task of the Department of Enrolment and Student Administration (DESA) at the University of Pretoria is finding new and innovative ways to meet our prospective student market's needs and assist them in making informed study and career choices. DESA entered the JuniorTukkie app, the JuniorTukkie magazine and the pamphlet 'Become a JuniorTukkie' into several categories of the 2017 SA Publication Forum Competition. The SA Publication Forum strives to enhance the standard of corporate journalism in South Africa. The aim of the competition is to reward excellence in internal and external corporate communication media. Every entry gets insightful feedback from the judges which helps us to see where we can improve in the future.

We are proud to announce that Ms Martie Kilian won the Best Communication Innovation Award for the JuniorTukkie app at the awards function held on Thursday, 28 September 2017. From the judges' feedback, it is clear that the JuniorTukkie app serves its purpose: 'Innovation is often also viewed as the application of better solutions that meet new requirements, unarticulated needs, or existing market needs. This is accomplished through more effective products, processes, services, technologies, or business models that are readily available to markets, governments and society. The term “innovation” can be defined as something original and more effective and, as a consequence, new, that “breaks into” the market or society. The JuniorTukkie app ticks all the boxes when looking at the above definition. This app communicates with its market (young people) in a new, innovative way that speaks to their needs, on a platform that will intrigue, entertain and educate.'

The JuniorTukkie magazine was entered into several categories and we are very proud of Ms Anthea Pretorius, who received a merit certificate for Finalist: Editor of the Year. The judges commented as follows: 'This editor deals with a variety of titles, all aimed at promoting the University of Pretoria amongst potential students.  It is clear that the JuniorTukkie team is enthusiastic about their work. This is evident in the application of new technology and the inclusion of lively articles. It remains a challenge to get into young people's heads and to understand what they want and would find exciting. Well done on fulfilling a challenging task of producing publications for this niche market.'

The JuniorTukkie magazine also received a merit certificate for Finalist: Best External Magazine, Category B, as well as three excellence awards.

DESA awards include:

JuniorTukkie app:  Best Communication Innovation
Ms Anthea Pretorius:  Finalist: Editor of the Year
'Become a JuniorTukkie' pamphlet:  Excellence in Writing and Communication
JuniorTukkie magazine:  Excellence in Design
JuniorTukkie magazine:  Excellence in Writing
JuniorTukkie magazine:  Finalist: Best External Magazine, Category B
JuniorTukkie magazine:  Excellence in Communication

These achievements would not have been possible without our strong management team. Special thanks are due to Mr Wallace Isaacs, Dr Pieter Clase and Mr Petrus Lombard.