Recipients of the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Merit Awards (VCDMA) were recently honoured at the Welcome and Leadership Conference, which was held as an in-person event for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conference is an annual three-day event that celebrates the top Grade 12 academic achievers who chose to further their studies at UP. The award provides the recipients with funding for the duration of their undergraduate studies.

Among the recipients who attended the conference were Gauteng’s two top matric achievers, Emily Jane Hawkes and Christelle Jones.

“I feel so honoured to receive this award,” said Jones, who will be pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) at the University. “I am so excited to meet everyone and be part of UP.”

The VCDMA recipients (pictured here) will be invited to be part of a unique programme that develops leaders, said Dr Abbey Mathekga, Director: Department of Enrolment and Student Administration.

“The conference started in 2016 with only 13 students – since then, a total of 400 students have received the distinguished award,” said Dr Abbey Mathekga, Director: Department of Enrolment and Student Administration, during his keynote speech. A total of 121 recipients have completed their degrees in the minimum amount of time; 61 completed their honours degrees; and three recipients have graduated with a master’s degree.

“As a VCDMA recipient, you will be invited to be part of a unique leadership programme that develops leaders who can cross boundaries and are enabled to solve complex problems both in organisations and cities,” Dr Mathekga added. “You will also have the opportunity to participate in the EyeBrainGym programme, which will help you to read faster, remember better and think more clearly.”

Other VCDMA recipients shared their excitement. Caitanya Moodley, Kasmira Vather and Aditi Ramessur, all acquaintances, said they were looking forward to exploring and growing in a new environment. Tia Haswell, who will be pursuing a philosophy, politics and economics (PPE) degree, was packed and ready to go to another university when she received the news that UP had selected her for the award.

“I was so excited and I knew then that I could not let this opportunity pass me by,” Haswell said. “I am grateful to be attending a university that embraces diversity and has similar values to mine.”

Naledi Ramushu, the second best-performing learner in Mpumalanga and a VCDMA recipient, said she appreciated how UP has a variety of services available for students to assist them when things get hard.

“It gives me so much peace knowing that I have such a strong support system, even at res,” she said.

Various representatives from the University informed students and their parents of the financial and academic benefits of the award. UP Registrar Professor Caroline Nicholson shared some academic advice with the students and emphasised the importance of class attendance and time management.

“Work hard and remember to have fun,” she said. “Your time at university can be the best times of your life, but never lose sight of why you are here.”