The Department of Institutional Advancement (DIA) and the Department of Enrolment and Student Administration (DESA), at the University of Pretoria (UP), achieved remarkable success at the 2024 Marketing, Advancement, and Communication in Education (MACE) Excellence Awards, securing an impressive 23 wins out of 41 entries.

Competing alongside South Africa’s top universities and higher education institutions, DIA showcased outstanding creativity and innovation in alumni relations, fundraising, marketing, and communications.

The MACE Excellence Awards take place annually to recognise and celebrate excellence and the achievements of specialists and practitioners in marketing, advancement and communication in South Africa’s higher education sector.

The awards have three divisions and 30 categories. One of the DIA’s most notable achievements was winning a Platinum Award for their ground-breaking work on Re.Search Magazine 9: What If? Edition in the Digital: External Magazines and Newsletters category.

“This edition focused on emerging research that, while still in its early stages, holds great potential for the future,” said Re.Search Editor, Shakira Hoosain. “We approached it differently, framing each article around the question, ‘What if?’ — a fresh perspective that challenged our readers to consider what could be possible.”

The DIA team also earned a Gold Award for the ChooseUP Day direct campaign. This annual campaign, which kicks off the year, is designed to inspire prospective students from South Africa and around the world to follow in the footsteps of accomplished professionals, entrepreneurs, and pioneers by enrolling at UP.  

“Congratulations to the team on this incredible achievement,” said Rikus Delport, DIA Director. “Your dedication and creativity have truly paid off. This recognition reflects the exceptional work you do. I’ve watched you tirelessly create UP’s best student recruitment campaign, communicate our growing academic excellence, secure vital funds for student financial aid, and elevate our Postgraduate website and graduation ceremonies. Well done!” 

The team also received the following awards:

• Gold: Re.search 8, design for digital channels

• Gold: This is How we Make Today Matter in the media category

• Gold: UP Gets h’Appy in the mobile apps category

• Gold: Postgraduate website

• Gold: Re.search 8 in the printed eternal magazines and newsletters category

• Gold: Choose UP Day direct campaign

• Silver: Choose UP Day video invitation

• Silver: Re.Search 9: What If? In the writing for features category

• Silver: UP discovers nine new species of trap door spiders 

• Silver: UP Researchers discover superpowers in mole rats

• Silver: Re.search 8: Connect in the design for printed channels category

• Silver: UP Gets #Ready4Work

• Bronze: Hello World: UP Country specific information leaflets

• Bronze: Postgraduate news

• Bronze: ’67 VW Beetle Raffle video

• Bronze: UP Emergency booklet

• Bronze: Choose UP Day photography

• Bronze: Lead UP podcast season 4

• Bronze: Community Matters digital newsletter

• Bronze: Re.Search Magazine 8: Connect

• Bronze: #UPGraduationIsCalling

• Bronze: Choose UP Postgraduate on campus campaign