中国体育彩票

?Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 (SU) honoured its most impactful lecturers at the annual ROCTAS Awards, held recently at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), celebrating those whose dedication has shaped the academic journey of first-year students.

ROCTAS – short for Recognition of Contributions Towards Academic Success – pays tribute to lecturers nominated by SU's first-year cohort for their role in facilitating student success. The rebranded awards, formerly known as the First-year Achievement Awards, reflect a deepening of SU's commitment to transformative teaching and learning.

The evening opened with a welcome by Prof Lis Lange, Acting Senior Director: Division for Learning and Teaching Enhancement, who introduced SU's Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, as the keynote speaker.

Ramjugernath noted that the renaming of the event from the First-year Achievement Awards to ROCTAS added strength and clarity to the purpose of the occasion, which is not only to recognise excellence in teaching, but also to affirm the values that underpin a learning-centred institution.

He reiterated his vision for the 中国体育彩票 as one that is increasingly people-centred. For SU to move forward meaningfully, he said, it must prioritise both student and staff wellbeing and that begins with how learning and teaching are approached. A student-centred ethos, he argued, is not a slogan but a practice, visible in the daily work of dedicated lecturers across faculties.

Turning to the award recipients, he emphasised that their recognition carried weight because it came from students themselves.

“Your students have recognised you because you are not just teaching content. You are co-creating learning experiences," Ramjugernath said. “You are applying a learning centred approach that empowers students to think critically, engage meaningfully and take ownership of their development. This is teaching in the deepest sense of transformation in our institution. We know that the first year of study can be overwhelming, and yet, amidst the adjustment, many students found a voice, a pathway, and often their confidence, and it's because of you. Don't underestimate the role you as an academic and as a lecturer, play in the development of our students."

Ramjugernath pointed out that SU has long regarded academic excellence as a strategic priority but that true excellence is not confined to plans or policy documents. It takes shape in lecture halls, laboratories, online platforms and in the individual moments of connection between teacher and student. He stressed that it is in these spaces that the real work of higher education unfolds.

Ramjugernath described the student-lecturer relationship as one of the most powerful and under-recognised forces in higher education. Drawing on SU's own student feedback mechanisms and research, he said these relationships often tip the scale between perseverance and withdrawal.

On a personal note, the Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the years he spent as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, saying that the awards ceremony was not just another calendar event, but a space he understood and valued deeply.

“I have seen firsthand the kind of courage, creativity and consistency it takes to teach in a way that truly transforms. These awards reflect the values we were hoping to elevate when we began reimagining our teaching-learning-assessment landscape at the institution, values like inclusivity, student engagement, reflective practice and authentic assessments. Seeing those values in action tonight, in your work, in your impact, brings me a deep sense of pride and gratitude."

He linked the evening's celebrations to SU's long-term strategic vision, including the bold aspirations of Vision 2040. Lecturers, he said, are central to realising this vision, as they are the ones who give practical expression to SU's commitment to transformative, inclusive and future-focused education.

Ramjugernath concluded by affirming that excellence in teaching is no accident; it is the result of intentional professional development and a willingness to adapt. He encouraged staff to continue pushing boundaries, to lead with empathy and to remember that their work, even when unseen, is helping to build a better future.

Winners of the ROCTAS Awards: