On 8 April 2026, Sol Plaatje University (SPU) hosted its inaugural Dean’s Merit Awards Ceremony, bringing together students, academic leadership, faculty and administrative staff in recognition of outstanding academic performance across faculties.
The awards were introduced to publicly recognise top-performing undergraduate students who may not yet be eligible for graduation awards. They form part of the University’s broader commitment to fostering a culture of academic excellence and sustained student success. The ceremony recognised the top three performing students per programme and year level, based on consistent academic achievement.
Proceedings were opened by Dr Severino Machingambi, Director: Centre for Teaching, Learning and Programme Development (CTLPD), who emphasised the importance of academic discipline, consistency and diligence. In his role as Programme Director, he reinforced a key message to award recipients: that academic excellence carries a responsibility to uplift others. Students were encouraged to share their approaches to studying, preparing for assessments, and maintaining performance, positioning them as peer leaders within the student community.
In his keynote address, Prof Paul Green, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, positioned the awards within the University’s academic project, emphasising SPU’s commitment to access with success and the holistic development of students. He noted that the Dean’s Merit Awards serve as a formal platform to recognise excellence throughout the student journey. The DVC expressed gratitude to the faculty deans, students and staff for the successful event.
A total of 106 students were recognised across the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, Humanities, and Education for their academic performance in the 2024 and 2025 academic years, reflecting both achievement, sustained consistency and tenacity. Prof Green further highlighted the role of academic and professional staff, as well as families and support systems, in enabling student success.
The ceremony reflected a celebratory atmosphere, with Deans and Head of Departments presiding over the awarding of certificates and trophies across faculties.
The inaugural ceremony establishes the Dean’s Merit Awards as a platform to reinforce student excellence, in alignment with the University’s strategic focus on academic success.
In his conclusion, Dr Machingambi highlighted that this trendsetting practice will be a defining marker for the University’s future as an academic community.
