The 2009 Rhodes University graduation ceremonies from 16 to 18 April will see 1753 students from all six faculties at the University being awarded degrees. A total of 1083 of these students will be obtaining their first-time qualifications, which includes diplomas, certificates and degrees, while 670 graduates will obtain their postgraduate qualifications.

Evident among these graduates, are growing numbers of women students obtaining their tertiary education qualifications prior to embarking on professional careers. Of the total number of students graduating this year, 683 are male graduates while at 1070, significantly more than half of them are female graduates.

While the number of white students graduating in 2009 is still significantly higher than students of other races, year on year comparisons demonstrate an increase in the number of black graduates. This year 946 white, 660 black, 101 Asian and 46 coloured students will graduate. In 2008, 1062 white, 649 black, 110 Asian and 62 coloured students graduated.

Within the six academic faculties at Rhodes, the Humanities retain the largest number of graduates at 673 while Commerce has 407 graduates. The number of science graduates is growing with the faculty recording an unprecedented 352 graduates in 2008 and coming in third this year with 297 graduates. Further Education has 241, Pharmacy 79 and Law 56 graduates.

Issued By: Rhodes University Communications and Development Division

2009 Graduation Ceremonies

Thursday 16 April, 18:00 - Faculty of Commerce (other than PDEM)

Graduation address by Ms Lynette Marais

Doctor of Laws (LLD) honoris causa to be conferred on Ms Lynette Marais

Friday 17 April, 10:30 - Faculties of Education, Law and Pharmacy

Graduation address by Dr Humphrey Zokufa, Managing Director,

The Board of Healthcare Funders of Southern Africa

Friday 17 April, 14:30 - Faculty of Science

Graduation address by Professor Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan, Professor of Zoology,

University of Cape Town and Chairperson of the Association of SA Women in Science

and Engineering

Friday 17 April, 18:00 - Faculty of Humanities

BA, BA (Hons), MA and PhD (following an Arts degree)

Graduation address by Professor Dennis Brutus

Doctor of Literature (DLitt) honoris causa to be conferred on Professor Dennis Brutus

Saturday 18 April, 10:30 - Faculty of Humanities

Social Science, Journalism, Music, Fine Art and the PDEM

Graduation address by Ms Sibongile Khumalo

Doctor of Music (DMus) honoris causa to be conferred on Ms Sibongile Khumalo

Doctor of Laws (LLD) honoris causa to be conferred on Professor Issa G Shivji

Please note:

Guests must be seated 15 minutes before commencement of ceremonies