‘This is only the beginning of your journey.’ Departmental graduates honoured at prizegiving

The Department of chemical Engineering at Stellenbosch University (SU) celebrated its graduates and top-achieving students during a special prizegiving function in their honour, at the Endler Hall in Stellenbosch on Wednesday, 7 December. The celebration preceded the class of 2022’s official graduation ceremony, which took place later that same day.

“This is not the end of the journey, it is only the beginning,” said Prof Petrie Meyer, Vice-Dean (Research and Industry Liaison) of the Engineering Faculty at SU, in an address to the graduates. “This degree is the enabler of great things to come.”  

Departmental Chairman, Prof Christie Dorfling, congratulated the graduates on succeeding in their studies. “Overall, approximately 30 per cent of students who start their studies in chemical engineering do not [finish],” said Prof Dorfling. “So, each and every graduate sitting here today can be proud of what they have achieved.” Prof Dorfling also thanked the graduates’ parents and guardians. “[Our students] have not walked this road alone. Throughout their studies, there were friends and family who supported them financially, emotionally, and in many other ways. To our parents and guardians who are here today, a special word of thanks. We know it has taken many sacrifices.” Prof Dorfling concluded the prizegiving by wishing the graduates well in their future endeavours. “Whatever you dream of in terms of your future and what you want to achieve, you can do it.”   

And the winners are…

BEng awards: 

  • SAIMM Award for the Best Third-Year Student in Mineral Processing: Edwin Olivier 
  • SAIMM Prestige Award for the Best Final-Year Project in Mineral Processing: Pieter van den Berg  
  • Stone Three Award for the Best Final-Year Student in Process Control: Mila van Wyk 
  • Stone Three Award for the Best Final-Year Student in Process Design: Gina Wilkinson 
  • Department of Process Engineering Award for the Best Final-Year Poster: Tinashe Chikunichawa 
  • Departmental nominee for the Jac van der Merwe Award for the Most Innovative Final-Year Project: Thomas van der Westhuizen 
  • Minerals Education Trust Fund Award for the Best Final-Year Project: Beatrice Mwamba 
  • Dept of Process Engineering Award for the Best Third-Year Student: Daniel Barrett 
  • SAIChE Silver Medal for the Best Final-Year Student in the Department of Process Engineering: Mila van Wyk  
  • Christoff Smith Award for the Best Student in Bioprocess Engineering: Mila van Wyk 
  • Elton Thyse Award for the Best Student in Extractive Metallurgy: Alet-Mari Snyman 
  • Chairman’s Award for a Noteworthy Contribution by a Final-Year Student: Munae Troskie 
  • Department of Process Engineering Award to the Final-Year Student with the Highest Average over Four Years: Garren Hermanus 

The Engineering Faculty’s awards to Cum Laude students (BEng):  

Beatrice Mwamba 

MEng Awards:  

SAPPI SA Award for the Best MEng Student:  Qiniso Ngiba

The Engineering Faculty’s awards to Cum Laude students (MEng): 

Edward Bras
Erika Bührmann
Fabian Ferreira
Christi Kriek
Qiniso Ngiba
AJ Stander
Louis Wentzel 

PhD Award: 

Department of Chemical Engineering Award for the Best PhD Student: Tiaan Punt 

Congratulations to our graduates and prize-winners, we are extremely proud of your achievements!