ISSUE 18 | SEPTEMBER 2016
FUNDRAISING
UWC celebrates 40 years of Golf Day fundraising On 24 August UWC hosted its annual Johannesburg Golf Day at the Killarney Country Club. This event, which has been presented annually since 1976, has grown into much more than just a day out on the golf course for our alumni. It is now also a key part of our strategy of staying connected to our loyal donors and expanding our network of supporters.
ALUMNI PROFILE
Alumnus travels the world but always returns
This year saw a total of 68 players teeing off (17 four-ball entries) with players including alumni, corporate guests and friends of the University. There were sponsored prizes all the way to 10th place, including a prize for the longest drive and one for the nearest to the pin. The day concluded with a dinner where the winners received due recognition. The top three achievers were Dr
Raymond Patel and Mr Colin Brown (first prize), Bradley Usher and Sheldon West (second) and Werner Maree and David Scholtz (third). The keynote address delivered by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of UWC, Professor Tyrone Pretorius, highlighted the funding crisis facing higher education and the issue of student access to education in particular. Prof Pretorius used the occasion to explain why the University has embarked on the Access to Success public fundraising campaign. The campaign stresses the importance of a collective solution that involves collaboration between higher education institutions, alumni, corporate and national structures towards finding sustainable funding solutions for students in need.
Dr Oluwaseun Fadipe joined UWC in 2007 with a burning desire to become a renowned geoscientist. He earned his honours degree and resisted “juicy offers” from the mining industries while he completed his master’s degree in petroleum geology (cum laude) and his PhD. Thereafter Dr Fadipe joined Schlumberger, one of the world's leading providers of technology for reservoir characterisation, drilling, production and processing in the oil and gas industry. Over a period of four years, he worked in several geological terrains in Europe, Africa, North and South America, and the Middle East. Faced with some financial challenges at UWC, he worked as a writing coach to support his studies. Dr Fadipe recalls that his time on campus was not without funny moments. Dr Fadipe believes he learnt proactiveness, perseverance, hard work and dedication at UWC, as essential keys to success. He has made it his duty to visit UWC at least once a year and has kept in touch with staff and the graduate students who need mentorship. He believes it’s always good to pass through the University and to let the University pass through you too. “If this happens, your willingness to give back to what fed you will not be a problem," says Dr Fadipe.
Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Tyrone Pretorius, congratulates this year's winners, Dr Raymond Patel (left) and Colin Brown (right).
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