GRADUATION 2019 ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

by Maritjie Cornelissen, maritjiec@elsenburg.com

GGraduation day! What a memorable day it is, -marking the end of a long academic journey, at times accompanied with both joy and sadness. Whichever one, the day signifies closure of one phase of life, while opportunities beckon on the horizon. As part of the academic tradition, the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute hosted another very successful graduation ceremony on 11 December 2019.

As the proud graduates crossed the stage to be capped, many of the staff were moved to tears. Both the lecturers and administrative staff witnessed these students transform from nervous but naively confident, first year students, into sophisticated graduates ready to face their agricultural careers of choice. Long-lasting friendships formed amongst students, providing valuable agricultural networks for the future.

In total, 220 students graduated – the certificate in horse mastership was awarded to 15 students, while 48 received a higher certificate in agriculture and 79 a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. The diploma in agriculture was awarded to 20 students and 58 successfully completed the oneyear national certificate in plant- and animal production.

All the graduates are now proud alumni of this prestigious institution. Notably, the College congratulates Dawn Loos, the 2019 dux student in the Bachelor of Agriculture degree. She received the following awards for her excellent academic achievements: Best Student in vegetable production, Best Student in agricultural management and Best Student in horticulture.

The dux students for the diploma and learnership programmes were Déan Fourie and Anzil Ontong, respectively.

In keeping with the song, ‘Gaudeamus Igitur’, “Long live the institution”!

AP