{"id":43227,"date":"2026-09-22T23:27:26","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T23:27:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/?p=43227"},"modified":"2026-09-22T23:27:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T23:27:27","slug":"meta-title-vuts-first-chancellors-academic-excellence-awards-celebrate-achievement-and-inspire-greater-purpose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/st\/meta-title-vuts-first-chancellors-academic-excellence-awards-celebrate-achievement-and-inspire-greater-purpose\/","title":{"rendered":"Meta Title: VUT\u2019s first Chancellor\u2019s Academic Excellence Awards celebrate achievement and inspire greater purpose"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;VUT\u2019s inaugural Chancellor\u2019s Academic Excellence Awards celebrated 16 outstanding students across four faculties, highlighting academic excellence, lifelong learning, innovation and meaningful impact.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>22 September 2026 | Story by: Qhawekazi Memani  | Picture:<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>Keitumetse Mokgope<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">4 minutes read time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0 0 24px; padding: 0; background: #000;\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Mr-V-Zwelibanzi-Mntambo.webp\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;\">\n    <figcaption style=\"width: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 8px 10px; text-align: left; color: #fff; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; background: #000; box-sizing: border-box;\">\n VUT Chancellor Mr V. Zwelibanzi Mntambo addresses attendees during the inaugural Chancellor&#8217;s Academic Excellence Awards, a landmark event established to recognise and celebrate the University&#8217;s highest-achieving students.\n    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) celebrated academic excellence and the transformative power of education on 18 September 2026 when it hosted its inaugural Chancellor\u2019s Academic Excellence Awards at the Desmond Tutu Great Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Held during the University&#8217;s 60th anniversary year, the awards recognised 16 outstanding students across VUT\u2019s four faculties. Four students from each faculty were honoured for exceptional academic performance across diploma, advanced diploma and postgraduate qualifications, with recipients also receiving bursaries to support their continued academic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the awards celebrated outstanding academic achievement, speakers throughout the programme emphasised a broader message: excellence is not an end in itself but a responsibility to contribute to society, continue learning and create opportunities for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Opening the ceremony, VUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Khehla Ndlovu reminded award recipients that academic success is built on perseverance, sacrifice and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe journey includes attending lectures when tired, returning to concepts that do not immediately make sense, meeting difficult deadlines and finding the courage to continue,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prof Ndlovu also acknowledged the families, lecturers, supervisors, friends and support staff whose contributions help students succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reflecting on VUT\u2019s 60-year history, he said the institution\u2019s future depends on strengthening learning, innovation, research and socio-economic transformation. He noted that the Chancellor\u2019s Academic Excellence Awards form part of that broader vision<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">by recognising achievement while creating opportunities for further growth through mentorship, research and professional development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He encouraged recipients to continue learning, use their knowledge with integrity and support those who follow in their footsteps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The theme of lifelong learning was echoed by VUT Chancellor Mr Zwelibanzi Mntambo, who challenged students to view education as a lifelong pursuit rather than something that ends with a qualification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYour best friend should be a book. Your best friend should be learning,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mr Mntambo urged the university community to consider those who have not had access to higher education and to find ways of creating alternative pathways to skills development, confidence and meaningful participation in society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He also expanded the conversation beyond academic achievement by highlighting the importance of creativity and the arts in shaping well-rounded graduates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat about the artistic side of excellence?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His remarks recognised the role of artistic expression, including music, drama and creative industries, in contributing to a vibrant and inclusive university environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Distinguished South African fashion designer, entrepreneur and VUT alumnus Dr David Tlale reinforced the importance of lifelong learning and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNever stop learning,\u201d he urged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He challenged students to think beyond consumption and become creators, manufacturers and entrepreneurs capable of generating opportunities for themselves and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe need to stop being consumers more than manufacturers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His address reflected one of the central themes of the awards: that knowledge becomes most valuable when it is used to create meaningful impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Delivering the vote of thanks, award recipient Ms Miya Mabena, who was recognised for her Postgraduate Diploma in Logistics Management, described the ceremony as a proud moment for students and their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She thanked university leadership for creating a platform that celebrates academic excellence while investing in the future of students through educational support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ms Mabena also acknowledged lecturers, professors, deans, family members and supporters who contributed to the success of the award recipients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In her closing remarks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning Dr Grace Kanakana-Katumba shifted the focus to the personal journeys behind each award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cToday, we acknowledge you. Today, we see you. And today, we celebrate you,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She reminded recipients that the awards recognised more than academic results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEvery award is a story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Dr Kanakana-Katumba, each achievement represents discipline, commitment, resilience and countless hours of hard work. She encouraged recipients to view the recognition not as a destination but as the beginning of a new chapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is just the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Summing up the spirit of the occasion, she added:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLearning is a journey; we never arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The inaugural Chancellor\u2019s Academic Excellence Awards established a new tradition at VUT, one that celebrates academic achievement while reinforcing the values of lifelong learning, innovation, integrity and service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the 16 recipients, the awards marked a significant academic milestone. For VUT, they represent another step in strengthening its academic project as the institution enters the next chapter of its 60-year history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond the certificates and accolades, the ceremony served as a call to action: to continue learning, to use knowledge responsibly and to transform academic success into meaningful impact within communities, industries and society at large.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2F196506263%40N08%2Falbums%2F72177720335702749%2Fwith%2F55541603431&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cwebadmin%40vut.ac.za%7C6058a2a7a7ba439b25fd08df18c31b9b%7C1bad55d667ff456480adf00bca599df9%7C0%7C0%7C639256898402575443%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=lTw%2Bjv2JsKwYn6UeJAOOTpoQ8g4xS%2F%2FU6e8jCcLGmOY%3D&amp;reserved=0\">Catch the full experience on Flickr<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;VUT\u2019s inaugural Chancellor\u2019s Academic Excellence Awards celebrated 16 outstanding students across four faculties, highlighting academic excellence, lifelong learning, innovation and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":43229,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43227","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news-vaal-university-of-technology"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 5.0.2 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"&quot;VUT\u2019s inaugural Chancellor\u2019s Academic Excellence Awards celebrated 16 outstanding students across four faculties, highlighting academic excellence, lifelong learning, innovation and meaningful impact.&quot; 22 September 2026 | Story by: Qhawekazi Memani | Picture: Keitumetse Mokgope 4 minutes read time. 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