Sdlu Wits

02/11/2015

Senate has approved the extension of the examination period. The final examination period will run from Monday, 9 November 2015 to Friday, 4 December 2015. The examination results will officially be released on Monday, 21 December 2015. The week 2 - 6 November 2015 will be used by faculties to complete the academic programme or for revision purposes, except in cases where there are activities associated with external professional accreditation bodies. The final examination timetable is available on the Wits website at http://www.wits.ac.za/students/exams/3650/timetables.html and will be placed on Examination Notice Boards today. It will also be accessible via the Student Self Service Portal.

The new timetable is essentially similar to the original timetable but will run from Monday, 9 November 2015. If there are any clashes, these should be reported to your Faculty as a matter of urgency. Students in the School of Education and the Faculty of Health Sciences are required to follow their respective timetables.

A number of factors were considered when we made the decision to postpone the examinations for this period of time. These include:

1. Quality assurance – The time required for academics to engage with local and international external examiners, who add value to the quality of Wits’ qualifications.
2. Professional bodies – The postponement impacts on the registration of many students with professional bodies as well as the time required for practical work.
3. Accommodation costs / need for extra accommodation – This is a major concern especially for students staying in private accommodation.
4. Graduations clashes – Any further extension will result in examinations clashing with graduations.
5. Transport and living expenses – The extended time period will have an additional impact on students living off campus and those who have already confirmed their travel arrangements at lower rates.
6. International students – There is a risk that there may be some international students whose visas may expire and who by law may be required to return to their home country. The University has no control over the issuing or extension of visas.

Students who celebrate Diwali will note that with the new timetable, there are exams scheduled to take place on the 10th and 11th of November. A special set of examinations has been scheduled to accommodate the significant religious holidays. Students are required to make contact with their respective faculty to indicate which examination session they will be selecting. Students may also consider a deferred option scheduled for January 2016.

Exams scheduled for 10th November

Special exam scheduled for 14th November

Exams scheduled for 11th November

Special exam scheduled for 15th November


Furthermore, each faculty is creating a supplementary window in early January 2016 for students who may be academically eligible to write a once off special supplementary examination. Faculties will communicate directly with students in this regard.

Graduations will take place from Tuesday, 8 December 2015 to Friday, 11 December 2015.

We wish you all the best for the forthcoming examinations. Should you have any queries, please make direct contact with your faculty.

Exam Timetables ...

30/10/2015

Dear Students

As the year draws closer to exam time, a number of students may be struggling with stress and anxiety, feeling unprepared and overwhelmed.
We remind you that Student Affairs Units like the Counselling and Careers Development Unit (CCDU) and the Campus Health and Wellness Centre are among the support structures that the University has on offer to help you through providing professional assistance. Please call 011 717 9140/32 or email [email protected] if you need help.
Do not be misled to use unprescribed stimulants. Central nervous system stimulants such as Ritalin or Concerta when used improperly can cause death or serious side effects. There are growing concerns internationally that students are going for quick fixes - the so-called ‘smart-drugs’ in order to achieve higher grades - http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/08/13/ritalin-adhd-abuse-facts_n_3748007.html
Do read the full article below:
Ritalin is hitting the headlines yet again, after new figures revealed the number of drugs being dished out to ADHD sufferers has increased by 56% in just six years – sparking fears that students may be buying into a new 'smart-drug' craze.
• Ritalin, also known as methylphenidate, is a central nervous system stimulant that affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
• If it is snorted, swallowed in high quantities, or injected, the drug can have a similar effect to using co***ne or amphetamines, and can be just as addictive.
• In the United Kingdom, methylphenidate is a controlled 'Class B' substance. Possession without prescription carries a sentence up to five years and/or an unlimited fine and supplying it is 14 years and/or an unlimited fine.
• Street names for Ritalin include: Kibbles and bits, Kiddy co***ne, Skippy, Smarties, Vitamin R and Pineapple.
• The side-effects and misuse of methylphenidate have been associated with an increased risk of aggression, hostile behaviour and psychosis.
• The effects of long-term treatment on the developing brains of children with ADHD are ongoing but there is limited data that suggests there are benefits to long-term use.
• The most common side common side effects are nervousness, drowsiness, bad vision and insomnia.
• More than one in 100 users can suffer from depression, hair loss and problems controlling muscle movement.
• Other users can suffer from anorexia, meaning some use it as an appetite suppressant.
• Some people who take the drug can subsequently suffer from Tourette's syndrome.
Please call 011 717 9140/32 or email [email protected] if you need help.
Wits Student Affairs at your service.

Ritalin is hitting the headlines yet again, after new figures revealed the number of drugs being dished out to ADHD sufferers has increased by 56% in just six years – sparking fears students may

08/10/2015

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, is part of U.S. President Obama's Young African Leaders Initiative. Annually, young African leaders are taken to the U.S. for 6-week leadership institutes and when they return home they are supported with additional professional development.

The 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship application process is open.

After reading all application requirements and details below, begin the Fellowship application process: Apply here: 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship Application MANDELA WASHINGTON FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION INFORMATION Selection Process The Mandela Washington Fellowship is conducted as a merit-based o…

07/10/2015

DST-NRF Internship Programme 2016/17

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is responsible for the management of the DST-NRF Internship Programme in which unemployed Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) graduates and postgraduates (including those in Social Sciences and Humanities) are offered an opportunity to acquire practical work experience through mentoring and exposure to a research environment. This opportunity is also offered to those unemployed graduates and postgraduates who are interested in research management, research support and administration at public higher education institutions and research agencies through a partnership with the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA). Applications are invited from candidates who are interested in acquiring work experience in the areas of specialisation or disciplines in the stated provinces:

05/10/2015

05/10/2015

05/10/2015

03/10/2015

Congratulations to Masego Sego Matlape and Dinah Mukhari who have won a set of double tickets each to the South Point Street Fest.

29/09/2015

Unite Against Corruption March 2015

The Wits branch of the Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ) and Corruption Watch invite staff and students to join the Unite Against Corruption March taking place in Pretoria tomorrow, 30 September 2015.

Buses will leave from 08:00 from the Planetarium parking area and will return to Wits from Pretoria tomorrow at around 16:00.

The SLSJ is a South African student organisation dedicated to protecting human rights, preventing discrimination and promoting social justice and the rule of law. It is a society formed in partnership between students of the various universities in South Africa. They aim transform legal education and access to justice.

29/09/2015

Call all Thinkers!

You are invited to attend the Golden Key Symposium

Date: 29 September 2015
Venue: Senate Room
Time : 3 pm - 7 pm

Guest Speakers include:
Dr David Hornsby - Sr. Lecturer of IR, Wits
Lynsey Chutel - Reporter at the Associate Press
Themba Masondo - M&G 200 Young South Africans
Shaka Sisulu - Activist and Media Personality
Roy Gluckman - Attorney, Facilitator, Speaker
Karl Gostner - General Manager of Primedia Broadcasting
Pontsho Pilane - Media Honours Student, Journalist with the Daily Vox and an unapologeticfeminist

28/09/2015

Win double tickets to the South Point Street Fest.

By simply liking, sharing and answering the question below:

Where will the Street Fest take place?

Winners will be announced on the 1st of October