Graduation by graduation, UWC continues to release ever more students who can go on to change the world.

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) will confer a record total of 67 doctoral degrees during the March Graduation season from 10 to 19 March.

UWC’s Chancellor The Most Reverend Dr Thabo Makgoba and Vice Chancellor and Rector Professor Brian O'Connell, will be capping a total of 3311 graduates - including 2530 undergraduates degrees, 511 Honours degrees, 203 Masters degrees and 67 doctoral degrees this graduation.

UWC have done themselves proud by increasing their number of graduates across the board. In March last year a total of 3136 students graduated, 34 of them with doctoral degrees and 153 Masters degrees.

The university will awarded a visually impaired student, Xolani Gxekwa his LLB degree (Summa Cum Laude) on 11 March. He will also receive additional prizes at the UWC Law Pre-graduation ceremony that precedes his graduation.

An Honourary Doctorate in Social work will be awarded during the ceremonies to Amelia R Jones, who was instrumental in forming a national philanthropy umbrella body, the United Community Chest South Africa (UCCSA), now known as Community Chest South Africa (CCSA).

The Community Chest entered the global philanthropic space through her formal association with United Way Worldwide (UWW), the largest and best-respected institution promoting philanthropy and advancing the common good globally.  She has represented the Community Chest on numerous global philanthropic platforms. As co-chair of the United Way Worldwide Annual conference, she assisted in the development of global standards, guidelines and frameworks for philanthropic policy and practice.

She is most noted for her original thought leadership in her establishment of the Community Chest Capacity Building Programme. This was born out of the urgent need to build a strong skills base within organizations. What started with a handful of community workers in Gugulethu has grown exponentially over the last eighteen years. Currently the Community Chest Capacity Building Programme provides training in ten key areas of NGO work, including fundraising, financial literacy, event management, governance, and office skills. The most recent addition is the Emerging Leadership Programme which provides a platform for grade 12 learners from all communities to develop their leadership and philanthropic skills. Amelia has always been a strong advocate of youth development. Through the Emerging Leadership she was instrumental in the formation of the Junior Community Chest.

Amelia Jones formally stepped down as the Community Chest CEO in 2013, but continues her social activism by sharing her vast experience with values-based organizations, NGOs and young emerging thought leaders in the field. Her care and passion to assist communities grow and develop are unflagging. She currently serves on the Board of the Cape Town Partnership. Amelia Jones has lived out her commitment to knowledge, wisdom, lifelong learning, original thought leadership and philanthropy. She is a pioneering civil society activist, an exemplar of commitment, dedication, inspiration, and selfless giving.

See programme below:

Date: 10 to 19 March 2014

Venue: UWC Main Hall, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville Campus

Time: 18h30 for 19h00