by Shalate Davhana
The Golden Key International Honor Society (GKIHS) welcomed 59 alumni during the New Member recognition ceremony held at Pretoria Campus on Tuesday. An audience of at least 200 friends, families and lecturers from various Faculties cheered as the academic high-flyers ascended the stage to be inducted into the TUT Golden Key Chapter.
In her welcome address, Gillian Cloete, Southern Africa Golden Key director, commended the incumbents on their excellent academic achievement and wished them well on their new journey. “This organisation will provide you with resources, support and the opportunities you need to continue to grow as you navigate through college and into your careers,” she added.
The Society also welcomed two distinguished academics as Honorary members, Dr Kara-Lee Prinsloo, Faculty of Science and Dr Sharol Sibongile Mkhomazi, Faculty of Management Sciences.
Delivering a keynote address, Dr Sharol shared the life experiences that influenced her outstanding academic career.
Shalate and Phumla - Golden Key Co-Advisors.
She started her career as a student assistant at a very young age at the then Technikon Northern Transvaal, working herself up to her current role as the Assistance Dean: Research and Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Management Sciences.
The outgoing President of the Golden Key TUT Chapter, Tsholofelo Sibanyoni, emphasised on the importance of embracing the society’s core values of academic excellence, promoting leadership and serving the community with enthusiasm and commitment.
The Golden Key Honor Society is the world’s largest collegiate society. In March this year, the Society awarded its TUT Chapter a noble “Key Status” for its excellence in executing its global vision. The TUT Golden Key Chapter was established in 2021, one of the 21 active chapters in South Africa. Since its inception, the organisation has grown exponentially. This year the committee delivered a series of seminars focusing on personal and academic development, entrepreneurship and mental health, to mention just a few.
During this ceremony the highest number of incumbents since the establishment of the chapter has been inducted.
The TUT Golden Key Chapter is led by the Primary Advisor, Prof Ben van Wyk, DVC Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLwT) and supported by the two Co-Advisors from the Advancement & Partnerships Office, Phumla Msibi and Shalate Davhana. The Post Doctoral Research Fellow from the Research & Innovation Directorate serves as the Graduate Advisor for the Chapter.
Outgoing GK TUT Chapter President Tsholofelo Sibanyoni
addressing the audience.
SA Golden Key Director - Gillian Cloete and
Dr SharolMkhomazi.