Show compassion
SUCCESS: Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr John Volmink, Simone Smith, Dean’s medal recipient in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, and Prof Penelope Engel-Hills, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences.
Wednesday, 29 March 2017
If you are determined that the direction of your travel is going to be upwards there will be no limit to what you can achieve.
This was the message to graduates from Prof Jimmy Volmink, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University, who was the guest speaker at a graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences.
He encouraged graduates to learn to reach beyond self-interest.
“In the 21st century we find ourselves in a world which is becoming more and more selfish, polarised, hateful and fearful. If we are to survive we will need to find a way to reconnect with our humanity. What the world desperately needs today is more compassion,” said Volmink.
“I want to challenge you today as health and wellness professionals to find a way to show compassion and demonstrate solidarity towards your patients, clients, colleagues and society in general. Let us work together to overcome the shortcomings that we see around us and in the health system in particular and show leadership as makers of change.”
An emotional Simone Smith was the Dean’s Medal recipient in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences.
Smith, who graduated with a BHSC in Medical Laboratory Sciences obtained distinctions in 17 of her 20 subjects and achieved a final aggregate of 81 percent over the years of her study.
Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: Frederickskennediji@cput.ac.za
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