Change the world

18/05/2015

NMMU Open Day exhibitors, representing six of NMMU’s seven faculties as well as a variety of support units, had the fulfilling task of assisting learners and other guests with information and advice at the university’s annual Open Day at the NMMU George Campus.

Attendees, representing an increase of close to 25% compared to 2014, were predominantly from throughout the Southern Cape region, but many travelled from as far as Gauteng, Limpopo, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu/Natal, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, including the cities of Port Elizabeth and Cape Town to get information on the university’s variety of programmes, and the niche programmes offered at the George Campus.

NMMU’s Sport Office – Madibaz Sport – incorporated a sport outreach, offering coaching clinics in partnership with key stakeholders on both the Friday and Saturday of Open Day. 

Partner schools acknowledged

The five schools from which NMMU George had attracted most students for the 2015 Academic Year were also acknowledged.  Outeniqua High School (George) topped the list by rendering most students for the NMMU George Campus from a single school in 2015.  They were also the school from the Southern Cape region that contributed the most learners for the university’s Port Elizabeth campuses. The other four top partner schools for 2015 include York High School (George), Hoërskool Oudtshoorn, Point High School (Mossel Bay) and Langenhoven Gymnasium, also from Oudtshoorn. 

In an inspiring open day opening address, Prof Quinton Johnson, the NMMU George Campus Principal, congratulated the top partner schools, also acknowledging the important role of all educators in preparing young people for their roles as future leaders.

Top stalls honoured

To promote healthy competition and to acknowledge innovation and excellence, all stalls at the open day are judged in two categories by a set of independent expert judges. 

The winner in the category – Most Visually Appealing – was the NMMU George Campus School of Natural Resource Management, which impressed judges with their comprehensive and detailed focus on – forestry and wood technology, nature conservation and game ranch management, as well as agriculture. The NMMU service unit - the Disability Unit – was acknowledged as the runner-up in this category.

The first place in the category – Most Interactive Stall – was shared between the Disability Unit and InnoVenton, one of NMMU’s centres of excellence located in Port Elizabeth. InnoVenton creates focus areas for the development of new products and new processes in a science technology environment.

A focus on online applications and related advice, earned the NMMU George Admissions Office the accolade of runner-up in the Most Interactive Stall-category.

Open Day 01

The NMMU George Campus Choir warmly welcomed guest to the opening event of the NMMU George Campus Open Day attended by representatives of the education sector, local government, sport fraternity, media and other stakeholders.  Seated in the front row are – Cllr Daniel Maritz, Deputy Mayor of George; Mr Morne Pietersen, the Eden FM Station Manager; Prof Quinton Johnson, NMMU George Campus Principal, and Dr Bridget Johnson.

Open Day 02

NMMU George top partner schools were acknowledged by the university.  Mr Casper Brink from Outeniqua High School received the NMMU Top Partner School Awards on behalf of his school. The school contributed most learners from a single school for the NMMU George 2015 enrolment.  It was also the Southern Cape School with the largest number of enrolments at NMMU’s Port Elizabeth campuses.

Open Day 03

Ms Sheri-Ann Pietersen and Mr Louis Harris from the NMMU Disability Unit at their award-winning stall.

Open Day 04

Ms Sheri-Ann Pietersen from the NMMU Disability Unit, sharing information on how NMMU caters for students with disabilities..

Open Day 05

NMMU’s Natalie du Plessis (left) hard at work assisting prospective students with the online applications process.

Open Day 06

Prof Quinton Johnson, NMMU Campus Principal (centre) congratulated Dr Shaun Gouws (left) who headed up the InnoVenton stall and Ms Sheri-Ann Pietersen from the NMMU Disability Unit – they shared the accolade for Most Interactive Stall at the 2025 NMMU Open Day in George.

Open Day 07

Diba, the NMMU mascot, was on hand to assist Prof Johnson (Campus Principal) in congratulating the School of Natural Resource Management, represented by Mr Anton Schmidt, Programme Co-ordinator for Nature Conservation/Game Ranch Management, on being acknowledged as the Most Visually Appealing unit at the Open Day expo. 

Open Day 08

Welcoming trio….  Students Viwe Bani, Andile Shume and Alicia Maclean from Marketing and Corporate Relations, George, welcome and assist open day visitors at the registration desk.

Open Day 09

Lecturer and Deputy Head of NMMU’ Sustainability Research Unit, Bianca Currie, gave visiting learners a glimpse of what they can expect if they enrol for studies in Nature Conservation and Game Ranch Management at NMMU George.

Open Day 09

Mrs Magda Eybers and Natalie du Plessis assisting learners at the Admissions stall.

Open Day 10

Diba the NMMU mascot was also on duty to welcome visitors to the exciting NMMU George Open Day 2015.

Contact information
Ms Alet van Tonder
Manager: Marketing & Corporate Relations
Tel: 27 44 801 5098
alet.vantonder@mandela.ac.za