Anvil OkTtOS0TO flI\1VV OO Volume 31, Number 2 CONTENTS RA U: A RETURN FLIGHT Editorial Ronél JohI RAU: 1967-2004 - A university of excellence Paul von Staden OF A University is launched FIJ van Rensburg Perspectives on RAU: View of a lecturer Johann M Schepers Key aspects of the history of RAU: 1987-1995 Cas Crouse Research at RAU Derek van der Merwe Science Dirk van Reenen and Konrad van Warmelo Law George Barrie Education Koos Kok Nursing Marie Muller Arts Cobus Naudé Economic and Management Sciences Naas Raubenheimer Engineering Hendrik Ferreira Student Services Bureau Simon Gouws and Py Botha Administration Dericic Eyssen Cultural Sphere Rita van den Heever Sport Sanpat Coetzee From RAU to UJHB - A challenge Willem van Biljon A view of the future: The road ahead Roux Botha Copyright reserved Correspondence The Editor Anvil Marketing and Corporate Communication RAU P0 Box 524 2006 AUCKLAND PARK Email: [email protected] Graphic design and layout: RAU Graphic Studio Anvil is a publication of RAU and contains articles by selected authors, whose opinions are not necessarily being underwritten by RAU Authors RAU: A RETURN FLIGHT Prof Paul von Staden is a former Vice-Rector: Academic. Prof FIJ van Rensburg is a former professor in the Department of Afrikaans. Prof Johann M Schepers is a professor in the Department of Human Resource Management. Prof Cas Crouse is a former Rector and Vice-Chancellor. Prof Derek van der Merwe is the Vice-Rector: Research and Academic Management. Prof Dirk van Reenen is a former dean of the Faculty of Science and attached to the Department of Geology. Prof Konrad van Warmelo is a former professor in the Department of Botany and attached to the Faculty of Science. Prof George Barrie is a former dean of the Faculty of Law. Prof Koos Kok is a special professor in the Department of Educational Sciences in the Faculty of Education and Nursing. Prof Marie Muller is the dean of the Faculty of Education and Nursing. Prof Cobus Naudé is the dean of the Faculty of Arts. Prof Naas Raubenheimer is a former dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Prof Hendrik Ferreira is a professor in the Faculty of Engineering. Prof Simon Gouws is a former director of the Student Services Bureau. Prof Py Botha is the director of the Student Services Bureau. Mr Derick Eyssen is the chief director of the Central Administration Division. Mrs Rita van den Heever is the head of the RAU Arts Academy. Ms Sanpat Coetzee is the director of the Sports Bureau. Prof Willem van Biljon is a former chairperson of the Department of Geology. Prof Roux Botha is the Rector and Vice-Chancellor. Acknowledgement to the following translators for their contributions: Ms M Boers Mr A Erasmus MsJ Lindsay Prof C MacKenzie Ms M Nel Prof R Ryan Ms C van der Pluym Mr P van Staden Mrs F Velosa Editorial Staff r Prof Ron! Johi Miss Martie Maree Prof Derek van der Merwe Mev Tisa Viviers Prof Tina Uys Prof Rassie Maiherbe ra Prof Willem Botha Prof Tertius Harmse EDITORIAL The inception of the University of Johannesburg in 2005 as a result of the merger between the Rand Afrikaans University and Technikon Witwatersrand will usher in a new era. In view of the subsequent changes and new challenges, the editorial staff of Anvil/A ambeeld felt that it was time to give this magazine a new look. This is the last edition of Anvil/Aambeeld, but not the end of the tradition. The ideals, namely the 'open discussion', that characterized Anvil/A ambeeld for more than 30 years will continue to exist in a new form and under the new name of Discourse/Diskoers. Therefore, the numbering of future editions will simply follow on this one. This last edition of Anvil/Aambeeld takes a look at the developments and achievements in the different facets of the Rand Afrikaans University since its inception. Naturally, a comprehensive overview in the scope of a magazine such as this is impossible, but from the contributions placed here, it is obvious that the University achieved a great deal in a short period. Everyone who was and is involved in the institution can be proud of these achievements, which form a solid basis on which we can continue to build and develop the new institution with our new partners. Various former RAU rectors look back on their terms and the current rector, Prof Roux Botha, provides an image of the melting pot that facilitates the transition from the old to the new. Some contributions provide a general overview: i.e. of the macro history of RAU, the inception and uniqueness of the University and impressions about special achievements, the influence of the different rectors, and the research stimulated by the university over the years. Included are also overviews of the contributions of the different faculties, the Student Services Bureau, administration, culture and sport. The two concluding contributions look at the future. In the spirit of the acceptance of the multilingual context of the new institution, Anvil/A ambeeld is proud to take the first steps in what will hopefully become a truly multilingual magazine in the new institution. Therefore, all the contributions in this edition appear fully in English and Afrikaans. RAND AFRIKAANS UNIVERSITY: 1967-2004 - A UNIVERSITY OF EXCELLENCE Paul von Staden he history of the Rand Afrikaans University can be practice, which would be fully recognized nationally and T summarized as a dream that did not only come true, internationally. but also produced excellent achievements in a relatively short period. The second pillar would represent character formation, namely to equip students with leadership The sustained efforts of various committees since skills in addition to education, knowledge and good 1955 led to an announcement in August 1965 that the thinking skills. This would include the fostering of a Cabinet had decided to establish an Afrikaans university spirit of helpfulness and idealism "to stimulate our in Johannesburg. The Rand Afrikaans University Act, students ... to think of ideas that are greater than they No. 51 of 1966, was then approved by Parliament to pave are, to provide service to their fellow human beings the way officially for the inception of the new university. These two dates were indeed important milestones. The third pillar of the University was that it would be Afrikaans in spirit and character. In this respect, the The first members of the University Council were Rector added: "And allow me to add clearly that we are already nominated in 1966, and the first rector, Prof G not striving for exclusivity. We welcome students of all van N Viljoen, was appointed by the Council in the same year. The first staff members were employed in 1967. It groups and languages ... We would like to serve all the people of South Africa was a huge achievement for the University to open its doors to students at the beginning of 1968. The University was officially opened on 24 February 1968. This means The fourth pillar of the University would be its that until the end of 2004, the University would have religious view of life. Although the University Act did functioned under the name of the Rand Afrikaans not pertinently mention the Christian view, the Rector University for 37 years. indicated the assumption that it would definitely be a pillar, without involving any witch-hunting. A special, and in many aspects unique, culture later became a characteristic of the University. The most The abovementioned 'corner pillars' did indeed important elements thereof were largely contained in become the foundation on which the University's culture the welcoming speech of the Rector, Prof Viljoen, to the and activities were developed. Staff were thereby inspired first students and their parents in February 1968. Prof to carry out their tasks with a high degree of dedication Viljoen indicated that the University would be based on as a calling and as a meaningful service to both their four 'corner pillars'. The University's first task would be fellow human beings and the country, with the motto to strive for the highest possible standards in its scientific of "Service through knowledge". Anvil 31-2 2004). 1-4 2Paul von Staden Building a new university from scratch offered an exceptional are non-academic staff), while a large number of contract and opportunity to think and act innovatively, while drawing on the other temporary part-time staff are also employed by the University. experiences of other older universities. The University succeeded exceptionally well in being innovative and effective in its RAU was fortunate to enjoy the services of five exceptionally approaches. New ideas were implemented in all areas - from the competent rectors who each seemed to be the right person for planning of a functional building complex to the teaching methods, the demands of the years in which they had to provide guidance. the functioning of a library, management and administrative In chronological order, they were Prof GvN Viljoen, Prof JP de processes, the handling of staff and student matters, the Lange, Prof CF Crouse, Prof JC van der Walt and Prof TR Botha. management of arts-related and cultural matters on campus, and Each rector made a unique contribution to the development of the utilization of support services. the University. An important milestone for the University was the full The chancellors and Council chairpersons also made occupation of the new campus in Auckland Park at the end of extraordinary supportive contributions. In chronological order, 1974 after the University's establishment in the initial years on the chancellors were Dr N Diederichs, Dr PJ Meyer, Dr GvN Viljoen a modest temporary campus in Braamfontein.