MEDIA RELEASE

9 APRIL 2014

WORLD-FAMOUS AUTHOR, TWO EDUCATIONALISTS AND IT SECURITY EXPERT HONOURED BY UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA One of the academic highlights at the University of Pretoria (UP) the Autumn Graduation Ceremonies is currently underway. Apart from the thousands of degrees and postgraduate qualifications the University will bestow over the next three weeks, UP will also honour some of the worlds foremost contributors to veterinary science, education, engineering and literature. Honorary Doctorates Faculty of Humanities Ben Okri 25 April 2014 The conferment of an honorary doctorate on Ben Okri is the first time that an African university honours one of its greatest sons. As a foremost literary author, Okri has authored nine novels, the third of which, The famished road, won the Booker prize in 1991. In addition to these novels, he has published nine volumes and collections of essays, poetry and short stories. Widely regarded as one of the best writers of the 20th and 21st centuries, Okri was born in Nigeria and spent his early childhood in London before returning to his native Nigeria. His works are heavily influenced by Nigerian mythology and culture, as well as the devastating effects of the Biafran War. The Faculty of Humanities nominated him for the degree DLitt (honoris causa). The University Council confirmed the nomination on the grounds of his being a widely recognised, international writer and scholar whose outstanding contribution to contemporary world literature dare not go unnoticed.

Faculty of Education Prof Tjeerd Plomp 10 April 2014 Tjeerd Plomp is emeritus professor at the University of Twente, Enschede in the Netherlands. He holds an MSc in Mathematics (1964) and a PhD in Education (1974), both from the Free University Amsterdam. In addition to his many academic and research achievements, Prof Plomp has made a direct and lasting contribution to the University of Pretoria through his involvement with the Universitys Centre for Evaluation and Assessment since it was founded in 2002. From 2003 to 2005 he was extraordinary professor of Education in the Faculty of Education at UP. Prof John W. Creswell 14 April 2014 John W. Creswell is professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His research output includes many articles on mixed methods research, qualitative methodology and general research design, as well as 22 books. The books focus mainly on types of research design, comparing different qualitative methodologies, and the context and use of mixed methods of research. He was a Senior Fulbright Scholar to South Africa in 2008 and to Thailand in 2012. Prof Creswell will received the degree DEd (honoris causa) in recognition of the exceptional impact of his work on global research in education, as well as his expertise in research methodology and its wide applications in education. Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology Prof Richard Lee Baskerville 11 April 2014 Richard Lee Baskerville is professor of the Board of Advisors for Information Systems in the Department of Computer Information Systems, Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University in Atlanta, USA. He is one of the worlds foremost research specialists whose body of work is focused on security of information systems, methods of information systems design and development, and the interaction of information systems and organisations. He has published more than 200 articles in scholarly magazines and journals, and has also acted as editor of several books. Chancellors Medal Faculty of Veterinary Science Dr FS (Faffa) Malan 11 April 2014 The Chancellors Medal is awarded for outstanding academic achievement and service beyond the academic environment. The Faculty of Veterinary Science nominated Dr Faffa Malan for distinguished service to the sheep farming industry with specific reference to research and work in veterinary helminthology.

Dr Malan has made a lasting scientific contribution to marketing, developing and technically supporting veterinary products in the Southern Hemisphere. His work not only benefits South Africa, but is relevant all over the world.

For more information on the University of Pretoria, please contact: Nicolize Mulder Senior Media Practitioner Department of University Relations University of Pretoria +27 (0) 12 420 3023 +27 (0) 83 709 3041 nicolize.mulder@up.ac.za