The official opening of the Academic year 2008

摘要

I believe that I can say without any fear of contradiction that the official opening ofUnisa’s Academic year has become an event occasioned by high expectations,excitement and hope for an academic year of fulfilment and academic excellence. Thisevent has come to generate a sense of excitement - a “buzz” - that speaks not only to thenormal enthusiasm that marks new beginnings, but also, I am increasingly beginning tosense, to an enthusiasm about the exciting developments which lie ahead, and the rolethat each of us will be playing as we forge a new identity for our beloved Unisa.And in that spirit of excellence and the forging of a new identity, you will have noticedour magnificent new mace, highly symbolic in its ebony and ivory composition, and designed as a symbol of office and authority for use in Unisa’s official ceremonies suchas our assembly this morning, graduation ceremonies, and at the installation of theChancellor and inauguration of the Vice Chancellor. The unveiling and blessing of themace brings to fruition a branding exercise that began in 2005 for the newly merged,dedicated, comprehensive distance education institution. It gives character and identityto the new Brand Unisa which builds on years of service to higher education by all ourmerging institutions.