Alumni

Previously a student and head prefect at Lonehill International Academy, Tshepo now studies at Lawrence University in the United States. He was selected by the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium on 20 October as the team lead for his university, one of only two to be selected for the program. Tshepo was in charge of assembling the team members, preparing the research proposal, and doing all the admin required to submit their application on the NASA website on time.

The VCDMA is a highly prestigious award granted entirely at the University of Pretoria's discretion to the top academic achievers, (typically high-performing first-year undergraduate students) whose exceptional final school results place them among the University’s highest achievers. Johar was selected from approximately 9,000 first-year entrants and falls within the top 0.4% of students admitted. Recipients are honoured at the annual Welcome and Leadership Conference.

The award carries significant non-financial distinction and developmental expectations and includes,
-Membership of the Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Merit Student Group
-Covers the first three years of undergraduate tuition fees
-Participation in leadership-focused and enrichment activities during the academic year
-Attendance at the VCDMA Welcome and Leadership Conference, aimed at developing leadership capability, resilience, and personal excellence
-Formal engagement with the Vice-Chancellor and senior University leadership

Being a VCDMA recipient is a mark of academic distinction and leadership potential, and winners often join a unique cohort of scholars.