As the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences commemorates its centenary year, this year also marks ten years since the fire that ravaged parts of the faculty’s Van der Sterr Building in February 2015. This challenging event brought staff and students together from across the university to ensure continuity in learning and teaching. And led to the reimagining of a building to not only accommodate growing student numbers but also to enhance learning experiences through updated facilities.
Notably, this year also marks 100 years since the inception of the School of Accountancy (SoA), which was heavily impacted by the fire – a testament to its enduring legacy as a leading institution for accounting education.
Today the building serves as a key hub, housing environments like the SoA, the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences and the Department of Logistics – now one of Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票's largest academic environments.
A triple-volume building was constructed in the building’s courtyard featuring housing two new auditoriums, one seating 300 and the other 250, along with an 80-seat lecture hall and several smaller classrooms. All these venues are equipped with advanced technology that facilitate the adoption of modern educational practices, including blended learning, mobile-friendly classrooms, and expanded Wi-Fi coverage.
These upgrades proved particularly valuable during COVID-19. The building's modern infrastructure allowed for easy adaptation to remote learning needs – enabling students to continue their studies smoothly despite lockdowns.
To ensure accessibility, elevators were installed, providing full access to all floors. Staff wellness was also prioritised with the addition of shower facilities in the bathrooms, and nursing rooms to support working mothers.
The redevelopment also reflects a commitment to sustainability with the inclusion of systems such as water-cooling air-conditioning which operates at lower pressure and consumes significantly less energy.
As we reflect on the centenary of both the faculty and SoA ten years after the fire, we consider both the physical transformations and how they have supported future generations by creating environments where they can thrive academically amidst challenges or change – keeping true to the faculty’s vision of transforming both the economy and society.
