Stanton Smith
South Africa-at-Large, 1999
DPhil Engineering
Keble College
Currently a postdoctoral student in Physiology at Oxford
My name is Stanton Smith, I came up to Oxford University in October 1999 as a South-African-at-Large Rhodes Scholar. I completed a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town at the end of 1998, which was the year that I was awarded the Rhodes' Scholarship.
I initially read for a second BA in Economics and Management at Keble College, Oxford. Towards the middle of Michaelmas 1999, however, I opted to further my studies in Engineering Science. I proceeded to register as a Probationary Research Student (PRS) and remained at Keble College. The PRS is the preliminary grading of all research students prior to the first year examination, or the transfer examination. Once you complete the transfer exam, normally in the form of a piece of written work and an oral exam, you may formally register as a D.Phil student. The Rhodes' Trust supported my change to the D.Phil and I am grateful for their flexibility with that matter.
I joined the Chemical Engineering programme at UCT in January 1995. I truly enjoyed my studies at UCT and I have many fond memories of the breath-taking views of the beautiful main campus. I think I have been utterly privileged to have had the opportunity to follow academic programmes in such beautiful surroundings as those offered by UCT and Oxford University. Coming from Port Elizabeth, with my humble family background and even more humbling schooling at Bethelsdorp Senior Secondary, I was never quite expected to follow the route that I did. As a message to those who have been less privileged in life: The Rhodes' Scholarship looks for leaders, regardless of their background. Don't let humble beginnings mislead you into being apprehensive about making an application. On the other hand, this prestigious scholarship is not awarded based on financial need. There are numerous other sources of funding aimed at that purpose. If you are a socially aware and academically sound person, you are already well on your way – visit the application section of this website and, if you meet those criteria, you should apply!
After matriculating from Bethelsdorp, I obtained some funding to read Chemical Engineering at UCT. After a wobbly start, I settled into UCT life and maintained a good level of academic performance, while becoming increasingly more socially aware. Later, I got involved in teaching Maths and Physics at some under-privileged schools in the Paarl area. That experience has stayed with me since, and I hope to return to South Africa at some point to give back something to that beautiful place. After UCT I worked as an engineer in the 10 month break between graduating and starting my journey at Oxford.
Having completed my D.Phil in 2003, I am now carrying on with research at the University of Oxford. I enjoy my area of study and maybe it will lead me back to South Africa sometime soon. For now, I want to learn some more, see some more of the world and just experience other cultures.