WALTER Sisulu University (WSU) recently welcomed a donation of over R4.5 million from Steinm\u00fcller Africa to relieve the burden of student debt, which amounts to R1.5 billion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to WSU records, 72% of the university\u2019s registered students are on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe funds will go towards students registered with science-related programmes and those who graduated with outstanding student debt between the 2019-2021 academic years,\u201d said WSU chief financial officer, Morgan Nhiwatiwa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most WSU donations have been received towards the funding of students with historic debt largely from the public sector, as per their scope of funding\/donation targets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWSU relies heavily on public funding, which includes block grants, NSFAS and even bursaries. This means the misalignment caused by the difference in financial years between WSU and the funders leaves it unfunded from January until March.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe first tranche of funds only comes in April. In the time we await funding, salaries, contracted and legislated payments, and suppliers still need to be paid. Where there are no reserves the institution cannot cover these costs,\u201d said Nhiwatiwa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other fund-raising efforts by WSU, an informal collaboration with the CSIR and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTIC), has assisted the university\u2019s struggling fashion design students who are South African citizens in need of funding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEleven students were funded by DTIC, and each received R20 000. The funding was managed by CSRI, in collaboration with DTIC, and R220 000 has been transferred,\u201d said visual arts head of department, Pumlani Mbanya. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mbanya made a clarion call to other academic departments to consider both internal and external socioeconomic factors, as well as how staff can support students who are a vital component of the university\u2019s community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
WSU\u2019s Directorate of Institutional Advancement has fostered a strong relationship with an organisation called Feenix, an online crowd-funding platform, where students get to create and share their profiles with prospective donors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe outcome of the stewardship of this relationship has made a contribution of just over R1 million towards the fees of students who were able to graduate,\u201d said Institutional Advancement director, Silvanus Welcome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Directorate of Institutional Advancement, through its Staff Giving campaign, was also able to assist close to 370 students who had outstanding fees this year by clearing their student accounts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis made it possible for students to graduate and receive their certificates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe advancement office would like to urge once again that all staff members participate in this initiative to support our students,\u201d added Welcome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Should you require more information on staff donations towards the WSU Bursary Fund, please do not hesitate to contact swelcome@wsu.ac.za \/ zlinda@wsu.ac.za. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 ISSUED BY WALTER SISULU UNIVERSITY <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WALTER Sisulu University (WSU) recently welcomed a donation of over R4.5 million from Steinm\u00fcller Africa to relieve the burden of student debt, which amounts to R1.5 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