With
most of the students enrolled at Nelson Mandela University coming from outside
of Gqeberha, and close to 20 000 students living in on-campus and off-campus
residences, settling into university life can be a major adjustment.
However,
Nelson Mandela University’s Computing Sciences Department has taken on a
holistic approach as part of their departmental bursary philosophy, which has
reaped much success over the past eight years, according to Computing Sciences
Head of the Department, Prof Jean Greyling.
Prof Greyling
attributed this success to the caring team who works closely with the bursary
recipients. “Geraldine (Fraser) is the ‘mother hen’ at the res where some of
our students stay – she is doing a great job of being aware of their social
needs and challenges.
“Carol
(van Onselen) does all the admin work behind the scenes and gets involved in a
big way in addressing social, medical and other challenges,” said Prof
Greyling.
Students
within the department are supported with much more than just tuition fees,
books and accommodation. They receive Eye tests and spectacles, Medical/Dental
assistance, Clinical psycho-social support, Transport assistance and a Tutor
programme for academic support.
Van
Onselen has been managing the Computing Sciences Department’s bursary programme
since 2016.
Van Onselen said,
Bursary
students are expected to give back by serving volunteer hours in the Computing
Sciences Department as student assistants and/or at outside communities, like
schools or NGOs, as a way of paying it forward. Students also donate back their
books to the bursary programme.
Past
bursary recipient Daniel Holmes said the skills he learnt as a student
assistant in the department helped him in his career.
Holmes said,
The
department’s tutoring programme is headed up by Fezi Fani, who explains that
senior students offer tailored tutoring sessions to the junior students.
Kgopotšo
Rashetle, a former student, said this academic support was invaluable.
“I
wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for the department’s bursary scheme,
which has truly been a transformative experience for me. Beyond the financial
support, the holistic approach – including mentorship and additional resources
– has played a pivotal role in shaping not just my academic journey, but also
fostering my personal and professional growth.”
The
Computing Sciences Department houses new and existing bursary recipients in
off-campus residences in Summerstrand, where they get extra care and support
from Omega Lodge Student Accommodation Residence Manager Geraldine Fraser.
“I work
closely with Carol and the two of us will always find a solution for any
problem that may occur. Prof Jean
Greyling is amazing, he is never too busy when I ask for assistance. The
support they give to their students is remarkable,” said Fraser.
With a
total of 186 students under her care she said the student community where
students live, plays a huge role in how quickly they adapt to university life.
Former
bursary recipient, Cwenga Ndudula, attributes his university success to the
work the bursary team does.
“Carol, Prof Greyling and my res manager, mama
G, have really been a beacon of hope for myself and many other students. I see
this in real-time with my friends and peers in the bursary programme. You truly
feel and are treated as an individual and your needs are specifically catered
for, whether it be academically or otherwise. I am truly grateful to them”.
