Education on funding for engineering graduates

12 September 2006

The Ministry of Education has allocated an amount of R48 million to higher
education to increase the number of engineering graduates.

The allocation to individual institutions was determined by the number and
the equity profile of graduates enrolled in Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng) and
Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSc Eng) qualifications.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) was allocated R16,3 million, the
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) R13,4 million, the University of
KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) R14 million and the University of Pretoria (UP) R4,1
million.

Institutions may use these funds as appropriate to increase the throughput
and graduation of students enrolled in these engineering qualifications. The
funds may also be used for capital projects. All institutions are expected to
report on the use of these funds to the Minister of Education.

“Government has identified engineering and related disciplines as a scarce
skill within the Joint Implementation Plan for Skills Acquisition (JIPSA),”
said the Minister of Education on making the news of the allocation public.

“It is vital that we increase the number of engineering graduates,” she
said.

Enquires:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Tel: (021) 464 3550
Cell: 082 566 0446
E-mail: ngqengelele.l@doe.gov.za

Issued by: Ministry of Education
12 September 2006