Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande invites members of the Media to a Briefing where he will report and engage on a number of critical issues related to Universities.
This will include an update on progress with regards to the construction of two new universities in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape, current problems experienced by the Tshwane University of Technology and the department’s response, as well as the Central University of Technology in the Free State.
Details are as follows:
Date: Thursday 23 August, 2012
Time: 13h00 – 14h00
Venue: Committee Room 1, 120 Plein Street (Parliamentary Precinct), Cape Town
RSVP: Bridget on 078 291 4438 / Sbongile on 071 292 1006
Universities form an integral part of the Post School Education and Training (PSET) system in the country, alongside Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges, Adult Education Centres, levy grant institutions and regulatory framework institutions.
The DHET recognises lack of funding as being historically one of the biggest obstacles to accessing higher education and training opportunities for many poor students in South Africa.
Loans and bursaries to poor students from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have grown from R2.375 billion in 2008 to R6 billion in 2011, with funding expected to continue growing substantially as the department increasingly expands learning opportunities for the youth as it creates an integrated PSET system that not only increases access but also strengthens the institutions and improves quality, while also establishing coordination between the different components of the system.
“Increasing funding is just one aspect of our approach to the PSET system, which is very consciously not only increasing access to opportunities, but also working very deliberately to improve quality within the entire system. Access and success need to go hand in hand for us to make any long-term impacts to the economy,” says Minister Nzimande.
Minister Nzimande to brief the Media on new Universities and other matters
