The people of the Northern Cape province have spoken. Today marks a very important day, a milestone for the people of the province. This Higher Education Summit, convened by the National Institute for Higher Education on the behalf of the Northern Cape Provincial Government, is a unique gathering of all higher education key stakeholders in the province speaking with one collective voice and expressing the needs, expectations and aspirations of our people in response to National Government’s commitment to establish a university in the province, within reasonable time.
Today’s gathering – comprising representatives from the provincial government, political and business leaders, youth and student formations, academics, organised labour and communities, is the culmination of a six month process of research and consultation. This has informed what is to be a Provincial Position Paper on the establishment of a university in the Northern Cape province.
To reach a common understanding, the delegates to the Summit are going to spend the day interrogating the outputs of the research regarding the type of university that will meet the skills requirements of the nation in general and the Northern Cape in particular.
They will also identify the character and mix of programmes that the new university should offer; strategies that would enable young men and women from previously disadvantaged communities to access quality higher education as well as equip them to contribute to the important task of social upliftment. Critical to the discussions will also be where such a university would be best located.
The outcome of this critical provincial key stakeholder dialogue captures the aspirations of the people of the province who expect to benefit socially and economically from this important national asset to be located in our unique Northern Cape environment.
Among the fundamental points of agreement, delegates to the Summit share a common understanding that the envisaged university must position itself as an innovative African university that is a global player. The new institution must build on the uniqueness of the Northern Cape even though it forms part of the higher education landscape in the country.
It is indeed our hope that the new university will exploit regional needs and opportunities in science and technology, informed by national plans and priorities.
The Provincial Position Paper will crucially contribute to the work of a Ministerial Task Team appointed by Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education and Training, to draw up plans for the establishment of a university in the province.
I thank you.
