Check out our news bites from PDBY’s Issue 2.
Seed Analytics awards two students full annual bursaries
Seed Analytics, a wealth management company that assists wealth managers and financial advisors with finding effective solutions for consolidated statements, and business intelligence, has awarded two female students with full annual bursaries. The students are apart of UP’s Built Environment and Information Technology Faculty – which will allow these students to venture into the field of data analytics. Thandeka Biyela, a Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering student, and Keitumetse Molefe, a Department of Computer Science student, are the recipients of this bursary.
Prof. Tawana Kupe hosts MMUST delegation for benchmarking exercise
On 15 February, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tawana Kupe hosted a welcome lunch for a delegation from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kenya. The delegation was hosted by UP from 14 to 19 February as part of the benchmarking exercise under the leadership of Ambassador Simon Nabukwesi, from the Kenyan Ministry of Education. The delegation worked hand-in- hand with various faculties and support service entities across UP. The benchmarking exercise was aimed to support MMUST in getting its research management office off the ground as its mission is to transition into a research-intensive university.
Gauteng’s top two matric learners honoured with the VC’s Distinguished Merit Award
Two of Gauteng’s top matric learners, who also chose UP as the institution to further their studies, were honoured with the Vice Chancellor’s Distingished Merit Awards on 10 February. Gauteng’s ultimate performer, Kristen Erasmus, was one of the two that were bestowed with this honour. Erasmus achieved nine distinctions in her final exams. “I feel honoured and privileged to be part of this amazing group of people and to be celebrated at this event” said Erasmus. “Our VCDMA students bring with them academic distinction, together with a spirit of determination and traits pertaining to hard work” motivated Prof. Kupe during his keynote address.
UP student funding: R500 million worth of bursaries awarded
In the 2021 academic year, UP awarded R500 million worth of student funding to 8000 students. This was done to help alleviate students’ historic debt and financial challenges. At a donor-appreciation webinar last year, UP’s Vice-Chancellor stated that a tertiary qualification will always be a dream for many, and with the economic inequality in South Africa, and the challenges that came with the pandemic, there was even more need for student funding. “UP believes that academically deserving students should not be prevented from accessing a higher education institution owing to financial reasons” explained Prof. Kupe. The Department of Institutional Advancement sets its focus on securing funding for students from external donors to supplement university loans and bursaries. Students who might need funding can register for UP’s financial aid on the university’s student portal.
UP collaboration with Dr. Sam Matsuenyane Rural Development Foundation
UP has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Dr. Sam Matsuenyane Rural Development Foundation, to work together in rural development, poverty and unemployment alleviation, and township economic revitalization. This foundation’s main objective is to redress the challenges that delay and prevent the development of townships and villages, especially the effects of this on the agricultural sector. Prof. Barend Erasmus, Natural and Agricultural Sciences Dean indicated that “deep, meaningful relationships, a nuanced understanding of rural development challenges and appropriate mix of technical expertise and community reach are key success elements for rural development partnerships”.
History, Archaeology and Setswana student at the University of Pretoria. An avid reader and lover of news writing and broadcasting. I have a passion for African indigenous languages and history. A prospective world-class journalist and scholar