Deputy Minister visits universities to check readiness

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education visited the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to see the readiness of the campus.

To ensure that tertiary institutions are adhering to all regulations put in place to keep staff and students safe upon their arrival back to campus, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Buti Manamela, paid a visit to several universities to to assess state of readiness.

On 5 June the University of Johannesburg’s Kingsway campus was the first to be visited and inspected by the deputy minister. UJ is one of the many universities and colleges have begun preparations to welcome back students and the minister experienced what students can expect when they return.

UJ had prepared a presentation for the Deputy Minister and his team highlighting how the university plasns to ensure the academic calendar can continue without spreading the Covid-19 virus. UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, confirmed that up to 33 per cent of their students will be able to return to campuses, including residences.

These include students in the final year of their programmes, final-year students who require access to laboratories, technical equipment, data, and connectivity, Health Sciences students in all years of study, postgraduate students or postdocs who require laboratory equipment and other technical equipment, and students who may face extreme difficulties in their home learning environments.

Upon their entry onto the campus, all staff and students entering any one of their four campuses will be screened and their details recorded. Students will also be given two masks at the gates they use for usage on campus.

Manamela was also informed that all students living with disabilities will also be allowed back on campus. Students living in privately-owned accommodation close to campuses may also return, provided physical distancing arrangements are in place.

Online learning will continue to take place at the University through the various platforms made available to students. On 23 May, Minister Blade Nzimande announced the phased reopening of campus activities. As a result, the sector has to continue to implement a risk adjusted strategy which will support Teaching and Learning, and Campus Readiness Plans.

In the coming days Deputy Minister Manamela will continue to visit campuses across the country. He will be making stops at Ekurhuleni West Campus, Vaal University of Technology, Sedibeng College, in Vereeniging and Gert Sibanda FET College in Mpumalanga