Grade 12 learners virtually tour UP as courses reach capacity
UP held its second annual virtual #ChooseUP Day which saw thousands of grade 12 learners visit its campuses virtually.
The University of Pretoria (UP) held its second annual virtual #ChooseUP Day on Saturday, which saw thousands of grade 12 learners and their parents and guardians visit its campuses virtually.
The #ChooseUP Day takes place annually in August or September to introduce the university, its staff, campuses, faculties and student services to grade 12 learners, who have received conditional admission.
The learners took a virtual tour of UP’s nine faculties spread over seven campuses, received advice on alternate admissions, accommodation, how to choose their modules, and what they would need to do to become successful students.
UP spokesperson Primarashni Gower said because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the university had to migrate to mostly virtual events.
“UP continued to showcase its prowess by giving students and their parents a world-class virtual event,” Gower said.
Visitors could explore the university’s facilities and campus life through a combination of 360-degree panoramas and videos and a live-streaming session with vice-chancellor and principal professor Tawana Kupe.
Gower said the university had so far received over 43 000 student applications.
She said most courses had even reached capacity.
“This year we received 10 000 more applications than the previous two years,” said Director of Enrolment and Student Administration, Dr Cila Myburgh.
“This is an incredible increase, and shows that UP is the institution of choice for more applicants.
“Unfortunately, most of our programmes have reached capacity already. We are, however, very happy with the quality of our applicants and look forward to welcoming those that decide to choose UP next year,” Myburgh said.
Professor Kupe also welcomed conditionally accepted students to the institution.
“We believe in a UP that is important to our country, continent and world.
Student representative council president Lerato Ndlovu reminded prospective students that their choice of institution would have a major impact on their lives.
“Every great step in life begins with a choice, a decision to take that step. If you are watching this, it means you are about to make another decision in your life. And I must say, it is quite a big one,” said Ndlovu.
Prospective student Michel Maseko, from Nkomazi in Mpumalanga, said she was looking forward to studying towards a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery in 2022.
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“I feel that UP is one of the best universities I know of,” Maseko said.
“I am particularly looking forward to meeting new people next year and getting to know the campus even better.”
She thoroughly enjoyed the virtual #ChooseUP Day because she learnt about the calibre of UP students and alumni there.
“I enjoyed it, especially because I learned from listening to the VC’s speech that the Olympic and Paralympic medalists come from UP,” she said.
Ethan Dorfling, a conditionally accepted BSC (Biological Sciences) student from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, said he was excited by the opportunity to learn how to help animals.
“I chose UP because it had the course I was interested in studying. I want to be able to help animals someday. I am also excited by the chance to be in a new environment, with different people,” Dorfling said.
Urry Bandi, from Mamelodi East in Gauteng, said she hoped to become a psychologist, and the BA that she’s been conditionally accepted for is the first step.
“I have realised that students that study at UP succeed in life.”
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