Bursaries aim at boosting country’s infrastructure
“Appreciate the bursary and make proper use of it, we want you to pass.”
The national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure held its ninth bursary awards ceremony on Tuesday at Saint Georges Hotel in Centurion.
Minister Patricia de Lille, her deputy minister, Noxolo Kiviet, school principals, professors from various universities, and other role players from the building industry, were in attendance.
“Our guests of honour here today, are the bursary recipients,” said De Lille.
De Lille said her department invested R52-million by offering external bursary awards to deserving students to bring skills to the building industry.
“I wish to see that amount doubled in the near future.”
She said 43 matrics, of which 24 were female, from the class of 2021 in the fields of architecture, construction project management, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering, landscape architecture and quantity surveying, qualified for the bursary this year.
“All these students were placed at universities from Pretoria, Johannesburg, KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Town.
“The bursary will cover tuition, prescribed textbooks, accommodation, meals, excursions, workshops, a laptop, and a monthly allowance. And let us know if we have forgotten anything else,” she added.
She said it was very inspiring for her to spend time with the young engineers, scientists, builders, and project managers of the future.
“Our country is in desperate need of professionals in the building industry, and that is the reason for our department’s bursary programme.”
De Lille congratulated the bursary recipients with their excellent matric results; “obtained under very difficult circumstances. I salute you for a job well done”.
“I always say it doesn’t matter where you come from, what you have or don’t have. If you are prepared to work hard, you can achieve anything. And that is exactly what you have demonstrated with your matric results.
“Your lives will change dramatically as you enter the next phase of young adulthood. Continue to work hard to achieve your dreams.”
De Lille said the country faces a collapse in infrastructure and out of 276 projects submitted to her department last year, only 55 were approved.
“It was because we lack building skills in this country, as well as proper planning skills. Our department provided assistance to reduce risks with projects.
“Infrastructure is the flying wheel of an economy. We wish that each youngster that chose this field of study will contribute to building this country and bring progress and implementation to our people.”
De Lille said the country doesn’t only need new structures to be built, but maintenance and repairs also needed to be done.
This bursary programme also links with the department’s Skills Pipeline Project in the building environment, De Lille said.
“The pipeline project also serves as a feeder for internships and careers for young professionals in the industry.”
De Lille said that student life is great fun and many first-year students drop out, but discipline is key.
“Appreciate the bursary and make proper use of it, we want you to pass.
“We have student co-ordinators as well as a buddy programme on campuses, where you can pair with senior students for assistance. Make use of that.”
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