UP students return to campus
The students, many on campus for first time, used their first day back at the Hatfield campus to raise funds for the institution.
University of Pretoria (UP) students returned to campus on Monday following a two-year Covid-19 enforced stay-at-home.
In celebration of students and staff returning to campus from their winter break, the 114-year-old learning institution held a fundraising day to cover some incurred unbudgeted expenses.
The fundraising campaign, dubbed the university’s Giving Day campaign, was held to soften the financial blow due to Covid-19 for items related to the transition to online teaching and learning such as laptops, data, protective equipment and deep-cleaning supplies such as sanitiser.
The campaign was championed by UP vice-chancellor and principal professor Tawana Kupe, who met students in a carnival-like atmosphere at the Hatfield campus.
Participants were offered food, haircuts, manicures and entertainment, plus free popcorn during the fundraiser.
UP spokesperson Primarashni Gower said the day was filled with excitement.
“This is the first time they are all on campus after nearly two years, following the lockdown brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Gower said the university’s Giving Day was expected to raise R100-million for several major projects over the next three years.
Kupe said: “It fills me with much joy and satisfaction to see the campus bubbling with activity again and so many of you back on campus.”
“For many of you, this is the first time on campus following the restrictions placed on all of us as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
He said the funds raised would be used for tuition fees, accommodation, textbooks, food and tech devices.
“We have many academically deserving students whose families cannot afford their study costs,” Kupe said.
He said numerous UP students and their families had been unfavourably affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, while government subsidies and income from student fees were currently not enough to sustain UP’s high quality of education.
“UP has always relied on third-stream income, but is now intensifying its fundraising initiatives to improve on its world-class facilities.”
He said collective efforts by generous donors would assist in alleviating the funding challenges and raise the much-needed funds for students to receive a quality education.
“UP encourages any donation, no matter the amount.”
Kupe said the raised funds would benefit the faculty of veterinary science’s Onderstepoort veterinary academic hospital, TuksSport, UP residences and museums.
He reminded students and staff that philanthropy could be showcased through mentoring, guest lecturing or sitting on boards.
“It can take many other forms. We also encourage other stakeholders, such as the alumni body, to give back to their alma mater.”
First-year BSc human physiology student Zwané Grobler said she was “happy to be back on campus”.
“I like being on campus more than online,” she said.
First-year LLB student Neo Nkwe said: “I’m super excited to be back on campus. I now feel like a real student.”
He said that studying online from home was difficult with load-shedding and Wi-Fi problems.
“I did not feel like a student when I was at home.”
To participate in the campaign, visit https://givingday.up.ac.za/
The event is expected to take place annually until 2024, with a view to it becoming a permanent yearly fundraiser.
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