Tuks students benefit from IT bursaries

Financial assistance is essential in ensuring students from underprivileged backgrounds further their studies.

University fees remain a consistent burning issue in South Africa with some students dropping out due to lack of financial support.
These were the sentiments of top students from the University of Pretoria, part of 43 students nationally who benefited from an information technology bursary.

Huawei invested R1.2-million in bursaries for eight top computer science and information technology (IT) students at the University of Pretoria.

One of the recipients Fezile Nkosi, pursuing a master’s degree in information science at the University of Pretoria, said as an assistant lecturer he saw students dropping out because of no financial support.

“This is disheartening as it often deprives deserving students the opportunity to study.”

For Nkosi, a sixth child of seven the bursary which covers costs such as tuition, books, accommodation and monthly living stipend alleviated the pressure of having to work while studying to cover the costs.

“The bursary has taken a lot of worries from me. I’m at ease knowing that everything is taken care of and my full attention can be channelled towards completing my studies.”

Nkosi who has an undergrad and honours degree in IT said he decided to further his studies to have a competitive edge in employment opportunities.

“I realised that we now live in the information age where a large volume of data is generated daily. I wanted to pursue a degree that will empower me with skills and techniques that would help with effectively managing information and using it as a competitive advantage asset,” Nkosi said.

Before enrolling at a higher institution of learning, Nkosi said he had limited information about the various programmes offered. He now wishes to close this gap in communities by exposing high school learners to programmes offered at universities.

“I believe closing this gap will empower pupils to make informed decisions about their career paths. The absence of this type of academic activism in our communities later contributes greatly towards the number of university dropouts and students changing their study field.”

For Hector Motsepe the bursary was one step closer to working towards his dream of building an application driven by artificial intelligence that can help communities to lessen crime.

“IT is the only way to change Africa for the better. I chose the field because I believe that one day, I will come up with a solution to crime, poverty and inequality through artificial intelligence.”

Motsepe believed that for many students coming from poverty-stricken backgrounds financial support was important to help pursue their dreams.

“My mum worked at a laundry and my father sold train tickets for a living. Growing up was challenging but I knew that I had to be disciplined to change my family background,” he said.

“Growing up in the township there was pressure, but I occupied my day with a lot of work to avoid bad company. When I was in primary school I went for extra lessons to learn more maths. I also believed in exercising.”

When Motsepe started studying for his undergrad, he had to work in order to look after his parents and at the same time get good grades.

“Hustling and studying were challenging. Sometimes I barely slept. Studying while working is tough. Sometimes work and school deadlines clashed and I had to overwork myself at night and sacrifice my sleep.”

Despite working and studying being tough, Motsepe came out as one of the top-performing students which also saw him getting the bursary.

“Studying and stressing about student loans can be a huge distraction to many students’ success. Everyone deserves a chance, we cannot let talented people not pursue their dreams which can possibly change the world, just because of fees,” he said.

“I consider myself fortunate to be funded by the scholarship, especially with the high unemployment rate and Covid-19 outbreak. It was not going to be possible to register for my master’s if it wasn’t for the scholarship.”

The 22-year old said his master’s degree would not be the end of his studies. He is planning to do a PhD afterwards.

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