DUE to the high enrolment rate of students at the University of Limpopo, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allocation per student has decreased to R19 000.
Vice chancellor of the University of Limpopo, prof Mahlo Mokgalong said this year’s enrolment stood at 23 608 and the university could not afford to pay the normal NSFAS amount of R26 500 per student which they were paying last year.
He said in this 2014/15 academic year, the university had spent over R284 million in NSFAS allocation, adding that the university had registered 380 students from the SADC, 60 from the rest of Africa and 11 from the rest of the world.
“We have a total number of 451 international students. Last year there were 558 international students. Our graduation statistics from 2010 grew from 3 509 to 4 704 this year,” he said.
Mokgalong said the university was busy developing their infrastructure. “We have a new physical science laboratory, safety and security upgrades, TV white spaces building and project. The purpose of this project is to provide affordable internet access to ordinary households who would otherwise not have it,” he explained.
“Our new building for the department of mathematics, science and technology education will open to train qualified mathematics and science educators in Limpopo. This centre will allow a significant growth in the number of students enrolling in mathematics, science and technology in the school. The building consists of four laboratories for physics, chemistry, biology and technology), a mathematics tutorial class, a boardroom, and 26 academic and administrative offices.
We also have a new HP test centre where students will have first hand experience in technology. All types of devices from mobile to servers will be displayed at this centre,” he described.
“We also have the Limpopo Agri Food Technology Station where local farmers will process their products. We have our own bottling machine where spring water will be bottled and branded with the emblem of our university,” he continued.
Mokgalong said next year, the Sefako Makgatho Health Science University would open its doors. “We will introduce new exciting academic offerings ranging from biomedical technology, bioengineering, medical informatics and veterinary science. There will be a new medical school in Limpopo,” he said.
Mokgaleng also reminded that the university’s pharmacy department produced prominent pharmacists such as Sello Moloto, former Limpopo premier.
He said recently Transnet donated 22 365 lenses to the optometry department. Optometry students and Vakhegula Vakhegula Football Club provided free eye testing for elderly people, he added. “The National School of Government assigns the training of public officials to us,” he said.
