FOCUS ON ZIMBABWE STUDENTS AT UKZN

Scholastic relations between UKZN and Zimbabwe have been strengthened following a recent visit by Zimbabwean’s Minister of Transport and Communication, Mr Christopher Mushoshwe.

An agreement to enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate relations between UKZN and the Government of Zimbabwe was reached.

At the request of the Minister, plans are being made to send a UKZN delegation of student leaders and academics to visit Zimbabwe with the view to forging future academic relations.

Mr Mushoshwe, also the Director of the Zimbabwean Presidential Scholarship which funds the tertiary education of 76 Zimbabwean students studying at UKZN, met with UKZN Management, the International Relations Unit, academics and Zimbabwean students.

His visit to UKZN was part of a national visit to seven Higher Education Institutions in South Africa which have admitted Zimbabwean students over the years.

The Zimbabwean Presidential Scholarship now operated by the Office of the Presidency funds the education of disadvantaged students in fields of study that need further development. Currently, the students at UKZN are pursuing degrees in actuarial science, engineering, law and the sciences.

UKZN’s Pro-Vice Chancellor: Corporate Relations, Professor Dasarath Chetty, who confirmed agreements reached between UKZN and Mr Mushoshwe, said: “We verbally agreed to sign an agreement to facilitate the admission of Zimbabwean students to UKZN. This year 14 students were admitted to the Faculty of Management Studies, however, the Minister is looking at UKZN admitting 200 next year.”

Discussions between Mr Mushoshwe and the UKZN representatives clarified admissions and applications procedures, addressed the challenges of student accommodation and improved the management of the Presidential Scholarship.

In his address to about 60 students at the Asoka Theatre on the Westville campus, Mr Mushoshwe assured students that the formation of Zimbabwe’s new Government of National Unity would not mean an end to the Presidential Scholarship Programme.

He urged them to take their academic work seriously because it would impact on their socio-economic life and prepare them to make a contribution to Zimbabwe in future.