Wits University has received a significant donation from a local bank.
Funding for Wits University students received a boost on Tuesday, August 7, after local bank Absa announced it was making a donation of R5.6 million to the institution.
The donation was made possible by the CEO Scholarship Fund and Absa Bursary Fund, both of which were launched in 2012 to help students struggling with finances.
Acting vice-chancellor Professor Tawana Kupe, who was received the cheque from Absa representatives, said, “The University is grateful for the continued support by Absa for student funding which is a critical need. Partners like Absa enable access for students to realise their potential and make a difference to society.”
Absa has been a long-term partner of the University and has made various donations to the University over the years. In 2017, the bank handed Wits a R15 million cheque – of which over R10m was to fund students burdened by financial issues.
Peter Bezuidenhout, Director of the Development and Fundraising Office at Wits, told Wits Vuvuzela, “Funding from Absa has enabled financially challenged but academically talented students to pursue their studies and unlocked opportunities which may not have been available to them without funding.
“Absa is committed to sustainable development by focussing on three key areas being education and skills; enterprise development and financial inclusion. Wits University, as a producer of knowledge shares a similar commitment to skills development and education,” he added.
The CEO Scholarship Fund will support around 60 students for 2018. In 2017, around 100 students were supported. The Absa Bursary Fund, on the other hand, supports around 15 students selected by Absa who are then they are expected to work for the bank after graduation for a specified period of time.
FEATURED IMAGE: Lydia Magopa, Higher Education Sector Specialist and Secretariat for Barclays Africa Group Limited Higher Education Committee (absa); Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Tawana Kupe and Khensani Mnisi, Head: Gauteng with mock cheque of R5.6 million Photo: Provided
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