International students who are still waiting for their study permits to be issued by the Department of Home Affairs will be allowed to register before the cut-off date.
Acting Registrar, Nikile Ntsababa, recently issued a memorandum to staff and students, advising that all international students that have applied for their study permits, not issued by the DHA during the registration period, should be allowed to register during the late registration period from 1 to 24 February 2012. Students, however, will have to provide a valid receipt from the DHA, indicating that they have applied for the study permit.
Quoting a message sent by Acting Chief Director: Permits at the DHA, Jack Shimane Monedi, with regard to the processing of study permits for international students, the Registrar's memo states: “For 2012, the Department of Home Affairs wants to process all work and study permits for universities by the 15th of March 2012 and in order to do that the department is setting-up a dedicated centre to adjudicate these permits centralized in my office in a project management approach.”
The DHA's message further reads: “Applications will still be lodged at nearest home affairs offices but adjudication will still be done in Pretoria. This project starts on the 16th January 2012 and ends on the 15th March 2012.”
Based on the above message, the Registrar's Office, in consultation with the International Office, developed the Memorandum, which spells out the procedure for assisting international students who were accepted at CPUT but are without a study permit.
Ntsababa explained that he would consult with the Registrars Forum and the DHA to seek permission to provisionally register students with valid DHA receipts should their study permits not be issued during the late-registration period. Thereafter, his office will communicate the outcomes of the consultation to all stakeholders.
"Please be advised that this situation developed due to the centralization of study permit at the DHA and is no fault of the students", says Ntsababa.
OFFERING ASSISTANCE: The Office of International Affairs on the Bellville and Cape Town campuses are currently assisting students who are unable to complete their registration, due to unprocessed study permits.
International Relations Officer and BTech Management graduate in 2011 has had firsthand experience with registration challenges, having been an international student at CPUT.
"In our time, we have never experienced major problems, but I believe the centralisation of all the issuing of study permits in Pretoria complicate things for international students,” says Ngoy.
The Acting Registrar and Director: International Affairs, Merle Hodges, along with stakeholders from other academic institutions, have been invited to meet with the Chief Director of DHA to discuss this issue. Following this meeting, clear guidelines on a way forward will be communicated.
Those concerned parties are urged to consult the International Office or the Registrar's Office should they require clarity or further information on this matter.
By: Thando J. Moiloa
Written by CPUT News
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