More academically deserving CPUT students are set to benefit from additional bursary funding from the Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited (HCI) Foundation and Golden Arrow Bus Services.

Bursaries to the value of R1, 520 700 have been made available by the HCI Foundation, while Golden Arrow contributed R37 330 in addition to R98 000 which was announced earlier this year.

The contributions are part of a bursary programme partnership between CPUT, Golden Arrow Bus Services and HCI Foundation aimed at making higher education accessible, as well as contributing to the reduction of skills shortage in the country.

The Golden Arrow bursaries cover tuition and accommodation costs, books and travel expenses as well as a living stipend, while the HCI Foundation bursary covers a large portion of registration and tuition fees only.

CPUT Advancement Director Dr Garth van Gensen expressed gratitude for the funding on behalf of CPUT.

""This additional funding from HCI and Golden Arrow will ensure that more of our students achieve their academic goals without worrying about funding for their studies,” he said adding that “we are grateful for the generous support and we look forward to a strengthened partnership.”

Speaking on behalf of the HCI Foundation, bursary programme manager Khaya Jack said the Foundation was committed to supporting and encouraging students at tertiary education level, as well as to assisting them to complete their studies in order to increase the number of youth who are qualified, skilled, and employable.

Jack said the bursary programme had retained its focus on providing financial assistance to academically deserving students from historically marginalised groupings whose families were least able to afford the cost of higher education.

“Our financial contribution to student funding is a direct commitment to an educated society which helps to improve the quality of life of its people,” he said.

By Noloyiso Mchunu

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The lives of five CPUT students were made easier when they were awarded full bursaries to cover their tuition, accommodation, books, travel expenses, as well as a living stipend.

On 22 May 2009, the Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited (HCI) Foundation through Golden Arrow Bus Services handed over bursaries to the value of R98 000 to students they identified as academically deserving.

The bursary programme is part of a new partnership between CPUT and Golden Arrow, which will see more students awarded full bursaries, internships and possible employment on satisfactory completion of their studies.

Speaking at the hand-over ceremony, Golden Arrow Director for Human Resources Meko Magida, said the partnership was one of the means through which the company was addressing the skills shortage in the country.

He said as the programme continues to grow, more students could benefit.

“If you do well, we would like you to join the company”, said Magida.

Dr Mandla Tshabalala of the HCI Foundation said the students had shown talent and should continue to take their studies seriously.

“Grab this opportunity with both hands and run with it,” he said.

Advancement Director Dr Garth van Gensen said the opportunity afforded to the five students was phenomenal and should not be taken lightly. He said the students were not the only beneficiaries of the programme but the entire CPUT community.

Dr van Gensen said the university was excited at the partnership and grateful for the generous contribution.

The students, Keenan Brandt (second-year Mechanical Engineering), Zimbini Makunga (first-year Mechanical Engineering), Qaqamba Qauka (second year Human Resource Management) and Lonwabo Mganisa (1st-year Mechanical Engineering) said they were thrilled and relieved by receiving the bursary.

They said it would be easier for them to focus on their studies without worrying about payment of their fees.

The students said with internship and employment placement taken care of, they had one less thing to worry about when they finished their studies. Christian Roberts, a Mechanical Engineering student, who was unable to attend the handover, was also awarded a bursary.

By Noloyiso Mchunu

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.