UNIZULU FRESH-FACED ACCOUNTANTS

The University of Zululand has successfully received accreditation for its BCom (Accounting Science) degree from the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).

The news of the SAICA accreditation came in the first term of 2018 which translated in SAICA gearing up for the official hand over of the certification at a prestigious function which is scheduled for August 2018.

University Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mtose said: “It is this heritage that inspires us to ensure that UNIZULU attracts the best students regardless of circumstance or background. It is this legacy that enables us to offer students a wide range of experiences that will enrich their learning, and options that will make their study relevant and rewarding. UNIZULU graduates must forever be well educated to prosper in our evolving world.”

“The University is an active participant in the lives of our communities, mandated with contributing to a sustainable future for the Northern Zululand Province and the wider region. Consequently, creating the right ambience on campus for a vibrant knowledge culture and intellectual system is one of our top priorities. As such, we will continuously strive to create the necessary conditions for the engagement of staff, students and the community in knowledge enhancement and scholarly activities. Therefore, the UNIZULU community is encouraged through the SAICA certification to indulge in continuous teaching.”

On another brighter side, Prof Mtose said UNIZULU went through a vigorous process in sorting out its accountancy studies programme, with the support of the University of Cape Town (UCT).

“The journey started in 2012 has not been easy but we had a committed team that worked tirelessly to meet the very high standards set by SAICA. We are pleased that the hard work has yielded such good results,” said Prof Mtose.

SAICA, in partnership with the UCT, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and UNIZULU, had been working since then to build the capacity of UNIZULU in order to receive accreditation of its BCom (Accounting Science) degree.

In 2012, former DHET minister Blade Ndzimande, through BANKSETA, injected more than R64 million into the project.

Head of the Department of Accounting and Auditing Sphelele Khomo CA (SA) said the University was set on a new path. There is wisdom in building capacity at historically disadvantaged universities because people who live in the vicinity would no longer have to study in a city far from home.

“We recruited young professionals who believe in the dream of a rural kid accessing all the opportunities that are available out there. There are a lot of kids that can only become chartered accountants if UNIZULU offers the degree. They cannot access UCT, Wits and the University of Pretoria because of a number of reasons, including finances,” said Khomo.

Issued by: University Communications Department on behalf of the Rectorate

T: +27 35 902 6617
email:nhlekog@unizulu.ac.za