UNIZULU and NSF Hold Key Engagement Meeting with Students

The University of Zululand (UNIZULU) recently hosted a key meeting with the National Skills Fund (NSF) which enabled direct engagements between the fund and its bursary recipients. This gathering, held on the KwaDlangezwa Campus, was geared towards addressing concerns, providing updates and fostering a collaborative relationship between students and the funder.

The NSF is a South African government initiative that is managed by the Department of Higher Education and Training, established with the intent to fund a variety of students including those enrolled in universities.  

The meeting was attended by a diverse group of NSF-funded students, UNIZULU Financial Aid Office staff Ester Mbangata and Nkosingiphile Cakwe, as well as Sandisa Maqubela, Deputy Director of NSF, and Rhandzu Mdaka, an intern at NSF. The session was structured to facilitate open dialogue, with the primary aim of ensuring that students fully understood the scope and benefits of their bursary, as well as to address any issues they may be encountering.

The gathering gave students the opportunity to voice their concerns with and experiences of benefitting from the bursary. Common topics included delays in fund disbursements, challenges in the application process and procedure to be followed by students to not be excluded from the bursary. Many students expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage directly with bursary representatives. They noted that such initiatives help them to understand the bursary process better and provide the reassurance that their concerns are being addressed.

“I am happy that our sponsors held this meeting with us. It shows that they care about our academic journey. It’s always good to know that there are people [who are always looking out for] you,” expressed Kufanele Sibisi, one of the bursary beneficiaries.

The collaboration marked a significant step in strengthening the relationship between UNIZULU, NSF and its student body. According to Maqubela, by fostering open communication and addressing concerns proactively, both NSF and UNIZULU aim to enhance the overall experience for bursary recipients.

– Pamela Mlaba

Picture: Samkele Sokhela