Page 27 - Thetha Issue 6

INFRASTRUCTURE

Living Spaces

Nelson Mandela University
Dean of Students Luthando
Jack outlines the value of
2 000 new student beds on
campus.

Although student life has changed
over the past two years, this still Healthy environment
holds true: there is a desperate We have about 17 500 National
need for high-quality, yet Access for success Student Financial Aid Scheme
affordable accommodation. There is, In post-pandemic higher education, (NSFAS) beneficiaries out of a study
after all, far more to student life than student life can no longer be body of 31 000 this year and, as
what is learnt in a classroom. the same, especially with the with all our students, they need an
On this front, we are bringing rise of online learning and other environment conducive to healthy
2000 new beds to our Nelson technologies. living and learning.
Mandela Bay and George campuses, It requires a radical rethink. Our new residences have been
with two residences already For example, student residences made possible with an innovative
complete and the remaining two on continue to play multiple roles, funding model to ensure the best
track for completion later this year. being spaces and places for online return on investment. Mandela
Special provision has been classrooms, examination venues, University has combined its
made for differently abled students, online libraries, living rooms and government grants with loan
and the University has looked at social interaction. funding, which allowed for an
innovative ways to save water and Studies have shown that students expanded number of beds and is
reduce energy consumption. staying on campus perform far being considered as a blueprint for
Before the COVID-19 pandemic better, as accommodation plays a sharing with other institutions.
hit South Africa, the Department significant contribution to student More student accommodation
of Higher Education and Training success. The facilities, design and helps more South Africans access
(DHET) reported a national shortfall location of a residence all have quality education, which is key to
of 300 000 student beds, to serve an impact. building human capital. The resultant
the 2.5 million students enrolled In the past, many of our students larger pool of capable, skilled,
across all tertiary institutions. would have been excluded from trained citizens – with jobs – will help
Increased undergraduate tertiary studies through no fault of to reduce income inequality and
enrolments, particularly at Mandela their own. Many also are the first in promote social mobility.
University, which prides itself on their family to study after school, Our 2 000 new beds are
enabling access to a wider band of and it is imperative that we welcome significant steps in the right
applicants, make it likely that the them, and show that we will take direction, which is to give all those
current shortfall will continue. good care of them, while they enrolled at Mandela University the
are with us. very best quality of student life.

2022 | mandela.ac.za | 27