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In a collaborative effort to provide substantial financial support, WSU has partnered with Standard Bank and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) to offer bursaries to fourth-year Accounting Sciences students.
The partnership is strategically designed to address the financial challenges that many students face by offering bursaries that cover both tuition fees and study materials, including mentorship opportunities.
WSU Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Rushiella Nolundi Songca, said: “WSU has an ambitious and aspirational vision despite its locations. At the heart of this vision is an acknowledgment that we are an African university in the Eastern Cape (EC), but we still want to be impactful and thanks to this initiative because we are also in pursuit of excellence.”
Songca added that despite the university being in the EC and it not being a rich university, they have consciously put technology at the centre of their vision.
“Approximately 75% of our students are from disadvantaged backgrounds and are dependent on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Therefore, Our priority as an institution is to cultivate partnerships and interventions similar to the one we are celebrating today,” said Songca.
Songca further thanked Standard Bank and SAICA for choosing the WSU Accounting fourth-year students as worthy of their support and that the students now have an obligation to not disappoint.
“This programme is a beacon of hope for our students, especially those who are unable to tap into the NSFAS programme. We are also in the process of creating articulation streams for our students as we continue to consolidate our programmes. Resultantly, we have submitted to the Council of Higher Education (CHE) for the approval of a postgraduate diploma in Accounting and Honours in Accountancy,” added Songca.
Songca concluded that the sustainable development goals embodied in the programme are allowing students similar access to education as their peers and providing them an opportunity to contribute to the labour market once they graduate.
SAICA Chief Executive Officer, Patricia Stock CA (SA), said: “SAICA offers a path for every unique skill set that you might have, its not just the CA (SA) path that is available for you. At SAICA we believe that supporting students with the approach that we call from cradle to career which means from the beginning of their academic journey to a successful career.”
Stock concluded by thanking standard bank for their invaluable contribution to the programme.
“Together we are making a real difference in the life of deserving students. We know that it is partnership that can nurture the incredible young minds that are largely presented in this room as they shoot for the stars and work towards achieving their goals,” concluded Stock.
This initiative serves as a model for how collaboration between educational institutions and the private sector can create meaningful change and pave the way for a brighter future.
Accounting Sciences fourth-year student, Anda Ntshikila, said: “I stand before you today as a representative of the student body to express our gratitude for this opportunity. We are very thrilled to have you share your experiences, insights, words of encouragement and expertise with us. To the institution and department, we appreciate you. Honestly, this moment is dear to us.”
This initiative will initially provide bursaries to the top ten performing Accounting Sciences students, with plans to expand the number of recipients in the coming years.
By Anita Roji
