DHET VISIT REINFORCES COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHEN WSU’S ROLE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) visited Walter Sisulu University (WSU) to underscore the government's commitment to strengthening historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs) by ensuring strategic and impactful utilisation of earmarked grants.

Welcoming the team at the Mthatha Campus, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Rushiella Songca extend the institutions’ profound gratitude, not only for the financial support but also for the invaluable technical guidance from DHET.

“Thanks to this comprehensive support, WSU has evolved significantly, and we are proud to maintain our status as one of the most resilient and high-performing institutions,” said Songca.

The oversight focused on the Clinical Training Grant (CTG) and the Sibusiso Bengu Development Programme (SB-DP), both crucial initiatives aligned with WSU’s mission to expand access to quality healthcare education and bolster academic infrastructure.

“The CTG has been strengthened through your assistance, enabling us to expand and enhance our training programs to meet the unique healthcare needs of our communities. While we’ve made significant strides, we recognize there are areas where we can further improve, and we look forward to constructive discussions on these points as we wrap up today’s program,” said Songca

Through this grant, WSU developed a state-of-the-art Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics (MOP) laboratory, which will contribute to the program’s full accreditation by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) in 2025.

In addition, WSU boasted about its newly developed student residents at the Dr Malizo Mphehle Memorial Hospital in Tsolo, where WSU serves as an integral stakeholder in accessible healthcare in the rural and peri-urban population of the OR Tambo District.

The Director of Public Entities at DHET, Zakhele Hlongwane said that earmarked grants provide essential guidance and support for universities, which is also a well-known priority for investors.

“Since the 2015/16 financial year, the Sibusiso Bengu Grant has contributed over two billion Rand to aid universities, with WSU alone receiving approximately 14% of the total allocation. Over the years, WSU has accumulated more than 29 million Rand in interest on approved programs, including the Covid-19 responsive grant.”

WSU’s major projects include enhancing the registration system, developing campus data storage, integrating technology in teaching and learning, and refurbishing the Zamukulungisa Site.

Meanwhile, its current projects encompass the digitalisation, automation, and integration of all student systems, the development of ICT infrastructure for a technology-infused African university, and initiatives to support postgraduate studies.

Hlongwane said, “Our records show that in terms of the expenditure, the university has utilised about 95% of its total budget which is above the average expenditure, and this is highly appreciated. The department has also noted that the auditors noted no exceptions during the 2023/24 financial year.”

Songca emphasised that this continued partnership is vital to the university and DHET’s shared vision for educational and community advancement.”

By facilitating these reviews, DHET aims to ensure that WSU’s ongoing initiatives not only meet institutional needs but also contribute to broader national objectives of educational equity, social advancement, and sustainable community health outcomes.

By Ongezwa Sigodi