Huge boost for student funding
LignoTech South Africa injects R1 350 000 for student funding at UKZN.
LIGNOTECH SA, a subsidiary of the Norway based chemical producer Borregaard, has made a generous R1 350 000 donation towards nurturing the next generation of students at University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
General manager, Mark Antonie, presented the cheque to the Vice-Chancellor of UKZN, Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, at the LignoTech plant in Umkomaas as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility initiative.
Van Jaarsveld said the money, administered by the university, will be used to fund second and third year students who have an average pass rate of 60 per cent in the disciplines of accountancy, chemical engineering, chemistry and organic chemistry. A further requirement was that 80 per cent would be used to fund black students and the other 20 per cent is to be split among the other race groups. The maximum amount of the bursary for each candidate would not exceed R75 000.
Antonie said that the donation was in response to the recent media coverage highlighting the plight of students and the lack of funding necessary to complete their studies. He said that education and training was an important area and that the ongoing partnership with UKZN played a vital role in this objective.
“Trust was an important aspect in the decision to fund UKZN students and we are confident that UKZN is in the best position to fulfil our mandate,” he said.
Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, thanked Lignotech for its generous support. He added that with student funding, every cent counted and that the donation would go a long way in assisting struggling students. Dr van Jaarsveld indicated that many academically sound students were having difficulties funding their studies and that the money would provide welcome financial relief to those students and their families.
The fund will be administered by the UKZN Student Funding Centre and it is estimated that at least 18 returning students in the designated field of studies will benefit from the allocation.
UKZN Foundations executive director, Prof Anesh Singh, said: “2016 was a difficult year for higher education in respect of student funding. It is therefore encouraging to receive support from LignoTech and other donors. I thank LignoTech for its contribution to this noble cause of giving the gift of knowledge.”
