Many study opportunities for 2013 matrics – Nzimande
JOBURG- As the race begins for matriculants seeking last-minute admission to tertiary institutions, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has reminded students that there are several opportunities available to those who want to further their studies.
Nzimande noted the higher demand for places in tertiary institutions due to the significant increase in the number of matriculants with bachelor and diploma entrance National Senior Certificates.
Many universities around the country have reiterated that they will not accept late applications, leaving those matriculants who waited to receive their final results before applying to university disappointed.
However, Nzimande said there are nearly 400 000 study opportunities available to 2013 matriculants at tertiary education institutions.
“As the department, we are aware that this is a very important milestone in the lives of young people and therefore would like to take this opportunity to make them aware of approximately 396 449 opportunities available to them within the post-school education and training system, that is: 25 universities, 50 FET colleges, and 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs),” he said.
According to Nzimande, there are 12 000 additional artisanal opportunities in the retail auto sector and 16 503 learnerships are available through SETAs.
Two newly-opened universities will also start operating in 2014.
Additionally, 12 new FET campuses will be built, which will be able to further accommodate 6500 new students.
Nzimande admitted that, despite efforts to expand the tertiary system, the higher education system faces continued challenges relating to space, and more needed to be done to meet the needs of students.
Meanwhile, Nzimande said his department will, on 15 January, release a white paper on higher education that will address the issue of affordability of universities and FET colleges, among other issues.
