UKZN provide laptops and data to students in need

AS lockdown restrictions continue during the Covid-19 pandemic, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is rolling out their online teaching programme which will see the university equip  some students with data bundles and laptops.

Normah Zondo, acting executive director for UKZN’s Corporate Relations Division said the delivery of free laptops for first year NSFAS students has begun.

“We are committed to ensuring that no student will be left behind in our effort to provide online learning. This was made possible after we successfully reached agreements with mobile network operators for the zero rating of key websites that are hosted within UKZN’s network,” she added.

Alternative means of tuition include blended learning whereby content is made available to students via online and offline platforms.

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“Offline learning includes preloaded flash drives, laptops and/or paper based interactive learning content. UKZN is committed to providing full support to enable students to continue to learn and complete the academic year, and to empower our staff to deliver quality education to our students,” said Zondo.

UKZN has moved their academic content onto virtual platforms and performed a dry-run, complete with a survey for staff and students, said Zondo.

“The results of this survey assisted in supporting staff further with their training needs and capacitating them to offer efficient and effective service to all students. Training sessions were conducted to enable academics to use various modes of online teaching methods to deliver content,” she added.

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Once these systems are finalised, the university will announce a date for online teaching to officially begin.

“We are excited about this achievement and applaud our colleagues who have worked tirelessly in our endeavour to ensure that online teaching and learning becomes a reality at UKZN,”  said Zondo.

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