Several vice chancellors of universities in Gauteng appealed to all students, and professional, academic and administrative staff on 18 January during a media briefing at the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) campus in Auckland Park, to ensure a smooth start to the 2016 academic year.
They also asked that the importance should be underlined of tertiary education as the foremost route of empowerment for communities, individuals and families.
Wits University Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Habib said the goal of all universities is to empower the next generation of leaders for South Africa.
The vice chancellors said that they were aware that their universities were in South Africa’s economic heartland, and they had a responsibility to ensure that learning, teaching and research can continue uninterrupted through the 2016 academic year.
The chancellors agreed that the condition for all universities across the globe is to play a role in the transformation of society and to empower individuals.
Prof Habib said they are deeply concerned about the recent disruptions and violent protests that were linked to the registration process at some universities.
He added they are aware that the majority of students are keen for the academic year to start.
Professor Chris de Beer, interim vice chancellor of the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), commented that the academic year needed to start as soon as possible, as disruptions were going on for too long.
According to Professor Stanley Mukhola, acting deputy vice chancellor of teaching, learning and technology at the Tshwane University of Technology, the student representative councils of the different universities should work together to not provoke students.
Prof Habib said the universities will allow peaceful protests but not tolerate protests that turn violent or cause damage to the properties of the various universities.
The vice chancellors said an estimated R17 billion has been granted to support universities by the government, in managing the 0 per cent fee increase for 2016 and addressing shortfalls and outstanding student debt.
Prof Habib continued that students who are not in the financial position to pay their outstanding debt will not be held accountable for it if they prove themselves academically.
However, he said students who can afford to pay should do so as the university will not be able to survive if it received no funding at all.
“[The University of Johannesburg’s] expenses is around R207 million and will not be able to deliver services to students if it does not obtain these funds,” said Prof Habib.
The vice chancellors concluded with an urgent appeal to all students and other role-players to respect the rights of others to access universities, to act responsibly through constructive engagement, and to desist from any form of violent or disruptive protest action.
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