THE University of Venda (Univen) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)signed a loan agreement worth R300 million for the construction of student accommodation on campus last Tuesday.
The vice-chancellor and principal of the Univen, Prof Peter Mbati, said the construction of more residences on campus will impact positively on the quality of student lives and contribute to the university’s academic project.
“Over the next 10 to 15 years, we envisage to provide approximately 50% to 70% of our students with accommodation on campus,” he said.
“This project is a demonstration of the university’s intention to tackle infrastructure deficits on campus, including the dire shortage of student accommodation on campus. After completion, the project will have a significant impact on increasing numbers of students residing on campus from18% to 33%.”
Group executive for infrastructure and financing at the DBSA, Tshokolo Nchcho, said international research indicated that on-campus student accommodation is one of the key critical success factors in student performance and increased university output.
“The expected increase in student enrolment will require significant investment in higher education infrastructure. Given the current economic constraints on fiscal policy, as well as pressure on universities to keep student fee increases to a minimum, the development bank sees this as one of the primary pillars to be considered to support government’s development agenda,” Nchcho said.
Chairperson of the Univen council, Shirley Mabusela, said they appreciated the partnership and expressed her desire to see a more long-term relationship between the university and the DBSA with a view to establish a stronger and vibrant higher education sector that served a largely rural sector.
