Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Mbati hosted a delegation from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) on Campus recently. The delegation from the Scheme was led by its Board Chairperson Mr Ernest Khosa, accompanied by the CEO Mr Andile Nongogo, members of the Board as well as the President and Secretary of the South African Union of Students (SAUS).

“It’s a great pleasure to have you here. NSFAS plays a critical role in funding higher education. SMU relies largely on the support we get from NSFAS and I hope that possibly together we can find ways of resolving all challenges confronting us”, said Prof Mbati as he welcomed the delegation. In his opening remarks the NSFAS Board Chairperson Mr Khosa explained that they are conducting visits to Universities and TVET colleges across the country as part of their efforts to engage with Management of Universities and Student Representative Councils. He mentioned that student funding was a source of instability and protests in many institutions of higher learning. “When this board was appointed last year, the first decision it took was that it cannot be business as usual, NSFAS cannot operate the same way. We have to find long term solutions. NSFAS role has changed and if we want to go anywhere with the new role of NSFAS we need to engage better, understand what the real problems are and get real input from universities” elaborated the Chair.

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