by Lorato | Jun 9, 2022 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
A significant part of being a student is the need for a balance between academics and social life. This balance was, evidently, disrupted at the height of covid-19, particularly, during the hard lockdown period. A need, therefore, arises for students to be more creative in how they express themselves in response to the changes necessitated by covid-19.
What better way to cater for them than the provision of a platform through which they can showcase their talents?
It is in this context that, support for the SMU Explosive Talent Project is the SRCs way of showing students that the SMU SRC 2021/22 is “a listening and caring SRC”. This is a project that seeks to improve and better the lives of the students. Against this background, the SRC donated an amount of R250 000 to support the project; thus, ensuring that it is managed without facing financial constraints. This was done under the SRC theme: 2022 the year of revitalizing student life.
It is important to note that SMU Explosive Talent is one of the biggest student events which contributes to students’ life at the university. This is a demonstration that whilst academics are important, there is a need to strike a balance with some fun activities. This, also, remains the biggest contribution that the SRC has ever made towards this event.
“It remains a commitment of the SRC to revive student activities on campus in post-covid 19 hard lockdown period. SMU Explosive Talent is, similar to the Hands of Compassion, a project that the SRC has identified as a contribution towards improving the students’ social and academic wellbeing. We donated this money in order to ensure that the SMU Explosive Talent manages its activities without facing financial constraints. As the SRC, we lead students at a time that requires us to be more creative and innovative to combat all forms of depression experienced by the students during the hard lockdown period,” explains SRC Secretary-General, Daniel Masekwameng.
The SRC opted to support this project given that it presents a perfect alignment with the theme adopted at the beginning of the year. In this regard, the SRC President Philani Mdakane, further indicated that: “We would like to encourage all students, especially, first-year students to participate in this project. This is only the beginning of many initiatives that the SRC is going to initiate to revitalise student life,”
In response, Project Manager of SMU Explosive Talent, Sipho Mapfumari, said that “SMU’s Explosive Talent project is back to show you the greatest talent at SMU. We would like to thank the 2021/2022 SMU SRC for this generous donation to help us bring back this student event. This is the biggest contribution that we have ever received from an SRC. It is encouraging to see an SRC that is invested in servicing students. Words cannot begin to express how appreciative we are of this contribution. We are back and we will give the SMU community the best show we possibly can. We promise to give a full account of every cent that we have received. Thank you once again to the SRC”, he concluded.
SRC Donates R250 000-Newsflash-
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by Lorato | May 10, 2022 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, SMU Media, Student Media
As part of its oversight responsibility, on 04 May 2022, SMU Council members visited research facilities on campus and also acquainted themselves with progress made on various major infrastructure projects. Leading the Council delegation was the Deputy Chair of Council Ms. Mmanare Mamabolo. She emphasized the importance of working collaboratively in the journey of taking SMU to its intended status of a leading health sciences university with a focus on its academic and research core business. Ms. Mamabolo reflected that in the midst of various challenges, SMU had made significant progress in improving the learning and living environment of its students and staff. Whilst she acknowledged that SMU had ambitious infrastructure development and maintenance projects, “we will have to eat this elephant one piece at a time”. Members of Council expressed their support for the work done by the Vice Chancellor Prof Peter Mbati and his team.
Among the facilities visited by Council members included the Mecru Clinical Research Unit where a range of human clinical trials are conducted; the new state of the art high resolution Electron Microscopy Unit; Student Residences; the construction site for the 2,000 bed student residences; the upgraded and tarred university ring road; the boundary wall with both clear view fence and concrete walls; the refurbished swimming pool; the New Entrepreneurial Incubation Centre; the Pharmacy Labs; ICT’s data centre which is part of the multi million rand ICT forklift project; student pavilion and, finally the refurbished staff cafeteria.
The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged and expressed appreciation to members of the University Council for the support that they have continued to give management which has been the main driver on the stability currently experienced on campus and the ability of management to focus on the execution of its core responsibilities.
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SMU Council enthused with progress on infrastructure development around Campus
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by Lorato | Apr 21, 2022 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
The University has a stated objective, of ensuring student life that contributes towards a conducive living and studying environment. A critical aspect in this regard is adequate student accommodation. It is in this context that the 2000 bed student accommodation complex is being constructed on the foot of the mountain overlooking the SMU campus.
During a recent site visit by a delegation led by the Vice – Chancellor, Prof. Peter Mbati, the team was informed that Phase 1 of the 2000 bed accommodation project has reached approximately 30% completion. Interestingly, it is envisaged that this phase will be completed by December 2022.
According to Ms. Nangamso Makgoka, Acting Director Built Environment, the interesting part of the project is that the 2000 bed residence’s foundation was built on a bed rock, thus giving assurance on the longevity and durability of the buildings.
To access full article, please follow this link: The 2000 bed student accommodation project is progressing well
by Lorato | Apr 5, 2022 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
At the conclusion of the recent launch of the business and stakeholder gala dinner, the Vice-Chancellor of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Professor Peter Mbati has reached out to stakeholders in government, public and private sector to partner with the University in various projects to ensure that SMU continues to play a meaningful role as the only dedicated health sciences university in the region.
In welcoming all the guests, the Chairperson of the University Council Ms Maria Rambauli said, the purpose of the occasion was for the Vice- Chancellor to share with business and stakeholders the journey of where SMU is going and to make the right contacts. The Council Chairperson called upon all executives, students and staff to be proud of what the university is doing. “I am passionate about this university as its product”, she said. She reminded everyone that at the end of it all, it is about the children from different backgrounds who come to SMU in search of that gold that is their Degree which will enrich their lives forever.
To access full article, please follow this link: SMU Vice-Chancellor appeals to business and stakeholders to partner with the University
by Lorato | Mar 18, 2022 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
The Management of SMU led by the Vice – Chancellor Prof Peter Mbati together with the Student Representative Council met on 17 March 2022 to hand over two cheques of 1, 2 Million each to the hands of compassion to assist needy students. The SRC announced earlier this year that they saw a need to make a contribution while the University was still awaiting its allocation from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) which will be transferred in April. In an unprecedented move, the Management of the University matched the offer by the SRC to make a total amount of R2,4 million.
The contribution will go a long way in alleviating pressure on the side of students who await their allocation so that they can buy groceries and other essentials. At the beginning of the year the University Management released an advance payment of R41 million to help students to process their registrations whilst awaiting NSFAS to disburse its allocation.
NEWSFLASH – SMU Management matches the SRC offer to the hands of compassion
by Lorato | Mar 9, 2022 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
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.
To access full article, please follow this link: From the VC’s Desk – SMU Vice-Chancellor hosts NSFAS delegation to discuss issues of mutual interest
