The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is determined that it will, again, in 2017, make a positive difference to the lives of many thousands of young people. To this end, the University has implemented a number of measures to ensure that its students are able to benefit from a productive start to the new academic year.

The campuses are lively and buzzing with excitement as new and returning students energetically pursue their academic goals, since the start of the 2017 academic year earlier this month.

The University’s undergraduate enrolment has reached 42,624 students which is 100% of UJ’s target enrolment. The current enrolment number of first-time entering undergraduate students stands at 10,466.

Noticeably, 31% of the first year enrolment are students that come from Quintile 1 and 2 schools that serve the poorest in our nation. This is up from 29% in 2016. This feat is testament to UJ’s commitment to advance economic inclusion and national solidarity.

42% of UJ’s first year class consists of students with very high matriculation passes that exceed the admission point score (APS) of 35. This is up from 33% when compared to the previous year. The numbers demonstrates that UJ has become the ‘university of choice’ for many working class, first generation students – producing an average of 12 200 graduates, annually.

A total of 18 760 students were approved for NSFAS funding this year and a further 4 463 were approved for funding through the UJ SRC Trust Fund. This comprises 54% of the total undergraduate population that was provided with funded access to UJ.

Other essential support provided to UJ’s most vulnerable students include:

• R13.2M for the UJ subsidised meal assistance programme which ensures that just over 3800 students receive two balanced meals a day;
• R10M to acquire mini iPad devices for 3 000 first-year NSFAS funded students which at UJ is an essential tool for teaching and learning;
• R16M for the free University inter-campus transport system that relieves the students from the financial burden of transport from various city locations to the University;
• A number of merit bursaries for qualifying students that cover tuition fees and books; and
• Full tuition fee rebate for all Master’s and doctoral students who successfully complete their qualifications within the prescribed minimum time period.

Says Prof Kinta Burger, the Registrar at the University: “Throughout 2016, the University has sought to secure the stability of the institution: the safety and security of staff, students and visitors were and remains our primary priority. It is imperative that we ensure the conditions conducive for effective learning, teaching and research as expected of a University, and the uninterrupted continuation of the academic programme. This allowed our graduating students to do so as scheduled. This year, at our March/April graduation series, the first of three series of graduations, close to 9 500 students will be graduating from the University’s 2016 class.’’

The University’s 2017 autumn graduation ceremonies will commence from Monday, 27 March 2017.