​​More than 85% of University of Johannesburg (UJ) students have already registered and paid their initial 2016 fee instalments since the process opened on January 11, 2016.

By early morning on Thursday, 4 February 2016, the University had registered more than 43 000 of its students – a registration pace that is at par with previous years.

UJ Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Services, Ms Mpho Letlape, says the numbers confirm that the University’s online-only registration system is working smoothly and that this has been embraced by students.

At the same time, thousands of new first-year undergraduate students are attending the University’s orientation programme which commenced this week.

“More than 5 500 postgraduate students and over 1 700 international students have also already registered. This is a very clear indication that the vast majority of the University’s students and community want the 2016 academic year to get under way smoothly, on time and without disruptions,” Ms Letlape says.

The University’s orientation programme, also known as the First Year Seminar (FYS), has seen thousands of new first-year students exploring UJ’s campuses and facilities. The programme, which ends on Friday, 5 February 2016, assists students to transition from high school to tertiary education, while creating opportunities for them to meet lecturers and get to know their fellow students.

During FYS, new students get acquainted with a range of academic development and support services at the University, including the library, writing centres, computer facilities, counselling and career development centres – while also learning about the dedicated team looking after their safety, as well as services available at the health clinics on each campus.

Says Ms Letlape: “During their first year, UJ students are assisted by third or fourth-year students who do well academically, are good communicators, are able to identify with students’ needs and act as an interface between students and teaching staff. The student advisors also assist first-year students living in UJ residences. We offer this as part of the UJ First Year Experience programme.

“The aim is to ease the students’ transition from high school and help them adapt to the University environment and to achieve academically. There is a strong focus on tutorials and close monitoring of student performance throughout the semesters to immediately identify students at risk of failure.”

The University’s online registration process will remain open until the end of day, Friday, 5 February 2016, and the students that need assistance should contact the call centre 011 559 4555 which will refer them to the appropriate departments.