University of the Western Cape supports in changing face of higher education in South Africa
New state-of-the-art education building opens at UWC
At any given time there are more than 3000 students enrolled at the UWC Education Faculty, and now they have a new building to call home. The green building on the southern section of the UWC main campus in Bellville features state-of-the-art classrooms that will set the benchmark for producing educators, and teaching and learning spaces for early childhood development, primary and high school.
Prof Rajendran Govender (Dean: Education), Dr Blade
Nzimande and Prof Tyrone Pretorius at the launch
UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Pretorius, said: “The faculty building was constructed in the 1960s. It was made up of standalone buildings and empty spaces. Now our faculty of education has a new home, one which the Dean is very proud of, but that we as a university are also proud of.”
The Department of Higher Education and Training provided funding for UWC to offer a Bachelor of Education Foundation phase programme. The first cohort graduated in 2020, and this year in the Autumn Graduation, more than 30 students graduated with the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (FET) Phase Teaching.
Prof Pretorius said: “We appreciate the ministry’s faith in us and the many levels of assistance we receive throughout, from funding that allowed for the initial planning to actual construction. It is therefore fitting that you are here today.”
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande, not only congratulated UWC management on the opening of the Faculty of Education building, but also lauded the contribution the faculty has made to education over the years.
“You gave us good policy tools. I remember the debate, the transition from education theory to policy and all those issues. You gave us very good policies. The foundation, in 1994, not least the work done by UWC which also informed the passage of the Higher Education Act in 1997. So you deserve this building,” said Minister Nzimande.
UWC helps to alleviate student housing shortfall
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has partnered with various branches of government to address the national student housing issue. The official launch of the university’s Unibell Residence on 24 April has revealed more than 2700 extra beds. The new facility has a gym, a laundromat and water and electricity generating technology.
Some 2700 students will be beneficiaries of the new
Unibell Student Residence
The R670-million residence – a safe walking distance from the main campus in Bellville – was visited and opened by Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Ndzimande. Minister Nzimande applauded the university for expanding its residential precinct.
“Our Infrastructure and Efficiency Grants are investing significant funds into infrastructure and development at the eight historically disadvantaged institutions which include UWC. Over the six cycles of this infrastructure grants programmes from the 2007/2008 financial year to the 2024/2025 financial year, a total of R12-billion has been allocated,” he said.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Development and Support, Dr Matete Madiba, shared the minister’s sentiments and believes the residence has eased the ongoing pressure of student housing.
“Unibell has filled in significant space at this stage. We have 5800 beds we can offer to students, but on an annual basis, when we check the records, there are 20 000 applications for beds in any one year,’’ said Dr Madiba.