EU-UK Bursary Fund
by Stellenbosch University SA Foundation UK
£6,294.00
raised by 46 donations
of £50,000.00 Target Goal
13%
The Story
Graduation debt at Stellenbosch University is a significant concern that impacts a considerable number of students. Like many other universities around the world, Stellenbosch University faces the challenge of high tuition fees, living expenses, and limited financial aid options, resulting in students accumulating debt throughout their academic journey. This debt burden can have long-lasting consequences, affecting graduates' financial stability, career choices, and overall quality of life.
The effects of graduation debt can be far-reaching. Graduates burdened with debt may face difficulties in finding employment or pursuing further studies due to limited financial flexibility. The stress and financial strain of debt repayment can impact their mental well-being and delay important life milestones, such as buying a home or starting a family. Additionally, the cycle of debt can perpetuate socio-economic inequalities, as students from disadvantaged backgrounds may find it even more challenging to break free from financial constraints.
Stellenbosch University is ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world and has the highest throughput rate of any university in South Africa - which means that any student studying at Stellenbosch University is most likely to graduate and secure meaningful employment in a country where current unemployment rates are lying at about 35%.
However, students graduating with student debt are unable to enter these meaningful careers without proof of their degree or transcripts, which is withheld where there is debt on graduation.
As an institution renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and the holistic development of its students, it is crucial that we address the financial burdens faced by our graduates. By alleviating student graduating debt, we can pave the way for a brighter future for our students and empower them to pursue their dreams without the weight of financial constraints.
Recognizing the urgency of this issue, Stellenbosch University has been actively exploring ways to alleviate graduation debt and provide support to students. Efforts include expanding scholarship and bursary programs, creating partnerships with external organizations for additional funding opportunities, and implementing financial literacy programs to educate students on responsible borrowing and money management. These initiatives aim to ease the financial burden on students, increase access to education, and enhance post-graduation prospects.
While progress has been made, addressing graduation debt remains an ongoing challenge. It requires continued advocacy, collaboration, and financial resources to ensure that students at Stellenbosch University can pursue their studies without excessive financial strain. By investing in reducing graduation debt, the university can empower its graduates to thrive in their chosen fields, contribute to society, and create a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
The EU-UK Bursary Fund was launched as an initiative that aims to get as many of these graduating students across the final hurdle to ensuring their success and opportunity to join the economic world of South Africa and begin to contribute to building our country.
Please join us in alleviating student graduating debt at Stellenbosch University, we can create a more inclusive and equitable environment for our students, foster innovation, and entrepreneurship. I urge you to consider the importance of this issue and the long-term benefits it will bring to our students, our university, and society. Together, let us pave the way for a brighter future for our graduates.
(When donating please consider activating the Gift Aid contribution where the HMRC will gift to the charity an additional 25% of your donation if you are a qualifying UK taxpayer.)
Stellenbosch University SA Foundation UK
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”- Nelson Mandela, awarded an honorary doctorate by Stellenbosch University, 1996.
In 2004, Mr. William Frankel OBE, a friend of the university, established the Stellenbosch University SA Foundation UK as a registered charity in the United Kingdom. To create an avenue where friends, as well as alumni, could donate to the furthering and advancement of education in South Africa through Stellenbosch University.
The charity is registered with the Charities Commission.
The success of a university depends greatly on the participation of its alumni and friends.
The Stellenbosch University Foundation allows for alumni and friends of the university, based outside of South Africa, to financially support the many projects that enhance the educational offering at Stellenbosch University.
Remain connected, be involved and help to make a change in future Maties, in South Africa, in Africa and the world!
About Stellenbosch University:
Stellenbosch University (SU) is home to an academic community of 29 000 students (including 4 000 foreign students from 100 countries) as well as 3 000 permanent staff members (including 1 000 academics) on five campuses. The historical oak-lined university town amongst the Boland Mountains in the Winelands of the Western Cape, South Africa, creates a unique campus atmosphere, which attracts local and foreign students alike. On the main campus, paved walkways wind between campus buildings – some dating from previous centuries; others just a few years old. Architecture from various eras attests to the sound academic foundation and establishment of an institution of excellence. This, together with the scenic beauty of the area; state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly facilities and technology, as well as visionary thinking about the creation of a sustainable 21st-century institution, makes for the unique character of Stellenbosch University.
The University is amongst South Africa's leading tertiary institutions based on research output, student pass rates and rated scientists, and is recognised internationally as an academic institution of excellence. It boasts the highest weighted research output per full-time academic staff member of all South African universities and the second-highest number of scientists in South Africa who have been rated by the National Research Foundation (NRF). It also has the highest student success rate in the country.
SU is cementing its reputation as a world-class institution. According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, SU is one of the top 300 universities in the world, and among the top 20 in BRICS countries.
With 18 research chairs under the NRF South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChi), the University is regarded as a leader in the fields of biomedical tuberculosis research and management, wine biotechnology, animal sciences and mathematical biosciences. Another SARChi chair, in the field of invasion biology, is shared between SU and the University of Venda. This constitutes but one of SU's many partnerships, both local and international. As a preferred research partner, SU also participates in various international academic networks.
SU has ten faculties: AgriSciences, Economic and Management Sciences, Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering, Military Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Science, Education, Law and Theology.
Mikael donated £200.00+ £50.00 on 2023/12/13 at 19:10.