14 January 2016 at 21:54pm
By: Wandiswa Ntengento
Johannesburg - The University of Johannesburg said on Thursday it was happy with President Jacob Zuma`s decision to focus on long term funding of higher education through a newly appointed commission of inquiry.
The university hopes that through the commission, other institutions will come together to produce in-depth analysis on the education sector, said UJ vice chancellor Ihron Rensburg.
"Together with our fellow universities, we hope to put significant capacity at the disposal of the Commission."
The commission of inquiry appointed by the president this week is headed by former Supreme Court of Appeal judge Jonathan Arther Heher.
One of the ideas it will investigate is the likelihood of making higher education and training free in South Africa.
Rensburg said UJ`s finance department has managed to secure its funding model after pressure from students not to increase fees.
In a statement, the university explained it thus: "The model relies on a mix of financial sources, including student fees, regular and additional government grants as announced by Minister Blade Nzimande, and support from individuals, companies, and organisations."
Even though a funding model has been created, UJ accepts that government support for 2016 will make up 70 percent of the budgeted shortfall resulting from the fee hike freeze. A number of measures have been introduced including revising in detail the institution`s budget and seeking external monetary support.
Rensburg said although the university would have to take drastic decisions, it would continue to do put its students and their families first.
http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/uj-welcomes-tertiary-funding-inquiry-1.1971194