Subscribe & Follow
Jobs
- Senior Producing Lecturer Johannesburg
- Senior Lecturer - Editing (Fiction) Johannesburg
- Data and Grading Lecturer Johannesburg
- Lecturer: School of Law (Fixed Term: Part-time or Full-time) Pretoria
- Lecturer: Natural Science and Technology and Teaching Practice Pretoria
- Social Media Associate Cape Town
- Research Studies Lecturer Cape Town
- Administrative Assistant Cape Town
- Results Administrator Durban
- Lecturer - Languages Pretoria
Major data and connectivity boost for NWU students
According to the institution, it has so far spent R19,662,689 on purchasing 3,534 laptops, and an additional R2,303,433 on monthly data packages for qualifying students. This latter figure is expected to decrease, since students returning to campuses will no longer receive data, but will use Wi-Fi connectivity on NWU campuses.
This initiative was the result of a survey conducted among NWU students. A large number indicated a dire need for devices and access to data.
As at 23 June 2020, close to 1,700 laptops have already been successfully hand-delivered to students. At least 23 267 students have already benefited from data provided to them, with some having received data more than once.
The NWU says although the distribution of laptops began early in May, the process was hampered by challenges in confirming the correct addresses of eligible recipients and actually tracing the students in remote areas. The personal circumstances of some students had also changed and they therefore did not require laptops anymore.
The NWU was one the first institutions of higher learning to conceptualise and subsequently implement online-based teaching and learning following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s lockdown announcement towards the end of March this year.
Initial projections indicated that at least R30m would be needed to operationalise online teaching and learning at the NWU, although related costs – as expected – skyrocketed. This prompted the NWU to launch a Covid-19 Response Fund from 1 May to collect additional funds and pre-used laptop and tablet devices.
The NWU says it also relies on students’ integrity to ensure that laptops and data reach the most vulnerable among its student community.
- Virtual reality laboratory bridges the gap between psychology and technology03 Sep 13:45
- Congratulations to our Olympic champions15 Aug 15:55
- SADiLaR showcases research during the winter conference season05 Aug 15:35
- IsiNdebele enjoys major boost on Wikipedia, thanks to SWiP01 Aug 10:09
- isiXhosa.click: Student-led project makes isiXhosa vocabulary easily accessible29 Jul 14:06