SA needs more universities, says Nzimande

New university brings opportunity says Blade Nzimande. Image: GCIS

Nzimande was addressing more than 2,000 delegates and community members who attended the launch of the University of Mpumalanga at the Lowveld Agricultural College in Mbombela on Thursday (31 October).

"A recent review indicated that only about only about 20.7% of all applicants to universities - including UNISA - were placed in 2010. It is clear there is significant demand for higher education in our country," said the minister.

Nzimande said the launch brings into focus a number of important policy developments under the ANC-led government.

"Our aim is to meet the National Development Plan's goal of increasing higher education from 17.9% to 30% by 2030. This we will do in the spirit of our many other educational achievements since 1994," Nzimande claimed. "We have invested in university infrastructure since 2007 and will be investing a further R6bn by 2014," he said.

The minister said the establishment of University of Mpumalanga will require a further investment of about R7bn over the next 10 years.

Leadership, research, technology

"As government, we will continue to transform education aggressively. The establishment of this university is one indication that we are determined to bring education to all the people," he said.

"Universities play a crucial role in preparing students for the labour market. As a comprehensive institution, the University of Mpumalanga will provide teaching and learning opportunities through general and technology-focused under-graduate and strong post-graduate programmes in niche areas," he said.

He said universities provide leadership through research and knowledge creation, adding that the true value of the universities did not lie in the buildings and facilities but in the cultural and economic life of the community.

"We expect it to be an institution accessible to all, particularly the rural people of Mpumalanga, where some of this university's research will be done. It is from these communities as well as those in other parts of the country that will attract its students," he said.

The minister added that universities were important in the transformation of the society.

"At the University of Mpumalanga, learning and culture should embody democracy and social justice, while contributing to transformation, growth and economic development. The university must contribute to creating a non-racial and non-sexist egalitarian society underpinned by human dignity, the rule of law, a democratic ethos and human rights."

He said the goal was to have 18,000 students attending the university within the next ten years.

The minister said UMP rests on the following three pillars:

• The 10-year development plan for the university. This will be a 21st century higher education institution embodying the vision and values of the Development Framework;
• The university's governance structure;

• The university's identity and character, its programmes and values.

"This identity will be encoded in the logo and brand of the University of Mpumalanga," Nzimande added.