The Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, envisages funding from The Kresge Foundation will bolster both the institution and students’ success.
Prof. Pamela Dube, vice-chancellor and principal, successfully secured R4,3 million from the American philanthropic private foundation.
Dube said the grant was meant to improve student support programmes, elevate the success of the approximately 21 000 students and boost retention rates.
She said the CUT and the foundation had entered into a three-year deal, effective from 31 July.
“It holds enormous potential to transform our student support services. Our active engagement with Siyaphumelela demonstrates our commitment to a more comprehensive approach to student support at CUT,” said Dube.
“We are actively adopting best practices from other institutions and benefiting from invaluable coaching from Siyaphumelela. This collaborative effort has already yielded significant improvements in our student services.”
Dube said that the CUT has strategically implemented a range of interventions aligned with its goals.
“These encompass the creation of a supportive environment for teaching and learning, fostering an innovative and entrepreneurial culture, and promoting diversity and inclusion.
“The interventions span various areas such as academic support, mental health, wellness, disability, residences, finances, and the development of graduate attributes. Each of these areas is designed to enrich the student experience and foster success,” said Dube.
The grant agreement is an extension of Dube’s crucial role in overseeing the execution and effectiveness of these support services, ensuring their alignment with the university’s strategic goals.
Since assuming the vice-chancellor position at the CUT, the Institutional Planning and Quality Enhancement Unit (IPQE) has been relocated to her office for direct oversight of student performance and success, institutional planning, data management and quality enhancement.
This move highlights the university’s business intelligence to locate IPQE in the office of the vice-chancellor to strengthen coordination and collaboration between all stakeholders involved in student support initiatives.
Last year the CUT was among nine South African public universities rated in top 50 of Times Higher Education’s (THE) inaugural Sub-Saharan Africa university rankings.
