THE DURBAN University of Technology has agreed to provide up to R35million in student loans in a breakthrough settlement after a week's disruption of teaching.
The university was closed and lectures suspended last week after students clashed with the police on the Steve Biko campus.
The students were against a management threat to deregister them if they failed to pay outstanding fees. Management and the students yesterday confirmed that lectures would resume this morning.
Vice-chancellor Nqabomzi Gawe said: "The university recognises that its immediate priority is the 2,079 students who have been successful in terms of National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) criteria and the university rules of progression.
"So students who meet the NSFAS criteria and academic progression will be permitted to register and continue with their studies through a loan from the university."
She said in order for students to get financial assistance, each individual would have to sign a loan agreement form before Friday.
Gawe said due to the slow response from the NSFAS the university's move would affect the allocation of financial aid applicants for future first-time applicants.
"If no further funding is obtained, either from the Department of Higher Learning and Training or the NSFAS, there will be no funding for first-time NSFAS applicants for 2011," Gawe said.
Student representative council spokesperson Sifiso Mdakane said though the agreement had been struck with management, they were still engaged in talks with the NSFAS to help with funding.
Mdakane said: "As a student organisation the time has come for us to seek external funders apart from the NFSAS since we cannot afford another strike."
He said registration would take place during this week. The test week, which was disrupted last week, would also resume today.
All students were expected to return to the university.
University in R35m deal
THE DURBAN University of Technology has agreed to provide up to R35million in student loans in a breakthrough settlement after a week's disruption of teaching.
The university was closed and lectures suspended last week after students clashed with the police on the Steve Biko campus.
The students were against a management threat to deregister them if they failed to pay outstanding fees. Management and the students yesterday confirmed that lectures would resume this morning.
Vice-chancellor Nqabomzi Gawe said: "The university recognises that its immediate priority is the 2,079 students who have been successful in terms of National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) criteria and the university rules of progression.
"So students who meet the NSFAS criteria and academic progression will be permitted to register and continue with their studies through a loan from the university."
She said in order for students to get financial assistance, each individual would have to sign a loan agreement form before Friday.
Gawe said due to the slow response from the NSFAS the university's move would affect the allocation of financial aid applicants for future first-time applicants.
"If no further funding is obtained, either from the Department of Higher Learning and Training or the NSFAS, there will be no funding for first-time NSFAS applicants for 2011," Gawe said.
Student representative council spokesperson Sifiso Mdakane said though the agreement had been struck with management, they were still engaged in talks with the NSFAS to help with funding.
Mdakane said: "As a student organisation the time has come for us to seek external funders apart from the NFSAS since we cannot afford another strike."
He said registration would take place during this week. The test week, which was disrupted last week, would also resume today.
All students were expected to return to the university.
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