Unisa says new application and selection process fair

31 August 2015 - 21:21 By RDM News Wire
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An aerial view of the University of South Africa (Unisa) Pretoria campus.
An aerial view of the University of South Africa (Unisa) Pretoria campus.
Image: Supplied

The University of South Africa (Unisa) has defended changes to its application and selection processes‚ saying they will ensure access that will more effectively address historical imbalances without sacrificing quality standards.

The university was reacting to grievances expressed by students who protested at its Durban campus on Monday and in a statement issued by the National Student Representative Council (NSRC) regarding changes to examination venues in KZN‚ Cape Town and East London‚ as well as to the university’s application and registration process for the 2016 academic year.

On the issue of the new application system and related issues‚ Unisa stated that as the “first among South African universities when it comes to providing fair and equitable access to higher education for as many citizens as possible”‚ the university has enhanced its applications and selection processes to ensure access that will more effectively address historical imbalances without sacrificing quality standards.

“This move will also allow the university to provide better service and support to students by aligning student enrolment with the academic capacity of the respective colleges to maximise students’ chances of success‚” it said in a statement.

It added that the decision to introduce the new application process was taken after extensive consultation with all key stakeholders over a number of years‚ in particular the student community through the recognised and elected student structure.

“All the aspects of this new process‚ including an acceptance fee payable by successful students to secure their space have been thoroughly considered and the university is confident that they are within the bounds of affordability; compared to the cost of studying at any other university‚” the university stated.

On the issue of the closing of selected examination venues‚ the university pointed out that it uses the services of external service providers to identify and source examination venues‚ which are secured through lease agreements. Altogether‚ there are 390 UNISA examination centres nationally and a total of 600 internationally.

“On occasions where a venue changes or has changed‚ it is generally as a result of the lease having expired and not renewed for reasons of unavailability‚ the need to move to a different venue due to unsatisfactory service delivery or other rationale business reasons. At all times‚ the university endeavours to ensure that all venues it leases serve the interest of the student community. Consultation with the recognised student structures always precedes any decision to change or move an examination venue.

“Equally‚ the university always endeavours to communicate within a reasonable time with affected students on any change of venue; and within the period stipulated in the university rules. In the case of the KZN region‚ the SRC was informed of changes in early August this year‚ while the rest of the students will receive the communication well ahead of the commencement of the October/November examination period‚” Unisa said.

The university also reminded students that where they have legitimate problems with the university‚ the appropriate mode of communication with the university is through the Registrar and/or the Dean of Students by recognised student structures such as the SRC.

“The university is therefore averse to engaging the students through the media and urges them to utilise the existing channels to engage with university management to try and find common ground on any legitimate concern.”

RDM News Wire.

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