The chronic underfunding of the higher education sector in the last two decades requires the immediate attention of those at the highest levels of government‚ the University of the Witwatersrand's Council said on Friday. It said President Jacob Zuma should:Establish a multi-disciplinary‚ deliberative gathering to explore sustainable funding options for higher education to ensure that no student is excluded for financial reasons;Ensure that the gathering establishes clear timeframes and milestones; andCommit the resources and capacity from government. “There is not sufficient appreciation of the fact that this is a national crisis” and Zuma and his office should lead the thinking on resolutions‚ the council declared. “Access to higher education should not be the preserve of those who can afford it.”It was “deeply distressed” by the proposed short-term funding levels. “Our universities are a significant national priority. They are the only institutions that are capable of producing the high level skills that are required to advance innovation‚ tackle the challenges of the 21st century” and would affect the quality of research and learning. “The fact that numerous universities are unable to continue with the 2016 academic programme has immense consequences for the country.”The council stressed that stability had to return to the sector‚ noting that the “unfortunate‚ but necessary and unavoidable presence” of police on campus was a tragedy...