“The objectives of the fund are to support the students with laptops/devices; and offer support to staff, students and the communities around our campuses with necessary equipment and other needs,” says NWU vice-chancellor Prof. Dan Kgwadi.
The Covid-19 campaign launch was preceded by a survey conducted among students which found that many of them do not have the necessary devices, network connectivity and/or electricity.
“We have budgeted about R30 million to support remote teaching and learning. The funds will be used for devices and data for our staff and students. However, this amount will not be sufficient to support the number of students who are in dire need of devices that will enable them to participate in online teaching and learning,” added Prof. Kgwadi.
As a result, a humble request is made to the wider NWU stakeholders’ community to contribute to the Response Fund by visiting http://www.nwu.ac.za/covid-19-donations to donate. Stakeholders are also welcome to donate laptops and tablets they no longer use.
It is crucial that we continue with academic activities in order to complete the semester and the academic year. This campaign, according to Prof. Dan, is thus underpinned by and is in line with the NWU’s value of “an ethic of care” in all its endeavours.
