TYOBEKA: “DON’T STOP AT HONOURS—GO FURTHER”

James Klusener

@jamesklusener

Recently, it was announced by the Vice-Chancellor of the North-West University (NWU) Bismark Tyobeka, that the university will fund 100% of qualifying postgraduate students. This is in light of a sharp decline of Masters and PhD graduate levels, which affects all 26 of South Africa’s public universities. 

The Vice-Chancellor had this to say about the new initiative, “The reality of the situation is that the jobs are very scarce. So instead of finishing your honours and going home, then  spending  another 24 months looking for a job alternatively, during those 24 months, you would have finished your master’s degree and you would have started your first year of a PhD.  We are saying that we plan on   increasing the  financial assistance for prospective masters and PhD students, in particular to cover everything so that if you do not see prospects of a job immediately after you finish your honours or your undergraduate, continue with us.”

This initiative was also motivated by the high levels of international students pursuing postgraduate studies, compared to local students, which are less inclined to do so, due to a lack of funding. 

Out of over 56 000 students across the 3 NWU campuses, only 12%, or roughly 6 700 students, go on to obtain a postgraduate degree. And with Prof. Tyobeka’s argument, it is clear that in the time that most students spend looking for a job, they could have elevated their qualifications and been afforded the opportunity to apply for more high-level jobs, of which there are many   in demand. 

According to News24, as of 2023, R21,7 billion is outstanding from 25 of the 26 public universities. That’s a staggering number and is a reason as to why many students opt out of completing a postgraduate degree – the costs are just too high. However, this  new programme aims to help. 

Professor Bismark Tyobeka sitting at his desk (Source: NWU)

Edited by Mignon Walters