Prof. Alfred Ngowi, acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal at the Central University of Technology delivered a welcome address for the inaugural Student Accommodation Summit yesterday, 27 June 2022, held at CUT Bloemfontein Campus. 

NSFAS is hosting the National Student Accommodation Summit in partnership with CUT on 27 and 28 June 2022 to create a platform for consultation with universities, TVET colleges and critical stakeholders in the student accommodation market.

“I take this opportunity to thank the Honourable Minister, Deputy Minister, and Chairperson of NSFAS for granting CUT the privilege and honour of hosting the Summit that is taking place today and tomorrow”, said Prof. Ngowi.

The Summit is a forum for exploring suitable solutions, conditions, and guidelines for student accommodation accreditation.  NSFAS is expected to develop a sustainable NSFAS Student Accommodation framework and effective instruments for the Post School Education and Training (PSET) to overcome the above challenges.

“I applaud NSFAS for its sterling work to ensure that academically excellent and financially deserving students gain access to higher education without hassle. We have seen how the fortunes of our young people in this country have changed through this scheme - a testament to what the Congress of the People wanted to achieve which was to open doors of education and culture, as well as ensure that “higher education and technical training shall be opened to all using state allowances and scholarships awarded based on merit”. But government alone cannot fulfil this responsibility.  It is possible that government, together with the captains of the industry, and business can hold hands to find sustainable solutions for the future of the young people”, added Prof. Ngowi.   

Direct disbursement of allowances into the bank accounts of NSFAS-funded students has been identified as one of the challenges. Some students do not use the allowances for the purposes it is intended, thus risking the achievement of the educational goals for which this money must be used.

“We know that proper accreditation of private accommodation remains a huge challenge for universities. We look forward to finding ways to set a foundation for student accommodation costs. I am sure that the next two days will be used effectively to ensure that we achieve this summit’s objectives, “ concluded Prof. Ngowi.

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The summit brought a sterling line-up of speakers and role players to exchange ideas and their vision about the future of student housing demands for the sector.