Supporting Your Journey and Success

01 | 02 | 2025

22 January 2025 

To all senior and incoming students at the Central University Of Technology, Free State

Navigate into your Future with us at CUT

During the last online session, I highlighted the complexities of university enrolment. To improve this process, it is crucial for the university, including officials, the Student Representative Council (SRC), and all students (both returning and new), to remain calm and avoid panic.

At this time, this edition of the Dean’s Perspective is to assist in providing development into several issues that were put in place during the last week. It is in this context that CUT is prepared to journey with students for success and that can only happen if we work together on this journey.  This will help us become a university focused on renewal and enhancing the quality of our services. I urge all students to pay attention to the following points.

Registration Guidelines for 2025

In the previous communiqué, I committed that the university would meet with the SRCs to finalise the 2025 registration guidelines. This process was concluded in two meetings on 17 and 18 January 2025. This effort symbolises the collective commitment between the university and the SRCs to prioritise student centricity. Both SRCs have communicated, and the office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will provide the final details of these engagements. Additionally, we will monitor the implementation with the SRCs on a weekly basis. Students are advised to remain calm and consistently report to the SRC to collectively address any challenges ahead.

Private Accommodation NSFAS Integration

After a series of meetings organised by National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the Private Accommodation (PA) strategy is in full swing for all universities and TVET Colleges. NSFAS have accredited almost 7 000 beds for their beneficiaries in the Bloemfontein area. This means that the following must be noted and be executed by our NSFAS bursary holders with immediate effect.

• NSFAS bursary holders must register on the NSFAS portal and select accommodation listed there as soon as possible, preferably while off-campus, to ensure timely approval.
• We will be meeting with NSFAS to address the period between application and immediate occupation to avoid students being without accommodation.

Based on our experiences, we are ready to intervene promptly where problems arise. Students are encouraged to report any issues immediately. Additionally, in terms of accreditation, integration of information between the CUT and NSFAS would be ongoing throughout the year. For instance, the landlords that have been accredited by CUT would also be encouraged to register on the NSFAS portal and will be exempted from the administration fee as they have paid it to the university.  In this context, the payment of PA’s (Landlords) for accommodation monthly rentals will going forward be paid directly by NSFAS. The university is committed to making sure that the CUT student community is satisfied by continually engaging with the NSFAS for any challenges that may arise in the transition process.

The issue of students paying admin fees was discussed with landlords and the SRCs. Although no changes have been made yet, we are engaging with landlords willing to comply with NSFAS guidelines. Students should visit their student housing offices to get a list of landlords who will not charge admin fees. This work is ongoing, and the SRC and university are committed to assisting students in this area.

Management of Transition and Complexities

Developments in higher education are part of our efforts to enhance quality student support services. Understanding that change is inevitable, CUT aims to navigate these changes alongside our students. Together, we will overcome any obstacles through our improvement strategies. At this stage, our values must define us as a university. In this context, our students remain our pride and the future generation of social agents for continental transformation. We will continue to work hard to pursue excellence and advance the best interests of our students within the framework of institutional sustainability.

Concluding Remarks

As we begin the 2025 enrolment process, I want to remind students that the security alert mentioned in the Online Dean’s Perspective (Volume 1/1/2025) is still in effect. With many students arriving for enrolment, there may be opportunities for criminal activity. When walking to off-campus residences in the Willows area, please walk in groups to reduce the risk of being targeted and increase safety.

“As we work together to pursue excellence, our consciousness must be to lead us to united CUT in pursued of student centricity”

Issued by
Dr B.K. Sebake
CUT's Dean of Students