media releases - Unisa invests R57 Million into the Rustenburg economy

The University of South Africa (Unisa) is investing R57 million into Rustenburg’s economy through investment in education. This is done through the purchase of a building that Unisa is currently refurbishing and turning it into a fully-fledged regional hub. The building, acquired in 2010, is currently being revamped and is intended to provide local students with access to different services. The project, which was initiated about five years ago, will benefit about 9 000 Unisa students in the Rustenburg area such as Koster, Swartruggens, Mogwase, Madikwe and Brits.

This will be a one stop centre where students will receive the same services received by all Unisa students, therefore living up to the university’s slogan of “learn without limits”.

The building will have high technology facilities such as computer laboratories, video conferencing room, a high tech library, and lecture rooms as well as an assessment centre. This will assist students to get all the academic support needed. The newly refurbished regional hub will enable Unisa to move towards a full Open Distance e-Learning mode, where technology is at the centre.

The hub will therefore provide a platform for electronic and manual submission of assignments, tutorial classes for selected and popular modules, library facilities and many other services intended to assist with their studies. The newly refurbished building is designed in such a way that people with disability could access it easily. The expected date of completion is September 2013. Then the offices will relocate back to corner Oliver Tambo and Steen streets, while the facility at 214 Beyers Naude Drive will be used as a study centre until May 2014.

Enquiries: Alex Motseoakgosi - (012) 594-8810/083 625 9700 /motseamunisa.ac.za.