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Meaningful student campaign invests in access to education
The Unisa Convocation President, Justice Dabampe, says that the Convocation Fundraising Gala Dinner held at the Maslow Hotel in Pretoria on 23 September 2025 was an intervention to ensure that students owing the university get an opportunity to graduate.
This collaboration between the university’s Convocation and the National Student Representative Council supports student bursaries, further reducing student funding challenges at the university. Dabampe also states that the initiative will advance holistic student development.
Sustainable solutions for underprivileged students
Among the focus areas of this initiative is to ensure that the university remains at the centre of cutting-edge teaching and learning, research and engaged scholarship. Dabampe contends that it will resolve economic issues affecting poor students and graduates, and provide access to education to deserving students. He further explains that his office focuses mainly on student support to promote student success within and outside the university.
According to Dabampe, through this initiative, students will be able to focus on their studies, thus ensuring that Unisa continues to climb the academic ranks and produces much-needed knowledge. "Top performing students will attract bursary sponsors and scholarships," he adds. "Potential students will also perceive Unisa as their institution of choice."
Promoting catalytic niche areas through student-centricity
Dabampe states that the fundraising initiative is enshrined in the Unisa Institutional Statute to ensure that the university’s ten catalytic niche areas are realised. "Through this campaign," he adds, "we will ensure that Unisa is placed on the map as the hub of knowledge that produces leaders in these niche areas." Moreover, Dabampe says that the Unisa Convocation will ensure that students pursue studies in the catalytic niche areas. "This is a great campaign that ensures that Unisa remains student-centric."
Additionally, Dabampe affirms that the university can produce leaders with scarce skills. "We want to ensure that most students access education; therefore, we call on all Unisans to mobilise stakeholders in terms of both financial contribution and producing more female leaders," he says.
In closing, Dabampe states that this is an annual event that calls on everyone to contribute meaningfully not only to the university but also to society. "We call on all our alumni to contribute to a just cause." He further states that there are more exciting events planned for Unisa alumni, which will be announced in due course. He concludes: "These events will assist in ensuring that Unisa students graduate."
* By Lesego Chiloane, Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement
* Photos by Shooheima Champion, Unisa Multimedia Centre
Publish date: 2025-10-03 00:00:00.0
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