ISFAP Launch hosted at the University of Pretoria Engineering 1, Exhibition Centre on Saturday, 14 April 2018.

In 2018, the Ikhusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) accepted a new intake of 1st-year students. This bursary fund targets financial assistance to the ‘Missing Middle’. An official Launch event for this group was held on 14 April 2018, to welcome them to the ‘ISFAP Family’ and inform them of what it means to be part of the programme. The UP Project Managers invited the new students to the venue for early sessions, from 08:00 where they formally introduced themselves and also explained the brochure detailing what students can expect from ISFAP. Mrs Jessica Versfeld, the ISFAP psychologist on call, was introduced and students were made aware of her availability to all ISFAP students.

Prof Norman Duncan, UP Vice-Principal: Academics, opened the official event at 10:00 with a message on how students can succeed through self-awareness and self-encouragement. He explained the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. In his address, he challenged students to, in their first year, strive to push themselves beyond what they think is possible. They must find inspiration from each other, encourage each other and be mindful of how they think and act.

Mr Nthato Selebi, the ISFAP Project Director from SAICA, offered the students insight into what challenges the ISFAP programme had to overcome while lauding the UP team on working around these challenges with creativity and commitment. He also insisted that the students must make use of all the support structures on offer and that they show commitment in following through with their academics.

The keynote speaker, Mr David Abbey from Rand Merchant Bank, shared his inspiring personal journey with the students and urged them to realise that their studies now are building blocks to the foundation of their tomorrows. They live in incredible times with many opportunities. The secret behind differentiating themselves from the masses is having absolute focus. Focus on studies and focus on future goals and become a brand yourself.

The event closed with Testimonials delivered by 3 senior ISFAP students, now in their second year. Their heartfelt sentiments on the value of the programme to them personally and the support received by the ISFAP group brought home the impact of the students’ positive experiences. They urged their new ‘family members’ to respond to the calls from their project managers and attend as many of the available sessions as possible.

Other attendees were Prof Johan Oberholzer (EMS), Prof Dianne Manning (Medicine), Prof Danie Lombard (Medicine), Prof Jan Verschoor (NAS), Ms Elanda Schaffner and Prof Ana Naidoo.