Dear Parents and Guardians

Thank you for choosing the University of Pretoria - and best wishes for 2016!  

Following on a tumultuous 2015 for the higher education sector, 2016 has commenced with protest action, which is evidently part of a national campaign, at various higher education institutions in Gauteng. The University of Pretoria is no exception with protests around the insourcing of contracted services ensuing at our institution this week. The University remains committed to a peaceful solution and talks with stakeholders are continuing.

The safety and security of our students and staff remain our highest priority. In light thereof the University obtained a court interdict preventing protesters from any unlawful actions and closed the University for the week, except for essential services.

Unfortunately, these developments have also affected arrangements for UP’s Welcome Day. In the interests of the safety of students, parents and staff, UP Management decided not to proceed with Welcome Day as scheduled for Saturday, 16 January 2016. Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience in this regard. We realise that many of our students and parents travel from far and that you were looking forward to this day.

Although Welcome Day will not continue as planned, every effort will be made to ensure that there will be no disruption to our academic year or the planned orientation programme. Online registration for our first-year students will commence on Monday, 18 January 2016 and arrangements for receiving students into residences remain.   

Please consult the website www.up.ac.za for any further updates.

I wish to thank you for your support and understanding in these trying circumstances.

Yours sincerely