Excitement filled the air as Professor Alta van der Merwe, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (EBIT) at UP welcomed and congratulated 80 students who were collectively awarded bursaries to the value of R7,1 million from the Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA).

The BANKSETA bursaries were awarded to 40 students from the Department of Informatics and 40 students from the Department of Marketing Management, who met BANKSETA's prerequisites for issuing a bursary. This funding will contribute towards the bursary holders' registration and tuition fees, meals, accommodation and required text books or technological devices, like tablets. BANKSETA is an enabler of skills development and transformation in the broader banking and microfinance sector and supports people development through partnerships, skills development, alleviating unemployment, creating a brighter future and enabling change. BANKSETA focuses on SMEs, the youth, adult education, continuous professional development and research.

The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UP, Prof Cheryl de la Rey, thanked BANKSETA at the welcome event for its third year of granting bursaries, which assist the University of Pretoria in delivering skillful graduates to meet the human resource needs of our country. Prof De la Rey congratulated the students on their academic successes and offered words of encouragement as they continue their studies, and for when they step into the world of business. She also mentioned that BANKSETA's programme aligns very well with UP's new work-readiness programme.

Ms Christine Fritz, General Manager of Operations at BANKSETA, also offered her congratulations to the students on their outstanding achievements on behalf of BANKSETA. Ms Fritz encouraged the students to 'pay it forward' one day, when they are in positions of influence, and grant similar opportunities to future deserving students, just as they have been granted with this amazing opportunity.

Prof Yolanda Jordaan, Head of the Department of Marketing Management, enlightened the crowd with some of the feedback they received from the recipients after they had been informed of receiving the bursary. Interestingly, many of the students thought it too good to be true (someone even thought it was a 'scam'), while others mentioned that they were excited that they could now consider postgraduate studies, as finances would no longer be a hindrance. The formalities ended as Prof Jordaan expressed a vote of thanks to the various stakeholders, and students got an opportunity to network not only with each other, but also with the team from BANKSETA, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, respective deputy deans and heads of departments.

The University of Pretoria is grateful for BANKSETA's involvement, and both institutions wish the students well in their academic endeavors for the year without the stress of financing their studies.

Below are the recipients of the 2017 BANKSETA bursaries, together with officials from both BANKSETA and the University of Pretoria.

Front row from left to right: Prof Oberholster (Deputy Dean: Faculty of EMS), Prof Jordaan (Head: Department of Marketing Management), Prof Van der Merwe (Deputy Dean: Faculty of EBIT), Prof De la Rey (VC and Principal of UP), Ms Fritz (General Manager: BANKSETA), Ms Caroline King (Acting CEO: BANKSETA), Mr Similo Dlamini (Manager: Work Integrated Learning)