Enhancing students' learning experience

The College of Accounting Sciences (CAS) in partnership with the Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority (FASSET) handed laptops to more than 50 students who are in the FASSET bursary scheme at CAS. The handover was held on 24 August 2021 at the CBD Residency in Sunnyside.

Sbusiso Mthembu

The college appreciates the support provided to its students by FASSET. “Given that Unisa is an open distance e-learning institution, the project enhances students’ learning experience by providing a programme that will afford them maximum academic support in order to ensure the best chance of success in their studies,” said Sbusiso Mthembu, manager of Strategic Projects at CAS.

Mthembu had this to say about the project.

Tell us about the FASSET project at CAS

The project is aimed at bridging the gaps and overcoming difficulties that students are confronted with when studying through a distance learning institution such as Unisa.  We understand that studying through Unisa can be a lonely and tough journey; hence this project is aimed at reducing those difficulties for the recruited students. In the previous years, the project offered face-to-face classes. However, since the global COVID-19 pandemic, it has migrated to an online platform for lecturers to provide classes.

How is this project linked to the college’s role in transforming the accounting profession?

The project is aimed at increasing the college’s opportunities to meet its annual performance target to increase the throughput rate, which is linked to the university’s Strategic Focus Area 1. Unisa is the biggest contributor to the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Initial Test of Competence (ITC) candidates, of which the majority are blacks. For instance, in April 2021 SAICA ITC examination Unisa accounted for 24.9% of the candidates.

It is also important to note that Unisa has a social mandate to provide students with access to higher learning institution in the service of humanity. Most of these students accepted at Unisa, would not be accepted at other universities due to extremely stringent entry requirements, as well as high costs in terms of the fees. Therefore, Unisa becomes a more attractive higher learning institution. It is prudent to state that the students we accept are in dire need of all the support they can get, both academically and financially, in order to be successful in their studies.

How many students are in the project and what are some of the benefits that the students receive?

Currently, the project has 57 students made up of three academic levels: CTA 1, CTA 2 and Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Financial Accounting undergraduates, but most being of CTA 2. The CTA 2 students are afforded full-time student life in Pretoria with accommodation paid for by Unisa, including monthly living allowances, laptops, textbook allowances and 100% tuition fees covered by the project. On the other hand, undergraduate and CTA 1 students are provided with laptops and 100% tuition fees over and above the additional classes.

The project also provides a mentorship programme to ensure that we are not only focusing on academic life, but also covering other aspects of life to ensure that when they leave the project, they are well-rounded people and ready for the job market.

Students laud the initiative

Tumelo Maswanganyi

Tumelo Maswanganyi

I had a laptop, but it was in a bad condition. I would like to thank Unisa and FASSET for this opportunity, and for paying for my study fees. The laptop will help me during examinations.

Vusi Ndaba

Vusi Ndaba

I applied for the FASSET bursary as I needed funding.  Obtaining this bursary lifted the financial burden from my parents and me as a student. The bursary allowed me to concentrate on my studies and not worry about study fees. I did not have a laptop; am therefore grateful that it came at the right time as we are about to start with examinations.

Damarisi Manavile

Damarisi Manavile

Although we have been waiting for the laptops for some time, I am very happy that we finally received them. There are many students who did not have laptops or were damaged, so these new laptops will be put into good use.

*By Ntsako Mdhluli, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Accounting Sciences