INFRASTRUCTURE
University campuses get R7bn injection
Infrastructure backlogs have led to accommodation shortages and student protests
The Department of Higher Education and Training is set to spend about R7bn on university infrastructure over the next two years, it has announced. Infrastructure backlogs have led to accommodation shortages and students have responded by protesting on campuses. University enrolment figures are expected to rise from about 1-million in 2016-17 to 1.1-million by 2019-20. Enrolments at technical colleges are expected to stabilise at about 710,535 a year. Through its infrastructure and efficiency grant, the department has spent R14.87bn on infrastructure development over the past 10 years. Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande said investment in infrastructure — including teaching and research spaces, equipment and student living environments — was key in ensuring universities could deliver on their mandate, which was to empower people.
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