UNISA - FRENCH EMBASSY HANDS OVER LAPTOPS TO STUDENTS
The French Embassy in South Africa has provided 25 laptops to the University of South Africa to ensure students can continue with their studies amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
The pandemic has disrupted lives across the world and has forced people to adjust their everyday routines in order to get through this uncertain time.
This is especially true when it comes to the lives of the young people of South Africa who are busy with higher education courses and preparing for their future.
In many cases, the already stressful task of completing one’s studies, has further been burdened with having to adapt to the unexpected and unprecedented disruptions brought by the pandemic.
UNISA is a leader when it comes to distance learning in higher education. Students usually rely on the UNISA campuses or centres where they can access their materials online or complete and submit assignments. This semester students will also have to complete their examinations online. Due to the necessary lockdown regulations, some of these students are facing challenges when it comes to studying remotely.
Therefore, the French Embassy responded to the Vice-Chancellor’s call for support to ensure all students can access UNISA online and continue with their learing during this pandemic. We have honoured to contribute to the future of these young students by providing them with laptops today, a small but crucial contribution to their futures.
“You did not waste time and said that it will happen urgently because you understood the need. Your support is appreciated. We trust that this marks the start of our collaborative relationship,” said Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mandla Makhanya at the handover ceremony.
“We wanted to show that we support your vision. We hope this will be helpful for the students and that those who received the laptops can use them to make their dreams come true“ said French Ambassador Aurélien Lechevallier.
Distance learning is a field in which we hope to continue building on the collaboration between France and South Africa through common projects and the sharing of knowledge and experience.
France stands in solidarity with South Africa and its students.
Photo credit: Given Maluleka